College Football Top 25 Preview | Week 9
Tennessee at No. 1 Alabama
Line: Alabama by 28 1/2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
This is Alabama’s last game before a showdown with No. 13 LSU in two weeks. Tennessee is fresh from a major upset of No. 20 South Carolina, but a win over the rival Crimson Tide would make a much bigger statement for Butch Jones’ team.
KEY MATCHUP
Alabama’s defensive front against Tennessee’s offensive line. Led by nose guard Brandon Ivory and linebacker C.J. Mosley, the Tide barely budges against opposing running games, allowing 98.3 yards per game. Tackles Antonio Richardson and Ja’Wuan James lead Tennessee’s formidable group of blockers, who have allowed eight sacks while paving the way for Rajion Neal and the running game.
No. 12 UCLA at No. 2 Oregon
Line: Oregon by 23.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Oregon is the only undefeated team left in the Pac-12 but faces its toughest tough two-week stretch with ranked opponents in No. 12 UCLA and No. 9 Stanford. While the Ducks are ranked No. 2 in the AP Top 25, they’re ranked No. 3 in the BCS standings behind Florida State. The Bruins hope to rebound from a 24-10 loss at Stanford last weekend, their first of the season.
KEY MATCHUP
Oregon’s hyperdrive offense against UCLA’s defense. The Ducks rank second nationally with an average of 643 yards of total offense and 332.4 yards rushing. QB Marcus Mariota is responsible for 363.4 yards of total offense a game. The Bruins rank in the middle of the conference in rushing defense, allowing opponents six rushing touchdowns and an average of 147 yards per game on the ground.
N.C. State at No. 3 Florida State
Line: Florida State by 27 ½.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Florida State was ranked No. 2 overall in the 2013 BCS standings this week. A possible berth in the national championship game is at stake every week for the Seminoles. They not only need to win, but do so impressively. The Wolfpack are looking for their first ACC win and a third victory against Florida State in the last four seasons.
KEY MATCHUP
The Wolfpack have allowed the second-most sacks (18) in the ACC. The Seminoles’ defensive line is coming off its best game of the season and the front seven accounted for three of the four sacks against Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd. N.C. State quarterback Brandon Mitchell returns from a broken left foot suffered in the season opener and could use as much help from the offensive line as possible. Florida State has one of the best collections of defensive backs in the country with Lamarcus Joyner, Terrence Brooks, Jalen Ramsey and P.J. Williams. Mitchell will already have a challenge without constant pressure up front.
Penn State at No. 4 Ohio State
Line: Ohio State by 14.5.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Penn State is 12-6 under head coach Bill O’Brien, but this would qualify as their signature victory. The Buckeyes have won 19 in a row under second-year coach Urban Meyer and need to win to remain in the thick of talk about Leaders Division, Big Ten and national championship talk.
KEY MATCHUP
Penn State freshman QB Christian Hackenberg against Ohio State’s defense. The Buckeyes are coming off a 34-24 win over Iowa in which the defense didn’t play particularly well. So the defensive unit should be angry and motivated. Hackenberg has been spectacular so far for the Nittany Lions, leading the Big Ten in completions and passing yards per game (279). He’ll face some heat. How will he respond?
No. 20 South Carolina at
No. 5 Missouri
Line: Missouri by 3.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Missouri is seeking its first 8-0 start since Dan Devine-coached 11-0 team in 1960. The Tigers have vaulted 20 places in the poll the last two weeks with consecutive wins over Top 25 teams for the first time since 1976. Beating No. 5 Georgia on the road was the signature win of coach Gary Pinkel’s 13 seasons, followed by a convincing win at home over No. 22 Florida last week. South Carolina is the Tigers’ third straight Top 25 opponent, but is coming off a 23-21 loss at Tennessee. A victory keeps the Gamecocks in the SEC East race.
KEY MATCHUP
South Carolina defense vs. QB Maty Mauk & Co. Last week’s 36-point total was Missouri’s season low, and it was accomplished against one of the nation’s top defenses. A trio of running backs can lessen Mauk’s responsibility — Russell Hansbrough (391 yards, 7.5-yard average), Henry Josey (358, 5.5) and Marcus Murphy (350, 8.8). The Gamecocks will need more offensive production. They managed 1 5 yards in the fourth quarter last week after QB Connor Shaw sprained his left knee.
No. 6 Baylor at Kansas
Line: Baylor by 35 1/2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Bears are chasing their school-record 11th consecutive win, breaking a tie with the teams that won 10 in a row in 1936-37. They’re seeking their first 7-0 start since 1980 — and the second in school history — while trying to extend their best start in league play since 1985, when they were a member of the old Southwest Conference.
KEY MATCHUP
Baylor QB Bryce Petty against the Kanas defense. Petty leads the nation in pass efficiency and yards per completion, and is second in the Big 12 in yards passing (337.2) and completion percentage (70.8). He’ll be going against
a Kansas secondary that allows over 215 yards per game, an improvement of more than 70 yards from a year ago.
Wake Forest at No. 7 Miami
Line: Miami by 23.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
For the first time since Al Golden was hired late in 2010, Miami gets to play a football game without the NCAA investigation hanging over its head. It’s now resolved and the Hurricanes get to focus on football. Wake Forest is looking for its third straight win as the Demon Deacons rebound from a tough start to ACC play, and Miami will be trying to keep momentum rolling before traveling to Florida State next week.
KEY MATCHUP
Wake Forest WR Michael Campanaro vs. Miami secondary. Campanaro is the real deal, with 55 catches already, and the Demon Deacons love to hit him on short routes and let his feet do the rest. If Miami’s secondary botches the initial tackle, he will turn quick-hits into big gains.
No. 8 Stanford at Oregon State
Line: Stanford by 4 1/2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Stanford looks to continue its rebound from a disappointing upset loss to Utah two weeks ago, a stretch that began with a 24-10 victory over then-No. 9 UCLA last weekend and moves on to No. 2 Oregon after the stop in Corvallis. The Beavers have improved steadily since their upset loss to lower-tier Eastern Washington in the season opener. The Cardinal have won the last three meetings with Oregon State, and four of the last five.
KEY MATCHUP
Oregon State’s passing attack against Stanford’s pass defense. The Beavers have the nation’s top-ranked passing offense, averaging just over 442 yards a game, led by the dynamic duo of quarterback Sean Mannion and receiver Brandin Cooks. The Cardinal are allowing opponents an average of 247.1 passing yards a game. In Stanford’s lone loss,
No. 9 Clemson at Maryland
Line: Clemson by 14.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Clemson dropped out of a first-place tie in the Atlantic Division by losing to Florida State 51-14 last week, but can still earn a strong bowl bid by winning its final five regular season games. Maryland is striving to become bowl eligible and hopes to remain perfect at home this season.
KEY MATCHUP
Maryland’s defense, which has yielded 123 points in the last three games, will have its hands full with a Clemson team that scored 56 and 45 points in its last two games against the Terrapins and is averaging 82 plays per game. Maryland must also be disciplined on special teams, because the Tigers have returned a kickoff for a touchdown in three of the last four meetings between the teams.
No. 10 Texas Tech at No. 17 Oklahoma
Line: Oklahoma by 6 ½.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Texas Tech has shot to the top of the Big 12 under first-year coach Kliff Kingsbury, though Saturday will mark its most difficult test so far. The Red Raiders, who are 1-6 in Norman against Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, begin a difficult four-week stretch against the Sooners — who hope to jump back into the conference title race with a win.
KEY MATCHUP
Oklahoma’s secondary vs. Texas Tech quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Davis Webb. The Sooners lead the country in pass defense — allowing an average of 149.7 yards per game. Mayfield and Webb, meanwhile, lead a Raiders’ offense that is second in passing offense with an average of 416.4 yards per game through the air.
Florida Atlantic at No. 11 Auburn
Line: Auburn by 24.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Auburn is riding a huge wave of momentum from a win over Texas A&M. Now, the Tigers are trying to avoid a lackluster follow-up.
KEY MATCHUP
Auburn’s running game against Florida Atlantic’s rush defense. The Tigers’ ground attack of QB Nick Marshall, Tre Mason and other running backs ranks eighth nationally and first in the SEC at 300.1 yards per game. Florida Atlantic ranks eighth in Conference USA in defending the run, giving up 183.6 yards per game. Auburn’s starting offensive line has a 60-plus pound weight advantage per player over Florida Atlantic’s defensive front.
Furman at No. 13 LSU
Line: N/A
WHAT’S AT STAKE
LSU is trying to stay high enough in the rankings to hold on to hopes of a BCS bowl berth, and cannot afford a loss to a team from the second-tier Football Championship Subdivision. Furman only needs to stay healthy before hitting the home stretch of its Southern Conference schedule, but would certainly take the publicity that would accompany a monumental upset of a Southeastern Conference power.
KEY MATCHUP
LSU’s balanced and explosive offense, which has broken 55 plays for 20 yards or more, against a disciplined Furman defense that ranks second in its league, has created 14 turnovers and which allows only 184 yards per game through the air.
Vanderbilt at No. 14 Texas A&M
Line: Texas A&M by 18.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Texas A&M will attempt to bounce back after last week’s upset loss to Auburn. The Commodores are hoping to build on last week’s win over Georgia, their first victory over a ranked opponent since 2008.
KEY MATCHUP
A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel vs. Vanderbilt’s defense. The Heisman Trophy-winner injured his right shoulder against Auburn, but is expected to play on Saturday. He leads the SEC and is third in the nation with 396.4 total yards a game. He has thrown for 2,289 yards and 18 touchdowns and run for 486 yards and six more scores. Vanderbilt is 36th in the country in yards allowed per game (365.9) and has four interceptions.
No. 15 Fresno State at San Diego State
Line: Fresno State by 9 1/2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Both teams shared a portion of the Mountain West Conference title last season and enter this game as the only MWC squads without a conference loss. The Bulldogs, in their second year in the conference, are attempting to remain unbeaten and get QB Derek Carr more exposure as a Heisman Trophy candidate before a national TV audience.
KEY MATCHUP
Carr is the nation’s second-leading passer
with 379.8 passing yards per game and the Aztecs will be tested in mounting a pass rush to offset that because of how quickly Carr gets rid of the
ball; he’s been sacked but three times. The Aztecs’ pass defense has been wobbly, allowing more than 280 yards per game.
Duke at No. 16 Virginia Tech
Line: Virginia Tech by 13½.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Blue Devils need one more victory to become bowl eligible for the second consecutive season, which would be a program first. The Hokies need to keep winning to remain on track for a possible showdown for the Coastal Division championship at No. 7 Miami on Nov. 9.
KEY MATCHUP
Duke’s offense against Virginia Tech’s defense: QB Anthony Boone leads a balanced attack for the Blue Devils, and helps out in the running game, too. His ability to get something going against the Hokies (No. 2 in total defense, 6th against the run, 3rd against the pass) is critical to Duke’s chances.
No. 18 Louisville at South Florida
Line: Louisville by 20½.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Louisville had an eight-game winning streak snapped, squandering a 21-point second-half lead during last week’s 38-35 loss to Central Florida. The Cardinals have dropped four of five meetings between the teams in Tampa. South Florida lost its first four games under new coach Willie Taggart, but has rebounded to win its first two American Athletic Conference games for a share of first place in the league standings. The Bulls beat Cincinnati and Connecticut despite not scoring an offensive touchdown.
KEY MATCHUP
Bridgewater and Louisville’s explosive offense against a USF defense with a propensity to allow big plays. Bridgewater has completed 72 percent of his passes and thrown for 20 TDs vs. two interceptions.
No. 19 Oklahoma State at Iowa State
Line: Oklahoma State by 13.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Oklahoma State need to win to keep pace with Texas Tech, Texas and Baylor, all of whom enter the weekend unbeaten in the Big 12. The Cyclones have to win five of their last six games to be bowl eligible for the fourth time under coach Paul Rhoads.
KEY MATCHUP
Iowa State’s defensive line vs. Oklahoma State’s offensive line. The Cowboys haven’t announced whether J.W Walsh or Clint Chelf will start at quarterback, but neither of them will be very effective if the line can’t protect them. Iowa State hasn’t been great at getting at the quarterback though, with just 10 sacks through six games.
UConn at No. 21 UCF
Line: UCF by 22 ½.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Knights are trying to keep their momentum going a week after knocking off AAC favorite Louisville on the road. UCF is off to its best start since 1998 and is in the Top 25 for the first time since 2010. A victory would also make the Knights bowl-eligible for fourth time in five seasons. UConn interim coach T.J. Weist is looking for his first victory since taking over the four games into the season.
KEY MATCHUP
UCF defensive line vs. UConn offensive line. The Huskies need to improve across the board, but one of the biggest problem areas is on the offensive line, which has allowed 31 sacks this season. The Knights have 12 sacks on the season, with eight coming from its defensive linemen.
Eastern Michigan at
No. 23 Northern Illinois
Line: Northern Illinois by 31.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Huskies are one of just 10 unbeaten FBS teams and rank 18th in this week’s first BCS poll. Northern Illinois has won 23 straight at home dating back to Sept. 29, 2009, a school and MAC record and is coming off a 38-17 victory at Akron.
KEY MATCHUP
The Eagles offensive line and RB Bronson Hill against Northern Illinois’ defensive line. Eastern Michigan’s line sprang Hill for a season-high 257 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown last week against Ohio. The Huskies are 46th nationally against the run (144.1 yards) and allowed a season-low 75 yards last week at Central Michigan.
No. 25 Nebraska at Minnesota
Line: Nebraska by 10½.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Huskers, who’ve already had two weekends off, start a stretch of six games in 35 days. With Northwestern, Michigan State and Iowa at home in November and Ohio State and Wisconsin not on this year’s schedule, they’re set up nicely for a second straight Legends Division title if they can sidestep an upset here. The Gophers won at fading Northwestern last week, inspired by a surprise appearance by on-leave head coach Jerry Kill for a halftime speech. Kill, on a break to deal with his epilepsy, will likely watch from above in the coaches’ booth.
KEY MATCHUP
The Gophers have given up 151 yards rushing per game in Big Ten play. To have a chance against the Huskers, DT Ra’Shede Hageman, LBs Aaron Hill and Damien Wilson and the rest of the group will need to handle TB Ameer Abdullah, the conference’s second-leading rusher, and whoever else carries the ball for the ground-and-pound Huskers.
By Wire Sources
