THE UNVERSITY OF BARRAN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2007
SPORTS | 3B
FOOTBALL
Struggling Big 12 teams need statement games
BY CASE KEEFER
ckeefer@kansan.com
GAMES OF THE WEEK:
NO. 14 TEXAS (7-2) AT
OKLAHOMA STATE (5-3)
Senior running, back Dantrell Savage has rushed for an average of 138 yards per game since losing to Troy five weeks ago. Oklahoma State is tied at the top of the South standings and would be alone in first if it wasn't for a one-point loss to Texas A&M, its only one in conference.
Standing in the way of the Cowboy's potent rushing attack are the Longhorns massive defensive tackle Frank Okam and speedy defensive end Aaron Lewis. Okam and Lewis have led a Texas defense that ranks 13th in the nation against the run.
TEXAS A&M (6-3) AT NO. 5
OKLAHOMA (7-1)
Texas A&M has lost two of its past three while the vultures continue to circle around coach Dennis Franchione's job. After a 19-11 loss to Kansas last week, at least one Aggie player said he still expected to make it to the Big 12 Championship in December.
Despite standout defensive backs Reggie Smith and Nic Harris, the Sooners are allowing 230 passing yards per game this season.
The road to San Antonio, site of the championship game, goes through Norman, Okla. Junior quarterback Stephen McGee found some success in the air against Kansas late in the game last week. Franchione may use more vertical passes to combat Oklahoma's one surprising weakness: its pass defense.
NO. 3 LSU (7-1) AT NO. 17
ALABAMA (6-2)
Saban takes great pride in pointing out that he built the LSU program to where it is now, having brought in
When Nick Saban took the Alabama coaching job, Saban and Tiger fans alike particularly looked forward to this game.
The last time the Tigers visited Tuscaloosa, Ala., they ruined the Crimson Tide's undefeated season in 2005. To leave with similar results this year, LSU will have to slow down Alabama's powerful rushing duo of freshman Terry Grant and sophomore Glen Coffee.
high-profile recruits and a national championship. He even alluded to it in his first press conference as the new Alabama coach. Tiger fans want to prove to Saban that they've moved on and coach Les Miles is every bit as capable of doing the job.
The Tigers will likely have to do it without quarterback Ryan Perriloux, who often provides a spark off the bench. Miles said Perriloux would probably not play Saturday because of his involvement in a bar fight.
NO. 6 ARIZONA STATE (8-0)
AT NO. 4, OREGON (7-1)
Who would have thought that the biggest Pac-10 Conference regular-season game would not feature the Troians of Southern California?
Instead, the Sun Devils and Ducks will do battle in Eugene, Ore. Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon and running back Jonathan Stewart have both gained considerable Heisman hype following big games in the victory against USC.
To add to their resume, they meet one of the nation's most surprising defenses in the Sun Devils. Arizona State senior defensive backs Troy Nolan and Justin Tryon have intercepted eight passes.
Sun Devil quarterback Rudy Carpenter is tenth in the nation in passing efficiency and throws to a number of different receivers regularly.
WISCONSIN (7-2) AT NO. 1
OHIO STATE (9-0)
offense. The Ohio State offense had been unspectacular until last week
Badger running back P.J. Hill, who left last week's game with an injury, is expected to return against the Buckeyes. Wisconsin will need him at full strength.
No team has scored more than 17 points on the Buckeyes and only one team has eclipsed 300 yards of total
Apparently, quarterback Todd Boeckman and running back Chris Wells weren't fond of all the criticism of the offense. Boeckman let loose for 253 yards and three touchdowns through the air, and Wells ran for 133 yards against a highly touted Penn State defense.
No one has given the Buckeyes more trouble than the Badgers the last few years. Wisconsin has won three straight at Ohio Stadium.
OTHER GAMES:
NO. 9 MISSOURI (7-1) AT
COLORADO (5-4)
Missouri's best defensive player, senior safety Cornellius "Pig" Brown, will miss the rest of the season because of an injury. The Tigers defense already was ranked No. 73 in the nation, but now it should really struggle.
Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon, left, tries to outrun Southern California defenders Ray Maualuga, bottom right, and Evelson Griffin during a game in Eugene, Ore., on Saturday. Dixon is an adroit cr scrambler, while Arizona State's Rudy Carpenter is good at finding receivers deep downfield. The two offensive styles will be on stage Saturday when the No. 4ucks host the No. 6 Sun Devils.
Cyclone receiver Todd Blythe became the all-time leading receiver at Iowa State last week with six receptions. Now, he just wants the Cyclones to win their first conference game.
KANSAS STATE (5-3) AT IOWA STATE (1-8)
The Red Raider offense has gone from titlating to troublesome in the last two weeks with eight interceptions. The Bears will need to take advantage of every turnover to win their first conference game.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
TEXAS TECH (6-3) AT BAYLOR (3-6)
FLORIDA STATE (5-3) AT NO.2 BOSTON COLLEGE (0-0)
TROY (6-2) AT NO. 10 GEORGIA (6-2)
The Seminoles are undefeated at Alumni Stadium and confident they can hand the Eagles their first loss.
The Trojans are cruising through
their Sun Belt conference schedule with five wins by an average of 24 points. But Georgia has never lost a non-conference home game in the Mark Right era.
OREGON STATE (5-3) AT NO.13 USC (6-2)
The Beavers stunned the Trojans and handed them their first defeat last season. Led by senior linebacker Joey LaRocque, Oregon State is the first in the nation in rush defense.
Michigan's pass defense has struggled with efficient quarterbacks this season. With nearly 2,000 yards, eleven touchdowns and a 60 percent completion rate, Spartan quarterback Brian Hoyer registers as an efficient quarterback.
The Huskies' surprisingly strong season has started with creating turnovers. Connecticut ranks No. 2 in the nation with a plus-12 turnover margin.
RUTGERS (5-3) AT NO. 16 CONNECTICUT (7-1)
VANDERBILT (5-3) AT NO.
18 FLORIDA (5-3)
The Commodores are one victory away from becoming bowl eligible for the first time in 25 years. The Gators are one loss away from doubling coach Urban Meyer's career losses at Florida in one season.
TENNESSEE TECH (4-5) AT NO. 19 AUBURN (6-3)
The Golden Eagles have dropped four games straight but speedy senior running back Derek White gives them hope against their first FBS opponent of the year.
CINCINNATI (6-2) AT NO.
20 SOUTH FLORIDA (6-2)
10
have combined for 12 touchdowns this year.
NO.21 WAKE FOREST (6-2)
AT VIRGINIA (7-2)
Demon Deacon receiver Kenneth Moore leads the Atlantic Coast Conference with seven and a half catches per game.
SAN JOSE STATE (3-5) AT NO. 22 BOISE STATE (7-1)
Bronco junior running back Ian Johnson will return from an injury and could have a big day against the Spartans' rush defense, which is allowing 179 yards per game.
NO.23 SOUTH CAROLINA (6-3) AT ARKANSAS (5-3)
Gamecock sophomore cornerback Captain Munnerlyn will look to pick off passes from inconsistent Razorback quarterback Casey Dick.
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE
(1-7) AT NO. 24
TENNESSEE (5-3)
The bad news for the 'Ragin' Cajun defense and fierce linebacker Antwyne 'Zanders is the Volunteer offensive line is allowing the fewest sacks in the nation.
Edited by Amelia Freidline
》FANTASY FOOTBALL
Undefeated teams make focus game in NFL
The highlight of the weekend will be the match-up between the last two undefeated teams in the NFL, New England and Indianapolis. Here are the players who will play big on Sunday and those who will play poorly in NFL games.
SHOWTIME
BY KELLY BRECKUNITCH
KANSAN SPORTS COLUMNIST
KBRECKUNITCH@KANSAN.COM
Wide receiver Lee Evans, Buffalo Bills — It's obvious that Evans struggled early on, but he has gotten back on track the past couple of weeks. He had a big performance against the Jets Sunday and went for more than 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. This weekend Evans plays against a Bengals secondary that has been poor at best. Evans will be able to hurt Cincinnati on the field all day.
Running back Reggie Bush, New Orleans Saints — Bush hasn't had the same production this season as he did in his rookie year. The Saints have played better in the few weeks,
though. The success of the passing game may open up the running game for Bush. The Jaguars have a mediocre rush defense and may be without one of their run-stuffers in Marcus Stroud on Sunday. This should open up the middle of the field for Bush, who could have a big day.
Quarterback Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers — Rivers has been fairly consistent this season for the Chargers, which is good, considering reigning MVP LaDainian Tomlinson has struggled at times this season. This week the Chargers play the Vikings, who have one of the worst
pass defenses in the NFL. Rivers should be able to spread out the ball to his receivers well. He has one of the best tight ends in the NFL in Antonio Gates, and he has the newly added Chris Chambers in his offense. Rivers and the passing offense should be able to take advantage of an already poor Minnesota secondary on Sunday.
Denver Defense — Denver has the sixth-best passing defense in the NFL. But they have a terrible rushing defense. Denver plays Detroit on Sunday. Detroit's rushing game has been inconsistent at best. The Detroit passing game has struggled at times as well. The Lions could have problems creating an offensive momentum against a solid Denver defense.
NOTIME
Wide receiver Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Galloway has performed pretty well with Jeff Garcia at quarterback for the Bucs
this year. On Sunday, though, he faces an underrated Arizona defense. The Cardinals have the eighth-best passing defense in the NFL, and they get good play from their safeties like Adrian Wilson. Arizona will be able to hold Galloway in check and not allow the deep ball on Sunday.
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
projected stats
— Tomlinson has struggled through parts of the season so far, and it doesn't get easier on Sunday. As bad as the Minnesota secondary has been all season, they have a great rushing defense, the third best in the NFL. The Vikings have been able to shut down each running back they've seen this season. Tomlinson will be no different. The Vikings will not be able to win the game, but they can shut down the Chargers No. 1 offensive option.
SHOW TIME Lee Evans
Reggie Bush
9 catches
127 receiving yards
2 touchdowns
22 carries
134 rushing yards
2 touchdowns
6 receptions
67 receiving yards
1 touchdown
Philip Rivers
25/34
314 passing yards
3 touchdowns
Quarterback Matt Schaub, Houston Texans — Schaub struggled to get anything going in the passing offense against the Chargers last Sunday, and the hard times will continue against the Raiders this Sunday. The Raiders have the third-best passing defense in the NFL
NO TIME
NO TIME
Joey Galloway
3 catches
21 receiving yards
LaDainian Tomlinson
14 carries
52 rushing yards
2 catches
12 receiving yards
Matt Schaub
Matt Schaub
18/39
186 passing yards
2 interceptions
and are overlooked because of their recent history of mediocrity. As bad as the Raider offense has been, the defense puts them in the position to win games. The Raiders defense could cause big problems for Schaub all day on Sunday.
New England Defense — New England's defense has been great all year, as it is the third best in the NFL. On Sunday, though, the Patriots
have to play against the third-best offense in the NFL. Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne and Joseph Adal will lead the Colts to a tough New England defense. This game could become a shoot-out, especially if Marvin Harrison is healthy. The Patriots defense is one of the best in the NFL, but they are sure to give up a lot of yardage on Sunday.
— Edited by Rachael Gray
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