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Archive: 2008 Week Seven College Football Game Previews
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Clemson Tigers (3-2) @ # 21
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-1)
Time: 7:30pm ET
Spread: Wake Forest – 3
Over/Under:
Preview: Clemson, who started the
season ranked as high as # 13 will play a conference road game
on Saturday, with the potential of falling to .500 on the
season. The Tigers, coming off a 20-17 loss to Maryland, have
now taken games on the chin to Alabama, and Maryland. Their
three wins were over Citadel, North Carolina State, and South
Carolina State. The Tigers have scored 153 points, and allowed
80. This will be the first road game of the season for
Clemson. Wake Forest, with three wins to start the season;
over Baylor, Mississippi State and Florida State. The sole
loss on the season was in week five, a 24-17 loss to Navy. The
Demon Deacons have scored just 100 points in four games, while
allowing 68. Wake Forest is 2-0 on the season. Wake Forest
leads the ACC Atlantic, 1-0, while Clemson is tied in second,
with three other teams; at 1-1.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
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# 5 Texas
Longhorns (5-0) @ # 1 Oklahoma Sooners (5-0)
Time: 12:00pm
ET
Spread: Oklahoma – 7
Over/Under:
Preview: This,
along with the other big showdown in the Big
12, along with the tussle in Gainesville
appear to be the obvious games of the week.
Texas and Oklahoma have long been
powerhouses, and rugged rivals in the Big
12. This year is no difference. Two teams in
the top five, both teams undefeated. A
possible Big Twelve South title could be on
the line Saturday. Texas, coming in 5-0 with
wins over Florida Atlantic, UTEP, Arkansas,
Rice and Colorado have scored 236 points,
and allowed 57. The Longhorns are 2-0 on the
road thus far. Quarterback Colt McCoy has
thrown for 1280 yards and 16 touchdowns in
the first five games. For Oklahoma, coming
in as the nations number one team will look
to improve their headlock on the # 1 slot.
The Sooners have won their first five games
over Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Washington,
TCU and Baylor. In those five games,
Oklahoma is averaging 49.7 points a game,
while yielding just 14.7. Quarterback Sam
Bradford has been just as impressive, or
more, as McCoy, throwing for 1665 yards and
18 touchdowns. The Sooners and the Longhorns
are tied in first with a 1-0 conference
record. This will be the first of two
straight games for both Oklahoma and Texas
against top five teams; as Texas battles
Missouri, and Oklahoma will tangle with
Kansas.
# 17 Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0) @ # 3 Missouri Tigers (5-0)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: Missouri – 13.5
Over/Under:
Preview: Another Big Twelve prime
time game on Saturday night. Oklahoma State, who has been one
of the surprise teams thus far, will travel to Columbia to
battle with the high powered offense of the Missouri Tigers.
The Cowboys would like to see some attention put on their
offense as well scoring just four less than Missouri, with 263
on the year. Their defense has allowed 115 points on the year,
but in the five wins, the Cowboys have won by an average of
29.2. Cowboys quarterback Zac Robinson has completed 62 of 86
passes for 1035 yards, and 10 touchdowns. His top receiver Dez
Bryant, has caught 9 of those 10 touchdown passes. Running
back Kendall Hunter has rushed for over 700 yards and eight
touchdowns in the first five games. For Missouri, so much
attention has been put on their offense; led by quarterback
Chase Daniel. Daniel has thrown 156 passes, completing 119 of
them for 1665 yards, and 15 touchdowns. His top receiver has
been Derrick Washington. Washington has caught 67 passes for
500 yards and 10 touchdowns. Running back Jeremy Maclin has
ran for five touchdowns, and 480 yards on the year. Missouri
and Oklahoma State are both leading their division within the
Big 12. Missouri is 1-0 within the North, while Oklahoma State
1-0 in the South.
# 4 LSU Tigers (4-0) @ # 11 Florida Gators (4-1)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: Florida -4
Over/Under:
Preview: Almost every year in the SEC, these two powerhouse squads always seem to be playing championship caliber games against each other, with NCAA Football National Championship implications on the line. This year, Gainesville will be the location. Gainesville was not pleasant to the home Gators in week five, as Mississippi left town with a 31-30 upset win. The Tigers are 4-0 on the season, with wins over Appalachian State, North Texas, Auburn, and Mississippi State. In those four games, the Tigers have scored 142 points, and allowed only 61. LSU is coming off a week six victory over Mississippi State, in which the Tigers garnered 427 yards of total offense, led by 261 passing yards from quarterback Jarrett Lee. The Gators, feel they must win this game in order to still have a chance at a SEC title. Sitting at 2-1, one full game behind Vanderbilt in the SEC East, the Gators will be looking back to that September 27th loss for weeks. Tim Tebow, last years Heisman winner and a Heisman Trophy candidate entering the 2008 season has thrown for 1025 yards and eight touchdowns to start the season. The defense has been the key for Urban Meyer’s crew, allowing just 57 points in five games.
# 6 Penn State Nittany Lions
(6-0) @ Wisconsin Badgers (3-2)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: Penn State – 5
Over/Under:
Preview: Wisconsin, losers of two
straight, must feel they have to win this Big 10 battle. The
Badgers currently sit in dead last in the conference after two
straight losses, to Michigan and Ohio State. Camp Randall in
Madison Wisconsin will see a Penn State team that has ranked
among the top in offensive numbers. The Nittany Lions have six
straight wins; with their best being a week five win over
Illinois. In those six games, Penn State has put up 269
points, and the defense has allowed just 70. The Nittany Lions
are averaging 507.2 yards per game, which averages 9th in the nation. Their 256.7 rushing yards puts them fourth in
the nation as well. Evan Royster, running back, has put up
Heisman like numbers rushing 84 times for 659 yards and eight
touchdowns. For Wisconsin, after meltdown in Ann Arbor, the
Badgers played nip and tuck with the Buckeyes of Ohio State,
only to fall late in the game 20-17. Quarterback Allan Evridge,
and running back P.J. Hill lead the Badgers. The Badgers have
had some difficulty scoring points, putting up just 144 points
in five games.
Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-2) @ #
7 Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-0)
Time: 3:00pm ET
Spread: Texas Tech – 21
Over/Under:
Preview: The Texas Tech Red
Raiders continue to climb up the BCS ladder, and look to
continue that trend Saturday in Lubbock. This week the Red
Raiders will battle with the Cornhuskers of Nebraska. Nebraska
is currently 0-1 in the Big 12 North, and trails Missouri, and
Kansas. They started the season with three straight wins; over
Western Michigan, San Jose State, and New Mexico State. In the
last two weeks, Nebraska has come up short, with losses to
Virginia Tech, and Missouri. On Saturday, Missouri put up 52
points on Nebraska in a 52-17 rout. The schedule for Nebraska
is not kind with back to back weeks at Columbia, and Lubbock,
followed by a later trip to Norman, OK. Texas Tech has put up
gaudy numbers, like other members of the Big 12. Quarterback
Graham Harrell, who has thrown for 2,027 yards and 18
touchdowns, has anchored their 241 total points. Graham’s top
receiver has been Michael Crabtree, who has caught 38 passes
for 8 touchdowns. The Red Raiders have this game and one more,
before four straight games with ranked opponents.
Arizona State Sun Devils (2-3)
@ # 8 USC Trojans (3-1)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: USC – 26.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Sun Devils will have
a tough task at hand on Saturday. Traveling to Los Angeles,
for a game at the Coliseum is never easy, and as Oregon found
out on Saturday, facing a ticked off Trojan team is never fun.
The Sun Devils, have been a disappointment in the early going,
out of the Pac Ten. Wins over Northern Arizona and Stanford,
were then followed by three straight losses to UNLV, Georgia,
and California. The Sun Devils have squandered 104 points, and
scored 115. On Saturday, in the 24-14 loss to California ASU
turned the ball over three times, including two interceptions
from quarterback Rudy Carpenter. The Sun Devils, are currently
tied in fifth in the Pac Ten, with a 1-1 record. USC is coming
off a blowout win over then ranked Oregon. The Trojans trailed
briefly, 7-0, but then outscored the Ducks 44-3 after that in
the win. USC put up 597 total yards of offense against Oregon.
Mark Sanchez has completed 80 of 120 passes for 1069 yards and
13 touchdowns. USC also is tied in fifth place within the Pac
Ten with a 1-1 record. Both teams are trailing 2-0 Arizona,
and California.
New Mexico Lobos (3-3) @ # 9
Brigham Young Cougars (5-0)
Time: 6:00pm ET
Spread: BYU – 23
Over/Under:
Preview: New Mexico will look to
get above .500, for the first time all season on Saturday when
they travel to Provo to face the BYU Cougars. The Lobos have
won three of their last four games, including wins over
Arizona, New Mexico State, and Wyoming. The 24-0 win on
Saturday over Wyoming was a game in which the Lobos only
allowed 201 total yards, including just 71 via the air. The
Lobos also forced three Wyoming turnovers. Brigham Young is
coming into the game 5-0, and with one of the top win
differential in the nation. The Cougars have outscored
opponents 206-58, with just one week being close, that was in
week two, in which the Cougars beat Washington 28-27.
Quarterback Max Hall leads the Cougars, who are 3-0 at home.
Hall has thrown for 1587 yards and 17 touchdowns on the year.
The 333.8 yards per game passing for BYU ranks the Cougars 8th in the nation. Their 41.2 points per game also ranks them 10th in the nation as well. After Saturday’s game the Cougars will
play a tough Mountain West Conference game at Texas Christian
University on Thursday evening.
Tennessee Volunteers (2-3) @ #
10 Georgia Bulldogs (4-1)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: Georgia – 12
Over/Under:
Preview: The Tennessee Volunteers
continue to struggle to start the 2008 season. This week will
not be any easier for Phillip Fulmer’s squad. If you ever want
to play the Georgia Bulldogs, it is definitely NOT after a big
time loss. The Bulldogs were embarrassed in Athens in week
give by Alabama. Now, coming off a bye week, the Dawgs will be
ready, and out for blood. Tennessee has lost three of their
first five games, and are coming off a win, albeit over
Northern Illinois, 13-9. The Volunteers have scored just 90
points in five games. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton has
completed just 64 of 123 passes for 658 yards and just two
touchdowns, to four interceptions. For Georgia, starting the
season as the # 1 team in the land, fighting for respect has
been a struggle. The 41-30 defeat, to then # 8 Alabama did not
help their cause. In that loss, the Bulldogs trailed 31-0 at
halftime, only to score 30 second half points. Georgia has not
had an easy way thus far, and the brutal schedule will
continue throughout the season. The Bulldogs have wins over
Georgia Southern, Central Michigan, South Carolina and Arizona
State. After Tennessee leaves town, Georgia will face
Vanderbilt, LSU and Florida in consecutive weeks.
Purdue Boilermakers (2-3) @ #
12 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-1)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: Ohio State – 18.5
Over/Under:
Preview: Purdue, losers of three
of their last four games will take a week seven trip to
Columbus Ohio to take on the Buckeyes. The Boilermakers held
tight with Penn State on Saturday, only to fall 20-6. In week
five Purdue was beat at South Bend 38-21 by Notre Dame.
Purdue’s other loss was September 13th at home, to
Oregon 32-26. The Boilermakers have scored 127 points, and
allowed 125 on the year. Purdue currently is in 8th place in the Big Ten, with a 0-1 record. They trail Penn
State, Michigan State, and Ohio State, with 2-0 records. The
Buckeyes after their embarrassing loss at USC have won three
straight games, averaging 27.33 per game. On Saturday, the
Buckeyes were 20-17 winners at Wisconsin. On Saturday Terrelle
Pryor ran for 11 yards late in the game to put Ohio State
ahead. Ohio State is currently tied in first in the Big Ten
with Michigan State and Penn State.
# 13 Vanderbilt Commodores
(5-0) @ Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-4)
Time: 2:30pm ET
Spread: Vanderbilt - 3
Over/Under:
Preview: The Commodores continue
to be one of a few major surprises during the first half of
the NCAA football season. Winners of five straight games,
Vanderbilt will make the trek to Mississippi State to look for
win # 6. Vanderbilt has won both games they have played thus
far on the road. In the five games they have played,
Vanderbilt has scored 133 points, and allowed 81. Wins over
Miami OH, South Carolina, Rice, Mississippi and Auburn have
catapulted Vanderbilt to a 3-0 start within the SEC East.
Every other team within the East has lost a game, including
2-1 Florida, and 1-1 Georgia. The Commodores will travel to
Athens next week to face the ‘Dawgs’. For Mississippi State,
the 2008 season has been a struggle, which will certainly
continue as the Bulldogs finish their SEC slate. Their lone
win came in week two, in which they knocked off Southeastern
Louisiana 34-10. The Bulldogs are famous this season for their
3-2 loss at home to Auburn in week three. Mississippi State is
coming off a 34-24 at the hands of LSU in Baton Rouge.
# 14 Utah Utes (6-0) @ Wyoming
Cowboys (2-4)
Time: 2:00pm ET
Spread: Utah – 23.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Utah Utes have
climbed up to # 14 in the Associated Press poll. Escaping this
week, over the upstart Oregon State Beavers, the Utes will
travel to Laramie and take on Wyoming in a Mountain West
Conference tilt. Utah’s prime win came in week one, when they
came away from Ann Arbor Michigan with a 25-23 win over the
Wolverines. On September 20th, Utah knocked off Air
Force 20-13. In six games played Utah has put up 223 yards,
including 430 total yards. For Wyoming, scoring just 56 points
in six games has not helped the Cowboys cause in their attempt
to win games. Their two wins have been over Ohio and North
Dakota State. They have played one ranked team this season,
coming away with a 44-0 loss to then # 14 BYU on September 20th.
The Cowboys offense ranks 119th in the nation,
averaging just 270 yards of total offense. Cowboys quarterback
Dax Crum has thrown for six interceptions, and just two
touchdowns to start the year.
# 15 Boise State Broncos (4-0)
@ So. Mississippi Golden Eagles (2-3)
Time: 8:00pm ET
Spread: Boise State – 11.5
Over/Under:
Preview: Staying with the theme
of non power conference teams climbing up the ranks, enter the
Boise State Broncos. The Broncos are 4-0 to start the year.
Wins over Idaho State, Bowling Green, Oregon, and Louisiana
Tech, the Broncos have scored 144 points and allowed 49. The
Broncos currently lead the WAC conference with a 1-0 record;
currently tied with San Jose State, Nevada, and Utah State.
The Broncos will go out of conference to take on the Golden
Eagles of Southern Mississippi. The Golden Eagles have lost
their lost two games; both at home to Marshall, and UTEP. USM
has scored 155 points, and allowed 146. In three games played
at home, USM has won just 1 of those 3. Quarterback Kellen
Moore has thrown for 1165 yards and seven touchdowns on the
season.
Colorado Buffaloes (3-2) @ # 16
Kansas Jay hawks (4-1)
Time: 12:30pm ET
Spread: Kansas - 14
Over/Under:
Preview: The Buffaloes and Jay
hawks understand they are not one of the top two games on
Saturday, but are most likely okay with that. They do not need
a prime time TV slate to know the importance of this Big 12
tilt. The Buffaloes have dropped two straight, to Florida
State, and Texas after winning their first three; Colorado
State, Eastern Washington, and West Virginia. Colorado is
averaging 24.2 points per game, and allowing 26.3 per game.
Coach Dan Hawkins son, quarterback Cody Hawkins has thrown for
926 yards on 100 for 169 passing, for 926 yards, 10 touchdowns
and an interception. The Jay hawks come in 4-1, and 1-0 in the
Big 12 North. That 1-0 record puts them in a tie at the top
with Missouri. The Jay hawks are led by quarterback Todd
Reesing, who has completed 144 of 205 passes for 1724 yards
and 14 touchdowns. Kansas has won all three games they have
played at home this season.
Arkansas Razorbacks (2-3) @ #
20 Auburn Tigers (4-2)
Time: 5:00pm ET
Spread: Auburn – 19.5
Over/Under:
Preview: Bobby Petrino’s squad
has had a rough go of it thus far. After narrowly escaping
week one and week two over Western Illinois, and Louisiana
Monroe, the Razorbacks have been outscored 139-31 in their
last three games. The three losses have been to Alabama, Texas
and Florida. Week seven does not get any easier for Petrino
and his crew, as they travel to another ranked opponent.
Auburn, is 4-2, and coming off a 14-13 loss at the hands of
Vanderbilt. The Tigers offense has struggled thus far, scoring
just 112 points in six games. Auburn is currently 2-2 in the
SEC West, while Arkansas is in last in the West with a 0-2
record.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-1)
@ # 22 North Carolina Tar heels (4-1)
Time: 5:00pm ET
Spread: North Carolina – 7.5
Over/Under:
Preview: The Fighting Irish of
Notre Dame are slowly creeping back to the old days where they
were more than a force to reckon with inside college football.
Notre Dame has won four of their first five games, and are on
the outside looking into the Top 25. The four wins for Notre
Dame have been over San Diego State, Michigan, Purdue and
Stanford. The lone loss for the Golden ‘Domers was on the road
in East Lansing to # 23 Michigan State. The Irish have scored
129 points, and allowed 95. Notre Dame has only played one
road game thus far, the before mentioned loss at Michigan
State. The Fighting Irish offense is averaging 353.2 yards
per game. North Carolina has entered the Top 25 after two
straight wins over Miami, and Connecticut. The Tar heels are
in third place in the ACC Coastal Division, trailing 2-0
Virginia Tech, which is the only team to beat UNC this far.
Quarterback T.J. Yates has completed 40 of 66 passes for 623
yards and a touchdown. The go to man thus far for the Tar
heels has been Greg Little, who has scampered for 223 yards.
# 23 Michigan State Spartans
(5-1) @ # Northwestern Wildcats (5-0)
Time: 5:00pm ET
Spread: Michigan State – 3
Over/Under:
Preview: Look at these two Big
Ten contenders! The Michigan State Spartans and the
Northwestern Wildcats. Both teams are undefeated within the
conference, and the Wildcats have yet to drop a game this
season. This 3:30pm EST game in Evanston will include two
teams who have been impressive defensively. The Spartans have
allowed just 16.2 points per game, while Northwestern has
allowed just 15.3. Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer has
thrown for over 1100 yards and passed for four touchdowns.
Northwestern has got productive numbers from quarterback C.J.
Bacher, throwing for six touchdowns.
# 25 Ball State Cardinals (6-0) @ Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
(2-4)
Time: 3:30pm ET
Spread: N/A
Over/Under:
Preview: The Ball State Cardinals
have entered the top 25 for the first time in school history.
The Cardinals have scored 238 points, and allowed 101 points
in their six games. They are currently 3-0 on the road, with
wins at Akron, Indiana, and Toledo. The other three wins for BSU were
at home, over Northeastern, Navy, and Kent State. Quarterback
Nate Davis, and running back MiQuale Lewis have been the
offensive leaders, with Davis throwing 11 touchdowns, and
Lewis running for 12 others. Ball State currently leads the
MAC West with a 3-0 record. Western Kentucky is 2-4, with wins
over Eastern Kentucky and Murray State. The Hilltoppers have
lost games to Indiana, Alabama, Kentucky and Virginia Tech.
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