Cincinnati and Texas, the lone unbeatens in the Big East and the Big-12 respectively, will be put to the test Saturday. Meanwhile, the winner of the USC and Oregon matchup in Eugene will likely produce the frontrunner for the Pac-10 title. With Iowa comfortably leading the Big Ten, some of the middle of the pack teams will try to separate themselves this weekend.
USC vs. Oregon
When No. 5 USC and No. 10 Oregon hit the field on Saturday night in Eugene, the Trojans will boast the higher rank, but the Ducks will hold control of their own destiny within the Pac-10 Conference. Oregon still maintains a perfect record (4-0) in league play, while USC sits at 3-1 after a conference opening loss to Washington. Losing to one supposedly inferior conference opponent per year has become a strange theme for the Trojans and head coach Pete Carroll. However, USC still has the inside track at a BCS bowl game, and possibly even a national championship. That will all go out the window, however, if the Trojans fall against a very talented Oregon team.
The Ducks are led by junior multi-threat quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Masoli has thrown for 905 yards and nine touchdowns and has rushed for 272 yards and seven more scores on the year.
Since the loss to Washington on September 19, USC has won four straight games. The Trojans have continued to run the ball effectively despite losing one of their best tailbacks, Stafon Johnson, to a weightlifting accident. The stable of USC running backs has taken pressure off of freshman quarterback Matt Barkley, who looks more comfortable running the team than he did early in the year.
Barkley must stay poised and get a good effort from the Trojan defense on Saturday night, as Autzen Stadium will be buzzing and the Ducks will be out to defend the top spot in the Pac-10.
Texas vs. Oklahoma State
Colt McCoy and the Texas Longhorns square off with the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday in a clash of Big 12 foes. The Longhorns sit at No. 3 in the BCS Computer Rankings and need to stay unbeaten to remain in the immediate National Championship conversation.
While McCoy has continued to be a playmaker (71.7 completion percentage) and leader on offense, the defense of the Longhorns has been the dominant force over the last month. Texas has not allowed more than fourteen points since Texas Tech managed twenty-four on September 19.
That defense will certainly be tested this weekend against the high-octane offense of the Cowboys, headed by senior quarterback Zac Robinson. Oklahoma State has scored at least thirty-three points in each game since their opener, and has racked up an average of over 417 yards per game. Even more impressive is the fact that the production has not dropped off over the last four games despite playing without all-American wide receiver Dez Bryant, who has been ruled ineligible due to conduct that may have affected his status as an amateur athlete.
Oklahoma State stands as the last ranked opponent on Texas' schedule, but the Longhorns cannot afford to get caught looking down the road against a quality opponent like Mike Gundy's Cowboys.
Michigan State vs. Minnesota
The beginning of Big Ten play has once again left the middle of the Big Ten conference standings clustered and jumbled. This matchup between the Spartans and Gophers could either provide some clarity or further enhance the confusion.
With a win, the Spartans could separate from the group a bit and move to 4-2, but a loss would drop them into a tie with Minnesota, possibly among others, and make the league nearly impossible to sort out. After a Big Ten opening loss to Wisconsin, the Spartans won three straight before losing on the last play from scrimmage to an undefeated Iowa squad. Michigan State is no stranger to competitive games, as their last seven have been decided by ten points or fewer.
The Gophers have struggled as of late, losing three of their last four Big Ten games. In the last three games, Minnesota has mustered together just 27 points, causing some Gopher fans to call for the benching of senior quarterback Adam Weber. Despite the erratic quarterback play from the Gophers, this game features two of the most dynamic receivers in the conference. Minnesota's Eric Decker currently ranks second in the conference with 758 yards, while Michigan State's Blair White is right behind at 730. White leads the league with seven touchdowns catches, while Decker is tied for third with five. Look for both receivers to have big days in a game that should emulate the even nature of the Big Ten.
Cincinnati vs. Syracuse
With Ohio State dropping to No. 17 in the polls, another team from the Buckeye state is making a stand in the top ten. The No. 8 Cincinnati Bearcats (7-0, 3-0 Big East) will travel to Syracuse this weekend to take on the Orange (3-4, 0-2 Big East). The Bearcats boast the second-ranked scoring offense in the nation, averaging over 40 points per game. Senior quarterback Tony Pike has taken the majority of the snaps this season for the Bearcats. Besides completing just under 65 percent of his passes, Pike has thrown for 15 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Former Duke basketball star Greg Paulus is at the helm of the Syracuse offense this season. Despite struggling at times this season, Paulus has shown that he can put up big numbers against credible opponents. Against Northwestern, Paulus threw for 346 yards and the Orange offense put up 34 points. Syracuse will have a difficult time repeating that performance against the Bearcats, as their defense has not allowed more than 20 points all season.
As the lone remaining unbeaten in the Big East, Cincinnati will certainly have a bull's-eye on their back Saturday at the Carrier Dome. With matchups against Connecticut and No. 21 West Virginia on the horizon for the Bearcats, don't be surprised if they overlook the Orange and Saturday's contest proves to be a competitive game.
