Chizik's Tigers will face thier biggest test on Saturday.

Ole Miss (3-3, 1-2) at No. 21 Arkansas (4-2, 1-2)
11:21 p.m., CT, TV: SEC Network

Difficult to believe the teams have the same SEC records. Arkansas almost deserves a mulligan or two, having hung in – but fallen – to Alabama and Auburn. Ryan Mallett bounced back pretty quickly (too quickly?) from his concussion and should be ready to get the Hogs back to .500 in the league.

Ole Miss has played better the past three weeks, but, realistically, it can only hope to hang in the same way it did a week ago at Alabama. You know, honestly, Arkansas hasn’t had a thorough performance all season. Not against anyone of relevance. Seven-point wins against Georgia and Texas A&M are far from impressive, in addition to the losses to Alabama and Auburn. Here’s a chance for a quasi-quality win. Those still count when it comes time for bowl recognition.

Player to Watch: Ryan Mallett, Arkansas QB. The quick recovery from the concussion is impressive - we think - but is he really back? Or will he see little Troy Aikmans flying around the field?

No. 6 Louisiana State (7-0, 4-0) at No. 5 Auburn (7-0, 4-0)
2:30 p.m., CT, TV: CBS

Congrats, LSU, for making it this far. One question: How’d you do it? Bad news for the Tigers and Les Miles is they’ve got Auburn, Alabama and Arkansas among their final four conference games. Hint: You can’t beat those teams by putting chips on red or black. Sorry to disappoint.

John Chavis has formed a formidable defense for LSU, but not one prepared for Cam Newton. Truth: What defense is? Newton just seems to show up every week, no matter the opponent. You halfway expect him to run for 187 yards against the AFC All-Pro Team. Heck, maybe he would.

Is there any way the Hat can hang around for another fourth-quarter miracle? Auburn likes playing games that last into the final quarter – but it likes winning them convincingly. Look for a Miles fake field goal call on the first possession.

Player to Watch: Cam Newton, Auburn QB. He’s been the guy to watch. He will be this week. He’ll cement his case for a Heisman against another top-five opponent. He’s already our pick for the award – and we’ve got a vote.

No. 19 South Carolina (4-2, 2-2) at Vanderbilt (2-4, 1-2)
6 p.m., CT, TV: FSN

The road doesn’t work out so hot for the Gamecocks, but games don’t work out so well for the Commodores. Quite the quandary. Someone has to come out ahead. Got to be the Gamecocks, who already spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the scarlet letter of losing to Vanderbilt.

Really, though, the Gamecocks’ offense is too good to bog like the ’07 and ’08 versions, even without Marcus Lattimore, who will sit because of an ankle injury. Stephen Garcia and Alshon Jeffery are due for a big road game. Why not Vanderbilt? Seems like a perfectly acceptable place for that to happen.

This is a crucial game for South Carolina’s passing defense, which is 110th in the country through six games. Despite returning experience and talent, the Gamecocks have really struggled in that area. Fortunately for South Carolina, Vanderbilt’s struggled even more throwing the ball (70 yards for Larry Smith at Vanderbilt). The Gamecocks are second in the country in sacks – and Vanderbilt’s allowed 15 this season.

Player to Watch: Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina CB. Gilmore had a bad day at the office last week, blowing the final coverage and dropping a punt. Time to make up for it for the All-SEC-level performer.

No. 7 Alabama (6-1, 3-1) at Tennessee (2-4, 0-3)
7 p.m., ET, TV: ESPN

This doesn’t seem fair. Can’t Derek Dooley get a head start before his first Third Saturday in October game? The first six games of the season don’t count.

There’s no way Alabama loses again in this regular season. At least until the final week, when Auburn comes to Tuscaloosa. The Tide got that whole business out of its system, even if that loss at South Carolina might’ve knocked it out of the national title equation. Tennessee will pay for such sins. The Volunteers plan on employing two quarterbacks this week, adding Tyler Bray in with Matt Simms. Yeah, that should fix everything.

Player to Watch: Mark Ingram, Alabama RB. About time he appears in a big way. He’ll make a run at this Heisman, yet, even if he doesn’t win it again.

UAB (2-4) at No. 24 Mississippi State (5-2)
6 p.m., CT, TV: ESPNU

The last time Neil Calloway and UAB went into an SEC stadium, things worked out pretty darned well. There were even reports of a moral victory parade by the Vulcan Statue. The Blazers ran up 544 yards and took Tennessee to double overtime before a fluky bowout in Neyland Stadium. (UAB deserved the win. Seriously.)

Mississippi State provides a far better challenge than the challenged Volunteers, but there’s also the letdown factor at play. Gamble that the Bulldogs’ play will sink after a landmark victory at Florida, even if the Gators aren’t the Gators you’re used to seeing. Even with the flat-lining moments, expect Dan Mullen to get just enough out of his guys to outplay UAB. They’ll become bowl-eligible before November, a terrific sign for a program on the rise.

Player to Watch: Josh Zahn, UAB K. Dude was 2 for 7 on field goals at Tennessee. If the Blazers have got any shot at all in this one, they’ll be in field-goal range – and Zahn has to be on.

Georgia (3-4, 2-3) at Kentucky (4-3, 1-3)
7:30 p.m., ET, TV: CSS

The Wildcats keep drawing the tough ones at home. Oh, wait, that’s good. Randall Cobb had us confused. Why not a third consecutive game to go to the final minutes? Of course, Kentucky would prefer not to have to furiously rally the way it has against Auburn and South Carolina. It ran out of fuel before it could pass Auburn, but it did manage to scoot past ailing South Carolina a week ago. Still difficult figuring out how the Gamecocks left Cobb, of all players, wide open on fourth down.

Georgia looks like a different football team, but so would a lot of teams after playing Tennessee and Vanderbilt. This is a tougher test than many might believe. Even without Derrick Locke, and it does appear UK will miss him again this week, Kentucky has enough firepower to stay with the improving Dawgs. Between Cobb and an emerging Mike Hartline, the Wildcats are equipped for a run at the division. What, you say? Although it might seem that UGA is the new contender in the East, bear in mind that UK, if it makes it through this week, still has Vandy and Tennessee down the line – plus that all-important tiebreaker with the Gamecocks.

Player to Watch: Mike Hartline, Kentucky QB. What a step Hartline took a week ago. How about another? Is he really the best pocket passer in the league, as South Carolina’s defensive coordinator asserted?

Martinez needs to rebound this week against Oklahoma State.

Iowa State at Texas, Saturday, 11 a.m.

Texas believes it got its swagger back in last week’s rugged upset of Nebraska. Now it’s time to strut it.

The Longhorns, following a three-game stretch that has included losses to UCLA and Oklahoma and the emotional road win over the Huskers, return home to face a reeling Cyclones squad that has surrendered 120 points the past two weeks.
Texas, hoping to climb back into the South Division race, added a wrinkle to its struggling offense at Nebraska with quarterback Garrett Gilbert running some option — effectively. The Longhorns will be looking to build on that success, needing to get more playmakers involved.

For the Cyclones, this is the next step in a gauntlet that has included games against national powerhouses Utah and Oklahoma. Talent-wise, Iowa State just can’t match up.

Nebraska at Oklahoma State, Saturday, 2:30 p.m.

Few figured the Cowboys to be the unbeaten one when these teams met in Stillwater. Yet Oklahoma State continues to be among the surprise squads in the Big 12, entering at 6–0 overall and 2–0 in conference play.

Nebraska, meanwhile, finds itself in a need-to-win, if not must-win situation concerning its North championship hopes, coming off a home loss to Texas.
This is a clash of style and cultures. The Cowboys like to spread it and throw it, while mixing in enough of the running game with Kendall Hunter and Joseph Randle to create explosive balance.

The old-school Huskers prefer to pound the running game, with tailbacks Roy Helu and Rex Burkhead and quarterback Taylor Martinez the focus. The mentality of Martinez could be in question, after he was benched in the third quarter of the Texas loss and seemed to pout on the sideline.

Nebraska carries history and tradition into the matchup and owns a decided series advantage. But the “new money” Cowboys have won three of the last four.
The key matchup: OSU’s passing tandem of quarterback Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon, both among the nation’s leaders, against a Huskers secondary led by projected first-round draft pick Prince Amukamara.

Kansas State at Baylor, Saturday, 2:30 p.m.

Baylor, at 5–2, can sniff bowl eligibility for the first time in the history of the Big 12. According to oddsmakers, the Bears are favored to achieve that against the Wildcats. Not that it’ll be easy. Baylor has never reached six wins as a member of the Big 12.

Kansas State, an ugly night against Nebraska aside, seeks the same bowl-eligible status at 5–1. The Wildcats will challenge Baylor’s defense with a steady dose of Daniel Thomas off tackle, testing how far the Bears have truly come. And ’Cats quarterback Carson Coffman is coming off one of his best games, accounting for five TDs in a 59–7 rout of archrival Kansas.

For the Bears, the storyline is the same as always: Robert Griffin III. Baylor’s electric quarterback has lifted the program to this point and is capable of taking it further — perhaps this week, if he can replicate the way Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez carved up K-State in the run game.

Texas Tech at Colorado, Saturday, 2:30 p.m.

The Red Raiders and Buffaloes have their eyes on possible bowl bids, if they can just get eligible. This game looms large for both teams, with each entering at 3–3 overall.
Tech and Colorado have endured similarly uneven seasons, marked by encouraging wins and distressing losses. It was more of the latter for both a week ago, with the Red Raiders falling at home to Oklahoma State and the Buffs losing at Baylor. That’s put an added emphasis on this matchup.

Tech, which has never won at Folsom Field, hopes to get quarterback Taylor Potts back on track after a rough outing against the Cowboys. He threw for just 226 yards and a score, modest numbers for Potts.

The Buffs continue to seek balance, with mixed results. They may need more from quarterback Tyler Hansen through the air, if Potts gets it going again for the Red Raiders.

Texas A&M at Kansas, Saturday, 6 p.m.

Both teams are skidding. Combined, they’re 0–4 in the conference and occupying the basements of their respective divisions in the Big 12. One, for at least a week, gets a reprieve.

The Aggies never figured to be in this spot, but have slumped as quarterback Jerrod Johnson has slumped. The preseason pick for Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Johnson has been mostly offensive of late, in a bad way. He’s turned the ball over at an alarming rate and in last week’s loss to Missouri failed to produce altogether. The Aggies fan base even wondered if Johnson should be benched. A&M needs Johnson — the good Johnson — so that isn’t likely, yet.

Kansas’ problems are more far-reaching, yet also include shaky quarterback play. The Jayhawks biggest issues have come on defense, where they’ve allowed an average of 57 points in conference play.

Oklahoma at Missouri, Saturday, 7 p.m.

Once again these two meet in a Big 12 showdown. For once, the Tigers would like to show up. The Sooners have won seven straight in the series and 19 of the past 20 meetings. And lately, the stakes have been high, with the last two clashes in the Big 12 title game — both OU romps. Still, there’s reason for optimism this time, with Mizzou bringing a different asset into the game: a stout defense. The Tigers are allowing just 10.8 points per game, ranking second nationally in scoring defense. That includes a shutout of Colorado and a 30–9 win at Texas A&M to open league play.

The Tigers’ offense is high-charged, as usual, behind quarterback Blaine Gabbert and wideout T.J. Moe forming a dynamic combination.

As far as the spotlight, it’s homecoming in Columbia, ESPN GameDay is on hand, and at No. 11, the Tigers occupy their highest point ever in the BCS Standings. Furthermore, Mizzou is seeking its first 7–0 start since 1960.

On the other side, the Sooners are No. 1 in the BCS, trying to navigate one of the tougher road trips on a hopeful run to a title game berth. OU will attack Missouri’s improved defense with a balanced attack. Landry Jones-to-Ryan Broyles rates among the nation’s most productive connections. And running back DeMarco Murray is the school’s all-time touchdown leader, quite a feat at a tradition-steeped school like Oklahoma.

John Clay leads the Badgers into Iowa City.

Michigan State at Northwestern, Saturday, 11 a.m. CT 

Aside from an Oct. 30 visit to Iowa City, this may be the most dangerous contest remaining on Michigan State’s schedule. Why? Because Northwestern is a disciplined and opportunistic club (+5 turnover ratio). Last year the Wildcats knocked off 8–2 Wisconsin at Ryan Field. Their coach, Pat Fitzgerald, does not care about ‘statement games,’ only playing winning football. It helps to have a quarterback as talented as Dan Persa, who hopes to take advantage of a Spartans secondary giving up 213.3 passing yards per contest. Michigan State has a capable passer, too (Kirk Cousins) and a pair of backs ready to make amends for last week’s poor showing. How well Le’Veon Bell and Edwin Baker bounce back will be a deciding factor in the outcome of this contest. Another deciding factor: Penalties. Northwestern ranks 10th in the league, having committed 46 penalties this season for an average of 65.8 penalty yards per contest. The Spartans rank dead last (55, 73.0).

Penn State at Minnesota, Saturday, 11 a.m. CT

Interim coach Jeff Horton will try to keep the Gophers focused for this week’s contest against the Nittany Lions. As bad as Minnesota’s record may appear, this club has played a number of tight games at home this year, including a one-point loss to Northwestern and a 32–21 loss to USC. Minnesota’s best weapon last week was junior wide receiver Da’Juan McKnight, who will try to crack a Nittany Lion secondary that has allowed the fewest number of yards and completions among all Big Ten schools. As for Penn State’s offense, the verdict is still out, but things have not gone well for Joe Paterno’s squad. Quarterback Rob Bolden has thrown seven interceptions as compared to just four touchdowns, and running back Even Royster still hasn’t found his legs. If the offense cannot move the ball against a Gopher defense allowing more than 400 yards per game, fans will know there is more to Penn State’s struggles than inexperience.

Purdue at Ohio State, Saturday, 11 a.m. CT

Quick: Name the three Big Ten teams unbeaten in conference play. Michigan State, Iowa and … Purdue? Yep, it’s been an easy path so far for the Boilermakers, but the back stretch is unfriendly, beginning this week against an agitated Ohio State squad. The Buckeyes now have to play catch-up to both Wisconsin and conference leader Michigan State. Terrelle Pryor has an opportunity to flex his leadership abilities by rallying the unit on Saturday. If the line can keep Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan under wraps, Pryor should have a big day against a Boilermaker unit allowing 220.8 passing yards per game. Ohio State’s defense is still recovering from being manhandled by Wisconsin’s rushing attack. Purdue has a capable rushing tandem in quarterback Rob Henry and running back Dan Dierking (126 yards last week). The Boilermakers will try to run early, and may find some success with linebacker Ross Homan out of the lineup.

Indiana at Illinois, Saturday, 11 a.m. CT

With its 4–2 record, the Hoosiers need to pick up at least a couple of conference victories in order to secure a bowl bid. No luck so far. This week’s contest with Illinois provides as good an opportunity as any. In last year’s contest, Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell passed for 333 yards and threw three touchdowns in a 27–14 victory — Indiana’s only win in Big Ten play. Chappell is the current leader in the conference in passing yards (1,858) and touchdowns (16). To stop Indiana, Illinois’ underrated defense must frustrate Chappell and limit Tandon Doss, who leads the nation in all-purpose yards (202.0 per game). The Illini will try to exploit an Indiana run defense allowing opposing ball carriers an average of 5.5 yards per carry — a number sure to make Nathan Scheelhasse and Mikel Leshoure salivate.

Wisconsin at Iowa, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT

Much more is riding on this game than the Heartland Trophy. A win would push Wisconsin further up the polls and leave the Badgers in a good position to challenge for the conference crown; a win for Iowa would keep its perfect Big Ten mark intact. Ultimately, the team that has the most success running the football will win this contest. Sounds simple, but these are two very similar, very basic football teams. In last year’s game, Adam Robinson averaged 4.6 yards per carry to help Iowa beat the Badgers for the sixth time in the last eight years. Robinson is one of five Big Ten backs this season who are averaging more than 100 yards per contest, and he leads the conference in attempts per game (21.5). Of course, Wisconsin has a couple of backs it thinks are special, too. The combination of John Clay and James White is unlike anything the top-ranked Hawkeye run defense has faced this year. Fans can expect the Badgers to use the same formula that worked in last week’s upset — a heavy dose of Clay early, blended later on with some play-action passing and White’s quickness. Again, simple, but difficult to stop.
 

An ACC title game rematch should be good in Clemson.

Duke (1-5, 0-3 ACC) at Virginia Tech (5-2, 3-0 ACC), Saturday, noon ET

Duke and No. 23 Virginia Tech enter this game heading in opposite directions, a trend reflected in the play of their respective quarterbacks.

The Blue Devils, mired in a five-game losing streak since a 41–27 victory over Elon in their season opener, rank 119th out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in turnover margin (minus-1.83). The primary culprit has been sophomore Sean Renfree, who has thrown 14 interceptions in the last five games. Renfree remains the starter after tossing five interceptions and losing a fumble last week in a 28–13 loss to Miami, but Duke coach David Cutcliffe said freshman Brandon Connette will continue to see some action under center.

On the other side, senior Tyrod Taylor has played the best football of his career during Virginia Tech’s five-game winning streak. Taylor leads the ACC in passing efficiency, having thrown 12 touchdown passes and just three interceptions all season. Taylor tied a career high with three touchdown tosses in a 52–21 win over Wake Forest last week, and in that game he became the second player in ACC history to surpass 2,000 yards rushing and 5,000 yards passing in a career.

Taylor wore a splint on his right (throwing) wrist early in the week, but he has declared himself healthy and ready to play against the Blue Devils. In question is whether star tailback Ryan Williams will join him in the backfield. Williams has missed the last 4½ games since straining his right hamstring against East Carolina, and Virginia Tech’s coaches have instructed him not to return until he feels 100 percent healthy. Williams was able to practice at full speed this week and could return for 10-12 snaps against the Blue Devils.

No one could blame Williams for wanting to return to game action in time to take a shot at Duke’s defense. The Blue Devils, who rank 112th nationally in points allowed (ACC-worst 37.8 per game) and 110th nationally against the run (210.8 yards per game), will have their hands full whether it’s Williams, Darren Evans or David Wilson rushing the ball at them.

Maryland (4-2, 1-1 ACC) at Boston College (2-4, 0-3 ACC), Saturday, 1 p.m. ET

The good news for the teams involved in this game is that one of them is going to pick up a potentially season-saving win.

Maryland has a pretty record without beating a single strong opponent, while Boston College has an ugly record after losing to some formidable foes. The schedules of the two teams are about to flip — Maryland’s will get tougher and Boston College’s easier — and the winner of this game will have some much-needed momentum for a postseason push down the stretch.

A pair of freshman quarterbacks could determine which team comes out on top. Maryland’s Danny O’Brien is coming off a career-high 302-yard passing day at Clemson last week, but he threw three interceptions in a 31–7 defeat. Boston College’s Chase Rettig delivered a different sort of performance in a 24–19 loss at Florida State, completing just 9-of-24 passes for 95 yards while keeping his team in the game without committing a turnover. This week O’Brien needs to make fewer mistakes, and Rettig needs to make more plays.

Maryland’s coaches have said they would like to get their running game in gear to help O’Brien. But they have to call some running plays first. Tailback Da’Rel Scott is averaging 5.0 yards per carry this season, but he received only four carries last week and has carried more than 10 times in just two of six games this season. Scott and running mate Davin Meggett might not get much work this week against a Boston College defense that ranks 10th in the country against the run (90.3 yards per game) and features the nation’s leading tackler in linebacker Luke Kuechly.

Offensively, the Eagles will lean heavily on tailback Montel Harris, as usual. Harris gets so little help that even though he leads all ACC players in rushing (96.3 ypg), Boston College ranks last in the conference as a team in that category (103.3 ypg).

Georgia Tech (5-2, 3-1 ACC) at Clemson (3-3, 1-2 ACC), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET

Georgia Tech and Clemson have produced some great games in recent years. Twelve of the last 15 meetings between the teams, including the last three, have been decided by five points or fewer.

This contest has a chance to fit in nicely with the rest. The Yellow Jackets have put together a three-game winning streak — albeit against unimpressive competition — and the Tigers got back on track last week with a 31–7 victory over Maryland.

Georgia Tech quarterback Joshua Nesbitt enters this game with a chance to beat Clemson twice in the same afternoon. Nesbitt needs just 44 rushing yards to break former Clemson star Woodrow Dantzler’s ACC rushing record for quarterbacks (2,761 yards). Nesbitt, who orchestrates a spread-option attack that is second in the country in rushing (328.1 yards per game), already has four 100-yard rushing games this season.

The Yellow Jackets hope to benefit from the return of starting offensive tackle Phil Smith, who missed last week’s 42–14 victory over Middle Tennessee State with an ankle injury. Smith could play an important role in this game because he will line up across from Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers, who leads the nation in sacks (1.5 per game) and tackles for loss (2.5 per game).

On the other side, the Tigers hope to welcome back freshman wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the lineup against a Georgia Tech team that has beaten them in six of the last seven meetings. Hopkins missed last week’s game after suffering an “upper body” injury in practice.

Eastern Michigan (1-6) at Virginia (2-4), Saturday, 6 p.m. ET

Virginia still is looking for its first win against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent under first-year coach Mike London. The Cavaliers need to be ready this week because they won’t have a better opportunity all season to cross that item off the to-do list.

Eastern Michigan had lost 18 games in a row before rallying from a 21-point deficit to defeat Ball State 41–38 in overtime last week. The Eagles will bring a defense that ranks second to last in the nation in points allowed (43.4 per game) and fourth from the bottom against the run (228.3 yards per game).

Given those numbers — and that fact that three Virginia quarterbacks combined to throw five interceptions in a 44–10 loss to North Carolina last week — the Cavaliers figure to rely on their running game. Enter bruising tailback Keith Payne, who has a team-high eight touchdowns after rushing for 107 yards and a score on 23 carries against the Tar Heels.

Payne and fellow tailback Perry Jones will look for running room behind a starting offensive line that now includes true freshman right tackle Morgan Moses, who is filling in for Landon Bradley (hand injury). Last week Moses became the third true freshman in school history to start at offensive tackle, and he is just the seventh true freshman at an FBS school to start at offensive tackle this season.

North Carolina (4-2, 2-1 ACC) at Miami (4-2, 2-1 ACC), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET

North Carolina and No. 25 Miami share more in common than identical overall and conference records. Both teams feature fan bases than have become less than enamored with their head coaches. Butch Davis is in trouble at North Carolina for what has happened off the field, and Randy Shannon has drawn the ire of fans in Miami for what hasn’t happened enough on the field: winning.

Those factors help make this game, already big in terms of the Coastal Division race, even larger. Davis, who was the head coach at Miami from 1995-2000, has guided the Tar Heels to three consecutive victories over the Hurricanes. More importantly for the time being, he has guided the Tar Heels to four consecutive victories this season.

North Carolina will try to extend both of those streaks without senior Zack Pianalto, one of its top offensive weapons. Pianalto, who holds the school record for career receptions by a tight end, is out for the rest of the regular season after suffering a fractured right fibula in UNC’s 44-10 victory at Virginia last week. It’s big blow for an offense that already faced a stiff challenge against a Miami defense that leads the nation in tackles for loss (9.5 per game), ranks second in the country in opponents’ pass efficiency and ranks fourth nationally against the pass (150.7 yards per game).

The Hurricanes, who intercepted five passes in a 28-13 victory at Duke last week, have 12 interceptions through six games after tallying just nine interceptions in 13 games last season. Miami’s ball-hawking defense will need extra sticky fingers against UNC quarterback T.J. Yates, who has 11 touchdown passes and the nation’s lowest interception rate (one pick in 182 pass attempts).

Miami quarterback Jacory Harris hasn’t been nearly as protective of the ball as Yates, but he did play his second interception-free game of the season against Duke. Harris threw four interceptions in a 33–24 loss at North Carolina last season, with cornerback Kendrick Burney picking off three of those passes. Burney has sat out the first six games of this season as a result of NCAA and university investigations into UNC’s program, but it’s possible that he will be cleared in time for this game.

The status of UNC starting linebacker Quan Sturdivant, who has missed the last three games with a strained hamstring, also is questionable. Regardless of whether Sturdivant plays, the Hurricanes will try to maintain their successful ground game (three consecutive 100-yard rushing games for tailback Damien Berry) to lighten the load on Harris.

Devine and the Mountaineers host Syracuse.

South Florida at Cincinnati, Friday, 8:00 p.m. EST

There’s not much mystery in what this game means to the participants. South Florida is trying to straighten out its offense and start climbing out of the Big East cellar. The Bulls are 0–2 in league play. Coach Skip Holtz’s team hasn’t produced an offensive touchdown in its last two games against Syracuse and West Virginia. This week, Holtz and his staff looked at changes that could be made to the team’s offense, including checking out freshman Terrence Mitchell, recruited as a cornerback, at receiver.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, has won two straight and, at 1–0 in Big East play, is setting its sights on a third straight conference title. UC worked all week trying to figure out a ball security problem. It defeated Louisville despite turning the ball over three times. But USF may have a bigger problem to solve. The one area in which the Bearcats are vulnerable is against the pass. They are ranked eighth in the Big East in pass defense. The Bulls, however, are ranked last in pass offense. USF quarterback B.J. Daniels has thrown for 803 yards and four touchdowns, but has tossed a whopping 10 interceptions.

Rutgers at Pittsburgh, Saturday, noon EST

This is expected to be an emotional game for 4–2 Rutgers after Scarlet Knight Eric LeGrand was paralyzed from the neck down after suffering a spinal injury while making a tackle against Army last weekend.

RU true freshman Chas Dodd will again get the call at quarterback, even though season starter Tom Savage is healthy and ready to go. Dodd has led the Knights to two straight wins, including last week’s 23–20 overtime affair against Army. He has a 138.4 passing efficiency rating, while throwing for 755 yards with five TDs and just three interceptions.

Pittsburgh and quarterback Tino Sunseri came alive last week after a disappointing start to the season. The 3–3 Panthers return home to Heinz Field after waxing Syracuse 45–14 in the Carrier Dome. The test here is to see if Sunseri, who had four touchdown passes against SU, can have similar success against the Big East’s No. 2 team in total defense. The Knights have held opponents to an average of 15.3 points and 292.5 yards. RU likes to blitz — it has 23 QB hurries and 33 tackles for a loss — but, oddly, has just five sacks in six games.

On the flip side, Pitt has the league’s No. 2 rush defense. That will make things even more difficult for a struggling Knights offense, which is seventh in the Big East in total offense and eighth in scoring offense.

Syracuse at West Virginia, Saturday, noon EST

Pittsburgh was the overwhelming preseason pick to win the Big East, but when the Panthers stumbled out of the gate, West Virginia surged to the top of the league. Now the question is, can the Mountaineers top what Pitt did to Syracuse last week?

The Orange was the league’s biggest surprise, but fell hard to the Panthers by 45–14 at home. The 5–1 Mountaineers have 4–2 SU at home this week and come in boasting the Big East’s top-rated defense across the board.

Much will depend on Orange QB Ryan Nassib, who has fared well for most of the season. He is fourth in total offense in the Big East, averaging 214.2 yards per game. Also, running back Delone Carter, whose NFL draft stock is rising, is averaging 93.7 yards rushing.

WVU sophomore QB Geno Smith, meanwhile, continues to impress. He’s third in the Big East in total offense (232.2 ypg), second in passing (226.3 ypg) and has a 156.7 pass efficiency rating.

About the only question in this one surrounds the health of WVU back Noel Devine and the Mountaineer rushing attack, ranked seventh in the Big East. SU has the league’s fifth-best rush defense.

Connecticut at Louisville, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EST

These two teams are so similar it’s almost scary. Both enter this Big East matchup 3–3. Both are 0–1 in league play. Both are coming off close conference losses. Connecticut enters with the Big East’s No. 1 scoring offense, while Louisville’s is No. 2. The Cardinals’ scoring defense is No. 7 in the league, while UConn’s is No. 8. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why the Huskies are just 2-point favorites.

Charlie Strong, the coach of the host Cardinals, said this week he was trying to adjust his team’s attitude after it seemed content to simply be in the game at halftime of last week’s loss to Cincinnati. In this one, slowing UConn’s Jordan Todman, the nation’s No. 3 rusher, would help with that attitude. Todman is averaging 152.2 yards per game. Connecticut’s passing offense is ranked seventh among the Big East’s eight teams.

The Huskies, meanwhile, have their own rushing attack to worry about. Louisville enters with the league’s No. 1 rush offense, led by the nation’s No. 4 rusher in Bilal Powell. He ran for 209 yards against Cincinnati and has 898 on the season with nine touchdowns on 115 carries.

UCLA at Oregon, Thursday, 6:00 p.m. PT

The Ducks will take the field for the first time in school history as the No. 1 team in the nation. Oregon moved into the top spot of the Associated Press top 25 this week without even playing — the Ducks had a bye while former No. 1 Ohio State went down to Wisconsin. The week off allowed Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas to get healthy. He went out of the Ducks’ last game at Washington State with a shoulder injury but has returned to full participation in practice and will start against the Bruins. UCLA also is coming off a bye. The Bruins have had some extra time to figure out how they could beat Texas on the road but get completely dominated by Cal two weeks later. UCLA may once again be without starting quarterback Kevin Prince, whose balky right knee has forced him to miss practice time this week.

Arizona State at Cal, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. PT

Just when it looked as though the Bears might be able to contend in the Pac-10 this season, they appeared completely overmatched against a USC team that isn’t what it once was. Gone was the generally suffocating defense that Cal has featured this season. Stopped was Shane Vereen and the potent running game. The Bears will have to lick their wounds quickly, because the Sun Devils are fresh off a bye week and feeling good after their win over Washington in their last game. Cal quarterback Kevin Riley, who threw two first-half interceptions against USC, had one of his better games at ASU last season, throwing for 351 yards and two touchdowns and engineering a drive in the final minutes that led to a game-winning field goal.

Washington State at Stanford, Saturday, 2:00 p.m. PT

Dare it be said that the Cougars are becoming more competitive? Two weeks ago, they actually slowed Oregon down just a bit in a 43–23 loss. Then last week, it was a normal-looking 24–7 loss to Arizona. Granted, the Wildcats lost starting quarterback Nick Foles in the game, but Washington State continues to do some things better than in recent years. Most notably, there have been improvements in the passing game, where quarterback Jeff Tuel is one of only two Pac-10 quarterbacks to throw for at least 200 yards in every game this season. All that being said, the Cardinal at home should be substantially too tough for the Cougars. Plus, Stanford is coming off a bye and should be well rested.

Washington at Arizona, Saturday, 7:15 p.m. PT

Arizona will try to keep pace with the Pac-10 leaders with a new quarterback. Matt Scott is now the Wildcats’ man behind center for at least a couple weeks after starter Nick Foles went down with a knee injury last week. Scott took over in the second quarter of last week’s game at Washington State and helped the Wildcats to a 24–7 victory. The Huskies, meanwhile, are coming off a pulsating double-overtime win over Oregon State, resuscitating their bowl hopes and, for the time being, putting them in the thick of the conference race. Washington enters the weekend one of four teams at 2–1 in Pac-10 play, one game behind Oregon. The Huskies’ potentially explosive offense got going against the Beavers’ solid defense, amassing 475 yards of offense. Washington quarterback Jake Locker appeared to be recovered from the flu, throwing five touchdown passes and accounting for 346 yards of total offense.