Under The Radar: Week 9
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USC (5-1, 3-1) @ Arizona (5-2, 3-1), 10:15 pm (FSN)
Although there is a four-way tie atop the Pac-10 at the moment, this game will give a clear edge to one team in the race for the conference crown. That team figures to be USC. The Trojans have been on a tear since losing to Oregon State. In their last 10+ quarters, USC has outscored the opposition 138-0. Last week, Mark Sanchez threw as many touchdown passes (5) as Cougar quarterback Kevin Lupina had completions. Needless to say, this team is clicking on all cylinders right now.
Not so fast my friends. Every year the Wildcats pull a late season upset at home. In 2005, a 10-2 UCLA t4eam got waxed 52-14 in Tuscan. A 10-3 Cal team came calling in '06 and got beat 24-20. Last season, the 9-4 Oregon Ducks lost on a Thursday night and in the process lost their Heisman candidate quarterback for the season. None of those Arizona teams won more than six games and none of them went to a bowl game. This is Stoops' best team by far and would be bowl eligible with the upset.
Trojan to watch: Kevin Ellison, S
Wildcat to watch: Rob Gronkowski, TE
Line: USC (-15)
Boston College (5-1, 2-1) @ North Carolina (5-2, 1-2), 12:00 pm (Gameplan)
Normally when a team loses the turnover battle 5:1, they lose. that was not the case in Chestnut Hill last week when BC took care of Virginia Tech 28-23. The Eagles will have to play better if they expect to get bowl eligible with a win over UNC. The defense has been great, however. They lead the nation in pass efficiency defense and fourth in total defense (251 ypg). Also, quarterback Chris Crane has to improve his 5:9 touchdown to interception ratio. A tall order seeing as how UNC ranks No. 1 nationally in interceptions (14).
The Tar Heels - in only Butch Davis' second campaign - are also looking to get bowl eligible. They gave one away last week against UVa after dominating most of the game. Continued contributions from back-up quarterback Cameron Sexton and stud receiver Hakeem Nicks will be a big part of a North Carolina victory. Not only does the winner gain bowl eligibility but also takes the lead in the all-time series. Currently, the two are tied 2-2 and have scored an almost identical 117 (BC) and 116 (UNC) points.
Eagle to watch: Mark Herzlich, OLB/DE
Tar Hell to watch: Hakeem Nicks, WR
Line: UNC (-3)
Notre Dame (4-2) @ Washington (0-6, 0-4), 8:00 pm (ESPN2)
So why is a team without a win worth watching this Saturday? When the head coach is matched up with his former employer. The Tyrone Willingham Bowl takes center stage on prime-time TV this weekend. Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen has set career records for yards passing in each of the last three games and has begun to limit the turnovers. This should be a coming out party for super frosh wideout Michael Floyd.
Washington ranks near the bottom of every major defensive category and is still without its leader and quarterback Jake Locker. The winless Huskies rank 115th in rush defense, 117th in total defense, 98th in pass defense, 115th in scoring defense and 119th (last) in pass efficiency defense. This could get ugly quick and it might be one of Willingham's last games as head coach - especially if he keeps burning redshirts.
Irish to watch: Michael Floyd, WR
Husky to watch: Terrance Dailey, RB
Line: Notre Dame (-10.5)
Some other games to keep an eye on:
Ole Miss @ Arkansas, 7:00 pm (Gameplan)
The Houston Nutt Bowl could be an upset special.
Duke (3-3, 1-2) @ Vanderbilt (5-2, 3-2), 3:00 pm
Winner likely goes to bowl game. Loser will not.
Oregon (5-2, 3-1) @ Arizona St (2-4, 1-2), 10:00 pm
Wasn't this supposed to be the battle for second in Pac-10?
Illinois (4-3, 2-2) @ Wisconsin (3-4, 0-4), 12:00 pm (ESPN2)
Brutal stretch continues for UW, next week: Michigan St.
Cincinnati (5-1, 1-0) @ UConn (5-2, 1-1), 12:00 pm (Gameplan)
Bearcats try to stay unbeaten and keep up with Pitt and WVU.
Wake Forest (4-2, 2-1) @ Miami-FL (4-3, 1-2), 12:00 pm (ESPNU)
Senior Wake defense against talented freshman Miami offense.
USF (6-1, 1-1) @ Louisville (4-2, 0-1), 3:30 (Gameplan)
Loser will have two conference loses and is out of Big east race.
Rutgers (2-5, 1-2) @ Pitt (5-1, 2-0), 3:30 (ESPN360.com)
Panthers try to stay atop the Big East.
Although there is a four-way tie atop the Pac-10 at the moment, this game will give a clear edge to one team in the race for the conference crown. That team figures to be USC. The Trojans have been on a tear since losing to Oregon State. In their last 10+ quarters, USC has outscored the opposition 138-0. Last week, Mark Sanchez threw as many touchdown passes (5) as Cougar quarterback Kevin Lupina had completions. Needless to say, this team is clicking on all cylinders right now.
Not so fast my friends. Every year the Wildcats pull a late season upset at home. In 2005, a 10-2 UCLA t4eam got waxed 52-14 in Tuscan. A 10-3 Cal team came calling in '06 and got beat 24-20. Last season, the 9-4 Oregon Ducks lost on a Thursday night and in the process lost their Heisman candidate quarterback for the season. None of those Arizona teams won more than six games and none of them went to a bowl game. This is Stoops' best team by far and would be bowl eligible with the upset.
Trojan to watch: Kevin Ellison, S
Wildcat to watch: Rob Gronkowski, TE
Line: USC (-15)
Boston College (5-1, 2-1) @ North Carolina (5-2, 1-2), 12:00 pm (Gameplan)
Normally when a team loses the turnover battle 5:1, they lose. that was not the case in Chestnut Hill last week when BC took care of Virginia Tech 28-23. The Eagles will have to play better if they expect to get bowl eligible with a win over UNC. The defense has been great, however. They lead the nation in pass efficiency defense and fourth in total defense (251 ypg). Also, quarterback Chris Crane has to improve his 5:9 touchdown to interception ratio. A tall order seeing as how UNC ranks No. 1 nationally in interceptions (14).
The Tar Heels - in only Butch Davis' second campaign - are also looking to get bowl eligible. They gave one away last week against UVa after dominating most of the game. Continued contributions from back-up quarterback Cameron Sexton and stud receiver Hakeem Nicks will be a big part of a North Carolina victory. Not only does the winner gain bowl eligibility but also takes the lead in the all-time series. Currently, the two are tied 2-2 and have scored an almost identical 117 (BC) and 116 (UNC) points.Eagle to watch: Mark Herzlich, OLB/DE
Tar Hell to watch: Hakeem Nicks, WR
Line: UNC (-3)
Notre Dame (4-2) @ Washington (0-6, 0-4), 8:00 pm (ESPN2)
So why is a team without a win worth watching this Saturday? When the head coach is matched up with his former employer. The Tyrone Willingham Bowl takes center stage on prime-time TV this weekend. Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen has set career records for yards passing in each of the last three games and has begun to limit the turnovers. This should be a coming out party for super frosh wideout Michael Floyd.
Washington ranks near the bottom of every major defensive category and is still without its leader and quarterback Jake Locker. The winless Huskies rank 115th in rush defense, 117th in total defense, 98th in pass defense, 115th in scoring defense and 119th (last) in pass efficiency defense. This could get ugly quick and it might be one of Willingham's last games as head coach - especially if he keeps burning redshirts.
Irish to watch: Michael Floyd, WRHusky to watch: Terrance Dailey, RB
Line: Notre Dame (-10.5)
Some other games to keep an eye on:
Ole Miss @ Arkansas, 7:00 pm (Gameplan)
The Houston Nutt Bowl could be an upset special.
Duke (3-3, 1-2) @ Vanderbilt (5-2, 3-2), 3:00 pm
Winner likely goes to bowl game. Loser will not.
Oregon (5-2, 3-1) @ Arizona St (2-4, 1-2), 10:00 pm
Wasn't this supposed to be the battle for second in Pac-10?
Illinois (4-3, 2-2) @ Wisconsin (3-4, 0-4), 12:00 pm (ESPN2)
Brutal stretch continues for UW, next week: Michigan St.
Cincinnati (5-1, 1-0) @ UConn (5-2, 1-1), 12:00 pm (Gameplan)
Bearcats try to stay unbeaten and keep up with Pitt and WVU.
Wake Forest (4-2, 2-1) @ Miami-FL (4-3, 1-2), 12:00 pm (ESPNU)
Senior Wake defense against talented freshman Miami offense.
USF (6-1, 1-1) @ Louisville (4-2, 0-1), 3:30 (Gameplan)
Loser will have two conference loses and is out of Big east race.
Rutgers (2-5, 1-2) @ Pitt (5-1, 2-0), 3:30 (ESPN360.com)
Panthers try to stay atop the Big East.
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