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What to Watch: Week 7 in College Football (Part II)


12:00 PM ET BTN: Illinois 3-2 @ #13 Michigan State 6-0 (-7)
- The Fighting Illini are riding high after their 33-13 win over Penn State last weekend.  The Spartans aren't lacking in confidence either, as they stopped Denard Robinson and the Wolverines, 34-17.  They'll be without senior DB Chris Rucker because he was suspended, after being charged with DWI.  While this could be a trap game for Michigan State, I don't see their run game slowing down and they are at home.  The Spartans have won 10 of the last 11 against the Illini. 

Illini Offense: 353.0 total yards/game & 5.4 yards/play
QB: FR Nathan Scheelhaase - 128.0 ypg passing, 4 TDs, 4 INTs, 59.2|PERCENT| comp.; 53.6 ypg rushing & 2 TDs
RB: JR Mikel Leshoure - 121.2 ypg & 3 TDs
WR: JR A.J. Jenkins - 56.4 ypg & 3 TDs
WR: SR Jarred Fayson - 32.2 ypg

Spartans Defense: 336.7 total yards/game & 4.8 yards/play
Run (24th): 111.3 ypg & 4 TDs
Pass (77th): 225.3 ypg, 10 TDs, 9 INTs, & 54.2|PERCENT| comp.

Spartans Offense: 473.2 total yards/game & 7.3 yards/play
QB: JR Kirk Cousins - 236.0 ypg, 10 TDs, 4 INTs, & 68.3|PERCENT| comp.
RB: SO Edwin Baker - 113.8 ypg & 6 TDs
RB: FR Le'Veon Bell - 91.5 ypg & 8 TDs
WR: SR Mark Dell - 59.3 ypg & 2 TDs
WR: JR Keshawn Martin - 48.0 ypg & 1 TD
WR: JR B.J. Cunningham - 42.5 ypg & 3 TDs

Illini Defense: 304.8 total yards/game & 4.9 yards/play
Run (32nd): 117.0 ypg & 3 TDs
Pass (37th): 187.8 ypg, 6 INTs, 3 INTs, & 61.3|PERCENT| comp.

12:00 PM ET FSN: #21 Missouri 5-0 @ Texas A&M 3-2 (-3.5) - It seems like most of the games the Aggies play in these days come down to the wire.  This week Missouri comes to town and things should be no different.  Jerrod Johnson needs to keep the turnovers to a minimum, something he couldn't do FIU and Oklahoma State.  I've yet to watch Missouri play this season, so I'm eager to see if this Mizzu team is for real and deserves their ranking.  The home team has won 3 straight in this series. 

Tigers Offense: 414.2 total yards/game & 5.9 yards/play
QB: JR Blaine Gabbert - 246.0 ypg, 7 TDs, 3 INTs, & 66.7|PERCENT| comp.
RB: FR Henry Josey - 45.2 ypg & 4 TDs
RB: JR De'Vion Moore - 39.2 ypg & 3 TDs
WR: SO T.J. Moe - 95.8 ypg & 2 TDs
WR: JR Jerrell Jackson - 47.8 ypg & 2 TDs
TE: JR Michael Egnew - 70.0 ypg & 3 TDs

Aggies Defense: 312.0 total yards/game & 4.4 yards/play
Run (7th): 81.2 ypg & 4 TDs
Pass (84th): 230.8 ypg, 7 TDs, 7 INTs, 58.3|PERCENT| comp.

Aggies Offense: 472.6 total yards/game & 5.4 yards/play
QB: SR Jerrod Johnson - 297.2 ypg, 13 TDs, 9 INTS, & 56.4|PERCENT| comp.
RB: SO Christine Michael - 101.4 ypg & 4 TDs
RB: JR Cyrus Gray - 38.4 ypg & 2 TDs
WR: JR Jeff Fuller - 100.6 ypg & 6 TDs
WR: SO Ryan Swope - 58.8 ypg & 1 TD
WR: Uzoma Nwachukwu - 30.4 ypg & 2 TDs

Tigers Defense: 318.6 total yards/game & 4.6 yards/play
Run (41st): 129.2 ypg & 3 TDs
Pass (40th): 189.4 ypg, 3 TDs, 9 INTs, 59.6|PERCENT| comp.

3:30 PM ET CBS: #12 Arkansas 4-1 @ #7 Auburn 6-0 (-4) - This is the game I'm most looking forward to watching this weekend.  You have two great QBs with great offense, slugging it out.  For Mallet he should have no trouble carving up the Tigers pass defense.  Last weekend against Kentucky, the Tigers allowed the Wildcats to completed 24 of their 29 passes against them, which is just absurd.  However, Auburn will probably drop everyone into coverage as the Razorbacks are last in the SEC in rushing ypg (108.8), last in rushing TDs (6), and second to last in yards per attempt (3.59).  This inability to run the ball means they can not eat up the clock late in games, which is exactly what happened in the Georgia and Alabama games, where they blew double digit second half leads.   The last 4 games in this series have all ended in upsets. 

Razorbacks Offense: 462.8 total yards/game & 7.2 yards/play
QB: JR Ryan Mallet - 349.6 ypg, 13 TDs, 6 INTs, 69.3|PERCENT| comp.
RB: SO Knile Davis - 40.6 ypg & 1 TD
RB: JR Broderick Green - 38.4 ypg & 1 TD
WR: JR Joe Adams - 81.6 ypg & 3 TDs
WR: JR Greg Childs - 72.6 ypg & 3 TDs
WR: JR Jarius Wright - 49.4 ypg
TE: SR D.J. Williams - 51.8 ypg

Tigers Defense: 336.0 total yards/game & 4.8 yards/play
Run (14th): 95.7 ypg & 8 TDs
Pass (91st): 240.3 ypg, 8 TDs, 4 INTs, 65.1|PERCENT| comp.

Tigers Offense: 483.0 total yards/game & 7.2 yards/play
QB: JR Cam Newton - 189.7 ypg passing, 12 TDs, 5 INTs, & 64.8|PERCENT| comp.; 112.0 ypg rushing & 9 TDs
RB: FR Michael Dyer - 65.0 ypg & 2 TDs
RB: SO Onterio McCalebb - 57.5 ypg & 2 TDs
RB: SR Marion Fannin - 32.8 ypg & 1 TD
WR: JR Darvin Adams - 64.2 ypg & 2 TDs
WR: SR Terrell Zachery - 42.0 ypg & 1 TD
WR: SO Emery Blake - 28.8 ypg & 3 TDs

Razorback Defense: 302.4 total yards/game & 4.7 yards/play
Run (43rd): 134.6 ypg & 5 TDs
Pass (19th): 167.8 ypg, 4 TDs, 5 INTs, & 49.6|PERCENT| comp.

3:30 PM ET ABC/ESPN: #15 Iowa 4-1 (-3.5) @ Michigan 5-1 - Was Michigan's performance against Michigan State an aberration or a sign of things to come?  We'll find out as the Wolverines take on a tough Iowa team at home.  This Hawkeyes defense is better than the Michigan State one Denard Robinson saw last weekend.  Expect Ricky Stanzi to have a field day picking apart the Wolverine's secondary.  The Wolverines are 40-11-4 all time against the Hawkeyes. 

Hawkeyes Offense: 426.4 total yards/game & 6.6 yards/play
QB: SR Ricky Stanzi - 245.2 ypg, 10 TDs, 2 INTs, & 67.8|PERCENT| comp.
RB: SO Adam Robinson - 96.0 ypg & 6 TDs
WR: SR Derrell Johnson-Koullianos - 66.8 ypg & 4 TDs
WR: JR Marvin McNutt - 55.0 ypg & 2 TDs
TE: SR Allen Reisner - 42.8 ypg & 1 TD

Hawkeyes Defense: 242.2 total yards/game & 4.1 yards/play
Run (2nd): 63.2 ypg & 0 TDs
Pass (28th): 179.0 ypg, 4 TDs, 6 INTs, & 55.5|PERCENT| comp.

Wolverines Offense: 533.7 total yards/game & 7.8 yards/play
QB: SO Denard Robinson - 203.8 ypg passing, 8 TDs, 4 INTs, & 67.2|PERCENT| comp.; 165.2 ypg rushing & 9 TDs
RB: SO Vincent Smith - 47.7 ypg & 4 TDs
RB: JR Michael Shaw - 45.7 ypg & 5 TDs
WR: SO Roy Roundtree - 64.2 ypg & 2 TDs
WR: JR Junior Hemingway - 58.0 ypg & 1 TD

Wolverines Defense: 450.7 total yards/game & 6.1 yards/play
Run (54th): 146.3 ypg & 12 TDs
Pass (119th): 304.3 ypg, 9 TDs, 7 INTs, 62.1|PERCENT| comp.

3:30 PM ET ABC/ESPN: Texas 3-2 @ #5 Nebraska 5-0 (-9.5) - If revenge is a dish best served cold, then expect Lincoln to be ice box when the Longhorns come to town this weekend.  The Cornhuskers are still fuming over their last second loss to the Longhorns in last season's Big 12 title game.  The Texas pass defense has been pretty solid this season and T-Magic doesn't like to air it out, so expect the Longhorns to stuff the box to stop the run.  However, if the Texas run defense that played against UCLA (264 yards) shows up, this could be ugly.  The Longhorns have won 5 straight against the Cornhuskers.

Longhorns Offense: 360.0 total yards/game & 5.2 yards/play
QB: SO Garrett Gilbert - 230.2 ypg, 4 TDs, 5 INTs, & 63.3|PERCENT| comp.
RB: JR Fozzy Whittaker - 46.8 ypg & 2 TDs
RB: JR Cody Johnson - 36.5 ypg & 3 TDs
RB: SO D.J. Monroe - 26.0 ypg & 1 TD
RB: SO Tre' Newton - 19.4 ypg & 3 TDs
WR: SR James Kirkendoll - 57.6 ypg & 1 TD
WR: JR Malcolm Williams - 40.8 ypg
WR: FR Mike Davis - 45.8 ypg & 2 TDs

Cornhuskers Offense: 494.4 total yards/game & 8.3 yards/play
QB: FR Taylor Martinez - 132.0 ypg passing, 3 TDs, 3 INTs, & 60.9|PERCENT| comp.; 147.4 ypg rushing & 12 TDs
RB: SR Roy Helu Jr. - 83.0 ypg & 5 TDs
RB: SO Rex Burkhead - 72.2 ypg & 3 TDs
WR: JR Brandon Kinnie - 43.0 ypg

Longhorns Defense: 254.2 total yards/game & 3.8 yards/play
Run (19th): 104.0 ypg & 7 TDs
Pass (8th): 150.2 ypg, 5 TDs, 3 INTs, & 61.7|PERCENT| comp.

Cornhuskers Defense: 275.0 total yards/game & 4.1 yards/play
Run (56th): 147.0 ypg & 3 TDs
Pass (1st): 128 ypg, 4 TDs, 11 INTs, & 50.0|PERCENT| comp.

6:00 PM ET ESPN2: #10 South Carolina 4-1 (-5) @ Kentucky 3-3 - This is a classic trap game for the Gamecocks, as they're coming off the biggest win in school history and going on the road to take on a feisty Wildcats team.  Kentucky will be without their leading rusher, senior Derrick Locke, due to a stinger and bruised elbow.  This probably means we'll see more of Randall Cobb in the wildcat.  Marcus Lattimore and Alshon Jeffery make up 62|PERCENT| of South Carolina's total offense.  You'd think at some point a defensive coordinator would double Jeffrey and put everyone else in the box.  The "OBC" is 17-0 against Kentucky.

Gamecocks Offense: 374.4 total yards/game & 6.0 yards/play
QB: JR Stephen Garcia - 188.8 ypg, 8 TDs, 3 INTs, & 72.3|PERCENT| comp.
RB: FR Macus Lattimore - 91.8 ypg & 8 TDs
WR: SO Alshon Jeffery - 125 ypg & 4 TDs

Wildcats Defense: 343.5 total yards/game & 5.4 yards/play
Run (97th): 190.3 ypg & 15 TDs
Pass (11th): 153.2 ypg, 6 TDs, 4 INTs, & 52.8|PERCENT| comp.

Wildcats Offense: 434.0 total yards/game & 6.4 yards/play
QB: SR Mike Hartline - 240.3 ypg, 9 TDs, 3 INTs, & 66.5|PERCENT| comp.
RB: SO Donald Russell - 20.7 ypg
RB: FR Raymond Sanders - 14.7 ypg & 3 TDs
RB/WR: JR Randall Cobb - 28.0 ypg rushing & 3 TDs; 67.2 ypg receiving & 4 TDs
WR: SR Chris Matthews - 50.8 ypg & 5 TDs

Gamecocks Defense: 365 total yards/game & 5.5 yards/play
Run (23rd): 109.8 ypg & 3 TDs
Pass (103rd): 255.2 ypg, 6 TDs, 3 INTs, & 68.7|PERCENT| comp.

7:00 PM ET ESPN: #1 Ohio State 6-0 (-4) @ #18 Wisconsin 5-1 - This is the Buckeyes' first big test since they beat Miami 36-24, in their second game of the season.  They now carry with them a #1 ranking in the AP Poll, making them an even bigger target, if that's possible.  The Badgers only on have one loss (34-24 at Michigan State), but they barely beat Arizona State 20-19, in a game where they were badly beaten in the return game.  In this game, I question their ability to keep up with the team speed of the Buckeyes, especially when it comes to guys like Brandon Saine.  At Camp Randall, the Badgers are 40-4 since 2004 and 25-3 in night games.

Buckeyes Offense: 465.8 total yards/game & 6.7 yards/play
QB: JR Terrelle Pryor - 224.8 ypg, 15 TDs, 3 INTs, & 68|PERCENT| comp.
RB: JR Dan Herron - 59.2 ypg & 7 TDs
RB: SR Brandon Saine - 30.5 ypg rushing & 2 TDs; 26.5 ypg receiving & 4 TDs
WR: SR Dane Sanzenbacher - 68.5 ypg & 7 TDs
WR: JR DeVier Posey - 60.7 ypg & 3 TDs

Badgers Defense: 308.3 total yards/game & 5.3 yards/play
Run (22nd): 108.2 ypg & 1 TD
Pass (54th): 200.2 ypg, 10 TDs, 4 INTs, & 57.4|PERCENT| comp.

Badgers Offense: 450.2 total yards/game & 6.8 yards/play
QB: SR Scott Tolzien - 200.2 ypg, 7 TDs, 2 INTs, & 69.7|PERCENT| comp.
RB: JR John Clay - 115.3 ypg & 9 TDs
RB: FR James White - 80.8 ypg & 8 TDs
TE: SR Lance Kendricks - 65.2 ypg & 3 TDs
WR: JR Nick Toon - 44.7 ypg

Buckeyes Defense: 236.3 total yards/game & 4.0 yards/play
Run (4th): 78.0 ypg & 3 TDs
Pass (13th): 158.3 ypg, 4 TDs, 11 INTs, & 53.7|PERCENT| comp.

7:00 PM ET ESPNU: Mississippi State 4-2 @ #22 Florida 4-2 (-7) - The Gators can't lose three games in a row, much less two in a row at home, right?  Their offense has just been a mess lately and that might be due to the fact that they're without their old offensive coordinator and now Bulldogs head coach, Dan Mullen.  Florida has not rushed for 100 yards in their last two games and that streak could continue as the Gators may be without junior RB Jeff Demps, due to a foot injury.  Right now they're saying he's 50/50 to play.  Junior WR Chris Rainey won't play this weekend, but he was cleared to practice with the team.  This almost four weeks after he was in trouble for stalking his girlfriend via text message.  The Gators have won 16 straight against the Bulldogs in the Swamp.

Bulldogs Offense: 416.8 total yards/game & 6.3 yards/play
QB: JR Chris Relf - 110.3 ypg passing, 4 TDs, 3 INTs, & 59.5|PERCENT| comp.; 47.2 ypg rushing & 1 TD
QB: FR Tyler Russell - 111.0 ypg, 4 TDs, 5 INTs, & 60.3|PERCENT| comp.
RB: JR Vick Ballard - 71.8 ypg & 12 TDs
WR: SO Chad Bumpis - 71.8 ypg & 4 TDs

Gators Defense: 306.7 total yards/game & 4.9 yards/play
Run (34th): 117.8 ypg & 5 TDs
Pass (39th): 188.8 ypg, 8 TDs, 13 INTs, & 55.2|PERCENT| comp.

Gators Offense: 324.5 total yards/game & 5.1 yards/play
QB: JR John Brantley - 176.0 ypg, 6 TDs, & 4 INTs
RB: JR Jeffery Demps - 82.8 ypg & 2 TDs
WR: JR Deonte Thompson - 54.7 ypg
WR: SR Carl Moore - 43.5 ypg & 1 TD

Bulldogs Defense: 328.2 total yards/game & 5.2 yards/play
Run (25th): 113.2 ypg & 2 TDs
Pass (64th): 215 ypg, 8 TDs, 5 INTs, & 57|PERCENT| comp.

8:00 PM ET CBSC: #23 Air Force 5-1 (-1) @ San Diego State 3-2 - I'm interested in this game because I really haven't seen much of Air Force, outside of their 3 point loss to Oklahoma.  The Aztecs two losses have been on the road and by a combined 6 points this season.  If this game is as close as the line says it should be, it could be fun to watch.  San Diego State has lost three in a row to Air Force.

Falcons Offense: 467.3 total yards/game & 6.5 yards/play
QB: JR Tim Jefferson - 110.5 ypg passing, 5 TDs, 3 INTs, & 52.2|PERCENT| comp.; 62.7 ypg rushing & 7 TDs
RB: JR Asher Clark - 91.3 ypg & 2 TDs
RB: SR Jared Tew - 87.3 ypg & 3 TDs
WR: JR Zach Kauth - 27.3 ypg & 2 TDs

Aztecs Defense: 319.4 total yards/game & 4.5 yards/play
Run (42nd): 133.6 ypg & 7 TDs
Pass (35th): 185.8 ypg, 3 TDs, 4 INTs, & 52.7|PERCENT| comp.

Aztecs Offense: 462.2 total yards/game & 7.0 yards/play
QB: JR Ryan Lindley - 278.8 ypg, 9 TDs, 3 INTs, 55.3|PERCENT| comp.
RB: FR Ronnie Hillman - 118.8 ypg & 8 TD
RB: SO Walter Kazee - 43.6 ypg & 3 TDs
WR: SR Vincent Brown - 86.6 ypg & 3 TDs
WR: SR DeMarco Sampson - 84.0 ypg & 2 TDs

Falcons Defense: 326.7 total yards/game & 4.9 yards/play
Run (89th): 177.3 ypg & 10 TDs
Pass (7th): 149.3 ypg, 4 TDs, 6 INTs & 54.8|PERCENT| comp.

10:15 PM ET ESPN: #24 Oregon State 3-2 @ Washington 2-3 (-1) - The Beavers only have two losses on their record, 21-30 to TCU and 24-37 to Boise State, but last weekend they took maybe their biggest loss, when senior WR James Rodgers went down with a season ending knee injury.  For the Huskies it's all about finding consistency as they've alternated wins and losses all season long.  Oregon State has won 6 straight against Washington. 

Beavers Offense: 342.6 total yards/game & 5.6 yards/play
QB: SO Ryan Katz - 222.6 ypg, 9 TDs, 1 INT, & 57.4|PERCENT| comp.
RB: JR Jacquizz Rodgers - 96.2 ypg & 7 TDs
WR: SO Jordan Bishop - 41.8 ypg & 1 TD
WR: SO Markus Wheaton - 40.4 ypg & 1 TD
TE: JR Joe Halahuni - 37.6 ypg & 3 TDs

Huskies Defense: 429.6 total yards/game & 6.4 yards/play
Run (106th): 207.6 ypg & 12 TDs
Pass (72nd): 222.0 ypg, 6 INTs, 2 INTs, & 59.9|PERCENT| comp.

Huskies Offense: 399.4 total yards/game & 5.8 yards/play
QB: SR Jake Locker - 229.0 ypg passing, 8 TDs, 3 INTs, & 55.4|PERCENT| comp.; 43.2 ypg rushing & 3 TDs
RB: SO Chris Polk - 93.2 ypg & 3 TDs
RB: FR Jesse Callier - 36.6 ypg
WR: JR Jermaine Kearse - 95.4 ypg & 5 TDs
WR: JR Devin Aguilar - 57.8 ypg & 2 TDs

Beavers Defense: 456.0 total yards/game & 6.2 yards/play
Run (88th): 176.0 ypg & 9 TDs
Pass (115th): 280.0 ypg, 10 TDs, 7 INTs, & 64.3|PERCENT| comp.