(Thursday Game)
#7 Nebraska (4-0) vs. Kansas State (4-0)
Vs.
7:30 ET ESPN, Thur. Oct. 7, Bill Snyder Stadium, Manhattan, KS
Nebraska: The Huskers have been rolling this season. The offense, surprisingly, has been as impressive as the Huskers No.1 ranked 2009 defense. In their only road trip of the year so far, Nebraska crushed Washington 56-21. Their last game, a 17-3 win against FCS South Dakota State, however, wasn’t exactly a blowout. They’ve had a week off to correct their mistakes and a No.4 ranked rush offense should be able to find success against K-State. Quarterback Taylor Martinez is leading an offense that is averaging 40 points a game, up from 25 last season. Martinez ability to run has opened up the play action game and given better opportunities for running back Rex Burkhead to find running room. PLAYER TO WATCH: Baker Steinkuhler, So. DT
Kansas State: The Wildcats have been one of the nations surprise teams thus far this season, but do they have enough mustard in them to hang with a team like Nebraska? The offense has been impressive, led by running back Daniel Thomas. The senior and last season’s Big 12 newcomer of the year, has rushed for 628 yards and six scores in four games this season and continues to be the focal point of the offensive attack. The problem so far for K-State has been its No.101 ranked rush defense which gives up an average of 195 yards a game. That could bode bad news for the Wildcats against a team averaging over 300 rushing yards a game. The defense will need to play a major role if they want to pull off an upset. PLAYER TO WATCH: Alex Hrebec, Jr. OLB
The Pick: Although I usually like the home team on Thursday night meetings, Nebraska was one of my national championship team picks and is a tremendous team this season. I wouldn’t expect a whole lot of pass yards coming in this one with two of the nation’s best rushing games on display, although, the Wildcats may need to throw the ball to keep up with the Huskers newfound quick strike offense. The last time the Huskers visited Manhattan they walked away with a 56-28 win. The score may be a little more even this time around, but in the end, Nebraska will be too good for the Wildcats. Nebraska 38 – Kansas State 20
(Friday Games)
Connecticut (3-2) vs. Rutgers (2-2)
Vs.
7:30 PM ET, ESPN, Fri. Oct. 8, Rutgers Stadium, Piscataway, NJ
UConn: Huskies starting quarterback Nick Frazer was benched last week after a season of pour play, which gave way for junior Cody Endres to take the starting job. Endres has passed for 318 yards and four scores in two games, better than Frazer’s 553 and 2 touchdowns in three games. Whoever is running the offense, though, it appears clear their job is to hand the ball off to running back Jordan Todman. The junior has rushed for 638 yards and seven scores this season. The UConn defense has had a problem stopping everyone this season and is giving up an average of 21 points given up to opponents a game. PLAYER TO WATCH: Greg Lloyd Jr., Sr. DE
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights have caught a bad case of the injury bug this season, starting with sophomore quarterback Tom Savage. Savage was knocked out of last week’s Tulane game with a rib injury and is now battling a hand injury. Freshman Chas Dodd replaced Savage last week and would start if Savage is unable to go this week. A bright spot on the Rutgers offense has been wideout Mohamed Sanu. The sophomore is leading the team in rushing and receiving, averaging 7.9 yards every time he touches the ball. With 191 total yards and two scores last week, coaches will look to get the ball into the hands of Sanu often here. PLAYER TO WATCH: Manny Abreu, Jr. OLB
The Pick: This one should be a good game from two perspectives. The Huskies will look to rush the ball a lot with Todman, which they have had great success with this season. The Knights will look to stop Todman with a tremendous rush defense, ranked No. 7 in the nation. The Knights also have given up just two rushing scores and an average of 80 yards a game against opposing rushing games. They also have four wins against the Huskies in the last five meetings. If Rutgers is able to get the ball into Sanu’s hands early, he will produce and the defense should hold. Rutgers will come to play on a national stage, especially since they’re the underdog on their home turf. Rutgers 24 – UConn 19
#22 Oklahoma State (4-0) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (2-2)
Vs.
9:00 PM ET, ESPN2, Fri. Oct. 8, Cajun Field, Lafayette, LA
Oklahoma State: Offensively, the Cowboys have been ridiculous this season. They’re averaging over 52 points a game and 534 offensive yards. Quarterback Brandon Weeden has tossed 13 touchdowns and has found a favorite target in sophomore Justin Blackmon, who's caught nine of Weeden’s touchdowns. Running back Kendall Hunter rounds out the Cowboys triple threat, rushing for a seven yard average and eight scores. Defensively they nearly give up 30 points an outing, but as long as their offense can match that and more, it won’t be a factor. PLAYER TO WATCH: Josh Cooper, Jr. WR
La.-Lafayette: If only winning was about the coolest mascott name. Then La.-Lafayette might have a chance here. The Ragin’ Cajuns have been less than spectacular this season and will most likely fail to reach last season’s total of six wins. Lafayette was pounded by Georgia 55-7 in their opener and this OK State team is far better. Junior quarterback Chris Masson has been better than average this season, passing for 310 yards and two scores last week against North Texas. The running game, however, ranks No. 101 in the nation and has been rigamortis this year. More bad news: Lafayette has 14 players listed on the games injury report, including leading receiver Ladarius Green. PLAYER TO WATCH: Javone Lawson, So. WR
The Pick: The spread is 24 points favoring Oklahoma State and the Cowboys may push it even higher than that. The Ragin’ Cajuns have been giving up 35 points an outing and playing in a nationally televised home game isn’t enough to minimize that number. This could be another game for Kendall Hunter to rack up big chunks of yards as the Cowboys roll easily in Lafayette. Oklahoma State 56 – La.-Lafayette 13
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