Under The Radar: Week 7

Arizona State (2-3, 1-1) @ USC (3-1, 1-1), 3:30 pm (GamePlan)
ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter will attempt to make his 37th straight start this weekend. That is the second longest active streak in the nation behind Purdue's Curtis Painter. It won't happen, however, if the offensive line continues to play like it has this season. They have struggles to establish any semblance of a ground game and fail to keep Carpenter off his back. Throw in a severely sprained ankle and Danny Sullivan - no, not the driver - is almost certain to see time. Sullivan has completed one pass this season for minus one yard. Not good news for the Sun Devils.

The west coast epidemic of mono - not sure what they are doing out there - has yet to effect the Trojans as they looked to be at 100% in last week's 44-10 shalacking of Oregon. Mark Sanchez was brilliant last week throwing for 332 yards and three touchdowns and landed Pac-10 player of the week honors. However, he suffered a bone bruise and is questionable for this game. If Mitch Mustain is the guy, expect Pete Carroll to pound the rock with the seven prep All-American tailbacks the Trojans claim.

Sun Devil to watch: Dexter Davis, DE
Trojan to watch: Everson Griffin, DE
Line: USC (-28)

Arkansas (2-3, 0-2) @ Auburn (4-2, 2-2), 5:00 pm (GamePlan)
Oh, the story lines. Bobby-P finally returns to the Loveliest Plains where he was the offensive coordinator for current Auburn head man Tommy Tuberville. The Auburn administration and the 'Jet-Gate' incident have come full circle as this week Tuberville fired new OC Tony Franklin. It was widely believed that Petrino wanted the Auburn job at the time on the incident, however, Tuberville was busy going undefeated so nothing but bruised egos ever really came of it. Is the Auburn-Tuberville marriage on shaky ground after two straight losses? AU would be mad to get rid of Tubs but maybe the two Athletic Directors should meet before the game and switch coaches. Five games is about as long as Petrino likes to coach in one place anyway.

There is an actual football game to played, though. Auburn has one of the conferences' top defenses and Arkansas has looked anything but solid on offense while on a three game losing streak of their own. They have managed only 31 points in those three games and Casey Dick has fallen rapidly from the back-to-back 300-yard passer that he was in the Hogs first two games. Look for Auburn to get back to basics on offense and pound the ball right at the 107th ranked Hog rush defense.

Hog to Watch: Michael Smith, RB
Tiger to Watch: Ben Tate, RB
Line: Auburn (-17.5)

Boise State (4-0, 1-0) @ Southern Miss (2-3, 0-2), 8:00 pm (CBS CSTV)
This will not be an easy one for Chris Peterson and company. Just ask Cal, Tennessee, West Virginia and Michigan State about long trips from home. This game should be all about the offenses. Two redshirt freshman will be taking snaps in Kellen Moore Austin Davis. Obviously neither played in last year's 38-16 Bronco victory in Boise. It was the first ever meeting between the two schools.

This game may come down to a single defensive stop. Both offenses rank in the top-20 nationally, however, the Broncos boast a much more potent defense. Boise has scored 75 points in their last two games and USM has allowed 74 in their last two - both losses. The key will be the ground game. Boise's normally powerful ground attack has been a bit inconsistent while the Eagles are averaging 205 ypg on the ground. To have a chance at the upset, Damion Fletcher and Co. will have to be successful on the ground.

Bronco to watch: Kellen Moore, QB
Eagle to watch: Austin Davis, QB
Line: Boise State (-11)

Vanderbilt (5-0, 3-0) @ Mississippi State (1-4, 0-2), 2:30 pm (GamePlan)
Let down alert for the Dores traveling to Starkville.

Nebraska (3-2, 0-1) @ Texas Tech (5-0, 1-0), 3:00 pm (FSN)
When was the last time the Huskers were 21-point underdog to the Red Raiders?

Purdue @ Ohio State, 3:30 pm (ABC)
Boilers offense can hang but what about the defense?

Tulsa (5-0, 2-0) @ SMU (1-5, 0-3), 8:00 pm (None)
The over/under is 78. Take the over.

UCLA (2-3, 1-1) @ Oregon (4-2, 2-1), 10:15 pm (Fox - Pacific)
Can the Ducks bounce back from 44-10 defeat?

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