Week 11: Top 25 Weekly Matchups
UHND.com - Joe Brunson
11/1/2001
Top 25 Weekly Matchups
Temple (2-5) At #1 Miami –42 (6-0) 12:00pm ET
Miami plays Boston College, Syracuse, Washington, and Virginia Tech. But first, the Owls come calling. Temple is having a hard time of late on both sides of the ball. They have allowed 762 yards and have only gained 38 yards on the ground with five turnovers in the past two games. With nine days to prepare for Temple, Miami should have little trouble disposing of them. Still being ranked #3 in the BCS has the Hurricanes storming and the Owls are about to find out what destruction really is. Miami will need only two quarters to put it away in a 49-point laugher.
#2 Nebraska –29 (9-0) At Kansas (2-5) 7:00pm ET
Nebraska could have a let down after the big win, but don’t count on it. Playing on the road will be an advantage for the Cornhuskers. Coach Solich has also been talking to his players about not looking ahead to the possible rematch in the Big XXII Championship. Nebraska crushed KU last season 56-17 and with the way the Jayhawks have been playing, expect the same this time around. Kansas has been giving up almost 230 yards/game on the ground so it may be over in the first quarter. Last week they gave up 349 rushing yards at 5.6 yds/att. to Kansas State. Look for Eric Crouch to have a huge day and stay atop the Heisman race in a 35-point win.
Vanderbilt (2-5) At #3 Florida –35 (6-1) 1:00pm ET
Vandy is allowing 466 yards per contest just in time to meet the angry Gators at the Swamp. Florida has had nine turnovers in their last two games but are long overdue for a breakout performance. In the Commodore’s last game versus the SEC, they gave up 656 yards to an average South Carolina offense. Look for both Grossman and Earnest Graham to have huge days in a 42-point victory.
Tulsa (1-6) At #4 Oklahoma –42 (7-1) 3:00pm ET
Oklahoma must come out of their bitter defeat to face an instate club. Okay, it’s Tulsa. However, they must find a way to get Nate Hybl ready to compete as Jason White is gone with an ACL tear. Hybl was pummeled as well last week so the offense may not be as potent as it could be with a healthy QB. The defense is fine and that will be more than enough to tear apart Tulsa’s anemic offense, which is only averaging 16.8 ppg. Oklahoma breezes through the Golden Hurricanes by 30.
#5 Texas –31.5 (7-1) At Baylor (2-5) 12:30pm ET
Chris Simms has thrown twelve touchdowns since the defeat to Oklahoma and Baylor has nothing to hold him down. They gave up 63 points and 518 total yards against Texas Tech last week and have allowed 1,091 yards with 81 points in their two games against top 5 opponents this season. The Longhorns are also seeing their freshman tailback Cedric Benson come into his own. In the past three games he has gained 451 yards from scrimmage with two scores. Baylor has lost 26 consecutive conference games and they have no shot at breaking that record. Applewhite will see mop-up time in a 34-point waxing.
#6 Michigan –6.5 (6-1) At Michigan State (4-2) 3:30pm ET
Michigan may be thinking Big 10 title, but the Spartans could have other ideas. The Wolverine run defense has been stifling holding opponents to only 54.4 ypg. In order for State to play well, they will need a huge day from the receiving corps. Herb Haygood and Charles Rogers have combined for 599 yards in the past three games. Michigan has not been great on pass defense, but if they shut T.J. Ducket down, QB Jeff Smoker could have a tough time with no play-action. Michigan has only won 2-of-5 games at Spartan Stadium but won 14-0 last year at home. This looks like an upset in the making but I think Michigan is playing with mucho confidence right now. Look for John Navarre to come back from his horrid 12-of-33 performance last week to have a big game. Michigan by a late field goal.
#7 Tennessee –7.5 (5-1) At Notre Dame (3-4) 2:30pm ET
Notre Dame will finish the year playing three of four games against top-15 teams. To make matters worse, Carlyle Holiday may not be 100% for the game. Although Bob Davie says he will be fine, the way he was helped off the field in Chestnut Hill suggests otherwise. Look for Jared Clark to get his chance at QB at some point in the game. Notre Dame has given up a 100-yard rushers 4 times this season. Travis Stephens has broken the century mark in five of his six starts this year. The Volunteer defense has held teams to under 75 yards rushing four times so far and if they make it a fifth, the Irish faithful may see it get ugly in South Bend. Notre Dame should come out fired up, but the Volunteers have adapted a one-game-at-a-time mentality from Coach Fulmer and they will be ready. Look for Notre Dame defenders to be on their heels throughout this one. South Bend sometimes creates odd occurrences so I think it will be closer than most think, but in the end, Tennessee will have to much. Volunteers by 10.
Colorado State (4-4) At #8 BYU –14 (8-0) 9:45pm ET Thursday
BYU may be alone with Nebraska and Miami as the only undefeated teams in the nation, but that doesn’t impress the BCS as they are ranked 13th due to a soft schedule. The Cougars are averaging 50 ppg so far behind the efforts of RB Luke Staley and QB Brandon Doman. Doman has thrown for 2,104 yards and 22 scores thus far while Staley has amassed 1,124 yards with 17 scores. Bradlee Van Pelt seems to be finally grasping the Ram offense. Last week he threw for a season-high 201 yards and ran for another 26 in a win over Utah. BYU may not be the best defensive team in the nation, but they don’t have to be. CSU will not even be able to stay close, as the Cougars will post another impressive victory against a subpar opponent. Cougars by 28.
Arizona State (4-3) At #9 Oregon –10 (7-1) 2:30pm ET
The Oregon running game has been exploding of late, gaining 283.8 ypg in their last five contests. The problem has been their pass defense, which is last in the PAC-10. This game will be a shootout as Sun Devil QB Jeff Krohn has a 165.3 rating while throwing for 1669 yards so far this year. Oregon’s rush defense has been solid so they should take away the Delvon Flowers threat. That will leave Krohn to make plays all day to keep ASU close. While he should put up some nice numbers on the fragile Duck secondary, this will be the sophomore’s first game in Eugene. Both teams will have huge offensive stats, but the running duo of Onterrio Smith and Maurice Morris combined with Joey Harrington is far more than ASU can handle…especially on the road. Ducks by 14.
#13 Stanford –1.5 (5-1) At #10 Washington (6-1) 3:30pm ET
Stanford isn’t missing starting QB Randy Fasani, as backup Chris Lewis has completed 38-of-68 passes for 487 yards with five scores. By winning back-to-back games over top-5 opponents for the first time in school history, Stanford has found themselves right back in the hunt for the conference title. Washington is also in the running and has stayed that way by winning their last four games by three points or less. Neither team has a great defense so it may come down to an old-fashion PAC-10 shootout. The Huskies have the advantage with a more experienced QB. Lewis threw three picks during UCLA’s rally and he is bound to have a bad game eventually. I think Washington will be tough at home for a new QB and their pass defense will play just well enough for the 3-point win.
#11 UCLA –4 (6-1) At #19 Washington State (7-1) 5:00pm ET
Washington State gave up 446 yards on the ground to Oregon last week. You know DeShaun Foster is chomping at the bit to gallop through Cougar defenders. Even with giving up all of those yards WSU was still in striking distance and could have won it at the end. The biggest difference in this game will be UCLA with no Corey Paus. Scott McEwan played decent in the backup role, going 15-of-24 for 221 yards and two scores. However, he is not nearly the gamer Paus is. In addition, the Bruins are back to their typical form defensively. They gave up 463 yards in the loss to Stanford, which should give Cougar QB Jason Gesser all the motivation he needs for a big game. He has thrown 20 touchdowns and only six interceptions thus far. Look for the Cougars to play with a vigorous attitude at home and come away with a 6-point upset.
#12 Virginia Tech –17.5 (6-1) At Pittsburgh (2-5) 12:00pm ET
The hapless Panthers get to face Virginia Tech after their first loss of the season. Virginia Tech is averaging a league-best 213 yards/game on the ground which doesn’t bode well for Pitt. They give up 140.7 rushing yards/game while only playing one ranked team all season. Pittsburgh does not have a very solid offense as it is, but with V-Tech coming to town, it will be unsightly. Pitt runners have only averaging 103 ypg while David Priestly has thrown six picks in their last three losses. Hokies get back to their winning ways in a 28-point domination.
#14 Florida State –7.5 (5-2) At #24 Clemson (5-2) 3:30pm ET
In this family battle, it will depend on the play of the quarterbacks. Woody Dantzler has the ability to put on a show and take over a game. If he gets going, Clemson could pull-off the upset. However, FSU has speed to burn on their young defense. Look for the running game of FSU to help out Chris Rix and the Seminoles to corral Dantzler’s running game. Florida State got back on track against Maryland and Rix has newfound confidence in his game. Clemson lives and dies on what type of game Dantzler has. Look for FSU to get after him early to keep him edgy in the pocket. If he begins to get jittery, as he did in the North Carolina game, the Seminoles will walk away with it. Bobby Bowden is still the daddy in this rivalry. FSU by 14.
#18 Illinois (6-1) At #15 Purdue –3 (5-1) 12:10pm ET
Both teams are tied for second in the Big Ten and are looking to keep the pressure on Michigan. Illinois’ chance depends the leagues leading passer (262.7 ypg), Kurt Kittner. WR Brandon Lloyd must have a big game for him as he is the Big Ten’s second leading receiver with 710 yards. Purdue has been playing very steady defensively and leads the conference in pass defense. They will need a repeat showing from Montrell Lowe’s 101-yard performance last week to keep the pressure off Brandon Hance. Illinois has had a week off to prepare, so they should be more than ready to give Purdue a good push. I would love to pick the Illini in the upset, however this game is in West Lafayette where the last meeting gave the Boilers a 42-9 shellacking. Purdue has not lost at home since November 6, 1999. The Boilermakers should play just well enough on defense to give Hance and Lowe the chance to win it in the fourth quarter. Purdue by 4.
Troy State (4-3) At #16 Maryland –22.5 (7-1) 6:00pm ET
Troy State has given teams all they can handle this year, but Maryland won’t overlook anyone after a loss. The Terps lead the ACC in total offense at just over 440 yards per game, averaging 229 on the ground and 211 in the air. Troy State will be jacked as they are playing yet another ranked opponent and the ACC for the first time. However, Maryland is going for their first 8-win season since 1985 and Ralph Friedgen will be looking to regain their momentum before the Clemson game. Terrapins by 27.
#17 Texas A&M (7-1) At Texas Tech –2.5 (4-3) 2:00pm ET
Since their loss to Colorado, the Aggies have edged by KSU and Iowa State. In this game, they will have to be on their game as Tech leads the Big XXII in passing with 324 ypg. A&M gave up 445 yards to Iowa State last week. Mark Farris will have to play brilliantly to win, but he will have help from Derek Farmer, who leads the Aggies in rushing with 429 yards. Look for Texas A&M to try and run the ball to keep Kliff Klingsbury and the Red Raider offense off the field. The Aggies have more talent than Tech, but Lubbock has not been friendly to them. They have not won there since 1993. Red Raiders win with home field advantage by 7.
Wofford (4-3) At #20 South Carolina OTB (6-2) 1:00pm ET
As usual, I refuse to preview games that present division 1-AA verse 1-A.
North Carolina (5-3) At #21 Georgia Tech –3.5 (5-2)
North Carolina rides a 5-game winning streak into Atlanta, hoping to get back in the ACC race. Both teams had last week off to prepare and that may give the Tarheels a chance to cool off. Georgia Tech has played well in their wins and boasts a defense that could shut down North Carolina’s streaky offense. The Carolina defensive line has been wreaking havoc on opposing offenses, but look for a few tricky plays from the Jackets after the week off. I know how hot the Heels have been, but Georgia Tech is a very talented team that just hasn’t played well together yet. A nationally televised game could be the spark that Tech needs to regain their preseason fire. Georgia Tech by 7. C’mon, North Carolina has to slow down at some point.
Missouri (3-4) At #25 Colorado -13 (6-2) 3:30pm ET
Craig Ochs is supposed to play (knee) but if he can’t go Bobby Pesavento will get the nod at QB for the Buffs. Missouri has played teams tough in their losses, so Colorado can’t point to Nebraska just yet. They only trailed Texas by 4 at the half and Zack Abron gained 109 yards with a score on the ground. The offense is vastly different if Ochs doesn’t play, but Chris Brown and Bobby Purify should still be able to get some points for CU on the ground. Look for Missouri to play solid football and keep this game close, even in Boulder. Colorado by 6.