On Campus 10/27/07

5 Games to Watch

#21 California vs. #4 Arizona State- It is the week of the Oregon vs. USC game and that might be the second most important game in the Pac-10. The Sun Devils sit atop the conference with perhaps the most difficult stretch in the country coming up (they go to Oregon & UCLA and then have Southern Cal at home). Rudy Carpenter leads Dennis Erickson’s squad with 16 TD passes and over 1700 yards. Jeff Tedford’s Cal Bears have lost two in a row in conference for the fourth straight year, but they haven’t lost 3 in a row. ASU needs to get this stretch off on the right foot.


#9 Kansas vs. Texas A&M- The Jayhawks sit alone atop the Big 12 North standings and the Aggies are in a dead heat with the state of Oklahoma for the Big 12 South lead. The undefeated Jayhawks have a balanced offense lead by the tandem running attack of FB Brandon McAnderson and HB Jake Sharp who both have 500+ yards on the season. Sophomore signal caller Todd Reesing has only thrown 4 INT’s all year and is scrappy player who helped grind out road wins in the Little Apple and Boulder. What do the Aggies have to stop all this, well and 8-0 all time record versus Kansas and one of the bets home fields in football at Kyle Field.


Boise State vs. Fresno State- Over the past 7 or so years these two teams have challenged the BCS hierarchy. This year while neither is reaching national attention they are a combined 11-3 and both undefeated in conference. Also, both teams travel to Hawaii later this season, so to remain undefeated is key. Everyone knows about Ian Johnson the Broncos RB but the star of this game could be Fresno State freshmen Ryan Mathews who is averaging 6.5 yards per carry and has rushed for a n average of 130 yards the past 3 games. (NOTE: This game is Friday nigh on ESPN)


#7 West Virginia vs. Rutgers- Last year this game produced a classic which I listened to via phone conversations with my dad while in the parking lot of the I-43 Sheboygan Super Wal-Mart. The Scarlet Knights are in the middle of playing three ranked teams in a row, and they got off on the right foot last week against South Florida thanks to the re-emergence of pre season Heisman candidate Ray Rice. Rice’s counterpart Steve Slaton has carried the Mountaineers all year as QB Pat White has been banged up. This game should be played at a high level and it will most likely comes down to which beta up QB, White or Rutgers Mike Teel, makes more plays.


#15 South Carolina vs. Tennessee- The Ole Ball Coach heads back home to the Volunteer state where he hails from. The numbers speak for themselves, Spurrier is the only coach to bring three different teams into Neyland and win, and he is 8-4 against Fullmer. Both teams come off hugely disappointing losses last week; South Carolina’s leaving their QB situation in a quagmire, though incumbent Chris Smelley will get the start. The Vol’s offense will look to pound the ball with Arian Foster, rather than try and pass against an aggressive blitzing pass defense. At this point with the SEC East up for a grabs a win is a win and a loss eliminates either form title contention.


4 Players to See

Percy Harvin, WR Florida- Harvin is the ultimate weapon for the unique offense of Urban Meyer. With Harvin’s ability to run with the ball Meyer lines him up in the backfield at least 8-10 times a game. He has already equaled his total receptions from last year (34) for over 600 yards and rushed for another 200+. Look for Harvin to be a big factor for the Gators this week against Georgia.


Tyler Lorenzen, QB Connecticut- Of no relation to former Kentucky great and current New York Giants back up, the hefty lefty Jared Lorenzen, but still a pretty good college QB in his own right. Lorenzen has been a steadying influence for the Huskies all season long; he is big (6’5 225), accurate (60.8% completion) and a good scrambler (over 40 yards on the ground 4 times). Last week Rutgers QB Mike Teel was effective against South Florida, with Lorenzen’s ability to move outside the pocket he could prove to be trouble for the Bulls.


Chris Long, DE Virginia- Some have him rated as the highest defensive player in the upcoming NFL Draft. Last week he tortured the Terrapins recording 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss and forcing 2 fumbles. This week against an inexperienced NC State team Long could have another field day. He uses his quickness to live in opponents backfields.


Tony Dixon, RB Miss. State- Dixon is the Bulldogs only offensive weapon. In their four wins this year Dixon has run for an average of 120 yards and 2 TD’s. The Wildcats struggle to stop the run and produce points in bunches on offense so Bulldogs coach Sly Croom will call on Dixon to be a ball control specialist this week, which could lead to a high yardage total.