Who'll Stay Perfect?
NO. 2 OKLAHOMA (4-0) VS. NO. 5 TEXAS (4-0) AT DALLAS
This could be Texas's best chance in years to beat Oklahoma, but with the Sooners stacking nine in the box against RB Cedric Benson, sophomore QB Vince Young will have to prove he can throw downfield and convert on third-and-long. Oklahoma's offense is well balanced, with sensational freshman RB Adrian Peterson and underappreciated receiver Mark Clayton (22 receptions, 320 yards). Texas has one of the best linebackers in the country in the speedy, athletic Derrick Johnson, but while the Sooners' defense may not be as star-studded as last year, it's plenty good enough to shut down the Longhorns.
PREDICTION
Oklahoma 35, Texas 24
NO. 7 CAL (3-0) AT NO. 1 USC (4-0)
Can the 11th-ranked Cal defense clamp down on the most explosive player in the nation? Multiple-threat sophomore Reggie Bush is averaging 212.8 all-purpose yards for the Trojans, and the Bears must find a way to limit his big plays. This game also features two top wideouts: Cal's Chase Lyman had five catches for 176 yards against Oregon State last week, and USC's Steve Smith ranks 20th in the nation with 6.3 catches per game. The Bears were the only team to beat Southern Cal in '03; this year they lead the nation in scoring (48.7 ppg) and rank second in total offense (539 ypg). Ready for another upset?
PREDICTION
Cal 38, USC 35
NO. 13 MINNESOTA (5-0) AT NO. 14 MICHIGAN (4-1)
Unstoppable force, meet immovable object. Minnesota boasts the best one-two rushing punch in the nation in RBs Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney, who've combined for 254.4 yards per game; Michigan has the nation's top rushing defense (a scant 47.2 yards per game). A stalemate on that front means the game could come down to the quarterbacks, where Minnesota has the edge. Golden Gophers sophomore Bryan Cupito has thrown seven TDs and just one interception. Michigan true freshman Chad Henne, while promising, has been inconsistent and could be susceptible to pressure.
PREDICTION
Minnesota 24, Michigan 20
NO. 17 TENNESSEE (3-1) AT NO. 3 GEORGIA (4-0)
The bad news: Tennessee true freshman quarterback Erik Ainge had trouble with Auburn's pressure (four INTs) in a 34-10 loss last Saturday. The worse news: The Bulldogs' defense is much better than Auburn's. After looking sluggish at the beginning of the season, Georgia unveiled a ground attack led by freshman RB Danny Ware (95.0 rushing yards per game) and showed why it's a national championship contender in routing LSU, 45--16. Reality bit Tennessee against Auburn, and now Volunteers rookie Ainge gets to find out what life is like on the road in the nation's toughest conference.
PREDICTION
Georgia 42, Tennessee 10
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JOSH MERWIN (CLAYTON)
Clayton
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CALEB SIMPSON/ICON SMI (JOHNSON)
Johnson
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TODD BIGELOW/AURORA (LYMAN)
Lyman
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PETER READ MILLER (SMITH)
Smith
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JOHN BIEVER (CUPITO; HENNE)
Cupito
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JOHN BIEVER (CUPITO; HENNE)
Henne
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AL TIELEMANS (AINGE)
Ainge
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BOB ROSATO (WARE)
Ware