Line: Oklahoma by 7.
Series Record: Tied, 3-3.
Last meeting: 2007, Oklahoma 51-13.
What’s at Stake
Oklahoma returns to the scene of last year’s BCS championship game loss to Florida, looking for a third consecutive shutout following a 14-13 loss to BYU in the opener. For Miami, this game is all about seeing where the program really is. Two years ago, the Hurricanes went to Oklahoma and lost by 38 points.
Key Matchup
Oklahoma DE Jeremy Beal vs. Miami LT Jason Fox. Beal had a career-best three sacks against Tulsa in one of the most complete games of his career. He’ll be stepping up in class this week. Fox is a Texas native who took the loss at Oklahoma two years ago especially personally, and Miami’s most experienced player knows the Hurricanes must be able to run against the nation’s No. 1 rush defense to have a legitimate shot.
Players to Watch
Oklahoma: LB Ryan Reynolds. Not Oklahoma’s best defensive player, but the leader after coming back from three significant injuries in his career. He had 13 tackles against Tulsa, matching his total from the season’s first two games, and if he gets rolling against Miami’s run game, it’s clearly an advantage for the Sooners.
Miami: QB Jacory Harris. He still hasn’t lost a high school or college game that he’s started in his hometown, and knows he’s expected to bounce back after completing 9 of 25 passes in last week’s debacle at Virginia Tech.
Facts & Figures
Miami says the Oklahoma offense won’t change either way, but prepared for both Sooners QBs, Landry Jones and injured Heisman winner Sam Bradford. … It’s the first meeting in Miami between the teams since the Hurricanes won the Orange Bowl for the national championship at the end of the 1987 season. … Sooners have given up a paltry 670 yards in three games, only 122 of those on the ground.
Arkansas (1-2) vs. Texas A&M (3-0) at Arlington, Texas, 7:30 p.m. EDT (ESPN2)
Line: Arkansas by 1 1/2.
Series Record: Arkansas leads 38-24-3.
Last meeting: 1991, Texas A&M 13-3.
What’s at Stake
The former Southwest Conference rivals meet for the first time in 18 years at the new Cowboys stadium. Texas A&M brings in the nation’s top offense and hasn’t started 4-0 since 2006. Arkansas, which has dropped consecutive SEC games, has been prone to the big play, allowing six touchdowns of 40 yards or more the past two games.
Key Matchup
Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett vs. Texas A&M LB Von Miller. Mallett has thrown for 877 yards and seven touchdowns in coach Bobby Petrino’s pass-happy offense. The sophomore struggled last week, going 12-of-35 for 160 yards against the Crimson Tide. Miller has caused problems for opposing offenses, leading the nation with eight sacks. The Aggies have piled up 14 quarterback takedowns this season.
Players to Watch
Arkansas: RB Dennis Johnson averages 32.8 yards on kickoff returns. The sophomore opened the season with a 91-yarder for a TD against Missouri State.
Texas A&M: QB Jerrod Johnson has thrown for 961 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception as the Aggies lead the nation in total offense (574.3 yards per game).
New Mexico (0-4) at Texas Tech (2-2), 3:30 p.m. EDT (FSN)
Line: Texas Tech by 3 1/2.
Series Record: Texas Tech leads 32-6.
Last Meeting: 2004, New Mexico 27-24.
What’s at Stake
Texas Tech is coming off back-to-back losses, to No. 2 Texas and No. 12 Houston, something that hasn’t happened to the Red Raiders in a season’s first month since 2001. New Mexico and first-year coach Mike Locksley are looking for their first win this season. Locksley was reprimanded Monday for a fight involving an assistant coach, who told police Locksley struck him and split his lip.
Key Matchup
New Mexico’s defense vs. Texas Tech’s offensive line. The Red Raiders will be short-handed up front after coach Mike Leach suspended top OL Brandon Carter indefinitely for violating team rules after their 29-28 loss to the Cougars. The Lobos are 107th nationally in total defense, but they also have 10 QB sacks in four games.
Players to watch
New Mexico: DE Johnathan Rainey has posted two multiple-sack games and had nine tackles (3.5 for loss) in the Lobos’ 20-17 loss to New Mexico State.
Texas Tech: QB Taylor Potts, whose two college losses equal the number he had in two years as a starter in high school, threw for 321 yards last weekend. Potts leads the nation with 1,602 yards and 13 TDs in the air.
Kent State (2-2) at Baylor (2-1), 7 p.m. EDT (FSN)
Line: No line.
Series Record: First meeting.
What’s at Stake
Baylor begins life with standout QB Robert Griffin, who suffered a season-ending right knee injury. The Bears close out non-conference play before opening their Big 12 schedule against No. 8 Oklahoma on Oct. 10. Kent State plays its second Big 12 team in three weeks. The Golden Flashes lost to Iowa State 34-14 on Sept. 19.
Key Matchup
Baylor’s quarterback vs. Kent State safety Brian Lainhart. Bears backup Blake Szymanski is recovering from a bruised shoulder that he sustained after replacing Griffin on night. The two quarterbacks behind him are freshmen Nick Florence and Brody Trahan. Szymanski said Tuesday that he felt better and would “probably be ready to go.” Lainhart intercepted his fourth pass in Kent State’s 29-19 victory over Miami, Ohio. The junior has 10 picks in his last 11 games.
Players to Watch
Kent State QBs Giorgio Morgan and Spencer Keith. Both signal callers are expected to see action. Morgan, who has battled an ankle injury, is expected to start. Keith has 381 yards passing and four TDs this season.
Baylor: RB Jay Finley is listed as probable after missing Baylor’s game against Northwestern State with an injured ankle. Finley leads the team with 212 yards on 22 carries.
Kansas State (2-2) vs. Iowa State (3-1) at Kansas City, 3 p.m. ET (Fox College Sports)
Line: Iowa State by 3
Series Record: Iowa State 49-39-4.
Last Meeting: Kansas State 38-30 (2008)
What’s at Stake
This is a big one for the Cyclones, who are off to their best start since 2005. Beat the Wildcats and Iowa State is just two wins shy of bowl eligibility heading into the teeth of its Big 12 schedule. Kansas State has yet to beat an FBS program this season, so a win over the Cyclones would be a much-needed shot of confidence.
Key Matchup
Iowa State’s kick return coverage vs. Kansas State KR Brandon Banks. This one figures to be a close one, so field position will be critical. Banks brought back a pair of kick returns for touchdowns in a 49-7 romp over Tennessee Tech last week. Iowa State is allowing opponents to gain just 17.25 yards per return, good for 12th in the nation.
Players to Watch
Kansas State: RB Daniel Thomas. He’s already racked up 433 yards on the ground, and Iowa State is 85th in the nation in run defense. Kansas State hasn’t had much success throwing the ball this season, so it’ll need to make sure Thomas has space to run.
Iowa State: WR Marquis Hamilton. WR Darius Reynolds broke his leg in practice this week, a damaging blow to a passing game that’s been spotty at best. Hamilton is Iowa State’s best receiver, with 266 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and he’ll need to make plays in Reynolds’ absence.
