All three BCS programs in the state of Indiana face stiff tests this week, with two of them coming on the road. Just a week after its shootout with Michigan the Hoosiers must go on the road to face #2 Ohio State. Notre Dame is hosting a Pittsburgh team that is picked as one of the Big East's best. Purdue also goes on the road to begin Big Ten play against Northwestern.
Indiana (3-1, 0-1) at #2 Ohio State (5-0, 1-0) Noon, ESPN
No one envies what the Hoosiers have to do on Saturday. They travel to Columbus to face an Ohio State team that has owned them for decades. IU's last non-loss to the Buckeyes was a 27-27 tie in Bloomington in 1990. The Hoosiers haven't beaten Ohio State since a memorable 41-7 win in Bloomington in 1988, and they haven't won in Columbus since 1987.
The Indiana offense has been fine this year, and Ben Chappell is fresh off of a 460-yard 3 touchdown performance against Michigan. Tandon Doss also had 15 catches for 221 yards. Unfortunately, the Hoosiers allowed 574 yards of offense to the Wolverines. Michigan hit for big play after big play, and you can expect Terrelle Pryor and company to do the same.
Indiana clearly needs a better defensive effort if it is going to pull of the shocking upset. Ohio State looked mortal last week in struggling at Illinois, so if the Hoosiers can at least slow them down the offense has the firepower necessary to make things interesting.
Western Michigan (1-3, 0-1) at Ball State (2-3, 1-0) Noon, ESPN 3
Eric Williams was the big star last week for the Cardinals, as he caught a pair of touchdown passes and David Brown had an 80 yard scoring run in Ball State's 31-17 win over Central Michigan. Williams also added a touchdown on the ground in the surprising victory. The Cardinals can take control of the MAC West division with a home win this week.
Ball State, Toledo, and Northern Illinois are currently undefeated from the West in Conference play. Both the Rockets and Huskies have wins over Big Ten teams as well. If Ball State is going to keep pace a victory over a Western Michigan team that has only one win so far is paramount. Ball State's schedule is backloaded with Toledo following next week's game against Eastern Michigan.
Memphis (1-4) at Louisville (2-2) 2pm, ESPN3
After consecutive road games at Oregon State and Arkansas State the Cardinals come home to face Memphis in their final non-conference game of the season. It is critical game for bowl hopes, as the tigers have only one win on the season. Having three wins before going into conference play would be a nice step forward for Louisville. It would put them halfway to bowl eligibility.
Even though it was only against a Sun Belt opponent, last week's 34-24 win over Arkansas State was welcome relief for Louisville fans. It broke a 10-game road losing streak for the Cardinals. Adam Froman threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns to lead Louisville to the victory. Bilal had 157 yards rushing and a touchdown as well. The offense was moving the ball well and generated 575 yards. That should help going into this game with the Tigers.
Pittsburgh (2-2) at Notre Dame (2-3) 3:30pm, NBC
Fighting Irish fans have to feel a lot better after Notre Dame scored early on Boston College and earned a comfortable 31-13 victory. The defense looked the best it has looked since beating Purdue in the opener, while the offense was able to build an early lead behind two touchdown passes and a touchdown run in the first quarter from Dayne Crist. Now it is time to face a Pitt team that has been up and down.
Pittsburgh hosted a pair of Miami schools with opposite results in the past two week. The Hurricanes dominated Pitt for a 31-3 win, but Florida International did little right in a 44-17 victory for the host Panthers. Pittsburgh has struggled against ranked opponents this year, losing a heartbreaker at Utah and the game to Miami. So far it has managed to take care of business against non-ranked team, of which Notre Dame is one. Ray Graham's 492 rushing yards and five touchdowns will have the attention of Notre Dame's defense.
Purdue (2-2, 0-0) at #25 Northwestern (5-0, 1-0) 7:30pm, Big Ten Network
Purdue's struggling defense won't be happy to see the nation's most accurate passer in Dan Persa this week. Persa is completing nearly 80% of his passes and has 10 touchdowns against just two interceptions. That is not good news for a Purdue defense that has struggled greatly against the pass on third downs. Teams are converting almost 60% of their third down chances against the Boilermakers, which was a major reason for their loss to Toledo.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Rob Henry will get his first start, but he will be missing another one of his top receivers as Justin Siller is out with a sprained foot. Al-Terek McBurse is expected to return to help the running game after missing two week with a case of turf toe. Henry will have to rely on Cortez Smith, Antavian Edison, and O.J. Ross to move the ball.
1-AA games:
Illinois State (3-2) at Indiana State (2-2) 3:05pm
The Sycamores are enjoying a multiple victory season thanks to a 56-22 win over Quincy last week. Freshman Shakir Bell continues to impress with 156 yards last week on 16 carries. Darriuss Gates also had 139 yards and three touchdowns last week. Illinois State features former Purdue defensive coordinator Brock Spack as its coach and the Redbirds have a bevy of former Division 1-A players.
Marist (1-3, 0-2) at Valparaiso (0-5, 0-2)
Valparaiso played well for stretches last week, even tying Dayton 7-7 midway through the first quarter. Its special teams then gave up an 82 kickoff return for a touchdown and the 48-14 rout was on. Marist will now come to Valparaiso after losing 42-0 to Drake last week. Considering that Valpo lost to Drake by two point just two weeks ago, the Crusaders may be able to break their losing streak this weekend.
Butler (2-3, 0-2) at Davidson (1-3, 1-1)
Butler has found that repeating as Pioneer League Champs will not be easy, as they have been outscored 51-10 in two league games. This week's opponent, Davidson, has a 28=27 win over Campbell, who defeated Butler last week. Butler is 0-3 against Division I opponents on the season.
Week 6 College Football Preview
All three BCS programs in the state of Indiana face stiff tests this week, with two of them coming on the road. Just a week after its shootout with Michigan the Hoosiers must go on the road to face #2 Ohio State. Notre Dame is hosting a Pittsburgh team that is picked as one of the Big East's best. Purdue also goes on the road to begin Big Ten play against Northwestern.
Indiana (3-1, 0-1) at #2 Ohio State (5-0, 1-0) Noon, ESPN
No one envies what the Hoosiers have to do on Saturday. They travel to Columbus to face an Ohio State team that has owned them for decades. IU's last non-loss to the Buckeyes was a 27-27 tie in Bloomington in 1990. The Hoosiers haven't beaten Ohio State since a memorable 41-7 win in Bloomington in 1988, and they haven't won in Columbus since 1987.
The Indiana offense has been fine this year, and Ben Chappell is fresh off of a 460-yard 3 touchdown performance against Michigan. Tandon Doss also had 15 catches for 221 yards. Unfortunately, the Hoosiers allowed 574 yards of offense to the Wolverines. Michigan hit for big play after big play, and you can expect Terrelle Pryor and company to do the same.
Indiana clearly needs a better defensive effort if it is going to pull of the shocking upset. Ohio State looked mortal last week in struggling at Illinois, so if the Hoosiers can at least slow them down the offense has the firepower necessary to make things interesting.
Western Michigan (1-3, 0-1) at Ball State (2-3, 1-0) Noon, ESPN 3
Eric Williams was the big star last week for the Cardinals, as he caught a pair of touchdown passes and David Brown had an 80 yard scoring run in Ball State's 31-17 win over Central Michigan. Williams also added a touchdown on the ground in the surprising victory. The Cardinals can take control of the MAC West division with a home win this week.
Ball State, Toledo, and Northern Illinois are currently undefeated from the West in Conference play. Both the Rockets and Huskies have wins over Big Ten teams as well. If Ball State is going to keep pace a victory over a Western Michigan team that has only one win so far is paramount. Ball State's schedule is backloaded with Toledo following next week's game against Eastern Michigan.
Memphis (1-4) at Louisville (2-2) 2pm, ESPN3
After consecutive road games at Oregon State and Arkansas State the Cardinals come home to face Memphis in their final non-conference game of the season. It is critical game for bowl hopes, as the tigers have only one win on the season. Having three wins before going into conference play would be a nice step forward for Louisville. It would put them halfway to bowl eligibility.
Even though it was only against a Sun Belt opponent, last week's 34-24 win over Arkansas State was welcome relief for Louisville fans. It broke a 10-game road losing streak for the Cardinals. Adam Froman threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns to lead Louisville to the victory. Bilal had 157 yards rushing and a touchdown as well. The offense was moving the ball well and generated 575 yards. That should help going into this game with the Tigers.
Pittsburgh (2-2) at Notre Dame (2-3) 3:30pm, NBC
Fighting Irish fans have to feel a lot better after Notre Dame scored early on Boston College and earned a comfortable 31-13 victory. The defense looked the best it has looked since beating Purdue in the opener, while the offense was able to build an early lead behind two touchdown passes and a touchdown run in the first quarter from Dayne Crist. Now it is time to face a Pitt team that has been up and down.
Pittsburgh hosted a pair of Miami schools with opposite results in the past two week. The Hurricanes dominated Pitt for a 31-3 win, but Florida International did little right in a 44-17 victory for the host Panthers. Pittsburgh has struggled against ranked opponents this year, losing a heartbreaker at Utah and the game to Miami. So far it has managed to take care of business against non-ranked team, of which Notre Dame is one. Ray Graham's 492 rushing yards and five touchdowns will have the attention of Notre Dame's defense.
Purdue (2-2, 0-0) at #25 Northwestern (5-0, 1-0) 7:30pm, Big Ten Network
Purdue's struggling defense won't be happy to see the nation's most accurate passer in Dan Persa this week. Persa is completing nearly 80% of his passes and has 10 touchdowns against just two interceptions. That is not good news for a Purdue defense that has struggled greatly against the pass on third downs. Teams are converting almost 60% of their third down chances against the Boilermakers, which was a major reason for their loss to Toledo.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Rob Henry will get his first start, but he will be missing another one of his top receivers as Justin Siller is out with a sprained foot. Al-Terek McBurse is expected to return to help the running game after missing two week with a case of turf toe. Henry will have to rely on Cortez Smith, Antavian Edison, and O.J. Ross to move the ball.
1-AA games:
Illinois State (3-2) at Indiana State (2-2) 3:05pm
The Sycamores are enjoying a multiple victory season thanks to a 56-22 win over Quincy last week. Freshman Shakir Bell continues to impress with 156 yards last week on 16 carries. Darriuss Gates also had 139 yards and three touchdowns last week. Illinois State features former Purdue defensive coordinator Brock Spack as its coach and the Redbirds have a bevy of former Division 1-A players.
Marist (1-3, 0-2) at Valparaiso (0-5, 0-2)
Valparaiso played well for stretches last week, even tying Dayton 7-7 midway through the first quarter. Its special teams then gave up an 82 kickoff return for a touchdown and the 48-14 rout was on. Marist will now come to Valparaiso after losing 42-0 to Drake last week. Considering that Valpo lost to Drake by two point just two weeks ago, the Crusaders may be able to break their losing streak this weekend.
Butler (2-3, 0-2) at Davidson (1-3, 1-1)
Butler has found that repeating as Pioneer League Champs will not be easy, as they have been outscored 51-10 in two league games. This week's opponent, Davidson, has a 28=27 win over Campbell, who defeated Butler last week. Butler is 0-3 against Division I opponents on the season.
Oct 05 6:35p by Travis Miller - 0 comments