BCS Buster: Week 7 Preview

By KENNY FRANEK

Central Michigan @ Western Michigan

Tim Hiller vs. Dan LeFevour...it doesn’t get much better than this. They are numbers one and two, respectively, in career touchdown passes among active quarterbacks in the MAC. The records both quarterbacks hold could fill a trophy case and fans will get an opportunity to watch these two battle on Saturday in a much anticipated in-state rivalry game. The Chippewas boast the best scoring defense in the conference, allowing just over 14 points-per-game. They will likely try and force Hiller out of the pocket and make him try and make throws on the run. But Hiller isn’t the only Bronco player they will need to worry about. Running back Brandon West and wide receivers Jordan White and Juan Nunez all possess playmaking ability and could pose match-up problems for them on defense. The Broncos, on the other hand, will have their hands full dealing with the arm, and legs, of LeFevour who leads the team in rushing. Chippewa receiver Antonio Brown has the speed to breakaway from corners and can turn a five-yard pass play into a 70-yard score. It should be a great offensive show put on by these two MAC schools.
Prediction: Central Michigan 34, Western Michigan 23

Players to Watch: Central Michigan: QB Dan LeFevour; WR Antonio Brown; LB Nick Bellore; LB Matt Berning; CB Josh Gordy; DE Frank Zombo; Western Michigan: QB Tim Hiller; RB Brandon West; WR Jordan White; WR Juan Nunez; LB Austin Pritchard; DL Cody Cielenski

Other Games to Watch

Northern Illinois @ Toledo

The dynamic duo of Husky running backs Me’Co Brown and Chad Spann look to out-duel Toledo quarterback Aaron Opelt and running back DaJuane Collins and move to 2-0 in the MAC.

Colorado State @ TCU

Quarterback Andy Dalton looks to get back on track after a disappointing outing at Air Force and move the undefeated Frogs to 2-0 in the MWC. The Rams will be looking for a win to ease the pain of blowing a 14-point lead in the second half against Utah.

Utah @ UNLV

The Utes come-from-behind win at Colorado State saw quarterback Terrance Cain play his most inspired football of the season and may have fired this team back up. Meanwhile, the Rebels defense is looking to improve in any way possible after giving up 30 points or more in their past four games.

Photo Courtesy of Robert Barclay Central Michigan

BCS Busters Week Three Preview

By KENNY FRANEK

Game of the Week: Texas Tech at Houston

Both teams are coming off big time games and have offenses that can put a ton of points on the board. Houston ranks fifth in the nation in total yards-per-game (525) and third in points-per-game (50). Both quarterbacks are playing extremely well; Taylor Potts has already thrown for 1,281 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions while Case Keenum is playing as well as anybody right now with 725 yards passing, seven touchdowns and only one interception. He’s putting up these great numbers while completing 72.4 percent of his passes. This game should produce fireworks as the Cougars look to make it two straight against Big XII opponents and prove their win over Oklahoma State was no fluke.
Prediction: Houston 37, Texas Tech 33

Others to Watch

Louisville at Utah: The longest winning-streak in the country was snapped at 16 games, and now the Utes look to start another one up against a formidable Louisville team. If they allow the Cardinals to run all over them like the Oregon Ducks did, they could be starting a losing-streak instead.
Prediction: Utah 24, Louisville 13

Colorado State at BYU: This should be a fun one. Fans will get to see if Colorado State is for real and if BYU is going to collapse completely after getting walloped by Florida State. I’m sure if they drop this one, their biggest upset in school history against Oklahoma in the first game of the season will be a distant memory for Cougar fans.
Prediction: BYU 30, Colorado State 14

Boise State at Bowling Green: Another good match-up of a pass-happy offense versus a solid pass defense. Bowling Green averages 50 passes a game, so look for them to try and get the ground game going first to open up the passing against the Broncos strong secondary. Oh, and watch for Kellen Moore to keep doing what he does best, winning ball games.
Prediction: Boise State 40, Bowling Green 20


TCU at Clemson: TCU plays its second ACC opponent in three games. They already beat Virginia handily and aim their sights on a much tougher Clemson team in Death Valley. The Frogs are averaging 244.5 yards rushing this season and will need to continue to run the ball well this week if they have a shot at winning this game.
Prediction: Clemson 23, TCU 17

Photo Courtesy of University of Houston

BCS Busters Week Two Preview

Game of the Week: East Carolina @ West Virginia

The first test for the Pirates will be a hard one. Morgantown is one of the toughest places to play in all of college football. Quarterback Patrick Pinkney needs to get over his week one performance and play the way a veteran quarterback of his caliber can play if ECU is to beat a good West Virginia team. They will also need to stop the Mountaineers’ potent rushing attack led by running back Noel Devine, who rushed for 112 yards and one touchdown on just 17 attempts against Liberty. Mountaineer quarterback Jarrett Brown will be hard to contain due to his ability to get out of the pocket and run. He rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown while going 19-of-26 for 243 yards. If they can contain these two playmakers of West Virginia and limit their turnovers on offense, they should leave Morgantown with a win.

Players to Watch: East Carolina: QB Patrick Pinkney, RB Dominique Lindsay, DE C.J. Wilson

Players to Watch: West Virginia: QB Jarrett Brown, RB Noel Devine, CB Robert Sands

Prediction: West Virginia 27, East Carolina 20

Other Games to Watch:

TCU @ Virginia: The Frogs get a lowly ACC opponent in Virginia who is coming off a loss to William & Mary. This should be a good way for the Frogs to get into the swing of things to start their season. Look for Jerry Hughes to get into the backfield and disrupt the offense of Virginia.
Prediction: TCU 24, Virginia 17

Fresno State @ Wisconsin: Fresno State is coming off an offensive outburst against UC Davis, led by a number of backs who are able to carry the ball effectively. They now have to get the ground game going against a much tougher Wisconsin defense if they want to emerge victorious.
Prediction: Wisconsin 35, Fresno State 21

Colorado @ Toledo: After carrying the ball only 22 times and throwing 69 times against Purdue, the Rockets will need to find their run game if they are to have a chance against Colorado.
Prediction: Colorado 39, Toledo 14

Kansas @ UTEP: The Miners will need to slow down the Jayhawks’ offense and succeed in their balanced attack—as they did against Buffalo—in order to come out of this one with a win.
Prediction: Kansas 31, UTEP 20

Photos Courtesy of East Carolina University Athletic Media Relations, TCU Athletics Media Relations