College football preview: Week 7

Published October 13, 2011 4:00am ET



LOCAL GAMES No. 19 Virginia Tech at Wake Forest

When » Saturday, 6:30 p.m.

Where » BB&T Field,

Winston-Salem, N.C.

Radio » 106.7 FM

Will the real Logan Thomas please stand up? A week after a putrid showing in a 23-3 loss to Clemson, Thomas was brilliant (23-for-25, 310 yards) in a 38-35 victory over Miami. Virginia Tech (5-1, 1-1) will need more of the latter against Wake Forest (4-1, 3-0), which should be able to score against a depleted Hokies defense. Josh Harris (91 carries, 412 yards) and Tanner Price (1,352 yards passing, 10 touchdowns) lead a balanced Demon Deacons offense.

Navy at Rutgers

When » Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

Where » Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis

TV » CBS College Sports

Despite leading the nation in rushing (366 ypg), Navy (2-3) has lost three straight for the first time since 2002 and faces a rigorous test at Rutgers (4-1), which has allowed just 15.2 points a game. The Scarlet Knights have thrived by forcing 22 turnovers and committing eight for a national-best 2.8 margin. After yielding 98 points the last two weeks, the Mids should improve against a limited Rutgers offense that strives for balance but averages only 2.1 yards a carry.

No. 12 Georgia Tech at Virginia

When » Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

Where » Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, Va.

TV » ESPNU

After a bye week, Virginia (3-2, 0-1) enters rested as it attempts to solve the triple-option of Georgia Tech (6-0, 3-0), which ranks fourth in the nation in total offense (553 yards per game). This is the highest-ranked foe in the tenure of Virginia second-year coach Mike London. One interesting subplot: Former Virginia coach Al Groh now coordinates the 3-4 defense of Georgia Tech. Last year in Atlanta, Virginia yielded 477 yards rushing in a 33-21 loss.

Georgetown at Howard

When » Saturday, 1 p.m.

Where » Greene Stadium

Coming off a dramatic 29-28 victory at Florida A&M in which it scored all of its points in the fourth quarter — including 16 in the final 1:27 — Howard (3-3) will attempt to win its third in a row. The last time the Bison accomplished the feat was 2004. Georgetown (4-2) is hoping to end its program-record streak of 11 losing seasons. The teams met for the first time in 2008, with the Hoyas winning 12-7. In 2009, Howard exacted revenge in another defensive struggle 14-11.

Top five games of Week 7

5

No. 20 Baylor at No. 21 Texas A&M » This is a battle of balanced offenses. Baylor is the nation’s only team that averages more than 300 yards passing and 200 rushing. Texas A&M averages 273 yards passing and 220 rushing. Expect another Big 12 shootout as Bears quarterback Robert Griffin III, who leads the nation with 19 touchdown passes, duels the Aggies’ Ryan Tannehill. (Saturday, noon, FX)

4

Ohio State vs. No. 16 Illinois » It’s unusual to find Ohio State (3-3) in a spoiler role, but that’s the Buckeyes’ situation after back-to-back Big 10 losses. Doubts remain about the Illini, who registered consecutive three-point victories over Arizona State, Western Michigan and Northwestern. Illinois has lost eight straight at home to Ohio State. (Saturday, 3:30?p.m., ESPN)

3

No. 6 Oklahoma State at No. 22 Texas » The Cowboys have won just three times in 25 tries against Texas but can make it two in a row over the Longhorns. Texas must find a way to deal with Brandon Weeden, who threw for 409 yards in last year’s 33-16 win in Austin, and Justin Blackmon, who had nine receptions for 145 yards. Oklahoma State leads the nation in scoring (51.4 ppg). (Saturday, 3:30?p.m., ABC)

2

No. 11 Michigan at No. 23 Michigan State » After Michigan beat Michigan State for the sixth straight time in 2007, Mike Hart referred to the Spartans as the “little brother” in the rivalry. Since then, the Wolverines have lost all three meetings, including the last two when they were ranked and unbeaten. The same scenario sets up Saturday as the Spartans (4-1) try to contain Denard Robinson. (Saturday, noon, ESPN)

1

No. 18 Arizona State at No. 9 Oregon »

Two streaks are at play here as the Ducks try to beat the Wildcats for the seventh straight time and register their 20th consecutive win at Autzen Stadium. LaMichael James (170 ypg), the nation’s leading rusher, probably won’t play after injuring his elbow last week, but linebacker Michael Clay seems ready to return to terrorize Sun Devils quarterback Brock Osweiler. (Saturday, 10:15 p.m., ESPN)

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