| Week Six |
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Troy State (1-2)
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Noon EDT
Saturday |
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No. 1
Miami (3-0)
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• Game preview
• Troy State team page
• Miami team page
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| The Setup |
The Hurricanes, 43-21 winners over Pitt last Thursday, host a game for the first time since a Sept. 8 win over Rutgers. Division I-A newcomer Troy State has fallen to Nebraska and Middle Tennessee State.
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| The Plan |
The Hurricanes strike often and strike quickly, their 14 touchdown drives averaging just 2:16. QB Ken Dorsey (62 percent completions, 867 yards) is the main man responsible, but RB Clinton Portis (115.3 ypg, 4 TDs) is just as valuable. Troy State is averaging only 253 yards per game on offense.
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| The Man |
Mike Rumph, CB, Miami
Already a highly regarded cover man, he completely shut down Pitt star Antonio Bryant last week.
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| The Call |
Miami, 49-7
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No. 2
Florida (4-0)
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3:30 p.m. EDT
Saturday (CBS) |
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No. 18
LSU (2-1)
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• Game preview
• Florida team page
• LSU team page
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| The Setup |
The Gators look downright scary, dismantling a decent Mississippi State team 52-0 last week. The Tigers face their second consecutive major test after falling short at Tennessee.
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| The Plan |
LSU defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs must figure out what no one has been able to yet: how to rattle Gators QB Rex Grossman (1,401 yards, 15 TDs). Once he gets his throws off, the Tigers' DBs probably won't be able to handle Florida's receivers. For LSU offensively, much depends on the health of RB LaBrandon Toefield.
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| The Man |
Rohan Davey, QB, LSU
Excelled in the no-huddle LSU ran the second half against Tennessee, finishing 21-of-43 for 356 yards.
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| The Call |
Florida, 38-22
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No. 3
Oklahoma (4-0)
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3:30 p.m. EDT
Saturday (ABC)
at Dallas |
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No. 5
Texas (4-0)
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• Game preview
• Texas team page
• Oklahoma team page
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| The Setup |
It's the biggest game of this 101-year-old rivalry since a No. 1 vs. 5 matchup in 1984. The Horns will be looking to avenge last year's 63-14 embarrassment and end OU's 17-game win streak.
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| The Plan |
Texas broke out a 3-4 defense last week to quiet Texas Tech, but doing so against OU could allow RB Quentin Griffin to break loose. Better to stuff the box and dare QB Nate Hybl to beat you. The Horns like their RB, Ivan Williams (98.5 ypg), but Roy Williams and UT's receivers face a stiff challenge from OU's secondary.
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| The Man |
Chris Simms, QB, Texas
The much-hyped junior (58.1 percent completions, 884 yards) could squelch critics for good with a victory. |
| The Call |
Texas, 36-33 (OT)
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Iowa State (3-0)
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7 p.m. EDT
Saturday
(Fox Sports) |
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No. 4
Nebraska (5-0)
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• Game preview
• Iowa State team page
• Nebraska team page
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| The Setup |
The Cyclones are off to another fast start but face a steep rise in competition after blanking Baylor 41-0. The Huskers hold a commanding 79-16 lead in the series.
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| The Plan |
Something has to give when Ennis Haywood (132.3 ypg) and ISU's ninth-ranked rushing offense (245.3) square off against a Blackshirt defense allowing just 67.4 yards per game. QB Eric Crouch (213.8 total ypg) and the Huskers' option attack ground it out themselves, ranking second nationally (275 ypg).
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| The Man |
Seneca Wallace, QB, Iowa State
Biggest test to date for the impressive juco transfer, who is completing 66.7 percent of his passes (42-of-63).
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| The Call |
Nebraska, 41-18
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Georgia (2-1)
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Noon EDT
Saturday (CBS) |
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No. 6
Tennessee (3-0)
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• Game preview
• Georgia team page
• Tennessee team page
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| The Setup |
Tennessee, coming off an impressive win over LSU but dealing with several key injuries, plays host to a team it's beaten nine of the past 10 years. But that one loss came a year ago in Athens.
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| The Plan |
Tennessee's bread and butter is RB Travis Stephens (137.3 ypg), but the Vols also have a new star in the passing game, WR Kelley Washington (256 yards vs. LSU). Young Georgia QB David Greene catches a break, as the Vols will be without DL Will Overstreet. UGA will be missing key LB Will Witherspoon. |
| The Man |
Musa Smith, RB, Georgia
The sophomore, averaging 109.7 yards, is on pace to become Georgia's first 1,000-yard rusher since 1992.
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| The Call |
Tennessee, 31-16
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No. 7
Oregon (4-0)
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10:15 p.m. EDT
Saturday
(Fox Sports) |
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Arizona (3-1)
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• Game preview
• Oregon team page
• Arizona team page
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| The Setup |
The Ducks are looking to start 5-0 for the first time since 1998, while Arizona must regroup following a 48-21 drubbing by Washington State in its Pac-10 opener.
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| The Plan |
Star Ducks QB Joey Harrington (948 yards, 8 TDs, 2 INTs) goes against a Wildcat defense ranked 91st against the pass (241.2 ypg). But Oregon ranks even worse in that department (114th), allowing 318 per contest, something Arizona QB Jason Johnson (61.5 percent completions, 911 yards) needs to exploit. |
| The Man |
Maurice Morris, RB, Oregon
Coming off his first big game of the season, when he notched 175 yards against Utah State.
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| The Call |
Oregon, 37-35
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No. 8
Virginia Tech (4-0)
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Noon EDT
Saturday (ESPN) |
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West Virginia (2-2)
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• Game preview
• Virginia Tech team page
• West Virginia team page
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| The Setup |
Trivia factoid of the week: WVU and Virginia Tech play for the Black Diamond Trophy. The last game in Blacksburg, in 1999, featured Michael Vick's sideline dash to preserve the Hokies' unbeaten record.
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| The Plan |
Despite losing star RB Lee Suggs in the first game, Tech averages 252 yards on the ground, sixth nationally. Not a good sign, considering WVU ranks 104th in rush defense (226.3 ypg allowed). The banged-up Mountaineers need a big game themselves from RB Avon Cobourne (136 ypg).
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| The Man |
Andre Davis, WR, Virginia Tech
Scored three TDs three different ways (rushing, receiving, punt return) on three possessions in last year's game.
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| The Call |
Virginia Tech, 32-14
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USC (1-3)
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3:30 p.m. EDT
Saturday
(Fox Sports) |
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No. 11
Washington (3-0)
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• Game preview
• USC team page
• Washington team page
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| The Setup |
The Trojans are reeling following their third consecutive defeat last week, to Stanford, while the Huskies emerged victorious from a close game yet again at Cal.
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| The Plan |
Trojans QB Carson Palmer (6 INTs, 2 TDs) is now into Year 2 of a funk that needs to get straightened out fast. Washington's defense has had its lapses but is generally tough. Offensively, the Huskies are developing quite a nice receiving corps with Paul Arnold (7 catches, 134 yards), Reggie Williams (12 catches, 274 yards) and Charles Frederick (21.6 yards per punt return).
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| The Man |
Troy Polamalu, LB, USC
Undisputed stud of the Trojan defense has 37 tackles (five for loss) and blocked a punt last week.
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| The Call |
Washington, 29-23
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Colorado (3-1)
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2:10 p.m. EDT
Saturday |
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No. 12
Kansas State (2-1)
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• Game preview
• Colorado team page
• Kansas State team page
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| The Setup |
The Buffs have rebounded nicely from a season-opening loss to Fresno State, but the Wildcats looked awfully tough in a 38-37 heartbreaker to Oklahoma last week.
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| The Plan |
K-State's offense now revolves around versatile Ell Roberson (707 total yards), but if the Buffs focus too keenly on the quarterback, RB Josh Scobey (107.3 ypg) will run over them. Colorado counters with a pretty potent ground game of its own (245.5 ypg), led by Chris Brown (94.5 ypg, 7 TDs).
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| The Man |
Terrence Newman, CB, Kansas State
Speedy cover man's two interceptions against Oklahoma kept K-State in the game.
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| The Call |
Kansas State, 39-21
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Kentucky (1-3)
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1 p.m. EDT
Saturday |
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No. 13
South Carolina (4-0)
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• Game preview
• Kentucky team page
• South Carolina team page
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| The Setup |
Enthusiasm for the feel-good Gamecocks has reached a fever pitch in Columbia, but tearing down the goalposts would be quite excessive if they beat poor Kentucky.
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| The Plan |
South Carolina is known for its defense but proved against Alabama it can hang around in a shootout. The key is highly accurate QB Phil Petty (62.4 percent completions, 0 INTs). Kentucky's passing game is in disarray, but RB Artose Pinner broke through against Ole Miss with 17 carries for 130 yards and two TDs. |
| The Man |
Rod Trafford, TE, South Carolina
Caught the game-winner last week against Alabama, only his sixth career reception.
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| The Call |
South Carolina, 34-10
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No. 14
Northwestern (3-0)
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7:45 p.m. EDT
Saturday (ESPN) |
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Ohio State (2-1)
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• Game preview
• Northwestern team page
• Ohio State team page
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| The Setup |
Northwestern is 3-0 for the first time since 1962 following a last-second win over Michigan State, but the Wildcats haven't beaten OSU since 1971. The Bucks will be hosting their first-ever Big Ten night game.
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| The Plan |
Michigan State slowed down All-American RB Damien Anderson (28 carries, 75 yards) but couldn't get a handle on QB Zak Kustok (328.3 ypg). That chore now falls to Mike Doss and the Buckeyes' experienced defense. OSU's passing game is subpar, but RB Lydell Ross (124 yards, 2 TDs vs. Indiana) could find success.
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| The Man |
Courtland Bullard, LB, Ohio State
Three-year starter should play a prominent role in OSU's plans regarding NU's running game.
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| The Call |
Ohio State, 28-23
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No. 15
Michigan (3-1)
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3:30 p.m. EDT
Saturday (ABC) |
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Penn State (0-3)
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• Game preview
• Michigan team page
• Penn State team page
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| The Setup |
Michigan has won four straight in the series and now holds a 5-3 lead since Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993, a trend likely to continue with Joe Paterno's team reeling like it is.
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| The Plan |
PSU's offense, ranked 112th nationally, finally produced a meaningful TD drive against Iowa. QB Zack Mills (17-of-31, 118 yards) will be counted on to produce, as Larry Foote and the Wolverines are stingy against the run (58.5 ypg allowed). Michigan QB John Navarre (880 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs) has come into his own.
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| The Man |
B.J. Askew, RB, Michigan
Has accumulated 195 yards and four touchdowns in two games since replacing injured Chris Perry.
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| The Call |
Michigan, 28-6
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No. 17
Georgia Tech (3-1)
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1 p.m. EDT
Saturday |
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Duke (0-4)
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• Game preview
• Georgia Tech team page
• Duke team page
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| The Setup |
The Jackets need to regroup following a heartbreaking 47-44 loss to overtime Clemson. The Blue Devils' troubles run deeper, owners of a nation-worst 16-game losing streak.
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| The Plan |
Led by QB George Godsey (69.2 percent completions) and RB Joe Burns (6 TDs), the Jackets' offense is as explosive as Northwestern's, which pasted Duke for 638 yards. Tech's defense is more questionable, and LB Daryl Smith's injury leaves a hole in the middle. Duke RB Chris Douglas (75.0 ypg) will try to take advantage.
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| The Man |
Greg Gathers, DE, Georgia Tech
The Jackets' most dominant pass rusher has five sacks, nine tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
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| The Call |
Georgia Tech, 48-14
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Utah State (0-4)
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9 p.m. EDT
Friday |
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No. 20
BYU (4-0)
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• Game preview
• Utah State team page
• BYU team page
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| The Setup |
This will be the third Top 20 foe for poor Utah State, having already lost to LSU and Oregon. Some of the Cougars are starting to make bold proclamations they won't lose all season.
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| The Plan |
Cougars QB Brandon Doman, fourth nationally in total offense (317.3 ypg), is questionable with a shoulder sprain. Charlie Peterson (15-of-18, 166 yards) would start in his place. It might not help the Aggies, who rank 101st in pass defense (264.8 ypg allowed). USU relies heavily on QB Jose Fuentes (8 TDs, 9 INTs).
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| The Man |
Kevin Curtis, WR, Utah State
His 42 catches best anyone else nationally by nine, and his 139 yards per game rank third.
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| The Call |
BYU, 41-27
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Iowa (3-0)
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Noon EDT
Saturday (ESPN) |
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No. 21
Purdue (3-0)
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• Game preview
• Iowa team page
• Purdue team page
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| The Setup |
Iowa is off to its best start in four years but will be playing its first road game of the season. The Boilers registered an emotional, comeback win in overtime at Minnesota last week.
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| The Plan |
The Hawkeyes are led by a trio of veterans on offense: QB Kyle McCann (69.4 percent completions), RB Ladell Betts (77.0 ypg) and WR Kahlil Hill (34.0 yards per kick return, 2 TDs). Their defense ranks 11th nationally but faces a significant test from ever-improving QB Brandon Hance (763 total yards). |
| The Man |
Taylor Stubblefield, WR, Purdue
Sophomore has emerged as the Boilers' latest stud at wideout, with 20 catches for 226 yards.
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| The Call |
Purdue, 33-20
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No. 23
Toledo (4-0)
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6 p.m. EDT
Saturday |
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Ohio (0-3)
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• Toledo team page
• Ohio team page
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| The Setup |
The two MAC teams haven't met since 1996. Toledo has been simply dominant thus far, while the Bobcats are better than their record indicates, falling only 31-28 to Iowa State last time out.
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| The Plan |
Toledo RB Chester Taylor (142.3 ypg) is a one-man wrecking crew, averaging three touchdowns a game. QB Dontrell Jackson and the Bobcats, leading the nation in rushing (282.3 ypg), will put their triple-option attack to the test against a Rocket defense ranked fifth against the run (52.8 ypg allowed).
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| The Man |
Tom Ward, LB, Toledo
Leads the MAC in tackles (46), anchoring a unit that's held three 1,000-yard rushers below 100.
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| The Call |
Toledo, 38-19
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Baylor (2-1)
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2 p.m. EDT
Saturday |
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No. 24
Texas A&M; (4-0)
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• Game preview
• Baylor team page
• Texas A&M; team page
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| The Setup |
Any hopes this season might be different for Baylor may have been dashed by last week's 41-0 loss to Iowa State. The Aggies looked sharp in a 24-3 battering of Notre Dame.
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| The Plan |
A&M;'s Wrecking Crew defense is rounding into form, allowing only 226 yards a game (No. 4 nationally). That doesn't bode well for the Bears, who managed only 13 rushing yards against Iowa State. The Aggies' offense isn't overpowering, but QB Mark Farris (61.7 percent completions, 842 yards) has the ability to make plays.
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| The Man |
Derek Farmer, RB, Texas A&M;
Freshman has been a pleasant surprise, torching the Irish for 100 yards on 20 carries last week.
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| The Call |
Texas A&M;, 36-13
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Virginia (3-1)
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Noon EDT
Saturday |
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No. 25
Maryland (4-0)
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• Virginia team page
• Maryland team page
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| The Setup |
Suddenly, this game has major ACC implications, with the only undefeated (2-0) teams in league play squaring off. The Terps will be trying to break a nine-game losing streak to the Cavs.
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| The Plan |
Maryland has attained its first national ranking in six years thanks largely to the nation's leading rusher, sophomore Bruce Perry (169.5 ypg), and he'll be facing a Virginia defense ranked 82nd against the run (182.5 ypg allowed). Cavs QB Bryson Spinner (7 TDs, 2 INTs) will need to continue his recent strong play. |
| The Man |
E.J. Henderson, LB, Maryland
Junior has led the Terps in tackles all four games, including a career-high 18 against West Virginia.
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| The Call |
Maryland, 35-17
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All rankings from 
