The Bum's 2017 College Football Picks-Trends-News Etc. !

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No. 10 Wisconsin hosts Northwestern in teams' Big 10 opener
September 29, 2017

MILWAUKEE (AP) Wisconsin freshman Jonathan Taylor is just getting started in the Big Ten. Northwestern senior Justin Jackson is on the verge of setting a career school rushing record.

Two important tailbacks at different ends of their respective college careers. The running game will be front and center when the 10th-ranked Badgers host the Wildcats on Saturday in the conference opener for both teams.

Not that this really breaks any new ground in the Big Ten.

''They're tough and they're physical. They try to match our intensity and physicality. They'll come out and hit you. They're not afraid,'' Wisconsin tight end Troy Fumagalli said. ''They play in this league just like we do.''

Taylor seized an opportunity created by an injury in the season opener to then-starter Bradrick Shaw. He may just never give back the job after averaging a league-best 146 yards a game for Wisconsin (3-0). Taylor was officially tabbed the starter this week on the Badgers' depth chart.

''Patience is key. If you wait just a (second) something will show up. He's not forcing anything. He's waiting for things to develop,'' left tackle Michael Deiter said.

As usual, Wisconsin likes to pound away at defenses with the running game. Northwestern (2-1) operates out of the spread, but Jackson has been equally as effective carrying the ball.

With 4,377 yards rushing in his career, Jackson is 108 shy of tying Damien Anderson's program of 4,485.

''I think the minute he got on campus, he had that type of potential,'' coach Pat Fitzgerald said. ''It's from the get-go ... he's had a lot of special performances.''

Other notes and things to watch ahead of Saturday's game at Camp Randall Stadium:

BACK AND FORTH: Wisconsin leads the overall series 58-35-5, but the matchup has been much closer in recent years. Two years ago, the Wildcats pulled out a 13-7 win in their last visit to Camp Randall Stadium when Badgers receiver Jazz Peavy's 1-yard touchdown catch with 1:47 left was negated on review. Northwestern has won six of the past 11 meetings.

''It comes down to execution, comes down to not beating yourself and finding a way in the fourth quarter to win the game,'' Fitzgerald said.

ON TARGET: Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook is coming off a terrific performance in the 40-6 win over BYU on Sept. 16, when he was 18 of 19 for a school-record 94.7 percent completion rate. The left-handed sophomore also set career highs of 256 yards and four touchdown passes. If Hornibrook can come close to this level of accuracy in Big Ten play, the Badgers could be nearly unstoppable given their success in the running game.

RUNNING WILD: A 49-7 rout of Bowling Green two weeks ago gave Northwestern a confidence boost after opening the season with a lackluster 1-1 start in nonconference play. With 678 yards on 74 plays, the team set a program record 9.2 yards per play.

Probably won't be repeated at Wisconsin, which is seventh in the nation in total defense (248 yards) and has yet to allow a point in the second half.

BADGERING D: Wisconsin has yet to be really tested defensively in Jim Leonhard's first season as coordinator. Imagine how good the Badgers might be if top linebacker Jack Cichy didn't go down for the year in training camp with a knee injury.

One of the few quibbles with the defense is a couple communication breakdowns in the secondary that have led to long gains. The defensive backfield includes cornerback Nick Nelson, a first-year starter after transferring from Hawaii; and safety Natrell Jamerson, a former cornerback.

''I think we've made improvements in communication as far as just getting on the same page,'' safety D'Cota Dixon said. ''A big area we can improve on is creating more turnovers and putting our offense in a better position.''

GOOD FOOTING: Northwestern is on good footing on special teams with punter Hunter Niswander, who ranks second nationally in punting average (49.5 yards) and set a career high against Bowling Green by averaging 51.5 yards a punt. This gives the Wildcats the ability to at least flip position on the road when the run into empty possessions.

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No. 1 Alabama still looking to fix its Ole Miss problem
September 29, 2017

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Alabama snapped a two-game losing streak to Mississippi last season with a big comeback victory.

Yet listening to the Crimson Tide players and coach Nick Saban talk this week about Saturday night's game against the Rebels, it sounded a little like they still do not believe they totally fixed this Ole Miss problem.

''I think the ultimate disrespect sometimes is when someone quietly thinks they've got your number,'' Saban said.

A week after No. 1 Alabama (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) crushed what it perceived as an uppity undefeated Vanderbilt team, Ole Miss comes to town having scored 109 points against the Crimson Tide over the past three years - by far the most of any opponent. The Rebels' 2015 victory at Alabama is the Tide's last loss at home and only setback in Bryant-Denny Stadium in its last 29 games.

''Anytime you lose a game around here, it sticks for a while,'' running back Damien Harris said.

When the Rebels upset the third-ranked Tide 23-17 in Oxford, Mississippi, in front of pop star Katy Perry, it was big news. The next season Ole Miss made it two straight, beating No. 2 Alabama 43-37 in Tuscaloosa. That loss, coming off of two straight seasons without a national championship for the Tide had at least a few folks wondering whether the dynasty was dead. That was hyperbole, and the truth was most reasonable people were not throwing dirt on the Tide after that loss, but no doubt the air of invincibility around Alabama had thinned. The Tide promptly took that perceived slight and used it to fuel another national championship run.

Last season, the Tide restored some order in the rivalry with a victory, but it was far from easy. Ole Miss jumped out to a 24-3 before Alabama came roaring back, and then finally hung on for a 48-43 victory. Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly passed for 421 yards and three touchdowns.

This season Ole Miss (2-1) comes in off an off week, having lost its last game at California. The Rebels are bowl-banned and being led by an interim coach. Matt Luke replaced Hugh Freeze, who was fired in July for inappropriate conduct. The buzz around Ole Miss football is gone as the school awaits its punishment for NCAA violations committed under Freeze.

The Rebels come into this match up against Alabama as a four-touchdown underdog.

Alabama is coming off one of the most dominant performances of the Saban era, a 59-0 victory against Vanderbilt in which the Tide had as many first downs (38) as the Commodores had offensive plays (38).

Saban talked earlier this week about how he stressed to his players the importance of not just winning a game, but defeating the opponent.

''We want to make you say I quit,'' linebacker Anfernee Jennings said.

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Things to know about 65th meeting overall between the Rebels and Tide.

PASSING PATTERSON: This Ole Miss team does something in common with the last one the won in Tuscaloosa: a talented quarterback. Shea Patterson has already had two 400-yard passing games. ''Well, first of all, the guy has great arm talent,'' Saban said. ''He's very instinctive. He's a very good athlete. He can scramble and extend plays, and they've made a lot of big plays on that part of it.''

RUNNING MEN: Alabama for 496 yards against Vanderbilt and held the ball for 42:55 minutes. The Tide would probably like to repeat that against the Rebels, leaving Patterson and a talented group of receivers on the sideline. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is the Alabama's leading rusher with 360 yards, and three talented tailbacks (Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough and Najee Harris) have combined for 486 yards.

''We have to limit their direct runs, and we have to try to make them bounce the ball to where they can't attack us straight downhill,'' Luke said. The Rebels rank 11th in the SEC in rushing defense at 4.56 yards per carry.

INJURIES: Alabama got back linebackers Jennings and Rashaan Evans last week, helping boost the Tide's pass rush. Luke said center Sean Rawlings (ankle) is a game-time decision, but receiver A.J. Brown (knee) is likely good to go. Brown leads the SEC with 389 yards receiving.

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No. 21 Florida, Vanderbilt prepare for another tight game
September 29, 2017

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Vanderbilt and Florida have played tight games the last two years.

Considering Florida's most recent performances, no one would be surprised to see another one Saturday. Given Vanderbilt's outing a week ago, the Commodores certainly would welcome it.

The 21st-ranked Gators (2-1, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) host the Vandy (3-1, 0-1) in the first of three consecutive home games that could strengthen Florida's position atop the Eastern Division. Florida has won 25 of the last 26 in the series, including three in a row, but the last two have been far from gimmes. Coach Jim McElwain's team needed a late interception to seal a 13-6 win last year and a 43-yard field goal in the closing minutes in 2016 for a 9-7 victory.

''They always play us tough,'' Florida safety Nick Washington said. ''That's been an emphasis for us this year and with Coach this week: `Come out with our hair on fire and make plays.'''

The Gators waited until late in their last two games to do so. They needed a 63-yard touchdown pass on the final play to beat Tennessee two weeks ago at Florida Field and overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter at Kentucky last week.

''We definitely have been finishing,'' Washington said. ''There's just something about getting it started early and not waiting until later in the game to get momentum.''

Vanderbilt could use some momentum after last week's 59-0 home loss to top-ranked Alabama. The Commodores gave up 38 first downs and 677 yards, including 496 on the ground.

Coach Derek Mason responded by calling his offensive line soft and putting his guys in full pads Monday, hoping one lopsided loss doesn't lead to another.

''When you get punched in the mouth, sometimes it's not what's wanted; it's what's necessary,'' Mason said. ''We got punched in the mouth, and that was necessary. Quick wake-up call. `Let's turn it around. It's been flushed, but it's hardened me a little bit.'''

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Here are some other things to know about Vanderbilt and Florida:

QB CHANGE: Florida will have a new (well, old) starting quarterback against Vanderbilt. McElwain demoted redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks and will go with Luke Del Rio , who went 5-1 as the starter last season before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury. Del Rio came off the bench at Kentucky and completed 9 of 14 passes for 74 yards, including a 5-yard game-winner to uncovered Freddie Swain with 43 seconds remaining.

GROUNDED OFFENSE: The Commodores rank last in the SEC in offense, averaging 279 yards a game, and are tied for 123rd nationally. Ralph Webb, the school's all-time leading rusher, has been a big focus of defenses and found little running room. Webb, a Gainesville native, is averaging 2.6 yards a carry and 42.2 yards a game. ''There are no magic pills. There are no magic plays. There are no magic drills that we're going to do in practice,'' Mason said. ''It's not good enough to play in the SEC right now.''

SACK TIME: The Commodores have figured out how to get to opposing quarterbacks after managing only 15 sacks last season. Vanderbilt already has 11 sacks this year, with Charles Wright leading the way with six.

FLORIDA DRAMA: The Gators will be without nine players suspended indefinitely for allegedly racking up nearly $20,000 in unauthorized credit card charges and using the money to buy electronics. It's an ongoing distraction the team may have to deal with all season. ''The big piece is how you deal with it really reveals who you are,'' McElwain said. ''How you let it get to you really reveals who you are.''

FAMILY TIES: Mason's daughter, Makenzie, is a freshman on Florida's lacrosse team. She will be attending a fall tournament in Maryland instead of the football game Saturday. That might be a good thing for dad considering her allegiances. ''She's a Gator,'' Mason said. ''She loves dad, dearly, but when we signed to go to the University of Florida, that's who she's committed to, that's the way her dad raised her. I'm good with that. She just knows when she comes back to the house she better not have on any Gator gear.''

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No. 7 Georgia, Tennessee gearing up for another SEC showdown
September 29, 2017

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Georgia and Tennessee are gearing up for the possibility their Saturday matchup could come down to the final minute.

It wouldn't be any different than usual.

None of the last five Tennessee-Georgia games has been decided by more than seven points. That includes Tennessee's 34-31 victory in Athens last year that featured a 43-yard game-winning Hail Mary pass as time expired.

''If you look at kind of the past history of this game, they usually come down to the final possession,'' Tennessee coach Butch Jones said.

Georgia (4-0, 1-0 SEC) has insisted that it isn't using the heartbreaking finish of last year's game as extra incentive this week.

The seventh-ranked Bulldogs have lost two straight to Tennessee (3-1, 0-1) after beating the Volunteers five consecutive times from 2010-14. Georgia enters this year's matchup as one of the nation's hottest teams, while Tennessee lost to Florida and eked out a 17-13 victory over winless Massachusetts in its last two games.

''They have a new team, we have a new team,'' Georgia defensive back Aaron Davis said. ''Last year's not a motivation for us.''

Last year's game was the latest in a series of down-to-the-wire matchups.

Georgia won 51-44 in 2012 by forcing three turnovers in the last six minutes and won 34-31 in overtime in 2013 after Tennessee's Alton ''Pig'' Howard fumbled in overtime as he was about to cross the goal line, turning a potential touchdown into a touchback. Georgia needed to recover a late onside kick to secure a 35-32 triumph in 2014 .

Tennessee rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat the Bulldogs 38-31 in 2015 , as Georgia's Reggie Davis dropped a potential game-tying touchdown pass with less than four minutes left.

''They've kind of been neck-and-neck games where either team could come out with a win,'' Tennessee offensive tackle Brett Kendrick said. ''I expect another close game coming up.''

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Here are some things to know about Saturday's Georgia-Tennessee game.

FROMM ON THE ROAD: This will mark the second career road start for Georgia freshman quarterback Jake Fromm. Although Fromm won at Notre Dame in his first career start , a large Georgia contingent made the trip to South Bend and turned that into more of a neutral-site atmosphere. Fromm figures to get a different reception Saturday. ''There's no way to simulate the atmosphere that you get in Neyland Stadium, when you talk about being a road opponent,'' Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. ''It won't even compare to what we got at Notre Dame because we had so many (of our own) fans at Notre Dame.''

EASON APPEARANCE?: Jacob Eason opened the year as Georgia's starting quarterback but hasn't played since spraining his left knee in the season opener. Smart said this week that Eason is "much closer to being able to play," a comment that at least creates the possibility the sophomore could make an appearance against Tennessee.

SEEKING TO RUN: Tennessee has the SEC's leading rusher in John Kelly, but the Vols gained just 3.5 yards per carry against UMass last week. Jones has emphasized the importance of upgrading that ground attack this week. Tennessee could benefit from the potential return of center Jashon Robertson, who missed the UMass game with an unspecified injury.

RED-ZONE DISCREPANCY: Georgia ranks first and Tennessee ranks 13th out of 14 SEC teams in red-zone efficiency. Georgia has scored 10 touchdowns and three field goals on its 13 trips inside an opponent's 20-yard line. In its only previous SEC game this year, Tennessee totaled just three points out of three red-zone possessions at Florida.

VOLS' TOP-10 DROUGHT: Tennessee is attempting to beat a top-10 team for the first time since a 51-33 victory over No. 10 Georgia in 2006.

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No. 25 LSU looking vulnerable as upset-minded Troy arrives
September 29, 2017

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) This could be a telling weekend for 25th-ranked LSU.

The Tigers are favored to beat Troy (3-1) by three touchdowns, yet LSU (3-1) has looked vulnerable recently, beaten badly two weeks ago and narrowly avoiding an upset last week.

Tigers coach Ed Orgeron suggested that youth and inexperience have a lot to do with that.

''When you play 20 freshmen, it's going to be like that,'' Orgeron said, adding that on offense, veterans, too, have had an adjustment to make with the arrival of new coordinator Matt Canada.

Orgeron went on to note that five members of LSU's 2016 defense - Jamal Adams, Kendell Beckwith, Tre'Davious White, Duke Riley and Davon Godchaux - are now NFL regulars.

''We've got to replace them,'' Orgeron said. ''We've got to get some experience on defense, and I think we will.''

The Tigers are running short on time to figure it out. They're already 0-1 in the Southeastern Conference by virtue of a 37-7 loss at Mississippi State on Sept. 16. Soon LSU will run a gauntlet of seven straight SEC foes, starting at Florida on Oct. 7.

But first comes Troy, which Tigers H-back J.D. Moore called, ''a dangerous team.''

''We can't take our eyes off of them and look down the road,'' he said.

That might sound like lip service. Then again, the Tigers were favored by a similar margin last week against Syracuse, only to find themselves clinging to a late two-point lead before finally sealing with victory with a touchdown with 1:52 left.

Troy is among favorites to win the Sun Belt Conference this season. Last season, the Trojans not only won 10 games, but played competitively against eventual national champion Clemson, losing 30-24 in the other Death Valley. So don't expect the Trojans to be at a psychological disadvantage when they trot into Tiger Stadium.

''It's nothing to be intimidated about,'' said linebacker Sam Lebbie. ''We're ready.''

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Here are some central factors in the Troy-LSU matchup:

LINE ITEMS: LSU's offensive line has been under heavy scrutiny in recent weeks. Quarterback Danny Etling was sacked twice and pounded repeatedly as he threw against Syracuse. An undisclosed ailment has caused starting right tackle Toby Weathersby to miss practice time this week, leaving his status uncertain. Meanwhile, Adrian Magee, who replaced Ed Ingram at right guard against Syracuse, appears set to start this week. ''There is stuff we need to correct. It is nothing about who's playing where,'' center Will Clapp said. ''We need to make sure everybody is on the same page.''

POINTS OF INTEREST: Troy's high-octane offense has gained nearly 450 yards per game, but haven't always cashed in on scoring chances, averaging a 24 points per game. ''One of these games, we're going to have 50 points,'' Troy QB Brandon Silvers said. ''Hopefully, it's this week.''

GOING DEEP: LSU has averaged 200.5 yards rushing and also has demonstrated it can throw deep. LSU has completed seven passes longer than 40 yards this season, including an 87-yarder to Drake Davis, a 52-yarder to D.J. Chark and a 46-yarder to Stephen Sullivan. ''We have to stop their running game and we have to at least limit their big plays,'' Troy coach Neal Brown said. ''The speed of the game is going to be so much different than what we've experienced through our first four games.''

LITMUS TEST: Statistically, Troy is fielding one of the stingier defenses in college football. The unit is allowing 14.5 points per game and has held three straight foes under 100 yards rushing. But those last three opponents were Alabama State, New Mexico State and Akron, which are not power conference programs. Lebbie said Troy's defense will need to address mistakes it got away with in recent games if the Trojans want to stay with LSU. Otherwise, ''it won't even be that close,'' he said.

GROWING UP: Silvers, a Mobile, Alabama, said he was at Tiger Stadium when Troy last played there in November 2008. The Trojans led 31-3 in that game before LSU pulled off a school-record comeback in a 40-31 victory. Meanwhile, Troy offensive lineman Kirk Kelley is a Louisiana native who followed LSU football in his youth, but entered this week's game having never stepped foot inside Tiger Stadium.

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No. 18 USF looks for 10th straight win at East Carolina
September 29, 2017

No. 18 South Florida's schemes have changed from one coach to the next. The results have been the same.

The Bulls (4-0, 1-0 American Athletic Conference) ride a school-record nine-game winning streak that spans two seasons - and two coaches - into Saturday's visit to struggling East Carolina (1-3, 1-0).

And while USF outscored teams last season under former coach Willie Taggart, the Charlie Strong-led Bulls are getting it done on defense. USF leads the nation with 12 interceptions - they had eight total in 2016 - and is third nationally against the run.

''It's more about them wanting to send a message because of the way they played last season. It was more like the offense carried them and they didn't do their part,'' Strong said. ''But just to watch the way they're playing right now, they're playing with a chip on their shoulder. ... On defense, you have to have an edge. We have that edge.''

It's helped USF earn its highest national ranking since 2011 - when the Bulls' conference was known as the Big East - though Strong says there's no need to talk about the polls with his players.

''The only thing I talk to them about is, I say, `Guys, it's really hard to get to the top, but it's very easy to fall,'' Strong said.

Losing to East Carolina would certainly lead to a precipitous drop.

The Pirates have struggled in two seasons under Scottie Montgomery, losing seven in a row dating back to last October before their visit to Connecticut on Sunday. They blew most of a 20-point lead before holding on to beat the Huskies 41-38.

''This is one of the best teams in the country,'' Montgomery said. ''We are looking forward to it coming off of a victory. You always have a lot more energy and you feel like you've had a little bit of success.''

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Some things to know about the USF-ECU game:

USF'S STREAKS: The Bulls have the third-longest winning streak in the FBS, trailing only Oklahoma (14) and USC (13). They also have scored at least 30 points in 21 straight games dating to 2015, two shy of the longest such stretch since 1936. That distinction belongs to Oregon, which did it in 2011 and '12.

SHORT WEEK: The conference's reconstituted schedule left the Pirates with one fewer day to prepare for their third game against a team currently in the Top 25. East Carolina wasn't supposed to play last week, but the league pushed up the Nov. 4 visit to UConn as it shuffled some teams' schedules due to Hurricane Irma. The game was played on Sunday because the Huskies' field was unavailable on Saturday. Montgomery says the shortened prep time shouldn't affect his team because ''sometimes when you have an extra day of work, the whole thing the coach is worrying about is the focus of the team with the two extra days.''

SIRK DOING WORK: East Carolina QB Thomas Sirk leads the league with an average of nearly 276 yards passing, and the Pirates hung nearly 600 total yards on UConn - with 223 of those yards coming on Sirk passes to WR Davon Grayson. The Bulls expect their trademark tough defense to be tested by the Pirates. ''You can't get caught up in stats - we've only played four games,'' LB Auggie Sanchez said. ''Our competition is going to get a lot harder, starting with ECU.''

OVERSHADOWED OFFENSE? USF's defense is getting the attention but the offense is clicking, too. The Bulls gained 680 total yards in beating Illinois earlier this season, and had two 100-yard rushers last week against Temple . QB Quinton Flowers, the reigning league offensive player of the year, set three major single-season school records in 2016.

WELCOME BACK: USF WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling started his college career at North Carolina State before transferring. Valdes-Scantling leads the team with 16 receptions for 228 yards and two touchdowns.

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Spartans host Hawkeyes in rematch of 2015 Big Ten title game
September 29, 2017

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) The last time Michigan State and Iowa played each other, the stakes could scarcely have been higher. It was two seasons ago in the Big Ten title game, with a spot in college football's playoff at stake.

The Spartans prevailed on a touchdown in the final minute, winning their third league championship in six seasons advancing to play Alabama in the national semifinals.

''How big was it? It put us in the playoffs, put us into one of the top four teams in the nation,'' Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. ''That was a great defensive football game, great drive at the end of the game.''

That win was a crowning moment for Dantonio's program, but now it's also a reminder of the heights the Spartans have fallen from. Michigan State went 3-9 last year, and the Spartans enter Saturday's game against Iowa still trying to re-establish themselves as a credible threat to win Big Ten titles. The Hawkeyes also have work to do if they're going to return to the spotlight they occupied in 2015, when they were undefeated before the loss to Michigan State.

''It was a tough loss. There was a lot at stake there that day, needless to say, for both teams,'' Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. ''We were both at the last stop in terms of conference play. So that was tough, you know, but the other night was tough too.''

The Hawkeyes (3-1, 0-1) lost 21-19 last weekend to Penn State, on a touchdown as time expired. Michigan State (2-1) is also coming off a defeat. The Spartans trailed almost the whole way in a 38-18 loss to Notre Dame.

Here are a few things to watch when the Spartans host the Hawkeyes this weekend:

INEFFICIENT

Although the final score was close, Iowa was outgained 579-273 last weekend - not a recipe for success.

''You'd rather sustain drives any day. Football is a lot more fun when you're clipping along five, six yards a pop,'' Ferentz said. ''Statistics are really important. You would love to win time of possession, yards per play, all those kind of things. But it's all about finding a way to win. That's the ultimate goal.''

MISTAKES

Michigan State turned the ball over three times last week, negating its yardage advantage against Notre Dame. The Spartans have lost six fumbles on the season, including three by LJ Scott.

It was Scott who scored the winning touchdown for Michigan State in the 16-13 victory over Iowa for the league title two years ago.

''Obviously that was one of the best moments I've had since I've been at Michigan State,'' Scott said.

JEWELL OF THE DEFENSE

Iowa LB Josey Jewell had 16 tackles, three of them for losses, in last week's game. He also had two pass breakups, a fumble recovery and an interception.

QB MATCHUP

Iowa's Nate Stanley has thrown 12 touchdown passes - the most in the Big Ten - with one interception on the season.

Michigan State's Brian Lewerke has completed 63 percent of his passes. He's thrown only two interceptions, but one of them was run back for a TD last weekend. Lewerke has also emerged as a running threat for the Spartans.

TIGHT SERIES

Iowa is 23-21-2 against Michigan State in a series that dates back to 1953. The Spartans have won the past two meetings, both of which came in seasons when Michigan State won the Big Ten.

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Mississippi State-Auburn jockey for respect, SEC West shot
September 29, 2017

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) Mississippi State looked like it could emerge as No. 1 Alabama's biggest challenger in the SEC West. But that was two weeks ago. Since then the Bulldogs have flopped - badly.

No. 13 Auburn also has designs on Southeastern Conference contention, and finally looked the part last week. The two potential division contenders meet Saturday with one of them strengthening its candidacy and the other left trying to salvage those hopes.

''This is a huge game,'' Tigers tailback Kerryon Johnson said.

Both teams still have plenty to prove. The 24th-ranked Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1) dominated No. 25 LSU only to get clobbered by No. 7 Georgia . Auburn (3-1, 1-0) is fresh from a 51-14 road win over Missouri after two weeks of offensive issues, either from lack of production against Clemson or turnover problems against Mercer.

Mississippi State especially has been on a roller coaster ride especially in terms of national perception. This game seems likely to provide more clarity - one way or the other.

''You're a young football team with people patting them on the back - the family members, the uncles, the cousins, the friends and the people around campus telling them how great they are,'' Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen said. ''Now this week, everyone's telling them how bad they are.''

The question now is what will they be saying next week?

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Here are some things to watch in the Mississippi State-Auburn game:

TAILBACK TANDEM: For the first time this season, Auburn will likely have both tailbacks Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson available for the same game. Pettway has missed one game with an injury and another with a suspension while Johnson was out the other two games with a right hamstring injury. It could be a huge boost for a running game that hasn't been as consistently formidable as in recent seasons. Johnson did run for five touchdowns against Missouri despite gaining just 48 yards.

In last year's meeting, Pettway ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-14 Auburn win.

MURDERER'S ROW: This is Mississippi State's third consecutive game against a Top 15 team and second straight on the road. The results have been mixed, to say the least: a 37-7 win over LSU and a 31-3 loss to Georgia.

TOP DEFENSES: Both offenses face strong challenges from Top 10 defenses. The Tigers rank fourth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense. The Bulldogs aren't terribly far behind with a 10th-ranked defense that's also fifth against the pass and 16th in points allowed per game.

DEFENDING FITZGERALD: Auburn will have to defend both the running and passing of Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, who ranks fourth in the SEC in total offense. Fitzgerald was held to just 83 passing yards with two interceptions against Georgia and it was also his first game this season without a rushing touchdown. He has accounted for seven TDs passing and five running.

''He is a true dual-threat guy,'' Malzahn said. ''He's like a running back in the backfield, which presents a lot of problems with the plus-one run game for defenses. He's got where he throws the ball extremely accurate when he has time. That's going to be a big challenge for our defense.''

HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE: The Tigers have won 28 of the 35 meetings with Mississippi State in Auburn. But Mississippi State won 17-9 in its last visit two years ago.

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Angry Arkansas hopes to snap skid against New Mexico State
September 29, 2017

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) Bret Bielema saw how upset Arkansas' players were the day following last week's overtime loss to Texas A&M , a defeat that sent the Razorbacks coach to two games under .500 in his fifth year at the school.

Four losses in the last five games turned frustration into anger.

It's that feeling Bielema hopes Arkansas (1-2) brings into Saturday's game with New Mexico State, a non-conference contest that feels like a must-win for the Southeastern Conference school residing at the bottom of the league's West division.

''I know it's very frustrating, but I did encourage them to hold the rope and keep playing,'' Bielema said. ''I think you're going to get an angry group preparing all week.''

Regardless of Arkansas' mindset, the game isn't likely to be the usual out-of-conference pushover - not against an Aggies (2-2) team averaging 31.5 points per game and coming off a 41-14 win over rival UTEP .

Any win would be a welcome feeling for the Razorbacks. And especially for Bielema, who fell to 26-28 overall with Arkansas after last week's loss, 10-23 in the SEC.

Some other things to watch as Arkansas attempts to bounce back following back-to-back losses:

MISSING CORNELIUS

The Razorbacks enter the game without wide receiver Jared Cornelius, who is likely out for the remainder of the season after surgery this week for a left Achilles injury. The senior entered the season as Arkansas' top returning wide receiver, finishing with 32 catches for 515 yards a year ago, and Bielema is likely to look to junior Jonathan Nance to excel in an expanded role.

RUSHING AGGIES

Arkansas allowed six sacks in last week's loss to Texas A&M, and it enters this week 125th in the country while allowing an average of 3.67 sacks per game. New Mexico State, meanwhile, has 12 sacks through four games - led by 3 + by linebacker Dalton Herrington and three from safety Malik Demby. Despite the statistics, Aggies coach Doug Martin had high praise for the Razorbacks. ''Obviously, an SEC opponent is tough, the size and speed that you have to deal with at that level - especially with Arkansas,'' Martin said. ''Their offensive line is an NFL offensive line.''

STEAMBOAT KELLEY

Cole Kelley earned quite a following among Arkansas fans last week, and not only because the quarterback looked the part of an SEC quarterback at 6-foot-7, 268 pounds. As the backup to senior Austin Allen, the freshman was featured in what the Razorbacks called the ''Steamboat'' package four times against Texas A&M - receiving the ball in the shotgun each time and rushing for first downs on each of his four carries.

ROSE'S RUNNING

New Mexico State running back Larry Rose III moved into second on the school's career rushing list with his 144-yard performance in a win over UTEP last week. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior now has 3,990 yards rushing for his career, behind only Denvis Manns' 4,692 yards between 1995-98.

CHASE'S CARRIES

Arkansas running back Chase Hayden led the Razorbacks with 120 yards rushing in the season opener before only receiving two carries for one yard in the loss to No. 9 TCU that followed. Last week, the freshman returned to a featured role and led Arkansas with 13 carries for 77 yards rushing - including several carries following direct snaps. Both Bielema and offensive coordinator Dan Enos said they expect Hayden to see expanded playing time this week.

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Army back to square 1 - out to break two-game skid
September 29, 2017

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) A year ago Army was reeling from the death of defensive back Brandon Jackson when it had to go on the road early in the season, and the Black Knights responded with a dominating performance.

Leaning on the memory of No. 28, who died in a one-car accident the morning after a game, Army slammed Texas-El Paso 66-14 for its third straight win in what became a turnaround 8-5 year for the academy.

Derailed by consecutive road losses to Ohio State and Tulane that have dropped its record to 2-2, Army hopes for a repeat performance of last year when struggling UTEP (0-4) visits on Saturday.

''We played them last year and were in a very emotional state,'' Army coach Jeff Monken said. ''We benefited from that emotional high we were on - wanting to compete and wanting to honor Brandon.

''Hopefully, we can master our intensity from last year and hope that we will execute better than we have in the last couple of weeks and find a way to win.''

UTEP coach Sean Kugler is in a much worse place. His injury-riddled Miners have lost 56-7 at Oklahoma, 31-14 to Rice at home, and 63-16 at home against Arizona, and last week they were trounced 41-14 on the road by rival New Mexico State.

That snapped an eight-game losing streak in the series for the Aggies and left the Miners with this daunting stat: 47.7 points allowed per game.

''We're not in a good place right now,'' Kugler said.

Other things to know when Army hosts UTEP on Saturday:

NO LATE HEROICS

In Army's second win of the season, the Black Knights rallied from behind with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to beat Buffalo 21-17 as the defense pitched a shutout in the second half.

Last week, the Green Wave put together a decisive 19-play, 75-yard drive in a 21-17 victory, converting three fourth downs and two third downs and scoring the winning touchdown in the final seconds.

''We've got to learn from those mistakes and push that game back, playing at home especially,'' Army defensive back James Gibson said. ''Playing here (at Michie Stadium) is special.''

NO PASSING FANCY

Army was 0 for 5 passing against Tulane with two interceptions. That's the second time this season the Black Knights have failed to complete a pass. Its triple option is potent enough, averaging 366.3 yards to rank third nationally.

TURNOVERS GALORE

UTEP quarterbacks threw five interceptions against New Mexico State, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The Miners also converted only 2 of 15 third downs and had just 227 yards of total offense in offensive coordinator Brian Natkin's first game since taking over for the fired Brent Pease.

''When you have five turnovers, you're not going to beat anybody,'' Kugler said. ''I've got to figure it out.''

QUARTERBACK BY COMMITTEE

QBs Ryan Metz, Mark Torrez and Kavika Johnson have played in all four games, while Zack Greenlee has also seen action, including a start.

Not exactly a recipe for success. UTEP ranks last nationally in total offense (210.3 yards per game) and next to last in third-down conversions (12 of 53, 22.6 percent).

Last week, Metz threw three interceptions and was replaced in the second half by Torrez, a freshman who was intercepted twice, the first coming on his second throw.

''At halftime we tried to create a spark for our team,'' Kugler said. ''It didn't work.''

UTEP's quarterbacks finished a combined 10 for 34 for 92 yards - Torrez was 4 of 16 for 38 yards. Metz gets the start again this week.

FULLBACKS GALORE

Army FB Darnell Woolfolk, who scored three times last year against UTEP, did not play against Tulane and won't play Saturday. The Black Knights didn't miss a beat with Andy Davidson running for a career-high 130 yards and sophomore FB Connor Slomka adding his first career TD last week against the Green Wave. Davidson rushed for 106 yards and a TD last year against UTEP.

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Coach Doeren: 'Not a trap game' when NC State hosts Syracuse
September 29, 2017

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina State beat one highly ranked Atlantic Division opponent last week and faces another one next week.

Sandwiched in between is a matchup with Syracuse on Saturday - but coach Dave Doeren refuses to call the visit from the Orange a trap game.

''I don't look at it'' that way, Doeren said. ''Any time you play a team that can score and that has a quarterback that thinks he's that good, or is that good, it's not a trap game at all. And our guys know that.''

Maybe, but it seems like an obvious psychological hurdle for the Wolfpack (3-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who moved to the brink of their first Top 25 ranking since the 2010 season with their 27-21 victory over then-No. 12 Florida State.

A visit from reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson and No. 17 Louisville awaits next Thursday night.

So, it might be easy to overlook Syracuse (2-2), which has a home loss to Middle Tennessee State on its resume.

Doeren isn't buying it.

''Just because we beat Florida State doesn't mean that Syracuse is going to be an easy game,'' he said.

The Orange figures to have enough offensive weapons to test an N.C. State defense that ranks second in the ACC against the run and is the strength of the team. Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey (321.3 ypg) trails only Jackson (431) among the ACC's leaders in total offense, and the Orange throw for 300 yards per game.

''I think that we're playing well. The hard thing about our country and football is it always comes down to Ws and Ls,'' second-year coach Dino Babers said. ''I know that we're getting better, but I can't prove it in the box score.''

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Some things to know about the Syracuse-N.C. State game:

POLL IMPLICATIONS: The Wolfpack were the first team out of the Top 25 this week, winding up five points behind No. 25 LSU - which beat Syracuse last week. N.C. State hasn't appeared in the rankings since the final poll of the 2010 season - when Russell Wilson was still taking snaps.

TALE OF THE TAPE: The stats appear similar for N.C. State and Syracuse. Both teams average roughly 35 points, allow about 23 and gain about 460 total yards per game. The biggest difference is turnovers - the Wolfpack have just two of them while Syracuse has given it away eight times.

THE SERIES: The Wolfpack have won nine of the 10 meetings between the schools. Syracuse's lone victory came in Raleigh in 2013, a 24-10 win that came as part of a season-ending eight-game losing streak for N.C. State in Doeren's first season.

CHUBB IN CONTROL: N.C. State DE Bradley Chubb had three tackles for a loss against Florida State, two sacks - including one that forced a field goal late in the first half - and a forced fumble. He has 19+ sacks for his career, six behind school-record-holder Mario Edwards.

QUICK HITS: N.C. State QB Ryan Finley has thrown 224 straight passes without an interception - the longest active string in the nation. ... The Wolfpack have not allowed a touchdown in the fourth quarter. ... Syracuse WR Steve Ishmael leads the nation with 11.3 receptions per game.

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Schiano returns to Rutgers along with No. 11 Ohio State
September 29, 2017

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) No. 11 Ohio State isn't the only one returning to face Rutgers.

Saturday's game at High Point Solutions Stadium marks the first time that former Scarlet Knights head coach and second-year Buckeyes defensive coordinator Greg Schiano will be coaching in a game at Rutgers since leaving in 2011 for a two-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Schiano transformed Rutgers from one of the worst programs in college football to a one that the Big Ten added in the 2014 expansion. He was out of football for two seasons before joining Urban Meyer's staff after Chris Ash resigned to take the Rutgers head coaching job last year.

Schiano helped Ash during his transition period. The two haven't talk much this season but will see each other Saturday when the Buckeyes (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) face a rebuilding Rutgers (1-3, 0-1).

''It's remarkable what they were able to do, and you know, that's - honestly that's one of the reasons that I made the decision to come here is because it's been done before,'' Ash said, referring to Schiano, who led Rutgers to winning seasons and bowl berths in six of his final seven seasons. ''It takes a lot of time, effort and a lot of people to get it done but hoping to be able to rebuild it and get it back to where it was during his time here.''

Rutgers has a long way to go under Ash. It went 2-10 last season and it has a 15-game losing streak in conference games dating to 2015.

Ohio State has won all three of its meeting with the Scarlet Knights, including 58-0 last season.

Still, Rutgers is improving. It had a chance to win in each of its three losses, including a 30-14 setback to now No. 6 Washington.

The biggest improvement for Rutgers has been its defense.

''Coach Ash is a defensive-oriented guy,'' Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. ''They're solid up front. They're big up front. They're good on the edges. Rutgers did a really nice job (against Washington).''

Here's some things to watch in the game:

SOFT PASS PROTECTION: Ohio State's pass protection is a work in progress, with young defensive backs still making plenty of mistakes. Cornerback Kendall Sheffield was flagged for pass interference twice last week, and also was caught for holding. Cornerback Denzel Ward also committed pass interference on a fourth-down play that wiped out an interception and extended UNLV's first scoring drive. Cornerback Damon Arnette and safety Damon Webb were penalized for pass interference in the 35-16 loss to Oklahoma. ''If you play press coverage, that's going to happen once in a while. We'll keep tweaking it,'' defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said.

LEWIS AGAIN: True freshman quarterback Johnathan Lewis is again the unknown in Rutgers offense. He ran for four touchdowns and threw for another in the 65-0 win over Morgan State. Against Nebraska, he took only one snap because coordinator Jerry Kill was concerned about how he would react to the Huskers' blitzing defense, It was a mistake and the 240-pounder who is a lot more mobile than starter Kyle Bolin probably will see more action this week.

BARRETT ROLLING: Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett was in the zone last week, throwing five first-half touchdowns against UNLV. He didn't play in the second half of a game in which seven different Buckeye receivers caught TDs. Barrett needs 14 yards of total offense to reach 10,000 in his career. He is also 200 yards shy of catching Art Schlichter as Ohio State's all-time passing yardage leader.

HEALTHY AGAIN: Ohio State linebacker Chris Worley, who injured a foot in the Sept. 16 game against Army, will probably play. He was the starting middle linebacker before he got hurt. Running back Mike Weber, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a redshirt freshman, has been cleared to play. He has been out with a hamstring injury since preseason camp. True freshman J.K. Dobbins has been the workhorse, rushing for a team-high 520 yards and three touchdowns. Rutgers star KR-WR Janarion Grant missed the Nebraska game with headaches. He has worked more in practiced this week, but he probably will be a game-time decision.

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Winless FSU visits unbeaten Wake Forest
September 29, 2017

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) Florida State's visit to Wake Forest on Saturday will match an undefeated team against one trying for its first victory.

But the teams aren't in the roles you might expect.

This time it's the perennial-powerhouse Seminoles (0-2, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) who are winless and the Demon Deacons (4-0, 1-0) who are trying to keep things rolling entering the heart of conference play.

Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson isn't buying that the Seminoles are struggling, explaining that their losses as coming to No. 1 Alabama and to a stout North Carolina State team while breaking in a freshman quarterback. They've also had one game postponed and another canceled due to Hurricane Irma.

''To paraphrase ... Mark Twain, reports of their demise have been greatly exaggerated,'' Clawson said.

The oddsmakers agree, installing Florida State as a 7-point favorite. Linebacker Cole Minshew says his team is looking to ''make a statement'' against a Wake Forest team that's 4-0 for the second straight year and trying to reach a second straight bowl game after consecutive 3-9 seasons in 2014 and '15.

The Seminoles are off to their worst start in 28 years, and the combined record of their next four opponents is 13-1. But the last time they started 0-2, in 1989, they reeled off 10 straight victories to end the season.

''We're trying to win. We're trying to win by a lot if we can, because we need to make that statement in order to show everyone we're not some scrub team,'' Minshew said.

They have a few issues that need to be corrected quickly. The offense has produced only two touchdowns, though freshman quarterback James Blackman earned praise from coach Jimbo Fisher after going 22 of 39 for 279 yards and a touchdown in his first career start against N.C. State.

''Ignore the clutter, ignore things outside, and do the things that are in your control about how you prepare again and come back and play it one game at a time,'' Fisher said. ''There's no magic formula, no magic dust you can put out there. You just have to finish and play a little more consistent and do a little better job and we have to practice you better, coach you better, put you in better situations, and it's been that simple.''

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Some things to know about the Florida State-Wake Forest game:

FOUR GAMES TO TWO: Because Wake Forest has played four games to Florida State's two, the Seminoles have twice as much game film available on the Demon Deacons. Yet Wake Forest DE Duke Ejiofor says that gives his team an advantage because ''we've played more snaps and have more experience.''

CONVERT IN RED ZONE: Blackman did an effective job moving Florida State between the 20s, but the Seminoles struggled to score touchdowns in the red zone last week, converting just 1 of 6 opportunities. Blackman might need to rely more on tight end Ryan Izzo since Auden Tate is questionable due to a shoulder injury. Through two games, FSU has only two offensive touchdowns, both by Tate. If the junior is unable to go, sophomores Keith Gavin and George Campbell are likely to take his place.

THE SERIES: Florida State leads the series 28-6-1 and has won the last five meetings. In the six times Wake Forest has won, the Seminoles have never finished better than 9-4 (2011, 2008).

PRESSURE THE QUARTERBACK: Florida State has done a poor job generating any sort of pass rush in its first two games, which has led to opponents also converting a high rate of third downs. With the Seminoles facing another experienced quarterback this week, getting a couple sacks could provide a boost in confidence to a defense that struggled last week against N.C. State both against the run and pass.

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UNC brings long injury list to G-Tech
September 29, 2017

ATLANTA (AP) The size of North Carolina's daunting injury list looks familiar to Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson.

He says it's the same kind of bad luck the Yellow Jackets endured when they finished 3-9 in 2015.

The Tar Heels (1-3, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) are hoping to avoid a path to a similarly poor finish when they visit Georgia Tech (2-1, 1-0) on Saturday.

''Right now they're experiencing a little of what we did in 2015, it sounds like,'' Johnson said. ''Every time you turn around another guy is getting hurt.''

North Carolina's already lengthy injury list grew in last week's 27-17 loss to Duke . The Tar Heels said Thursday receivers Austin Proehl and Rontavius Groves, tight end Carl Tucker and defensive tackle Tyler Powell have been added to the list of players lost for the season with injuries. The team has lost 13 players for the season.

Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora said he's never experienced anything like this year's rash of injuries . There were 19 players on the injury report before the Duke game. Among nine players lost for the season were three starters: linebacker Andre Smith, receiver Thomas Jackson and offensive lineman William Sweet.

''There are things that are out of our hands that happen, and we have to prepare our team to play no matter what the situation is,'' Fedora said. ''And so our guys understand that things happen, and somebody else has got to step up and somebody's got to be ready to go and it's another opportunity for another player to make plays.''

North Carolina has won three straight against Georgia Tech, including last year's 48-20 victory.

The Yellow Jackets' defense, which struggled in a 42-41 loss to Tennessee to open the season, played well in last week's 35-17 win over Pittsburgh. The defense allowed no points following four lost fumbles.

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Here are some things to watch when Georgia Tech looks for its fourth 2-0 ACC start in the last seven seasons:

MARSHALL'S FUNDAMENTALS: Georgia Tech quarterback TaQuon Marshall had two memorable scoring runs against Pittsburgh, one on a tightrope path down the sideline and another on a spectacular spin move. Even so, Johnson said the junior ''didn't play particularly well'' and must improve his fundamentals. ''He's a really good athlete,'' Johnson said. ''I think he gets it. He wants to be good. He's a really fierce competitor.''

SURRATT'S POISE: UNC redshirt freshman Chazz Surratt has gotten off to a solid start as the starting quarterback, showing chain-moving mobility and the arm to connect deep downfield in last weekend's loss to Duke. But Surratt also made his first major mistake, flinging the ball while being taken down under pressure for an interception - one that was returned for a touchdown. ''Hopefully he learns from that and I'm expecting that he will,'' Fedora said. ''And he'll be a better quarterback because of it.''

THREE AND OUT: An encouraging statistic for Georgia Tech's defense : The unit has forced 19 three-and-outs in 37 defensive series, for a 51.4 percent rate. According to Georgia Tech, Michigan is the only team that has a higher percentage of three-and-outs, 56.6 percent (30 in 53 possessions).

DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT?: The Tar Heels have been better defensively since giving up 469 yards in a season-opening loss to California followed by surrendering 705 total yards against Louisville and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. They surrendered 316 yards against Old Dominion and 388 against Duke, but now will face the challenge of slowing the Yellow Jackets' option attack. UNC has won three straight meetings, but has surrendered an average of 335 yards rushing in those games.

BENSON BREAKING OUT: Sophomore KirVonte Benson is emerging as the Yellow Jackets' most productive running back. He had 29 carries for 196 yards and two touchdowns - and two lost fumbles - against Pittsburgh. He opened the season with 124 yards rushing against Tennessee. Benson's 196 yards were the most for a B-back in Johnson's 10 seasons, topping Anthony Allen's 195 yards against Virginia on Oct. 9, 2010.

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Aztecs reaching rare heights, host Huskies
September 29, 2017

SAN DIEGO (AP) Behind star running back Rashaad Penny, the undefeated San Diego State Aztecs are reaching heights they haven't attained in decades.

Their No. 19 ranking matches their highest spot since 1978.

When the Aztecs (4-0) host Northern Illinois (2-1) on Saturday night, it'll be their first home game as a nationally ranked team since Nov. 11, 1995, at what was then Jack Murphy Stadium.

That didn't turn out so well. The No. 25 Aztecs lost 34-31 to Wyoming and promptly fell out of the rankings.

These Aztecs understand what they face even as their fans hope for not only a third straight Mountain West Conference title, but the Group of Five's berth in a major bowl.

''I think it's definitely motivation,'' junior safety Parker Baldwin said. ''We were talking about it the other day. The Top 25 , it's recognition but at the same time, it is a target. It's like a warrant for your arrest. Everyone is coming for you. Northern Illinois is definitely going to want to knock us off, especially after they knocked off Nebraska two weeks ago, and they're coming off a bye week, too, so they're going to have a lot of motivation coming in here. They're a really good, athletic, physical team and we can't overlook anyone on our schedule because you know any given Saturday, anything can happen.''

Northern Illinois is coming off a 21-17 upset at Nebraska. A year ago, SDSU beat the Huskies 42-28 in DeKalb.

Here are some things to look for when the Aztecs step out of MWC play to host the Huskies:

NO DELAYS, PLEASE: There was an 88-minute lightning delay during SDSU's victory at Air Force last week, which came with the Aztecs trailing 9-0. The previous Saturday at home, there was a 25-minute delay against then-No. 19 Stanford when most of the stadium lights went out while the Aztecs were driving for the eventual go-ahead score.

''That's a bad luck deal if you ask me. Now, it turned out OK,'' SDSU coach Rocky Long said. ''You hate to see a drive stopped with that kind of momentum. Then last week, we benefited from a lightning strike. I think it really helped us. So does that mean that the next one is going to go against us again? I don't know what's going to happen this week. Hopefully we won't have any more of those this year.''

NO HEISMAN HYPE: So far, there's no Heisman campaign for Penny, the nation's second-leading rusher. Last year, the Aztecs pushed for D.J. Pumphrey, who was on his way to breaking the NCAA career rushing record.

''Well, last year we thought we had a legitimate candidate because of past performance,'' Long said. ''This year we didn't have a legitimate candidate because he was the backup running back last year so why would you have a pre-arranged campaign for him? And it seems to work better since we didn't do it. We thought he was going to be that good, obviously, but if you don't have a record to show that he was that good in the past, there's no reason to pre-hype him and it seems to be working better that we didn't pre-hype him.''

PENNY: The senior won the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week Award for a record fourth straight week. Although he had a season-low 128 yards in the 28-24 victory against Air Force, he tied a career high with three touchdowns, including the game-winning 53-yard run with 5:39 left.

Penny averages 179 yards, second to Stanford's Bryce Love, who averages 196.8.

THE HUSKIES: Northern Illinois CB Shawun Lurry had an 87-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter of the upset at Nebraska, tying the school record with his second career pick-six. Jawuan Johnson followed with a 25-yard pick-six for a 14-0 lead.

''We know them pretty well because we played them last year,'' Long said. ''They're big and strong up front and they're very, very talented and skilled at the positions they need to be talented and skilled at and there's a reason they're one of the non-Power Five schools with the best record and not long ago they played in the Orange Bowl. It's a very good program that's run by a very good coaching staff and they've got talented players. That's why they're good.''

THE STADIUM: This will be the first game since San Diego County Credit Union took over naming rights at what had been known as Qualcomm Stadium. The Huskies haven't played SDSU in San Diego since 1971, but played in the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium in 2006, 2013 and 2015.