COLLEGE football this saturday

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BIG 12

No. 5 Texas at No. 16 Nebraska has the look of a Big 12 championship game preview. The Longhorns have enjoyed wider victory margins in league play, but the Cornhuskers are finding ways to win. Texas QB Colt McCoy is growing more comfortable by the week. Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh must mount enough pressure to change that trend. McCoy's top target is WR Limas Sweed, and the RB platoon of Jamaal Charles and Selvin Young is combining for 136 rushing yards a game. The Huskers' offense is taking on more of a pro look in Bill Callahan's second year at the helm. QB Zac Taylor is at his best when he spreads the ball around, but his most productive targets are WRs Terrence Nunn and Maurice Purify. Longhorns DE Tim Crowder will try to limit his time to make reads.

No. 25 Texas A&M puts its first ranking of the season on the line at Oklahoma State, with both teams looking to avoid a second conference loss. The Cowboys hope to continue the momentum of last week's 42-point second half that vaulted QB Bobby Reid and WR Adarius Bowman to the top of the Big 12 passing efficiency and receiving charts. The Aggies must not forget that Reid's arsenal also includes WR D'Juan Woods. Texas A&M hasn't been as explosive, but QB Stephen McGee manages an sound game and RB Jorvorskie Lane (12 rushing TDs) is hard to stop near the goal line.

No. 20 Oklahoma begins life after Adrian Peterson with a home contest against Colorado that suddenly takes on added significance. The Buffaloes, whose defense ranks a respectable 54th nationally and kept Texas Tech under wraps, produced enough of an offensive spark to leave the winless ranks thanks to QB Bernard Jackson and RB Hugh Charles. The Sooners will rely on QB Paul Thompson and WR Malcolm Kelly to set the pace and hope a combination of RBs Jacob Gutierrez and Allen Patrick can provide enough of a ground presence to keep the chains moving.

CONFERENCE USA

Texas-El Paso takes the long journey across the Lone Star State to Houston in what could amount to an elimination contest in the C-USA West. The host Cougars could still overtake Tulsa in their division but can't afford a second conference setback. The Miners play at Tulsa next Friday and need to get the short week off to a good start. UTEP QB Jordan Palmer is as streaky as they come, so a sharp first quarter will be vital. WR Johnnie Lee Higgins is a superb deep threat, but Palmer must not force the ball to him. RB Marcus Thomas can help. Cougars QB Kevin Kolb, a four-year starter who owns most school passing records, is less mistake-prone but needs RB Jackie Battle to finish drives and protect leads. Houston has the deeper receiving corps, with WRs Jeron Harvey and Donnie Avery providing plenty of help for Vincent Marshall.

INDEPENDENTS

No. 8 Notre Dame returns to action at the Golden Dome hosting UCLA. The schools meet for only the third time and the first since 1964 when the Fighting Irish won 24-0. The Bruins might have trouble scoring again with QB Ben Olson (knee) still sidelined. Replacement QB Pat Cowan, who took a shot to the throat at Oregon that left him unable to talk for part of the week, must depend on RB Chris Markey to get things rolling. Irish QB Brady Quinn has more weapons at his disposal in the passing game, with WR Rhema McKnight making opponents pay for devoting too much attention to Jeff Samardzija. UCLA is fifth in the nation in punt coverage, surrendering only 2.55 yards a return. Notre Dame S Tom Zbikowski, who has not broken a runback for a score yet this year, will try to change both trends.

MID-AMERICAN

Western Michigan heads to Ball State in the main Saturday attraction. Ball State took last year's meeting 60-57 in a five-overtime marathon. The score should be lower this year with both teams more sound on defense. The Broncos probably have the confidence edge in that area after shutting down Northern Illinois and star RB Garrett Wolfe last week to stay alive in the MAC West race. They'll try to do likewise against the Cardinals' more pass-oriented attack directed by QB Nate Davis. Ball State is out of the league picture following last week's setback against division front-runner Central Michigan, and a winning campaign is also unattainable with a trip to Michigan still on the dance card. The Cardinals must aim for .500 and try to play spoiler as they look to keep WMU QB Ryan Cubit in check.

MOUNTAIN WEST

Brigham Young and Air Force are the last unbeatens in MWC play. Both must take care of business against UNLV and San Diego State respectively to set up a showdown next week. Meanwhile, a pair of once-beaten clubs try to stay within hailing distance of the pace setters as Colorado State visits archrival Wyoming in the week's feature attraction. The Cowboys seem to have turned a corner in a surprisingly dominant win against Utah and hope their home edge continues. QB Karsten Sween and WR Michael Ford are connecting often, and safeties John Wendling and Julius Stinson anchor the nation's stingiest pass defense. That last fact doesn't bode well for the Rams, who depend almost entirely on QB Caleb Hanie to move the ball through the air. CSU couldn't protect a three-score lead against Air Force last time out thanks to its lack of a consistent ground presence. RB Gartrell Johnson III must get better blocking. CSU does have an effective defense in its own right, but top tackler S Mike Pagnotta (knee) is doubtful.

PACIFIC-10

As reigning champion Southern California takes a week off, its two primary challengers look to hold serve against the league's Evergreen State representatives. No. 15 Oregon heads north to Washington State. Ducks QB Dennis Dixon led a solid bounce-back outing last week against UCLA. He'll face a strong Cougars pass rush, led by DEs Mkristo Bruce and Lance Broadus, but another productive outing from RB Jonathan Stewart would go a long way toward negating the WSU blitz. Cougars QB Alex Brink has a proven deep target in WR Jason Hill, but his lack of ground support makes it difficult to finish drives. Oregon LB Blair Phillips will try to continue the Cougars' red-zone frustration.

No. 11 California, still the league's hottest team despite last week's scoreless second half at Washington State, returns to Berkeley to host Washington. The Huskies' promising season took a disastrous turn when QB Isaiah Stanback (foot) was lost for the duration. His replacement probably will likely be Carl Bonnell as the coaching staff tries to preserve touted freshman Jake Locker's redshirt year. RB Kenny James must aid the transition. Golden Bears QB Nate Longshore will look for a quick start to shake off his first cool spell since opening week. The explosive potential of RB Marshawn Lynch should help.

SOUTHEASTERN

No. 9 Tennessee hosts Alabama in the traditional third October Saturday encounter. The Crimson Tide's escape against Mississippi snapped a five-game overtime losing streak, which included a loss at Arkansas this year. Tennessee is coming off a possibly unwelcome open date after burying Georgia in a second-half avalanche in its last outing. Alabama QB John Parker Wilson has been sound in his first season at the controls. He needs RB Ken Darby to break through for his first rushing TD of the season to combat the unit's red-zone inefficiency. Vols' LB Marvin Mitchell will try to prolong the Tide's frustration. Tennessee QB Erik Ainge and WR Robert Meachem comprise the SEC's leading aerial combination, averaging over 20 yards a hookup. LB Prince Hall in the centerpiece of the Alabama defense that keeps most games competitive. But another tight finish for the Tide might favor the Vols with PK James Wilhoit providing an edge in the kicking game.

Mississippi, which failed to get a breakthrough win at Alabama, is running out of opportunities to avoid a losing season. The Rebels will try again at No. 18 and West Division leader Arkansas. Razorbacks QB Mitch Mustain is getting plenty of support in his freshman campaign from a devastating ground game, featuring RBs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. Ole Miss must see even more improvement from QB Brent Schaeffer to enable RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis to keep pace.

Vanderbilt got its breakthrough victory at Georgia last week to preserve its hopes of ending a 24-year bowl drought. Given the Commodores remaining schedule, their home date Saturday against South Carolina looms as a must-win, a fact not lost on the Gamecocks who have their own postseason aspirations to protect. The game could swing at any point with both teams capable of big plays or big mistakes. Vandy's Chris Nickson and the Gamecocks' Syvelle Newton are still developing at the QB position. Commodores WR Earl Bennett and South Carolina WR Sidney Rice should have their share of scoring chances, but RB Cory Boyd gives South Carolina a more consistent rushing presence and could be the difference.

SUN BELT

Arkansas State, coming off a thrilling last-second win at Memphis, steps back into league play at home against North Texas. QB Corey Leonard and WR Patrick Higgins made the key connection for the victory last week for the Indians, but the bread-and-butter of the attack is still the running of RBs Reggie Arnold and Cedric Wilkerson. The Mean Green will counter with veteran RB Jamario Thomas, who only needs small openings to crack big gainers but needs some air cover from either QB Daniel Meager or Woody Wilson. North Texas will travel without head coach Darrell Dickey, recovering from surgery following a heart attack.

WESTERN ATHLETIC

Two WAC programs showing progress after bringing in veteran coaches could learn this week just how far they have come  or how far they still have to go. Idaho, 3-0 and tied for the league lead in Dennis Erickson's first year back in Moscow, has the more difficult assignment hosting No. 17 Boise State. The Broncos, who made the I-A transition first have become the premier program in the Gem State. The talent gap probably hasn't closed enough to keep this one close, but the Vandals could get a boost from the noisy environs inside the Kibbie Dome. Idaho QB Steven Wichman is experienced, but he can't afford to add to his eight interceptions as he looks for WR Marlon Haynes. RB Ian Johnson has been the Broncos' offensive star for the first half of the season. But QB Jared Zabransky has plenty of other options, including WRs Drisan James and Jerard Rabb.

San Jose State, riding a four-game winning streak in **** Tomey's second year at the helm, tests its mettle at Nevada. The Wolf Pack are happy to be home after starting 0-2 in WAC road contests. Nevada QB Jeff Rowe (hamstring) left the Hawaii game but is probable following a bye week. He's getting good production from RB Robert Hubbard but is still trying to get WR Caleb Spencer into the end zone for the first time this year. The Spartans, playing from behind in two of their victories, rely on QB Adam Tafralis and WR James Jones for quick strikes. They would like to get RB Yonus Davis more involved.

Also noteworthy is Hawaii's visit to New Mexico State, a matchup of the top two passing offenses in the country. The prolific QBs, Colt Brennan for the Warriors and NMSU's Chase Holbrook, average more than 91 passing attempts a game combined.

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ATLANTIC COAST

Coastal Division leader and 13th-ranked Georgia Tech visits No. 12 Clemson in a prime-time showdown. The teams could meet again in the ACC championship, though the Tigers' Atlantic Division is far from settled. Both clubs should be fresh with Tech coming off a bye and Clemson barely breaking a sweat against Temple. Clemson RB James Davis has exploded to take over the ACC rushing lead. He'll be the primary focus of LB KaMichael Hall and the Yellow Jackets' stingy front. Georgia Tech's standout WR Calvin Johnson has eight TDs and leads the ACC with 93 receiving yards a game. To find him, QB Reggie Ball might need his mobility to avoid Tigers DE Gaines Adams, who has at least one sack in each of his last five games.

No. 21 Boston College has control of the Atlantic Division by virtue of its earlier win against Clemson. But several tough road trips remain for the Eagles, beginning Saturday at Florida State. The Seminoles aren't dominating the league as they did in their early years, but they still have one of the toughest defenses. The spearhead this year is LB Buster Davis. With fellow LB Geno Hayes (knee) out this week, Davis will have even more on his plate as he leads the effort to contain BC RBs Andre Callender and L.V. Whitworth. Eagles QB Matt Ryan (ankle) is questionable and won't be at full strength if he plays. Expect Florida State QB Drew Weatherford to look often for WR Greg Carr to exploit BC's shaky secondary. BC's suspended PK Ryan Ohliger has been reinstated. He will likely handle kickoff duties with Steve Aponavicius keeping the job on FGs and PATs.

Another Atlantic contest to watch is North Carolina State at Maryland, both in the midst of teeter-totter seasons trying to stay in the bowl hunt. Wolfpack QB Daniel Evans couldn't manage a third consecutive fourth-quarter comeback against Wake Forest but remains the spark of the offense with help from WRs Darrell Blackman and John Dunlap. RBs Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore lead a Terrapins attack that needs QB Sam Hollenbach to show more of the big-play flash that helped last week's comeback against Virginia.

BIG TEN

A classic Ohio State-Michigan confrontation with national championship implications is looking more likely by the week. The No. 3 Wolverines face what could be their last major hurdle en route to that grand finale in a home date with No. 23 Iowa. But the Hawkeyes limp into the Big House off a stunning loss at Indiana with injuries at several key positions. On the offensive side, RB Albert Young (knee), WR Dominique Douglas (knee) and LT Dace Richardson (ankle) could see little if any action. The injuries could severely limit QB Drew Tate's options as he tries to avoid Michigan DE LaMarr Woodley. Iowa's top pass rusher, DT Mitch King, is also questionable (hamstring), so DEs Brian Madison and Kenny Iwebema must put even more heat on Michigan QB Chad Henne. Look for Wolverines RB Mike Hart to take over the game in the second half.

Indiana, meanwhile, looks to build on its improbable win and move a step closer to bowl eligibility. But toppling No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus would take a Herculean effort. The Buckeyes have outgunned all comers by at least 17 points and have the nation's third-best scoring defense despite replacing nine starters from last year. The Hoosiers nevertheless have some cause for optimism, most notably the strides made by freshman QB Kellen Lewis and his rapport with WR James Hardy. But DT Quinn Pitcock leads a formidable Ohio State pass rush that has produced 24 sacks. Then there's Buckeyes QB Troy Smith, whose 17-to-2 TD-to-INT ratio illustrates his Heisman Trophy credentials as well as his team's 7-0 record. WRs Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Gonzalez and Brian Robiskie will keep Indiana S Will Meyers busy.

No. 22 Wisconsin appears on its way to playing on New Year's Day. The Badgers look to solidify their Big Ten position at Purdue, a team in need of a quality win. Wisconsin QB John Stocco is on a hot streak, but expect the Badgers to try to establish what they do best first with RB P.J. Hill. The Boilermakers will try to counter with their controlled passing game with QB Curtis Painter making ample use of RB Kory Sheets and TE Dustin Keller. Purdue doesn't want to fall behind and have to depend on WR Dorien Bryant's breakaway speed as a comeback option, but it is there if needed.