Under The Radar: Week 3

This cross county non-con game is a tale of two teams. Cal has beaten a very good Michigan State team at home. Then they went on the road in conference and pummeled Washington State 66-3. Cal is ranked 7th in the nation in scoring offense (52 ppg) and is 6th in the nation in rushing offense (297 ypg). Kevin Riley has settled the quarterback spot and the running game has done the rest. The Bears will pound Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen from the word go.

Maryland, on the other hand,  is averaging only 14 ppg and has scored only four times this season. Last week the Terps looked terrible (trust me, I was there) in a loss to Middle Tennessee. This team has to get better play from the quarterback - whether its Chris Turner or Josh Portis. The one bright spot on this team has been tailback Da'Rel Scott. Now, they just need to hand him the ball more.

Golden Bear to Watch: Shane Vereen, RB
Terp to Watch: Josh Portis, QB
Line: Cal (-14.5)

SMU (1-1) @ Texas Tech (2-0), 7:00 pm

Why is a 37 point underdog going to be interesting to watch? The answer is simple: When June Jones is coaching them. Bo Levi Mitchell had his first Jonsian performance last week with 370 yards and five touchdowns. The defense has zero chance to stop the Red Raiders, so fans will have plenty of times to watch him throw.

The Red Raiders "Air Raid" attack should find very little resistance from the Mustangs defense. Harrell and Crabtree are the names, but Shannon Woods has scored two rushing touchdowns in each of the first two contests (did I just write that?). Harrell will, however, look to improve his efficiency and 3-3 TD:INT ratio. If you like points, don't miss this one.

Mustang to Watch: Aldrick Robinson, WR
Red Raider to Watch: Shannon Woods, RB
Line: Texas Tech (-37)

Oklahoma (2-0) @ Washington (0-2), 7:45 pm (ESPN)

The Huskies show up on this list for the third consecutive week. There is no team more fun to watch and more talented yet 0-2. The Huskies are just too young. Ty Willingham has had to play nine freshman already, three of which are starting. The loss of Chris Polk is not huge but makes things that much more difficult for a team that is teetering on the brink. Jake Locker is still Jake Locker, however. College football fans everywhere certainly got a look at just how exciting he can be last week.

Sam Bradford's Heisman campaign will be in full force very soon. A big day on the road - in a state the Sooners have never played in - could put the sophomore near the top of the short list. The offense should have no issues, but the defensive backfield will be tested. This win would give Bob Stoops his 100th win and make Oklahoma the only school with four one-hundred-win coaches (Owen, Wilkinson, Switzer).

Sooner to Watch: Ryan Broyles, WR
Husky to Watch: Jermaine Kearse, WR
Line: Oklahoma (-20)

Iowa State (2-0) @ Iowa (2-0), 12:00 pm (Big Ten Network)

This is one of the most unpredictable rivalries in all of college football. After an 0-2 start last season - and they were bad losses - the Cyclones upset the favored Hawks 15-13. There is marked improvement in this team from a season ago. They are forcing turnovers and playing more efficient offensive football. Both Austen Arnaud and Phillip Bates have played well in their quarterback platoon situation. However, Iowa State fans certainly would like to see one of the two firmly grasp the starting job.

Even though Iowa is the bigger, more prestigious football program, Kirk Ferentz is only 3-6 against the rival Cyclones. The Hawks have quarterback issues of their own as it appears Ricky Stanzi has stolen the starting job away from the incumbent Jake Christensen. Stanzi has played very well in limited action and will get his first test this week. If Iowa can establish the run with Shonn Greene and Jewel Hampton, things will be much easier for whomever is taking snaps.

Cyclone to Watch: Phillip Bates, QB
Hawkeye to Watch: Jewel Hampton, RB
Line: Iowa (-13.5)

Rice (2-0) @ Vanderbilt (2-0), 7:00 pm

There should be some fireworks on West End this Saturday. The Rice Owls have been a force on offense (98 points in two games) and quarterback Chase Clement has been as good as advertised (576 yards, 7 TD). Add one of the best receiving duos in receiver Jarrett Dillard and tight end James Casey and Rice has breakout potential against any defense. The Owl defense, however, is not any where close to as good as the offense. They will struggle to stop Vandy's ground attack.

VU pulled off the upset over South Carolina due in large part to creative play-calling by offensive coordinator Ted Cain. The dual-threat Chris Nickson and the north-south Jared Hawkins should run rampant against a very suspect Rice defense. The key match-up to watch will be the very stout Vandy secondary and the obviously high-powered Rice passing attack. Either way, it will be a fun game to watch.

Owl to Watch: James Casey, TE
Commodore to Watch: D.J. Moore, DB/WR
Line: Vanderbilt (-7)

A few more to keep an eye on:

Stanford (1-1) @ TCU (2-0), 7:00 pm (Mountain West Network)
Frogs have best record against BCS foes since 1997 of any mid-major.

N.C. State (1-1) @ Clemson (1-1), 12:00 pm (Raycom)
Clemson could start ACC run at 1-0.

Nevada (1-1) @ Missouri (2-0), 12:30 pm
Chase Daniel was 16 of 17 passing last week. But ‘Pack can score.

Temple @ Buffalo, 12:00 pm (ESPN+ GamePlan Ch. 788)
Al Golden v. Turner Gill. The winner gets the Syracuse job.