Top 5 Games Week 8 Breakdown
#5 Oklahoma State at Missouri
For all of its offensive pyrotechnics, one important fact about Oklahoma State is often overlooked – the Cowboys’ prowess on the road. Oklahoma State ran its streak of wins outside of Stillwater to nine with last week’s 38-26 victory over Texas. While quarterback Brandon Weeden (who, at 28, is older than the Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers) continues to sling the rock prolifically (second in the nation in passing), Jeremy Smith has quietly become a key component of the Cowboys’ attack. The running back ripped off two long scoring bursts against the Longhorns and has now scored in 10 straight games. What chance does Missouri have against the Pokes’ galaxy of stars? Given the teams’ records and place in the standings, not a whole lot. But with a rushing attack ranked 13th in the FBS matching up with an OSU defense that gets gouged on the ground for 177 yards per game, look for the Tigers to make this one very interesting. Score: Oklahoma State 33, Missouri 30
Auburn at #3 LSU
Auburn’s topsy-turvy season took another twist during last week’s 17-6 win over Florida when starting quarterback Barrett Trotter was benched in favor of Clint Moseley at halftime. The new guy wasn’t much of an improvement, but still Head Coach Gene Chizik is sticking with Moseley even though his first career start will come in one of college football’s most intimidating venues. Auburn likely will need an effective game from its strong running attack and more of the big special teams plays that it got against the Gators if it hopes to even stay close. But that’s probably wishful thinking given that LSU is winning by an average of 27 points per game despite having faced one of the most challenging schedules in the country. Auburn won last year’s meeting 24-17 thanks to Cam Newton’s 217 yards on the ground. Without a similar Heisman-worthy performance from Moseley, AU does not stand a chance. Score: LSU 34, Auburn 6
USC at Notre Dame
It is a shame that many people, in the view of USC athletic director Pat Haden, see this annual matchup of traditional rivals as “just another game.” Haden was speaking about the Trojans players but he could have been talking about most football fans, especially the younger ones who do not recall the time when both schools were among the sport’s elite year after year. This season’s versions of the Trojans and Fighting Irish have the ability to rise to the top 10 in the polls and, in Notre Dame’s case, crash the BCS party, even though neither is ranked at the moment. Both schools could badly use a win – to boost their pride, to placate their grumbling fans, to climb out of FBS’ vast middle class and feel like a big shot again. Who will succeed? Notre Dame has the more complete team and it should feed off the excitement of South Bend’s first night game since 1990. Score: Notre Dame 26, USC 21
#4 Wisconsin at #14 Michigan State
Oct. 22 – the day Wisconsin finally plays a road game. OK, technically the Badgers were the visitor when they met Northern Illinois in Chicago, but the immense sea of red in Soldier Field that day would indicate otherwise. This time there will be no doubt that Wisconsin is in enemy territory. The last time the defending Big Ten champs fell on the road was in East Lansing last season. Michigan State has the horses on defense to repeat that win and it will need its second-ranked unit to be at its best if it hopes to corral a Badgers offense that leads the nation in scoring. The key might be how Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson handles his first Big Ten road experience. He played in plenty of intimidating joints during his time as North Carolina State’s starter but he also was never considered a Heisman Trophy candidate back then. Now all eyes will be on him and that should add an extra layer of pressure on the conference’s leading passer. Fortunately for Wilson, he is surrounded by enough talent to make sure that Wisconsin’s national title hopes do not come crashing down. Score: Wisconsin 24, Michigan State 17
#22 Washington at #7 Stanford
Move over, Andrew Luck. There is another Heisman Trophy contender in town. Sophomore quarterback Keith Price has made Washington fans’ memory of NFL first-round pick Jake Locker fainter by the week. The Huskies are off to their best start in 10 years behind Price, who is second in the FBS with 21 touchdown passes and ranks fifth in passer rating. But two spots ahead of him on that chart is Luck, the already-anointed first pick of next year’s NFL draft who has 18 touchdown throws and a 71 percent completion percentage. The pro scouts will be watching this game closely and you should, too, if for no other reason than to see just what these teams are made of. Neither one has a victory that looks overly impressive. But the Cardinal, whose defense is fifth in the nation in points allowed, have been the more complete team. The long-term future is bright in Seattle, but the forecast for Saturday calls for some serious pain. Score: Stanford 45, Washington 21
