The Week 8 Run Down

Ah, it’s Week 8 SportzFanz and there’s a load of action coming your way, so just sit back, pop open a cold one, and relax as we lead you through the weekly College Pigskin Schedule…


The Week 8 TV Schedule

Oct. 20 Thu VA Tech @ Maryland 6:45P ESPN

Oct. 21 Fri Southern Miss @ UAB 7:00P ESPN

Oct. 22 Sat GA Tech @ Miami, Fla 11:00A ABC*
Oct. 22 Sat Michigan @ Iowa 11:00A ABC*
Oct. 22 Sat Ohio State @ Indiana 11:00A ESPN Oct. 22 Sat Northwestern @ Michigan State 11:00A ESPN2
Oct. 22 Sat Nebraska @ Missouri 11:30A FSN

Oct. 22 Sat BYU @ Notre Dame 1:30P NBC
Oct. 22 Sat Wyoming @ Colorado State 2:00P ESPN Cl
Oct. 22 Sat Purdue @ Wisconsin 2:30P ABC*
Oct. 22 Sat Texas Tech @ Texas 2:30P ABC*
Oct. 22 Sat USC @ Washington 2:30P ABC*
Oct. 22 Sat Tennessee @ Alabama 2:30P CBS

Oct. 22 Sat Utah @ UNLV 6:00P ABC
Oct. 22 Sat Penn State @ Illinois 6:00P ESPN2 Oct. 22 Sat Oregon State @ UCLA 6:00P TBS
Oct. 22 Sat Baylor @ Oklahoma 6:00P FSN
Oct. 22 Sat Auburn @ LSU 6:45P ESPN

Oct. 22 Sat Washington State @ Cal 9:15P FSN

*Denotes Regional Action
NOTE: All times are CST.


The Week 8 Run Down


Thu VA Tech @ Maryland 6:45P ESPN
This Thursday we get a gem of a game with the Hokies dropping by College Park for a little Turtle Soup. While the Terrapins started off the season in rough fashion, they’ve finally caught a gear and ripped off three solid victories against Wake Forest, Virginia, and Temple. On top of that, Maryland has been fuming for 365 days now, just itching to get another shot at these Hokies after last year’s 55-6 pasting. Of course, Va Tech managed to put up that score even without super-QB Marcus Vick. If the home crowd can keep these Terps fired up and in the game and RB Lance Ball can run like he did against Virginia two week ago (163 yards and two touchdowns), then the Hokies should have their hands full all the way down to the final gun. But if the Hokie speed and defense is for real, or their special teams takes the home crowd out of it, this one could turn ugly real fast.
Hokies.


Fri Southern Miss @ UAB 7:00P ESPN
After playing lights out against Tennessee in the opener, UAB went AWOL, dropping their last two games to become 3-3. If they can get their offense figured out, they’ve still got a chance to get back in the hunt for a C-USA title as their defense has been playing great and keeping them in the game. On the other side of the hashes, the Golden Eagles have followed a similar path this season. They played Alabama tough in week one before faltering and struggling through the last four to wind up 3-2. With wins over East Carolina and UCF, however, Southern Miss has the inside track on the East Division crown. The key to this one will be getting a solid outing out of Eagle QB Dustin Almond. Two weeks ago against Tulsa he was terrible, completing just 12 of 29 passes for 132 yards and 4 interceptions. Seven days later, he caught fire against UCF, going 23 of 37 for 277 yards and 5 touchdowns. Which Dustin Almond will show up?
Rebels.


Sat GA Tech @ Miami, Fla 11:00A ABC
As the weekend approaches it becomes less certain that this game will even get played. At last check, Hurricane Wilma exploded into a Category 5 and was eyeing the lower Florida Coast. If things work out right and these two get a chance to play this weekend, expect the Canes to give their best Cat 5 impersonation against the Yellow Jackets. The nation’s top ranked defensive unit should have zero trouble manhandling the Rambling Wreck’s O. Does anyone realize that over the last four weeks, Miami has outscored its opponents 136-20? Okay, okay, so those numbers are a little skewed with them playing Colorado, South Florida, Duke, and Temple over that stretch, but still –Miami’s got that swagger back and that definitely isn’t a good thing for anybody that saddles up on the other side of the ball from them.
Canes.


Sat Michigan @ Iowa 11:00A ABC
After hosting the red hot Nittany Lions and vanquishing them from the ranks of the unbeaten, Big Blue travels to the land of the pink showers to face off against a rejuvenated Hawkeye team. After opening their Big10 slate with a loss to the Buckeyes, Iowa has strung together three impressive victories. The only problem with that is that those victories have come against Illinois, Purdue, and Indiana, begging the question: just how ‘improved’ are the Hawkeyes? With RB Michael Hart ready to sled, the Wolverines offense has had a noticeable punch (boy he really takes the heat off QB Chad Henne, don’t he?). For the Hawkeyes to be successful in this one, they’ll have to make the Wolverines one dimensional by shutting down the ground game. On top of that, Hawkeye QB Drew Tate will have to avoid having a ‘State’ game (as in Iowa State and Ohio State). In those games, he went 27 of 50 for just 203 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. So who out there thinks he’ll be able to avoid that kind of let down against an 18th ranked Michigan defense who has, incidentally, already played against the likes of Brady Quinn, Drew Stanton, and Michael Robinson?
Wolverines.


Sat Ohio State @ Indiana 11:00A ESPN
After enduring that painful loss to Penn State two weeks ago, the Buckeye’s salvaged their Big10 title hopes by tearing down the Spartans, 35-24. This week should be nothing more than a tune up for the Buckeye O -and believe me, they need the work. While the Hoosiers are no pushovers on defense, don’t expect their offense to muster much of a threat as the OSU defense should have absolutely no problem manhandling them for 60 full minutes.
OSU.


Sat Northwestern @ Michigan State 11:00A ESPN2
If stats mean anything, this should be the Big10’s most exciting game of the week (how DID it end up on the Deuce?). Northwestern’s spread attack has come out of nowhere this season to storm the Big10 (their 5 point loss to Penn State is looking too shabby now, isn’t it?). But even more impressive than the Wildcat offense has been the Spartan offense led by QB Drew Stanton –tops in the Big10 and 3rd in the nation. What makes this game super-interesting though, is taking into consideration that we aren’t just talking about two very potent offensive attacks, but we’re also talking about two of the nation’s worst pass defenses: the Spartans at 109th and the Wildcats at 115th. With such high octane attacks lined up against such wiffle-ball defenses, this one has a 1,000 yards and a 100 over-under written all over it.
Spartans, in a dizzying assault on the Big10 record books.


Sat Nebraska @ Missouri 11:30A FSN
With Nebraska, Colorado, and Missouri in a dead heat for the North Division, this one should help separate the pretenders from the contenders. While the Tigers have managed to get to 2-1 in conference play, they’ve done so by squeaking past an emotionally challenged Iowa State Redhawk squad and scraping by suddenly apathetic Oklahoma State. And while the Tiger’s mediocrity doesn’t all rest on the shoulders of QB Brad Smith (or his arms and legs for that matter), the same can’t be said of the Black’n’Gold’s Defense, ranked 11th in the conference in rushing defense and dead last in scoring defense. Standing opposite them is a Big Red squad that snuck out of Waco with a victory after getting bushwhacked by the Red Raiders in the prior week. With a steadily improving passing game and a killer Blackshirt Defense though, don’t expect Mizzou to pull this one out even if they come out fast and furious in the first half.
Cornhuskers.


Sat BYU @ Notre Dame 1:30P NBC
Can the Irish pick their hearts up off the turf of Notre Dame Stadium in time for this one? While the Irish are easily one of the ten best teams in the nation, they are also one of the very, very few to have a goose egg in their own Yard. The good news for Irish fans is that they should finally pick up that elusive dubbya this week. The bad news is that it might be a bit closer than everyone is expecting as BYU’s passing game, behind QB John Beck and WRs Curtis Brown and Jonny Harline, is really clicking and the number one weakness on this Trojan team (by far) is its secondary. The difference here though is that the Cougar receivers will look dirt slow to the Irish defenders in comparison to USC’s thoroughbreds.
Golden Domers.


Sat Wyoming @ Colorado State 2:00P ESPN Cl
At the beginning of the season, the Cowboys were looking to wrestle control of the Mountain West away from Utah. Very early on though, that dream quickly evaporated as Wyoming is now a 4-3 squad and riding a two game losing streak. Meanwhile, the Rams have suddenly found themselves sitting right behind TCU in the conference standings and dreaming of taking that Mountain West crown all for themselves. In this one, watch the play of QB Justin Holland. He’s the best the M-West has to offer, and with a trio of able receivers in David Anderson, Johnny Walker, and Kory Sperry, figures to have a big day. Of course, Colorado State and the Mountain West’s top ranked pass defense might have a little something to say about that. If this one were an away game for CSU, I’d give it to the Cowboys in a heartbeat (CSU is abysmal away from the ole Fort, a perfect goose egg on the season at 0-3). Since the Cowboys are riding all the way into town for this one though, the home crowd ought to be able to juice up the Rams’ 99th ranked defense and help them make that game wining stop to seal the game.
Rams.


Sat Purdue @ Wisconsin 2:30P ABC
How far can one team slide in a single season? Everyone’s favorite Big10 dark horse, the Purdue Boilermakers, is now 2-4 and 0-3 in conference play. You could say that losing all everything QB Kyle Orton to the NFL draft was a serious blow to this team, but you’d only be partially right. His replacement, Brandon Kirsch, hasn’t been all warts this season, completing 60% of his passes for 1,625 yards. Nope, the real problem has been on defense where last year’s entire starting unit returned for this campaign and hasn’t played even close to expectations (115th in the nation overall and 117th in pass defense). While Wisconsin is more of a run first team, they certainly aren’t afraid to put it up in the air when the opportunity presents itself –and it will. Even worse for the Boilers, the Badgers appear to have already put their clunker game of the season out there against Northwestern. If the Purdue D can’t tighten up and lure Stocco into making a BUNCH of mistakes, the Badgers offense ought to pull this one out at home in Camp Randall even if their defense isn’t up to the task.
Badgers.


Sat Texas Tech @ Texas 2:30P ABC
Sure, Tech can hang half a hundred on some Division I-AA schools. And sure, Tech can go into Lincoln after last season’s 70-10 blowout victory and still walk away with the dubbya. And yeah, sure, they can prove it wasn’t a fluke by roasting some Wildcat in Lubbock. But can they shock the nation and tame these Longhorns? Their offense will get its yards, that much is certain, but will they get the points? Will they break free from this speedy secondary and gouge them for the really big gains? In order for it to be a Red Raider day, they’ll have to do just that. But even more than simply putting points on the board, if Tech wants to keep this one competitive, RaiderBack Dwayne Slay had better have a career and wreak havoc on Vince Young and the Longhorn’s running backs –if he can catch them. If Tech can’t do that, then this one could very easily be another lopsided victory –although the safe money says it’s much closer than the Orangebloods would like.
Texas shoots down the Air Raid.


Sat USC @ Washington 2:30P ABC
After playing three come-from-behind games in a row with each one closer than the last, the Trojans finally get a breather this week. While the Huskies have begun to show some signs of life on offense, their defense is still abysmal and will have to match up against the nation’s premier offense. Don’t be surprised though if these Huskies manage to put quite a few points on the board against the boys from Southern Cal as the Trojans will absolutely be looking past this one.
SC.


Sat Tennessee @ Alabama 2:30P CBS
Is the Tide for real or isn’t it? After destroying Florida one week and then eaking past Ole Miss the next, it’s anybody’s guess as to just exactly how good this Red Elephant team is. While one would expect the Tide’s defense (tops in the SEC) to carry the day, I wouldn’t bet on it. The Vols have had two weeks to prepare and will probably end up using both Ainge and Clausen in this one (something which, oddly enough, seems work best for this offense). Plus, Tennessee is incredibly good on the road in big games (remember LSU this season –and Georgia last year?). With Bama losing a playmaker a game, I’m having trouble seeing how they’ll maintain their continuity on offense, especially if they can’t run the ball –which they shouldn’t be able to do against a UT line that has yet to give up the century mark this year.
Vols.


Sat Utah @ UNLV 6:00P ABC
How this game makes it onto ABC is anybody’s guess as both squads are bringing up the rear in the Mountain West. With the departure of Urban Meyer, the Ute’s world has been turned upside down. They’re riding a three game losing streak and can’t seem to find any kind of rhythm on either side of the ball. Fortunately for them, they ‘run’ straight into a Rebels squad that has been even worse. With the Utah offense struggling to get a big game out of RB Quinton Ganther, QB Brian Johnson, and WR John Madsen all season, does anyone else out there think this is the week that the Ute’s finally breakout?
Utah ‘runs’ away in this one.


Sat Penn State @ Illinois 6:00P ESPN2
Penn State’s perfect season came to a grinding halt last week in the Big House when Chad Henne found his freshman receiver in the end zone for the game winning score as time expired. This week, the Nittany Lions travel over to Champaign for a confidence builder against the Fighting Illini. With the Big10’s worst rushing offense, scoring offense, rushing defense, scoring defense, and special teams unit, I think it’s safe to say Joe Pa’s youngsters will think this game is easier than practice. But hey, even though Illinois is also the Big10’s second worst team in total offense, pass efficiency defense, turnover margin, and offensive pass efficiency, don’t underestimate them: they’re tops in the conference with kickoff returns (although that may just be because they get scored on so much …I dunno, it’s just a theory).
PSU.


Sat Oregon State @ UCLA 6:00P TBS
See, I told you the Beavers were the best Jeckyl’n’Hyde team in the country. Last week, they ripped the heart out of the Golden Bears on the road, improving to 2-1 in conference play. Meanwhile, UCLA continued it’s perfect season by squeaking past Washington State in overtime. Front and center in the Bruins rise up the Top 25 charts is QB Drew Olson and RB Maurice Drew. While they haven’t posted eye popping numbers on a weekly basis, they have been electrifying over the past two – combing for 12 touchdowns and 1,213 all purpose yards. This week, that dynamic duo gets to cut its teeth against the nation’s third worst pass defense and 106th ranked unit overall. Of course, the bright side for the Beavers is that they’ve got the nation’s most dangerous receiver, Mike Hass, playing pitch and catch with QB Matt Moore. Will the PAC-10’s best pass defense be able to keep him away from the ball? The answer, just like last week, comes down to which OSU team shows up: the kick-your-ass-on-the-road Beavers or the get-their-ass-kicked-on-the-road Beavers. Last week it was the former, this week it’ll be the latter unless QB Matt Moore can improve his game (he’s tossed 5 picks and only 1 touchdown in the past two contests).
Bruins –they’ll remain undefeated until ASU and then shock the nation the following week.


Sat Baylor @ Oklahoma 6:00P FSN
Despite that tough home loss to Nebraska last week, the Bears are still on the hunt to go bowling. In order to do it though, they’ll need to surprise a Sooner squad that continues to improve on offense by leaps and bounds. While last week’s numbers against the Jayhawks may not have shown it, Sooner QB Rhett Bomar is developing quickly and really beginning to ‘get’ this offense. That said, don’t underestimate the Baylor Defense. After facing Reggie McNeal, Bret Meyer, and Zac Taylor the Bears boast the nation’s 6th rank pass efficiency defense –and 20th overall defense. With RB Adrian Peterson and WR Travis Wilson likely out yet again, it’s looking to be another difficult day offensively for the Boomer Schooner. In this one, it comes down to mistakes and special teams plays. Baylor has one of the nation’s best return men that you’ve never heard of in Terrence Nunn (2nd in the nation at 28 yards/return), but OU’s defense should more than make up for any disadvantage its offense or kicking game can dish out.
Sooners.


Sat Auburn @ LSU 6:45P ESPN
This one earns the honor of Most Intriguing Game of the Week. For this one, 5-1 Auburn make’s the trip to the Land of the Big Red Stick to tame the Bayou Bengals. After that opening week loss to Georgia Tech, the War Eagle was all but left for death on the national scene. Fast forward five weeks and Auburn has found itself a backfield and tuned up its defense. The obvious question that comes to mind then is: are they improved enough to hang with the Big Boys? We’ll find out this week. LSU figures to have there hands full and simply must focus for all four quarters in this one. They’ve coughed up the ball 15 times this season and clearly haven’t played up to the level of their talent. Are, as some are saying, these LSU Tigers primed and over due for an offensive explosion? Me, I’m thinking that Auburn Defense is mighty good and those LSU fans are mighty fickle (at least they have been this season).
The War Eagle circles above Death Valley.


Sat Washington State @ Cal 9:15P FSN
Your desert game this week features the Cougars from Pullman, 44-41 losers in overtime against UCLA, going up against the Golden Bears of Berkeley, 47-40 losers in a down-to-the-wire game against UCLA. With both teams losing tight, high scoring affairs in overtime one would assume that Wash State and Cal would match up quiet well, but that just isn’t the case. In this one, it’s the PAC10’s top defensive unit, Cal, bumping uglies with the nation’s 7th ranked offense. Will the Golden Bear line be able to throw back RB Jerome Harrison, their conference’s top sled dog? If so, then Cal should pull out an easy victory as their tandem of QB Joe Ayoob and RB Justin Forsett are definitely the most underrated tandem in the conference.
Cal begins a new regular season game win streak.