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Archive: 2008 Week Five College Football Game Previews
Thursday, September 25, 2008
#1 USC Trojans (2-0) @ Oregon State Beavers(1-2)
Time: 9:00pm ET
Spread: USC -24
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: The Trojans will take the road for their first road test of the season. After the 35-3 drubbing of Ohio State, the Trojans got another week off, this time preparing for their Pac Ten slate. The Trojans will look to continue their stiff defense, which has only allowed 10 points in the first two games. For Oregon State, after a 1-2 start, they are looking to pull off what would be consider a massive upset. The Beavers dropped their Pac Ten opener 36-28 to Stanford, then fell 45-14 at Penn State in week two. On the 13th of September the Beavers were able to beat Hawaii 45-7. Oregon State has scored 87 points, and allowed 88 in their three games. Quarter Lyle Moevao has thrown for over 900 yards and six touchdowns to start the season for the Beavers
Saturday, September 20, 2008
#24 TCU Horned Frogs (4-0) @ #2 Oklahoma Sooners (3-0)
Time: 7:00pm ET
Spread: Oklahoma –17.5
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: The Horned Frogs slide into the AP Top 25 this week after starting the season 4-0. The Sooners stay at the #2 spot after their week off, following three huge wins; over Chattanooga, Cincinnati, and Washington. Oklahoma has scored 164 points, and only allowed 42, while TCU has scored 172, and allowed just 31. TCU quarterback Andy Dalton has completed 63 of 99 passes this season, but has not thrown a passing touchdown. He has ran for five touchdowns. For Oklahoma, quarterback Sam Bradford has thrown 12 touchdowns in the early going. The Sooners will see three more teams after TCU that are currently in the AP Top 25.
#8 Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0) @ #3 Georgia Bulldogs (4-0)
Time: 7:45pm ET
Spread: Georgia -6.5
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: We have an SEC conference battle between two top-tier 4-0 teams on tap for Saturday night's action. The somewhat surprising Alabama Crimson Tide will travel to Georgia to take on the Georgia Bulldogs 'between the hedges'. Alabama, since coming off their early upset win over the Clemson Tigers in week one, has knocked off Tulane, Western Kentucky, and throttled Arkansas on Saturday to start the 2008 season. The rolling Tide have scored 144 points, and yielded just 37 thus far. Last Saturday, Alabama led Arkansas 21-0 at the end of one quarter. The Tide came away with two interceptions that both led to touchdown returns, in part of the 49-point outburst. For Georgia, heisman candidate tailback Knowshon Moreno ran wild once again on Saturday, rushing for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Justin Stafford threw for a career high 285 yards in a big non-conference win at Arizona State. This is just the first of a brutal stretch for Georgia, who will see Tennessee, Vanderbilt, LSU, Florida, and Auburn in five of their next 6 games following the Alabama tilt. The Bulldogs have put 142 points on the board in four games, while allowing 55 points on defense.
Mississippi Rebels (2-2) @ # 4 Florida Gators (3-0)
Time: 12:30pm ET
Spread: Florida –22.5
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: The Florida Gators made quite an impression on Saturday beating up on Tennessee. In three games played the Gators have allowed just 19 points, for an average of just 6.3. The Gators have put 112 points. Heisman candidate Tim Tebow has thrown for nearly 500 yards and five touchdowns. Mississippi has made a habit of their first four results winning the opener, then dropping a 30-28 at Wake Forest. The Rebels then bounced back with another win, over Samford, and then on Saturday Vanderbilt 23-17 ousted Mississippi at home. Florida resides in the SEC East, while Mississippi plays in the SEC West. For the Rebels, quarterback Jevan Snead has thrown six touchdowns, but a staggering seven interceptions. The Rebels offense hopes to improve upon that number heading into Gainesville on Saturday.
Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-3) @ #5 LSU Tigers (3-0)
Time: 7:30pm ET
Spread: LSU -24
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: Coming off a huge SEC win over Auburn, the LSU Tigers now gear up and head home to face off with Mississippi State. The Tigers have scored 108 points, and allowed 37 on the season in their three wins, over Appalachian State, North Texas, and Auburn. Their opponent, the Mississippi State Bulldogs have sputtered to start the 2008 season. Their only win in four games came in week two as they defeated Southeastern Louisiana. Their week three loss was most notable as they dropped to Auburn 3-2. The Bulldogs have had problems putting points on the board so far in 2008 only scoring 57 points, an average of 14.3. Mississippi State has played two road games so far in 2008, going 0-2. This will be LSU’s second home game of the 2008 season.
Arkansas Razorbacks (2-1) @ # 7 Texas Longhorns (3-0)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: Texas -27
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: After the week four thumping at the hands of Alabama, the Arkansas Razorbacks are feeling fortunate to only be 2-1, and not 0-3 like they very well could be. With last minute comeback wins over Western Illinois, and Louisiana Monroe, Arkansas was looking to move to 3-0 on Saturday, but Alabama had other ideas. Down 21-0 after one quarter Arkansas was never in the ball game. Arkansas has scored 70 points in three games, while allowing 100. Quarterback Casey Dick has thrown five touchdowns and four interceptions in the first three games. For Texas, led by quarterback Colt McCoy has scored 146 points in three games, while allowing just 33. McCoy has thrown for 833 yards and 11 touchdowns in the three wins. In all of Texas’ wins, the Longhorns have never been held to less than 42 points a game. This is a make-up game that was originally scheduled for September 13th, but was postponed due to Hurricane Ike.
#9 Wisconsin Badgers (3-0) @ Michigan Wolverines (1-2)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: Wisconsin -6
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: The Wisconsin Badgers will begin their march towards a Big Ten title on the road in Ann Arbor. Wisconsin is coming off a bye week, following the impressive 13-10 win on the road at Fresno State. The Badgers are winning games with their defense, allowing just 13.5 points a game, while putting up 34.0. P.J. Hill, as running back for Wisconsin is doing his best to compete for the Heisman Trophy. In three games he has carried the ball 70 times for 379 yards and four touchdowns. For the Wolverines, the Rich Rodriguez experiment has started slow. After a week win loss to Utah, Michigan was able to beat Miami(OH), but then fell to Notre Dame 35-17. Like Wisconsin, Michigan is also coming off a bye week. Michigan has had a lot of problems putting the ball in the end zone to start the 2008 season scoring just 56 points in three games. This will be the first of three Big Ten games against ranked teams, to start the conference slate.
#22 Illinois Fighting Illini (-) @ # 12 Penn State Nittany Lions (-)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: Penn State –13.5
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: The Nittany Lions have made their early season march to look like the team to beat in the Big Ten. In their four wins, the Nittany Lions have put up 211 points, while just allowing 40. In wins over Coastal Carolina, Oregon State, Syracuse, and Temple, Penn State has not scored less than 45 points in a game. Running back Evan Royster has ran the ball 47 times for 379 yards and 7 touchdowns to begin the season. Quarterback Daryll Clark has been sharp completing 48 of 78 passes for 720 yards, seven touchdowns and just one interception. The week five opponent for Penn State appears to be their toughest test yet. The Fighting Illini of Illinois are coming off a bye week, so look for Ron Zook to have his young Illini team ready to play. The Illini are 2-1, with wins over Eastern Illinois, and Louisiana-Lafayette. Their one loss came in week one in which Missouri topped the Illini 52-42. Juice Williams has led the offense, completing 55 of 92 passes for 722 yards and 7 touchdowns. Running back Daniel Dufrene has ran for 300 yards in the three games, but has yet to reach the endzone. This game will be played at 8:00pm ET in Happy Valley.
#13 South Florida Bulls (4-0) @ North Carolina State Wolfpack (2-2)
Time: 7:30pm ET
Spread: South Florida –8.5
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: The South Florida Bulls come in winners of four straight games. This week they will make a road trip to the upstart North Carolina Wolfpack. North Carolina State is coming off an upset of East Carolina 30-24 in overtime, at home. The Bulls have scored 141 points, while allowing just 74, while the Wolfpack have surrendered 109 while scoring 73. North Carolina State has losses at South Carolina and Clemson, and wins at home over William + Mary, and East Carolina. South Florida got great productivity from quarterback Matt Grothe, who has thrown for 916 yards and 7 touchdown passes. For North Carolina State, after three straight games against BCS opponents of not scoring an offensive touchdown, were able to put four on the board against East Carolina on Saturday.
Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-0) @ # 14 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1)
Time: 12:00pm ET
Spread: Ohio State –17.5
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 4-0, and are thriving to make a move inside the Big Ten conference. Their first test within the conference will be quite the task. On Saturday Minnesota will travel to Columbus Ohio to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes, the two time defending Big Ten Champions are coming off a 28-10 win over Troy. Ohio State is 3-1 on the year with their only loss coming at the hands of USC. Terrelle Pryor has take over as the Buckeyes quarterback and in his first game threw for four touchdowns. For Minnesota, their offense has put up 145 points in four games, while their defense has allowed 70. The Gophers four wins have been over Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Montana State, and Florida Atlantic. Three of the four wins were at home. The Gophers quarterback Adam Weber has completed 79 of 110 passes for 967 yards and seven touchdowns on the year. The Buckeyes will look to make this an offensive shootout; they are 42-0 since 2001 when scoring 30 points or more in a game.
Tennessee Volunteers (1-2) @ #15 Auburn Tigers (3-1)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: Auburn -6
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: For Tennessee, the time is now. With two losses already on the board, Phillip Fulmer’s squad is desperate to get another win in the books. With Georgia, Alabama and Vanderbilt still left on the slate, the Vols’ will surely be looking to bring the kitchen sink for a win on Saturday. Their opponents the Auburn Tigers will not be without some motivation as well. Auburn was beat in the final minutes on Saturday 26-21 to LSU. In that game Auburn squandered 178 rushing yards to LSU. Auburn has been good defensively, allowing just 41 points in four games. For Tennessee, part of their struggles have lied with quarterback Johnathan Crompton, who has thrown just two touchdown passes, while throwing four interceptions in his first three games. The Vols will look for Crompton to keep the ball in their hands, if they want to pull off the road upset on Saturday.
Navy Midshipmen (2-2) @ #16 Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-0)
Time: 3:45pm ET
Spread: Wake Forest –15.5
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: Wake Forest will continue its climb up the BCS ladder on Saturday, this time going outside the ACC, and facing the Navy Midshipmen at home. The Demon Deacons come in 3-0 with wins over Baylor, Mississippi, and then an impressive 12-3 win at Florida State on Saturday. In that win over Florida State, kicker Sam Swank completed four field goals, which was more than enough for the win. Wake Forest defense forced seven FSU turnovers, including five interceptions. Quarterback Riley Skinner as completed 76 of 109 passes on the year for 704 yards and five touchdowns. For Navy, wins over Towson and Rutgers have led to their two wins, while they have fell on the road at Ball State, and Duke. In the 23-21 win over Rutgers on Saturday Eric Kettani carried the ball 20 times for 133 yards. The game was decided on a Matt Harmon 24 yard field goal.
Weber State (3-1) @ # 17 Utah Utes (4-0)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: N/A
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: The Utes of Utah come into week five with a 4-0 record, and will be hosts to the Wildcats of Weber State on Saturday evening. Weber State comes into Saturday night’s affair 3-1, with wins over Montana-Western, Dixie State and Sacramento State. The Wildcats one loss came at Hawaii 36-17. Utah has four wins, over Michigan, UNLV, Utah State, and Air Force. In the 30-23 win over Air Force on Saturday Darrell Mack broke a 23-23 tie with under a minute to go, with a 9-yard touchdown run. Mack ran for 101 yards on 18 carries for the Utes, including three-second half touchdowns. Both the Utes and the Wildcats have scored 155 points on the year, with the Utes defensive allowing 77 points, and Wildcats giving up 76.
Maryland Terps (3-1) @ # 20 Clemson Tigers (3-1)
Time: 12:00pm ET
Spread: Clemson –11.5
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: This is a very important early ACC battle between two upstart 3-1 squads. With Wake Forest looking like the class of the conference after their shut down of Florida State, one of these two teams would like to keep pace with the Demon Deacons, and the winner of this will be in that drivers seat. Maryland is coming off two straight wins over California and Eastern Michigan. The Terps have scored 114 points while scoring just 82. In the win on Saturday Maryland quarterback Chris Turner threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns. For Clemson, after the week one disappointing loss to Alabama, who now looks like a title contender, have won three straight, including wins over The Citadel, North Carolina State, and South Carolina State. The Tigers have scored 136 points on the year, while allowing 60. On Saturday, in their 54-0 win James Davis ran for 95 yards and three touchdowns.
Houston Cougars (1-3) @ #23 East Carolina Pirates (3-1)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: East Carolina –10.5
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: The Houston Cougars have lost three straight games, and their fourth doesn’t appear to be any easier. With a week one win over Southern, followed by losses to Oklahoma State, Air Force, and Colorado State, Houston has allowed 35 points a game in those losses. A dynamic quarterback leads the Cougars; Case Keenum who has thrown 215 passes already in 2008, completing 139 of them, for 1521 yards, and 16 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. East Carolina is coming off an upset loss at the hands of North Carolina State. After three impressive wins; over Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Tulane, the Pirates fell for the trap game at the ACC foe. Patrick Pinkney has thrown for 917 yards and five touchdowns in the first four games of the year for the Pirates.
#25 Fresno State Bulldogs (2-1) @ UCLA Bruins (1-2)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: Fresno State -7
Over/Under: N/A
Preview: In absolute stunning fashion the Bulldogs of Fresno State walked away from Toledo with a double overtime win. Nico Herron knocked down Toledo’s two point conversion pass for the win in double overtime, 55-54(2OT). Quarterback Tom Brandstater was 22 of 28 for 235 yards and four touchdowns in the win. After putting up just 98 first half yards, the Bulldogs were able to put up 327 in the second half alone. The win moved Fresno State to 2-1. For UCLA, the Bruins got off to a great start in 2008 upsetting Tennessee at home 27-24 in overtime. Since then it has been all down hill for the Bruins. A 59-0 thumping at the hands of BYU, was followed by a 31-10 loss at home to Arizona on Saturday. The Bruins have allowed 114 points, while scoring just 37 to start the year. Quarterback Kevin Craft’s touchdown to interception ratio of 1-5 must improve for the Bruins to get back to their winning ways. After Fresno State leaves town, the Bruins will face eight straight Pac Ten opponents to finish the season.
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