BCS Buster: Week 8 Preview

By KENNY FRANEK

Game of the Week - TCU @ BYU

The top defense in the MWC heads to Provo to clash with the top scoring offense. The Frogs give up a meager 13.7 points per game, while the Cougars average 38.6 points-per-game on offense. One has to give, but which will it be? For the record, BYU is giving up 22.7 points-per-game and TCU is averaging 33.8 points-per-game, so both are solid on both sides of the ball. The key match-up here will be TCU’s defensive line, starred by defensive end Jerry Hughes, versus the Cougar offensive line. BYU quarterback Max Hall has thrown 10 interceptions to date and can be forced into throwing errant passes when pressured. Hughes has eight sacks this season and is one of the best in the country at getting to the quarterback. If the Cougar offensive line can keep Hughes and Co. at bay, then he will have time to pick away at the TCU secondary, which is the weakest area for them on defense. If they cannot succeed in doing this, then it will be a long day for Hall and the Cougars.
Prediction: TCU 23; BYU 17

Other Games to Watch

Air Force @ Utah
Quarterback Terrance Cain and running back Eddie Wide will need to have big games against a good Falcons defense. Prediction: Utah 27; Air Force 14

Southern Methodist @ Houston
The only question here is: How many yards will Cougar quarterback Case Keenum throw for? Prediction: Houston 45; Southern Methodist 24

Idaho @ Nevada
Vandal running back DeMaundray Woolridge versus the Wolf Pack rushing attack of Luke Lippincott and Vai Taua is enough to make this an entertaining game. Throw in the fact that both are fighting for a share of first-place in the WAC and you got yourself a winning combination. Prediction: Idaho 30; Nevada 20

Central Michigan @ Bowling Green
The Dan LeFevour show is about to start, so in the words of T.O. “Get your popcorn ready”. Prediction: Central Michigan 33; Bowling Green 17

Photo Courtesy of College Press Box

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 6 Preview

Game of the Week

Houston @ Mississippi State

After getting tripped up by UTEP last week, the Cougars now have everyone wondering how good they really are. They get the Bulldogs this week, which should be a good indicator to see if they put last weeks’ tough loss behind them. Mississippi State has already hung tough in their games against LSU and Georgia Tech and could pose problems on both offense and defense for the Cougars. Everyone knows that quarterback Case Keenum is the motor that makes this offense go, but as we saw last week, he can’t win games all by himself. The Cougars’ run game has been overlooked, or at times forgotten, thus far as they are relying on Keenum’s arm to win every game for them. In the first three games for the Cougars this appeared to be a plan that was working. But as we saw last week, it can be a major issue. If the Cougars had gone to the ground game early and controlled the clock and momentum of the game, the outcome would have likely been different. Running back Bryce Beal is a talented back who had 1,247 yards rushing (6.3 yards-per-carry) and 13 touchdowns in 2008. To date, he has only 60 rushing attempts for 279 yards (4.7 yards-per-carry) and three touchdowns, which makes him on pace for only 180 carries and 837 yards rushing. He will need to get back into the offensive mix if Houston wants to maintain leads, which they were unable to do against UTEP. They average 127 yards-per-game rushing, but that number should increase after this game. The defense will have to regroup as well, giving up a whopping 58 points to a mediocre, at best, UTEP offense last week. The Bulldogs come in averaging 28 points-per-game, which happens to be a higher average than what the Miners boasted coming into their game against Houston. The Cougars will win this game if they have a better balance on offense and if their defense can play better than the 32 points-per-game they are allowing. If not, then the Cougars’ dream season turns into a nightmare.
Prediction: Mississippi State 31, Houston 30

Players to Watch: Houston: Case Keenum (QB); Bryce Beall (RB); James Cleveland (WR); Tyron Carrier (WR); Mississippi State: Tyson Lee (QB); Chad Bumphis (WR); K.J. Wright (LB); Pernell McPhee (DL); Leon Berry (KR)

Other Game to Watch

Utah @ Colorado State: The first conference test comes on the road for the Utes where Colorado State is 2-0 this season. Quarterback Terrance Cain and running back Matt Asiata will look to score early to give their defense a chance to go after Rams quarterback Grant Stucker who has 10 touchdown passes this season.
Prediction: Utah 27, Colorado State 21

TCU @ Air Force: Quarterback Andy Dalton will have to be on his game against a fast Falcons' defense. Two years ago his costly interception allowed the Falcons to take the game to overtime and eventually the win.
Prediction: TCU 20, Air Force 10

BYU @ UNLV: The Cougars look to go 2-0 in MWC conference play. Quarterback Max Hall will need to protect the football to give his team a chance to win on the road. The Cougs will likely focus on the Rebels passing attack which is averaging 270 yards-per-game through the air this season.
Prediction: BYU 33, UNLV 14

Florida A&M @ Miami: The undefeated Rattlers head into Landshark Stadium for their biggest test of the season. Dual-threat quarterback Curtis Pulley will need to have an outstanding showing against the swarming hurricanes defense if they want to pull off a major upset. Their defense, which is giving up only 11 points-per-game this season, will try and put pressure on quarterback Jacory Harris and make him get outside of the pocket to make plays.
Prediction: Miami 34, Florida A&M 14

Photos Courtesy of College Press Box, University of Houston