Before 2004’s defeat, the last time top ranked Ohio State (10-0) lost to Northwestern (3-7) in Evanston was 1958. That loss snapped Ohio State’s 15 game winning streak in Ryan Stadium. At 3:30 the 23 point favorite Buckeyes look to add to their 25-6-1 record in Evanston.
The History
Ohio State leads the series 56-14-1 and is 9-1 against the Wildcats in the last ten games. Last year the Buckeyes won 48-7.
The Players
James Laurinaitis intercepted his fifth pass against Illinois. He is now one interception behind Chris Spielman for the Ohio State single season record by a linebacker. Pittman should go over the 1,000 yard mark this week. Ted Ginn needs two punt return touchdowns to tie the NCAA record. He might be down to his last three games to accomplish that feat.
Tyrell Sutton is Northwestern’s best player on offense. Last week he scorched Iowa for 168 yards rushing and a touchdown. C.J. Bacher has thrown for 667 yards and four touchdowns as the Wildcats’ starting quarterback in the past three games. Senior wide receiver Shaun Herbert leads the team in receptions and receiving yards. Corey Wootton leads the team with four sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.
The Stats
Averaging under 17 yards a return the Buckeyes are ranked tenth in the Big Ten and 112th in the NCAA in kickoff returns. Maybe they aren’t getting enough practice because opponents are unable to score. The defense is allowing a nation’s best 7.6 points per game. Despite the poor game last week, Ohio State is still ranked first in the Big Ten in scoring offense, passing efficiency, sacks allowed, tackles for loss and sacks allowed.
Northwestern is last in the Big Ten in the following categories: passing offense, passing efficiency, scoring and total offense. The Wildcats are 105th in tackles for loss and have a negative turnover margin.
The View
Northwestern shocked Iowa last week winning 21-7. The Wildcats would like to cap a season of losses and sorrow with an upset victory over No. 1 Ohio State. If the Buckeyes go back to “Tressel ball” Northwestern might have a chance.
Ohio State- 33, Northwestern- 13
No. 2 Michigan at Indiana (plus 19)
The History
25 of the first 27 games played between Michigan (10-0) and Indiana (5-5) were in Ann Arbor. Michigan is 15-2 in Bloomington and leads the series 40-8.
The Players
Mike Hart has rushed for 1,281 yards and ten touchdowns this season. Chad Henne has 16 touchdown passes. Mario Manningham will play in his second game since having knee surgery. LaMarr Woodley leads the Big Ten with 11 sacks.
Quarterback Kellen Lewis leads Indiana with 333 rushing yards. Receiver James Hardy has caught 9 touchdown passes. Running back Marcus Thigpen leads the Big Ten with 653 yards and 3 touchdowns on kickoff returns.
The View
Can the Hoosiers be the second team from the state of Indiana to scare the Wolverines? No. Michigan is 15-2 playing in Bloomington and leads the series 40-8.
Michigan- 31, Indiana- 10
No. 13 Tennessee at No. 11 Arkansas (minus 6)
The History
Arkansas (8-1) defeated Tennessee (7-2) the first time the schools met in 1992. The Volunteers lead the series 9-2 and are 4-1 when playing the Razorbacks on the road.
The View
Time for change isn't limited to the political scene this week. Tennessee (7-2) and Arkansas (8-1) will also have change in their backfields Saturday. Tennessee's Erik Ainge might miss another game because of his bum ankle. Starting tailback Arian Foster, LaMarcus Coker's replacement, was arrested in a bar fight Saturday forcing freshman Montario Hardesty to start against the Razorbacks.
Last week, Arkansas quarterback Mitch Mustain was replaced by Casey Dick after Mustain threw an interception in the first series against South Carolina. Arkansas running back Darren McFadden may miss time this week with a leg injury. The political landscape may have changed, but Arkansas' winning ways won't.
Arkansas- 20, Tennessee- 17
No. 14 Boise State at San Jose State (plus 14)
The Players
Quarterback Jared Zabransky beats defenses with his arm and his legs. Linebacker Korey Hall has a team best six interceptions and 85 tackles.
Quarterback Adam Tafralis likes to throw the ball to James Jones and John Broussard. Averaging 12.5 tackles a game linebacker Matt Castelo is second to Illinois' J Leman.
The Stats
Boise State is second in the country averaging 40 points a game. The Broncos lead the WAC in rushing defense, pass efficiency defense, scoring and total defense. For the season Boise State has gained 2,105 yards rushing.
San Jose State has the WAC's best pass defense and is second to Boise State in rushing offense (214 ypg) and scoring defense.
The View
You may want to stay up for the 10:15 game between the Broncos (9-0) and the Spartans (6-2) to watch two outstanding running backs. Yonus Davis has racked up 476 yards in his last three games for San Jose State and Boise State’s Ian Johnson leads the nation in scoring.
Boise State is 5-0 against San Jose State and has outscored the Spartans 272-98 in those games. Ian Johnson will score at least twice as Boise State marches on toward a January bowl game.
Boise State- 45, San Jose State- 30
No. 21 Oregon @ No. 7 USC (minus 7.5)
The History
USC (7-1) beat Oregon (7-2) 45-13 last year in Eugene. The Trojans are 21-4-1 at home against the Ducks and lead the series 35-14-2. Both teams have won five of the last ten games.
The Stats
Oregon averages 456 yards of offense and scores 36 points a game. The Ducks lead the PAC 10 in rushing offense, scoring offense, sacks allowed and pass defense.
The Trojans are holding opponents to 90 rushing yards a game. USC is best in the conference in total and scoring defense.
The View
This game pits Oregon’s PAC 10 leading offense against USC’s conference best defense. The Ducks average over 200 yards rushing and the Trojans are only allowing opponents to gain 90 yards on the ground. Something has to give. I don’t see Southern Cal losing back-to-back games for the first time since 2001.
USC- 35, Oregon- 30
South Carolina at No. 6 Florida (minus 13.5)
The History
Florida (8-1) leads the series 18-3-2. South Carolina (5-4) is 0-11-1 against Florida in the state of Florida.
The Stats
The Gamecocks have recorded 62 tackles for loss, only Tennessee has more in the SEC. South Carolina is ranked 10th in scoring offense, punt returns and kickoff returns.
Florida has the best rush defense in the SEC. The Gators only trail LSU in pass efficiency defense, sacks and total defense.
The View
Last Year Steve Spurrier coached the Gamecocks to their first victory over the Gators since 1939. Saturday, Spurrier will try to become the first South Carolina coach to win in Gainesville. Florida has already won the SEC East and could be caught looking ahead at the BCS rankings. Then again, Urban Meyer definitely won’t look past being 0-2 against Steve Spurrier.
Florida- 23, South Carolina- 14
Texas Tech @ No. 17 Oklahoma (minus 9)
The History
Oklahoma (7-2) lost to Texas Tech (6-4) 21-23 on a disputed touchdown in Lubbock last year. The Sooners lead the series 8-3 and are 5-1 in Norman.
The Players
By averaging 345 yards a game Graham Harrell is ranked third in the nation and first in the Big 12 in total offense. Robert Johnson, Joel Filani and Shannon Woods are first, second and third in the Big 12 in receptions per game. Woods has gained 1,435 yards this year.
Last week Patrick Allen ran for 173 yards against Texas A&M. That was Allen's third straight game of 100 plus yards. Quarterback Paul Thompson has thrown for over 1,600 yards this season. However, the Aggies held him to only 45 yards. Linebacker Rufus Alexander leads the defense with 75 tackles.
The View
This match-up features the Big 12’s top offense (Texas Tech) going up against the conference’s best defense (Oklahoma). The Sooners’ Patrick Allen will rush for his fourth straight 100 yard game as Oklahoma (7-2) gets revenge for last year’s controversial 21-23 loss to Texas Tech (6-4) in Lubbock.
Oklahoma- 33, Texas Tech- 31
The View's Record
Last Week: 4-2, 1-5 against the spread
Season: 37-16, 26-27 against the spread
(Matt Gutridge is a freelance writer for the Eagle-Gazette. Contact him by e-mail at TheCollegeView@hotmail.com.)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment