Another busy week in college football. Here are five games to keep an eye on during Week 9 action.
Florida State QB Christian Ponder and coach Jimbo Fisher have the Seminoles close to another ACC title. (Michael Laughlin/South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
No. 16 Florida State at North Carolina State
When: Thursday
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium; Raleigh, North Carolina
Time: 7:30
TV: ESPN
Buzz: If Florida State has any aspirations of heading to Charlotte for the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, then Thursday’s primetime show day is a big one. The Seminoles sit atop the Atlantic Division with a perfect 4-0 record while the Wolfpack are hot on their heels at 2-1. Russell Wilson, the ACC’s top offensive player, will give Florida State’s resurgent defense a huge challenge. The ‘Noles D leads the nation in QB sacks and is fifth in tackles for loss and 13th in scoring defense.
No. 5 Michigan State at No. 18 Iowa
When: Saturday
Where: Kinnick Stadium; Iowa City, Iowa
Time: 3:30
TV: ABC/ESPN
Buzz: While everyone is talking Auburn, Oregon, and Boise State, the Spartans have quietly moved their way into contention for a national championship. Coach Mark Dantonio has his team 8-0 for the first time since 1966 and is one of only three teams at that mark. Iowa is looking to recover from their heart-breaking 31-30 loss to Wisconsin last week. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi leads the Big Ten in passing efficiency, completing 68 percent of his 187 attempts for 16 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
No. 6 Missouri at No. 14 Nebraska
When: Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium; Lincoln, Nebraska
Time: 3:30
TV: ABC/ESPN
Buzz: Following their impressive win over then-No. 1 Oklahoma last week, Missouri travels to Lincoln with control of the Big 12 North Division on the line. The Tigers have started 7-0 for only the third time in school history. They have the nation’s fifth overall scoring defense in the country thanks to Zaviar Gooden and Brad Madison. Taylor Martinez continues to shred the Huskers’ record books with his performance this season. The freshman quarterback has helped Nebraska to the top of the rushing offense (290.0 ypg) and second in scoring offense (38.9 ppg) in the Big 12.
No. 1 Auburn at Mississippi
When: Saturday
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium; Oxford, Mississippi
Time: 6
TV: ESPN2
Buzz: The last undefeated team in the Southeastern Conference hits the road Saturday looking to avoid becoming the fourth straight top-ranked team to lose in as many weeks. Cam Newton leads the SEC in rushing (134.6 ypg) and rushing touchdowns (14). A strong performance could help his chances in the Heisman Trophy race. Jeremiah Masoli is Ole Miss’ own version of Newton, a dual-threat quarterback who ranks second on the team with 400 yards rushing and averages 180.0 passing yards per game.
No. 2 Oregon at USC
When: Saturday
Where: L.A. Memorial Coliseum; Los Angeles
Time: 8
TV: ABC
Buzz: For the second week in a row, the Ducks retain the top spot in the human polls only to land at No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series Standings. Chip Kelly’s crew travels to Los Angeles to play the Trojans in their homecoming game. It’s the first time since 1992 that USC has played a No. 1 team and the first time since 1988 that a top-ranked team has traveled to the Coliseum. This match-up features the top two offensive teams in the Pac-10. Oregon RB LaMichael James leads the nation in rushing (161.83) while USC QB Matt Barkley leads the conference in passing efficiency.
Florida State QB Christian Ponder and coach Jimbo Fisher have the Seminoles close to another ACC title. (Michael Laughlin/South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
No. 16 Florida State at North Carolina State
When: Thursday
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium; Raleigh, North Carolina
Time: 7:30
TV: ESPN
Buzz: If Florida State has any aspirations of heading to Charlotte for the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, then Thursday’s primetime show day is a big one. The Seminoles sit atop the Atlantic Division with a perfect 4-0 record while the Wolfpack are hot on their heels at 2-1. Russell Wilson, the ACC’s top offensive player, will give Florida State’s resurgent defense a huge challenge. The ‘Noles D leads the nation in QB sacks and is fifth in tackles for loss and 13th in scoring defense.
No. 5 Michigan State at No. 18 Iowa
When: Saturday
Where: Kinnick Stadium; Iowa City, Iowa
Time: 3:30
TV: ABC/ESPN
Buzz: While everyone is talking Auburn, Oregon, and Boise State, the Spartans have quietly moved their way into contention for a national championship. Coach Mark Dantonio has his team 8-0 for the first time since 1966 and is one of only three teams at that mark. Iowa is looking to recover from their heart-breaking 31-30 loss to Wisconsin last week. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi leads the Big Ten in passing efficiency, completing 68 percent of his 187 attempts for 16 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
No. 6 Missouri at No. 14 Nebraska
When: Saturday
Where: Memorial Stadium; Lincoln, Nebraska
Time: 3:30
TV: ABC/ESPN
Buzz: Following their impressive win over then-No. 1 Oklahoma last week, Missouri travels to Lincoln with control of the Big 12 North Division on the line. The Tigers have started 7-0 for only the third time in school history. They have the nation’s fifth overall scoring defense in the country thanks to Zaviar Gooden and Brad Madison. Taylor Martinez continues to shred the Huskers’ record books with his performance this season. The freshman quarterback has helped Nebraska to the top of the rushing offense (290.0 ypg) and second in scoring offense (38.9 ppg) in the Big 12.
No. 1 Auburn at Mississippi
When: Saturday
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium; Oxford, Mississippi
Time: 6
TV: ESPN2
Buzz: The last undefeated team in the Southeastern Conference hits the road Saturday looking to avoid becoming the fourth straight top-ranked team to lose in as many weeks. Cam Newton leads the SEC in rushing (134.6 ypg) and rushing touchdowns (14). A strong performance could help his chances in the Heisman Trophy race. Jeremiah Masoli is Ole Miss’ own version of Newton, a dual-threat quarterback who ranks second on the team with 400 yards rushing and averages 180.0 passing yards per game.
No. 2 Oregon at USC
When: Saturday
Where: L.A. Memorial Coliseum; Los Angeles
Time: 8
TV: ABC
Buzz: For the second week in a row, the Ducks retain the top spot in the human polls only to land at No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series Standings. Chip Kelly’s crew travels to Los Angeles to play the Trojans in their homecoming game. It’s the first time since 1992 that USC has played a No. 1 team and the first time since 1988 that a top-ranked team has traveled to the Coliseum. This match-up features the top two offensive teams in the Pac-10. Oregon RB LaMichael James leads the nation in rushing (161.83) while USC QB Matt Barkley leads the conference in passing efficiency.
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