6B
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DARLY KANSAN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2007
FOOTBALL
Ohio State, Michigan make or break
BY CASE KEEFER ckeefer@kansan.com
GAMES OF THE WEEK:
NO. 3 OKLAHOMA (9-1) AT
TEXAS TECH (7-4)
Two of the three most efficient passers meet in Lubock, Texas, this weekend.
Oklahoma freshman quarterback Sam Bradford has quietly stayed at first in the nation in passing efficiency most of the year and averages 250 yards per game and three touchdowns.
Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrel ranks third and averages 443 yards per game and four touchdowns. Harrel, however, is more prone to making mistakes and has thrown 12 interceptions this season.
That's good news for Oklahoma defensive backs D.J. Wolfe and Nic Harris, who have combined for seven interceptions on the season.
The rivalry game may have lost a little bit of its luster last weekend when Ohio State and Michigan were knocked off — but not much.
NO. 7 OHIQ STATE (10-1)
AT NO. 23 MICHIGAN (8-3)
A Big Ten Conference championship and an automatic berth in the Rose Bowl will still be rewarded to the winner of this game.
But the Wolveries may be playing without their two main contributors. Senior quarterback Chad Henne and senior running back Mike Hart are questionable for the game. Neither Henne nor Hart have beaten Ohio State in their collegiate careers and returned for their senior seasons partly for a shot at the Buckeyes and a Big Ten title.
The Buckeye offensive attack starts with sophomore running back Chris Wells. One of the most highly touted recruits out of high school two years ago, Wells has lived up to the hype this season by averaging nearly six yards per carry.
NO. 22 KENTUCKY (7-3) AT
NO. 8 GEORGIA (8-2)
Georgia might be playing as well as any team in the nation right now. In their past two Southeastern Conference games, the Bulldogs have beaten ranked opponents, Florida and Auburn, by a combined total of 37 points.
Freshman Knowshon Moreno is averaging 173 total yards in the past three games. Sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford is developing consistency with three straight games of at least 215 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Things haven't gone as smoothly at Kentucky of late. The Wildcats have lost two of their past three since a much-celebrated victory against Louisiana State. Andre Woodson erased his name from Heisman consideration two weeks ago with three interceptions and no touchdowns against Mississippi State. The defense seems to have regressed and ranks 11th in the SEC.
NO. 18 BOSTON COLLEGE (8-2) AT NO. 15 CLEMSON
There hasn't been a battle of this magnitude between New Englanders and South Carolinians since the Civil War.
(8-2)
The winner advances to the Atlantic Conference Championship Game as the Atlantic Division representative.
To win this year, Boston College must escape a two-game losing skid with better play from the defense. The Eagles like to blitz sophomore linebacker Alex Albright, and it'll be up to him to apply pressure on Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper early.
The Tigers are peaking. Since being embarrassed by Virginia Tech last month, Clemson has won four straight by an average of 35 points.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NO. 5 WEST VIRGINIA (8-1)
AT NO. 22 CINCINNATI
(0-2)
(8-2)
Cincinnati ranks third in the nation in turnover margin at plus-16 but first in penalties with 97. The Bearcat defense has proven stern enough to fight through penalty problems, though. Led by a strong group of linebackers, they have held opponents to an average of less than 100 rushing yards per game. Believe it or not, the Mountaineer defense has been just as impressive.
West Virginia, usually known for its explosive offense, ranks ninth in the nation in total defense. Mountainer seniors Johnny Dingle and Marc Margo have provided pressure on opposing quarterbacks and paved the way for strong years by defensive backs Ryan Mundy and Eric Wicks.
OTHER GAMES:
NO. 5 MISSOURI (9-1) AT
KANSAS STATE (5-5)
The Wildcats are in a must-win situation to guarantee themselves a bowl appearance. The Tigers must win to keep their hopes of a Big 12 Championship alive.
OKLAHOMA STATE (5-5)
AT BAYLOR (3-8)
Many suspect the game in Waco, Texas, will be Baylor coach Guy Morris' last as the boss of the Bears. Morris has a record of 18-39.
NO.1 LOUISIANA STATE (9-1) AT MISSISSIPPI (3-7)
MIAMI (5-5) AT NO.10 VIRGINIA TECH (8-2)
The LSU defense has been top caliber all season but the offense is emerging from the shadows. For four straight games, the Tigers have moved the ball at will and scored at least 30 points.
Ohio State couldn't tackle Illinois last week, but the loss didn't eliminate them from the Big 10 race. Michigan and Ohio State play for the conference title tomorrow in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Whether the Hokies win or lose, their game against in-state rival Virginia will be for the ACC Coastal Division championship next week.
NO.13 HAWAII (9-0) AT NEVADA (5-4)
Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, who is one touchdown pass away from setting the career NCAA record, may not play against the Wolfpack Either way, Nevada's pass defense has been sturdy all year behind the leadership of senior Justin Jackson.
The Gators warm up for a game against in-state rival Florida State with, well, another in-state team. Led by quarterback Rusty Smith, the Owls will look to throw on the iffy Gator pass defense in the first ever meeting between the two teams.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC (5-4)
AT NO 14 FLORIDA (7-3)
IDAHO (1-9) AT NO. 18
BOISE STATE (9-1)
This game used to be a rivalry but has turned into an annual slaughter. The Broncos won eight straight against the Vandals and 16 straight against Western Athletic Conference opponents.
VANDERBILT (5-5) AT NO.
19 TENNESSEE (7-3)
The Commodores have won only one of their past 23 games against the Volunteers, but this year's team may be the best in that stretch.
NO. 20 ILLINOIS (8-3)
Illini sophomore running back Daniel Dufrene posted a career-high 108 rushing yards in last week's victory against Ohio State. Dufrene could find more room Saturday against a weak WildCats rushing defense.
NORTHWESTERN (6-5) AT
SYRACUSE (2-8) AT NO. 25
CONNECTICUT (8-2)
Huskie coach Randy Edsall has done a great job turning around the Connecticut football program this season and is a graduate and former coach at Syracuse.
Edited by Jeff Briscoe
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COMMENTARY
With holidays approaching, NFL play gears up
With Thanksgiving just around the corner and the holiday games to follow, the NFL season is really just getting started. Here are the players you should start and sit this weekend.
START'EM
RB Chester Taylor, Minnesota Vikings — A lot of people have forgotten that Taylor rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season for the Vikings. With the injury to Adrian Peterson, Taylor could become a major fantasy option again. He has seen fewer carries this season because of Peterson, but he has still contributed on offense and will not have trouble adapting to the starting role. Taylor will have a big day on Sunday playing against a weak Raiders run defense.
WR Andre Johnson, Houston Texans — Johnson is finally coming back from an injury that sidelined him early in the season. The Texans have had inconsistency issues in their passing offense, so Johnson's return couldn't come at a better time. Before his injury, Johnson
BY KELLY BRECKUNITCH
KANSAN COLUMNIST
KBRECKUNITCH@KANSAN.COM
played in two games and averaged 131 yards receiving per game and 18.7 yards per catch. Johnson is coming back against a New Orleans defense that has given up a lot of yards through the air, and it's almost guaranteed that Johnson will have a big effect on the game.
QB Eli Manning, New York Giants — Manning threw two interceptions in a big divisional game against the Cowboys last weekend. Previously he led the Giants on a six-game winning streak. He will face a Lions secondary that frankly seems cowardly. The Lions give up a lot of yards through the air, and Manning could take full advantage of that on Sunday.
Philadelphia defense — The
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Eagles are coming off a big victory against their divisional foe the Redskins. The Eagles offense put up a lot of points in that game but gave up a lot as well. On Sunday, the Eagles get a shot at the only winless team, Miami. Miami will start Johnny Beck at quarterback for the first time this year, according to ESPN.com. However, he gets to make his start in one of the toughest sports cities in America. The Eagles home crowd could rattle him, but he should be more worried about the Eagles defensive line.
RB Thomas Jones, New York Jets — Jones should be rested coming off a bye. He could have a big game considering he has fresh legs, right? Wrong. Jones faces the NFL's best and, as far as I'm convinced, hardest-hitting defense in the NFL. Jones has yet to score a rushing touchdown this season. Don't look for his output to increase just yet because it will be a long day for Jones on Sunday.
WR Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Galloway has played well with Jeff Garcia at quarterback this season and has had a productive year so far. On Sunday though, Galloway will see one of the top 10 passing defenses in the NFL when he and Tampa Bay face off against the Atlanta Falcons. Galloway also will be matched up against the Falcons defensive star in DeAngelo Hall. Hall has proven one of the few bright spots on this Atlanta team, and he will darken Galloway's day on Sunday.
only at
projected stats
START'EM
Chester Taylor
Andre Johnson
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27 carries
120 rushing yards
1 touchdown
4 catches
43 receiving yards
1 touchdown
**Andre Johnson**
8 catches
152 receiving yards
2 touchdowns
Eli Manning
25/33
311 passing yards
2 touchdowns
SIT'EM Thomas Jones
**Thomas Jones**
17 carries
39 rushing yards
1 fumble
Jon Kitna
Joey Galloway
5 catches
27 receiving yards
19/41
196 passing yards
2 interceptions
1 fumble
Sacked four times
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QB Jon Kitna, Detroit Lions — Kitna has been a great leader for this Detroit team. He has put Detroit in a positive mindset, but he should be ready for a rough day on Sunday against the Giants. The Giants have a strong secondary with big help coming from rookie Aaron Ross, and they also lead the NFL in sacks. Kitna could be taken to the ground a lot on Sunday and will be pressured too often to get momentum on offense.
Carolina defense — The Panthers are a mediocre defense at best. They have been plagued by injuries this season, so it is not hard to understand. On Sunday, their defense will have an even tougher challenge facing the Green Bay Packer offense.
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