12:00 PM ET ESPN: #13 Iowa 7-2 (-9.5) @ Northwestern 6-3 - With Iowa possibly looking ahead to their big meeting with Ohio State next week, this could be a trap game for the Hawkeyes. Northwestern had a similar game a month ago, when Michigan State came to town the week before they played Iowa. In that game, the Wildcats played well until they gave up 21 points in the 4th quarter, losing 27-35. There should be good QB play in this game as Iowa's Ricky Stanzi is 3rd in passer rating and 6th in completion percentage, while Northwestern's Dan Persa is 10th in passer rating and 1st in completion percentage. I look for the Hawkeyes defense to be the difference in this game as they've allowed 122 rushing yards and 19 points in their last two game combined. Keep in mind this is a revenge game for Iowa. Last season they were 9-0 before Northwestern came in beat them 17-10. The Wildcats have won 4 of the last 5 games in this series.
Hawkeyes Offense: 409.8 yards/game (42nd), 6.4 yards/play (20th), & 50.0|PERCENT| 3rd Down (14th)
Pass: 250.8 ypg (35th), 9.4 ypa (4th), 67.5|PERCENT| comp. (10th), 21 TDs, 3 INTs
Run: 159.0 ypg (51st), 4.31 yards/carry (54th), & 13 TDs
Wildcats Defense: 388.8 yards/game (75th), 5.6 yards/play (70th), & 34.7|PERCENT| 3rd Down (19th)
Pass: 247.3 ypg (100th), 6.7 ypa (48th), 59.3|PERCENT| comp. (69th), 14 TDs, & 11 INTs
Run: 141.4 ypg (46th), 4.45 yards/carry (83rd), & 12 TDs
Wildcats Offense: 409.8 yards/game (42nd), 5.5 yards/play (58th), & 50.0|PERCENT| 3rd Down (14th)
Pass: 259.4 ypg (31st), 8.7 ypa (15th), 72.7|PERCENT| comp. (1st), 13 TDs, & 3 INTs
Run: 150.3 ypg (66th), 3.34 yards/carry (101st), & 15 TDs
Hawkeyes Defense: 294.6 yards/game (8th), 4.6 yards/play (15th), & 33.6|PERCENT| 3rd Down (16th)
Pass: 209.3 ypg (50th), 5.9 ypa (12th), 60.5|PERCENT| comp. (78th), 8 TDs, & 14 INTs
Run: 85.2 ypg (5th), 2.98 yards/carry (10th), & 6 TDs
12:30 PM ET FSN: #24 Kansas State 6-3 @ #17 Missouri 7-2 (-12.5) - Two weeks ago the Tigers were flying high, they were undefeated and had just beat the #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners. Today they find themselves losers of two in a row, the last of which came at the hands of weak Texas Tech team. Kansas State on the other hand, comes into this game with some momentum as they beat Texas 39-14 last weekend. In that game the Wildcats were out-gained by Texas 412 to 270 yards, in terms of total offense. The reason they won the game is because the Longhorns turned the ball over 5 times. Missouri likely won't be as generous in this game. Expect to see lots of run plays as K-State's Daniel Thomas is 7th in the nation in rushing and Missouri is going against a K-State run defense that is 8th worst nationally. The Tigers have won 4 in a row in this series.
Wildcats Offense: 362.1 yards/game (71st), 5.7 yards/play (46th), & 42.5|PERCENT| 3rd Down (44th)
Pass: 161.2 ypg (103rd), 7.4 ypa (44th), 66.7|PERCENT| comp. (14th), 9 TDs, & 7 INTs
Run: 200.9 ypg (22nd), 4.81 yards/carry (30th), & 27 TDs
Tigers Defense: 368.1 yards/game (62nd), 5.0 yards/play (30th), & 37.8|PERCENT| 3rd Down (42nd)
Pass: 220.6 ypg (69th), 5.9 ypa (12th), 59.8|PERCENT| comp. (74th), 11 TDs, & 12 INTs
Run: 147.6 ypg (57th), 4.11 yards/carry (60th), & 7 TDs
Tigers Offense: 407.8 yards/game (45th), 5.7 yards/play (46th), & 34.7|PERCENT| 3rd Down (100th)
Pass: 255.4 ypg (34th), 6.5 ypg (86th), 62.5|PERCENT| comp. (40th), 13 TDs, & 5 INTs
Run: 152.3 ypg (63rd), 4.81 yards/carry (30th), & 18 TDs
Wildcats Defense: 435.7 yards/game (101st), 6.0 yards/play (90th), & 43.5|PERCENT| 3rd Down (92nd)
Pass: 217.0 ypg (62nd), 6.4 ypa (30th), 53.6|PERCENT| comp. (13th), 12 TDs, & 11 INTs
Run: 218.7 ypg (113th), 5.64 yards/carry (120th), & 12 TDs
3:30 PM ET CBS: Georgia 5-5 @ #2 Auburn 10-0 (-7.5) - If Auburn wins this game, they win the SEC West. That's easier said than done, especially considering the allegations surrounding star QB Cam Newton. The Tigers' QB ranks 2nd in ypa, 2nd in passer rating, 13th in completion percentage, 10th in rushing ypg, and 2nd in rushing TDs this season. Quite simply, he's the best player in college football today, Heisman or no Heisman. The Georgia run defense ranks 14th nationally, but keep in mind they just gave up 231 yards and 4 TDs rushing to Florida two weeks ago. Bulldogs frosh QB Aaron Murray has played well considering his best WR, A.J. Green, missed the first four games of the season. Against Florida, he threw for 313 yards and 3 TDs, but there were also 3 INTs. Expect him to throw early and often as the Tigers pass defense ranks 94th nationally. The Bulldogs have won 6 of the last 8 in this series.
Bulldogs Offense: 394.6 yards/game (54th), 6.1 yards/play (31st), & 42.9|PERCENT| 3rd Down (40th)
Pass: 240.9 ypg (45th), 8.8 ypa (12th), 60.9|PERCENT| comp. (47th), 19 TDs, & 6 INTs
Run: 253.7 ypg (61st), 4.15 yards/carry (67th), & 18 TDs
Tigers Defense: 355.9 yards/game (52nd), 5.1 yards/play (36th), & 37.8|PERCENT| 3rd Down (44th)
Pass: 241.3 ypg (94th), 6.5 ypa (35th), 63.2|PERCENT| comp. (101st), 16 TDs, & 8 INTs
Run: 114.6 ypg (18th), 3.45 yards/carry (26th), & 14 TDs
Tigers Offense: 509.4 yards/game (6th), 7.7 yards/play (2nd), & 50.9|PERCENT| 3rd Down (9th)
Pass: 202.2 ypg (73rd), 10.3 ypa (2nd), 66.8|PERCENT| comp. (13th), 20 TDs, & 5 INTs
Run: 307.2 ypg (5th), 6.65 yards/carry (1st), & 32 TDs
Bulldogs Defense: 305.5 yards/game (16th), 5.1 yards/play (36th), & 38.2|PERCENT| 3rd Down (50th)
Pass: 197.8 ypg (36th), 7.8 ypa (95th), 53.7|PERCENT| comp. (14th), 12 TDs, & 12 INTs
Run: 107.7 ypg (14th), 3.09 yards/carry (12th), & 13 TDs
3:30 PM ET ABC/ESPN: #20 Virginia Tech 7-2 (-3.5) @ North Carolina 6-3 - Virginia Tech could lock up the ACC Coastal division with a win, depending upon what Miami does against Georgia Tech earlier in the day. The Hokies are 5-0 in conference play and undefeated since they lost to James Madison. The offense has QB Tyrod Taylor, who is 8th in the nation in passer rating, but will be without RB David Wilson (mono). Wilson is the team's third leading rusher and top kick return man. The Tar Heels have played well this season defensively, considering how many players they've lost to suspension. Last week against Florida State they held the Seminoles to just one TD in the second half. Their QB T.J. Yates threw for 439 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs in that game. He'll have to carry the load again as the run game has been besieged by injuries. Last week they started their 3rd string RB and rushed for just 34 yards on 33 attempts. The Hokies have won 5 of the last 6 in this series.
Hokies Offense: 414.7 yards/game (38th), 6.4 yards/play (20th), & 43.0|PERCENT| 3rd Down (39th)
Pass: 201.8 ypg (74th), 8.4 ypa (24th), 60.9|PERCENT| comp. (47th), 16 TDs, & 4 INTs
Run: 212.9 ypg (18th), 5.22 yards/carry (20th), & 21 TDs
Tar Heels Defense: 343.8 yards/game (44th), 5.0 yards/play (30th), & 40.6|PERCENT| 3rd Down (70th)
Pass: 197.0 ypg (37th), 6.2 ypa (23rd), 61.9|PERCENT| comp. (87th), 14 TDs, & 13 INTs
Run: 145.9 ypg (53rd), 4.05 yards/carry (56th), & 9 TDs
Tar Heels Offense: 382.7 yards/game (61st), 5.9 yards/play (36th), & 38.0|PERCENT| 3rd Down (76th)
Pass: 258.4 ypg (33rd), 8.5 ypa (20th), 66.3|PERCENT| comp. (16th), 15 TDs, & 4 INTs
Run: 124.2 ypg (93rd), 3.64 yards/carry (89th), & 13 TDs
Hokies Defense: 346.3 yards/game (46th), 5.4 yards/play (58th), & 35.6|PERCENT| 3rd Down (28th)
Pass: 187.0 ypg (22nd), 6.0 ypa (17th), 47.5|PERCENT| comp. (1st), 12 TDs, & 12 INTs
Run: 159.3 ypg (71st), 4.81 yards/carry (96th), & 11 TDs
7:00 PM ET FSN: #25 Texas A&M 6-3 (-3) @ Baylor 7-3 - The mental state of these two teams might be the biggest factor in this game. The Aggies are coming off a huge 33-19 win over Oklahoma, while the Bears are coming off of an equally large 28-55 loss to Oklahoma State. If they can both put last week behind them, this should be a good game. The match-up of Baylor's run game with QB Robert Griffin and RB Jay Finely against the Aggies 6th ranked run defense intrigues me the most. Of course, that's assuming Baylor decides to run the ball. They're going up against an A&M pass defense that ranks 104th in the nation. QB Ryan Tannehill, who threw for a school record 449 yards in his first ever start against two weeks ago, should have fun airing it out against a Baylor pass defense that ranks 105th. The home team has won 6 of the last 7 in this series... expect a shootout.
Aggies Offense: 474.2 yards/game (12th), 5.6 yards/play (52nd), & 44.7|PERCENT| 3rd Down (33rd)
Pass: 311.2 ypg (9th), 7.3 ypa (47th), 59.7|PERCENT| comp. (59th), 23 TDs, & 12 INTs
Run: 163.0 ypg (48th), 3.88 yards/carry (80th), & 13 TDs
Bears Defense: 423.8 yards/game (96th), 5.7 yards/play (77th), & 41.0|PERCENT| 3rd Down (74th)
Pass: 257.1 ypg (105th), 7.1 ypa (69th), 64.8|PERCENT| comp. (110th), 12 TDs, & 9 INTs
Run: 166.7 ypg (83rd), 4.32 yards/carry (73rd), & 17 TDs
Bears Offense: 487.8 yards/game (9th), 6.9 yards/play (10th), & 41.0|PERCENT| 3rd Down (54th)
Pass: 300.0 ypg (12th), 8.4 ypa (24th), 65.5|PERCENT| comp. (20th), 21 TDs, & 6 INTs
Run: 187.8 ypg (29th), 5.38 yards/carry (13th), & 18 TDs
Aggies Defense: 346.9 yards/game (47th), 4.5 yards/play (9th), & 31.2|PERCENT| 3rd Down (10th)
Pass: 254.6 ypg (104th), 5.9 ypa (12th), 60.1|PERCENT| comp. (76th), 15 TDs, & 11 INTs
Run: 92.3 ypg (6th), 2.78 yards/carry (5th), & 7 TDs
7:15 PM ET ESPN: #23 South Carolina 6-3 @ #22 Florida 6-3 (-6.5) - The winner of this game wins the SEC East title. It would be South Carolina's first ever Eastern division title and their first ever win in The Swamp. For Florida it would be a sign that things aren't as bad as they once seemed, in this Post-Tebow era they're in. The Gators offense has really come on since the return of Chris Rainey. In the last two weeks they've rushed for over 400 yards and scored 89 points. The Gamecocks run defense should slow them down as they only allow 104.6 yards per game. How QB John Brantley performs against their 109th ranked pass defense could be the difference. Coming into last week's game, he hadn't thrown a TD in 4 games. Offensively for South Carolina, expect them to try to get their running game established with Marcus Lattimore. Last week against Arkansas, Lattimore had only 30 yards on 11 carries. If they can't get that phase of their offense going, expect a long day for QB Stephen Garcia as he goes up against the Gators 12th ranked pass defense that leads the nation with 17 INTs. The Gators have won 18 of the last 19 in this series.
Gamecocks Offense: 395.3 yards/game (52nd), 6.2 yards/play (27th), & 52.7|PERCENT| 3rd Down (5th)
Pass: 248.7 ypg (38th), 9.1 ypa (8th), 67.6|PERCENT| comp. (9th), 15 TDs, & 12 INTs
Run: 146.7 ypg (72nd), 4.00 yards/carry (74th), & 17 TDs
Gators Defense: 292.6 yards/game (7th), 4.6 yards/play (15th), & 35.2|PERCENT| 3rd Down (26th)
Pass: 171.3 ypg (12th), 6.0 ypa (17th), 52.0|PERCENT| comp. (8th), 12 TDs, & 17 INTs
Run: 121.2 ypg (26th), 3.47 yards/carry (27th), & 7 TDs
Gators Offense: 359.8 yards/game (72nd), 5.2 yards/play (77th), & 39.8|PERCENT| 3rd Down (60th)
Pass: 200.4 ypg (76th), 6.6 ypa (81st), 62.0|PERCENT| comp. (43rd), 9 TDs, & 8 INTs
Run: 159.3 ypg (50th), 4.12 yards/carry (68th), & 23 TDs
Gamecocks Defense: 369.2 yards/game (63rd), 5.5 yards/play (66th), & 42.6|PERCENT| 3rd Down (88th)
Pass: 246.7 ypg (109th), 8.0 ypa (102nd), 67.0|PERCENT| comp. (114th), 14 TDs, & 5 INTs
Run: 104.6 ypg (11th), 3.10 yards/carry (13th), & 8 TDs
7:15 PM ET ESPN2: #19 Mississippi State 7-2 @ #12 Alabama 7-2 (-13) - These are two very different 7-2 teams coming into this game. The Bulldogs have won 6 in a row and are having one of their best seasons ever, while 'Bama is 2-2 in their last 4 games and dealing with the fact that they won't be defending their title in the national championship game this season. Part of the reason the Tide has struggled is their run game. In three of their last four games they've rushed for less than 110 yards. Last season they only had one game where they rushed for under 130 yards. They might have trouble again this week as Miss. State ranks 20th in run defense. The unit that really needs for Alabama is their run defense. Last week they allowed LSU to rush for 225 yards against them. This week they face a Miss. State run game that has rushed for over 200 yards in five straight games. The difference in this game might be the fact that Miss. State really can't do anything other than run the ball and they're too one dimensional on offense. They've passed for over 140 yards once in their last eight games. On the other hand, Alabama's Greg McElroy has passed for over 200 yards in four straight games with a 7/1 TD to INT ratio. The Tide has won 7 of the last 9 in this series.
Bulldogs Offense: 383.2 yards/game (60th), 5.9 yards/play (36th), & 46.4|PERCENT| 3rd Down (25th)
Pass: 163.1 ypg (102nd), 7.7 ypa (36th), 54.5|PERCENT| comp. (96th), 10 TDs, & 9 INTs
Run: 220.1 ypg (14th), 5.04 yards/carry (25th), & 20 TDs
Crimson Tide Defense: 307.1 yards/game (17th), 4.9 yards/play (24th), & 32.8|PERCENT| 3rd Down (12th)
Pass: 181.3 ypg (18th), 5.9 ypa (12th), 53.2|PERCENT| comp. (12th), 7 TDs, & 15 INTs
Run: 125.8 ypg (33rd), 3.97 yards/carry (47th), & 5 TDs
Crimson Tide Offense: 427.9 yards/game (27th), 6.8 yards/play (12th), & 46.2|PERCENT| 3rd Down (26th)
Pass: 250.4 ypg (36th), 8.9 ypa (11th), 68.8|PERCENT| comp. (5th), 16 TDs, & 4 INTs
Run: 177.4 ypg (33rd), 5.12 yards/carry (24th), & 18 TDs
Bulldogs Defense: 336.8 yards/game (34th), 4.9 yards/play (24th), & 37.8|PERCENT| 3rd Down (44th)
Pass: 221.6 ypg (70th), 6.4 ypa (30th), 56.4|PERCENT| comp. (35th), 11 TDs, & 9 INTs
Run: 115.2 ypg (20th), 3.41 yards/carry (24th), & 6 TDs
8:00 PM ET ABC/ESPN: Clemson 5-4 @ Florida State 6-3 (-5.5) - Who is going to win the ACC Atlantic? Florida State was in the driver's seat two weeks ago, when they were 4-0 in conference. Now they're 4-2 and in a fight with Maryland and NC State to claim the division. To make matters worse, QB Christian Ponder is listed as questionable for this game. He's dealing with ruptured bursa sac in his right elbow. If Clemson can pull off the win, they get bowl eligible and put themselves into a great position to win the Atlantic, should Maryland and NC State lose (both which they beat). QB play will be an issue for them too as Kyle Parker has thrown 3 TDs and 6 INTs in his last six games. I expect him to be running for his life as the Seminoles lead the nation in sacks per game (4.22). The best unit on the field offensively should be the Florida State run game, which averages almost 200 ypg. The Tigers have won 4 of the last 5 in this series... expect a low scoring slugfest.
Tigers Offense: 333.1 yards/game (89th), 5.1 yards/play (85th), & 38.1|PERCENT| 3rd Down (75th)
Pass: 182.0 ypg (87th), 6.2 ypa (101st), 53.8|PERCENT| comp. (98th), 12 TDs, & 8 INTs
Run: 151.1 ypg (64th), 4.20 yards/carry (64th), & 16 TDs
Seminoles Defense: 333.0 yards/game (31st), 4.6 yards/play (15th), & 36.4|PERCENT| 3rd Down (34th)
Pass: 226.7 ypg (78th), 6.6 ypa (39th), 57.8|PERCENT| comp. (50th), 11 TDs, & 7 INTs
Run: 106.3 ypg (12th), 2.84 yards/carry (6th), & 8 TDs
Seminoles Offense: 410.6 yards/game (41st), 6.2 yards/play (27th), & 50.4|PERCENT| 3rd Down (12th)
Pass: 214.0 ypg (63rd), 7.2 ypa (53rd), 62.2|PERCENT| comp. (42nd), 18 TDs, & 8 INTs
Run: 196.6 ypg (24th), 5.41 yards/carry (12th), & 20 TDs
Tigers Defense: 338.9 yards/game (35th), 4.9 yards/play (24th), & 35.7|PERCENT| 3rd Down (29th)
Pass: 190.8 ypg (28th), 6.4 ypa (30th), 52.1|PERCENT| comp. (10th), 14 TDs, & 13 INTs
Run: 148.1 ypg (58th), 3.80 yards/carry (39th), & 4 TDs
8:00 PM ET ABC/ESPN: #10 Oklahoma State 8-1 (-5.5) @ Texas 4-5 - How good is Oklahoma State? They're 8-1, ranked 10th in the BCS, and in the driver's seat in the Big 12 South. Conversely, how bad are the Longhorns this season? They've lost 5 of their last 6 games and with two more losses, they're not going to be bowl eligible. The score in their 14-39 loss to K-State last week is misleading as they out-gained the Wildcats 412 to 270 yards. The reason they lost that game was because they turned the ball over 5 times... all Garrett Gilbert picks. That said, don't be surprised to see Colt McCoy's little brother, Case, in this game. For Oklahoma State, they're going to lean on their trio of QB Brandon Weeden, RB Kendall Hunter, and WR Justin Blackmon. The triplets are 2nd in passing yards, 3rd in rushing yards, and 1st in receiving yards. It's anyone's guess which Texas run defense shows up. Last week they gave up 261 yards to K-State, but the week before they held Baylor to 109 yards. The pass defense has been pretty great this season, but they haven't seen a passing attack or WR like Blackmon, since they faced Ryan Broyles and Oklahoma over a month ago. The Longhorns have won 12 in a row in this series.
Cowboys Offense: 549.2 yards/game (3rd), 7.1 yards/play (7th), & 42.9|PERCENT| 3rd Down (40th)
Pass: 353.6 ypg (3rd), 8.8 ypa (12th), 67.2|PERCENT| comp. (12th), 28 TDs, & 10 INTs
Run: 195.7 ypg (25th), 5.23 yards/carry (18th), & 29 TDs
Longhorns Defense: 267.3 yards/game (5th), 4.1 yards/play (3rd), & 34.1|PERCENT| 3rd Down (17th)
Pass: 132.4 ypg (2nd), 5.8 ypa (9th), 58.0|PERCENT| comp. (53rd), 9 TDs, & 5 INTs
Run: 134.9 ypg (37th), 3.24 yards/carry (17th), & 16 TDs
Longhorns Offense: 372.3 yards/game (65th), 5.1 yards/play (85th), & 41.0|PERCENT| 3rd Down (56th)
Pass: 231.8 ypg (54th), 5.9 ypa (107th), 58.5|PERCENT| comp. (72nd), 7 TDs, & 14 INTs
Run: 140.6 ypg (79th), 4.20 yards/carry (64th), & 13 TDs
Cowboys Defense: 413.3 yards/game (89th), 5.0 yards/play (30th), & 41.8|PERCENT| 3rd Down (82nd)
Pass: 272.0 ypg (113th), 6.2 ypa (23rd), 63.1|PERCENT| comp. (100th), 18 TDs, & 12 INTs
Run: 141.3 ypg (45th), 3.69 yards/carry (35th), & 11 TDs
8:00 PM ET ABC/ESPN: USC 6-3 @ #18 Arizona 7-2 (-4.5) - Two of the better offenses in college football face-off this weekend in Tucson. Arizona's QB Nick Foles is 21st passing ypg, while USC's Matt Barkley is 23rd. That said, expect Foles, the 2nd most accurate passer this season, to have the easier assignment as he goes up against the Trojans' 114th ranked pass defense. Barkley will be going up against a Wildcats pass defense that just gave up 293 yards to Stanford. Also in that game, the Arizona run defense gave up 217 rushing yards. Before that they'd had four straight games where they hadn't allowed 100 yards. It's worth noting that this is USC's first road game in over a month. The Trojans have won 7 of the last 8 in this series.
Trojans Offense: 470.8 yards/game (14th), 6.6 yards/play (14th), & 47.9|PERCENT| 3rd Down (22nd)
Pass: 271.8 ypg (22nd), 7.8 ypa (34th), 64.0|PERCENT| comp. (31st), 25 TDs, & 8 INTs
Run: 199.0 ypg (23rd), 5.48 yards/carry (11th), & 15 TDs
Wildcats Defense: 311.7 yards/game (19th), 4.9 yards/play (24th), & 40.9|PERCENT| 3rd Down (73rd)
Pass: 209.0 ypg (49th), 7.2 ypa (73rd), 57.0|PERCENT| comp. (45th), 11 TDs, & 7 INTs
Run: 102.7 ypg (10th), 2.93 yards/game (7th), & 8 TDs
Wildcats Offense: 449.0 yards/game (19th), 6.3 yards/play (24th), & 48.8|PERCENT| 3rd Down (20th)
Pass: 294.8 ypg (25th), 7.9 ypa (31st), 71.9|PERCENT| comp. (3rd), 15 TDs, & 8 INTs
Run: 154.2 ypg (58th), 4.49 yards/carry (45th), & 19 TDs
Trojans Defense: 423.8 yards/game (96th), 6.2 yards/play (102nd), & 44.6|PERCENT| 3rd Down (98th)
Pass: 276.4 ypg (114th), 7.7 ypa (93rd), 58.5|PERCENT| comp. (60th), 22 TDs, & 11 INTs
Run: 147.3 ypg (56th), 4.48 yards/game (84th), & 9 TD