LOCAL GAMES
Louisiana Tech at Virginia
When » Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Where » Scott Stadium,
Charlottesville
Radio » ESPN 570 AM
Before the season, this game didn't look particularly daunting, coming at home against a team from the Western Athletic Conference. But the high-powered offense of Louisiana Tech (3-0) will pose a serious challenge to the defense of Virginia (2-2). The balanced Bulldogs have rung up at least 50 points in shootout wins over Illinois, Houston and Rice, ranking third in the nation in points (54.7) and 22nd in both passing (304 ypg) and rushing (232 ypg).
San Jose State at Navy
When » Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Where » Navy-Marine Corps
Memorial Stadium, Annapolis
TV/radio » CBSSN, 1500 AM
After stops at Nevada and a junior college, David Fales is leading a revival at San Jose State (3-1) and already has been dubbed the Spartans' best quarterback since Jeff Garcia (1992). Fales threw four touchdown passes as San Jose rallied last week to win at San Diego State. This is a tough matchup for Navy (1-2), which has struggled in pass efficiency defense, ranking 81st in the nation. The Midshipmen will try to counter with their grind-it-out offense led by junior quarterback Trey Miller.
Brown at Georgetown
When » Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where » Multi-Sport Field
Georgetown (3-1) is coming off one of the greatest wins in program history, a 21-20 victory at Princeton on national television that broke its 13-game losing streak against Ivy League teams. Against Brown (1-1), the Hoyas will try to make it two in a row against Ivy teams. Georgetown linebacker Robert McCabe, who leads the FCS in tackles (13.8 per game), looks to lasso running back Spiro Theodhosi (102 ypg) and quarterback Patrick Donnelly (267 ypg), who ranks 15th in the FCS.
Savannah State at Howard
When » Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where » Greene Stadium
After a bye week, Howard (2-1) tries to win its second straight in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference following a 37-36 overtime defeat of defending conference champion Norfolk State. In games against ranked Oklahoma State and Florida State, Savannah State (0-3) was outscored 139-0. Last year Howard ended its 29-game conference losing streak at Savannah State 34-14 as quarterback Greg McGhee threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter and added a 57-yard scoring run.
TOP Five GAMES
5 No. 12 Texas at Oklahoma State » After playing Alabama in the 2009 BCS title game, the Longhorns suffered two subpar seasons, going 6-11 in the Big 12, including a pair of decisive losses to the Cowboys in Austin. But Texas (3-0) is on the rebound behind sophomore quarterback David Ash, who has yet to throw a pick and ranks third nationally in passing efficiency. (Saturday, 7:50 p.m., Fox)
4 No. 18 Oregon State at Arizona » With upsets of top-20 teams Wisconsin and UCLA, Oregon State deserves its rank, but there is some doubt about the legitimacy of a team that went 3-9 a year ago. This is a duel between quarterbacks who rank first (Sean Mannion of Oregon State) and second (Matt Scott of Arizona) in the Pac-12 in passing yards a game. (Saturday, 10 p.m.)
3 Wisconsin at No. 22 Nebraska » A month ago this figured to be a clash of Big Ten titans. Now it is a struggle to remain relevant as both have struggled. Last year the Cornhuskers got a rude introduction to the Big Ten as Montee Ball rushed for 151 yards and four touchdowns. Ball says he will play despite leaving last week's game against UTEP with a concussion. (Saturday, 8 p.m., ABC)
2 No. 14 Ohio State at No. 20 Michigan State » In the embattled Big Ten, the best news as the top two teams in the conference meet is that one has to win. All the wins for the Buckeyes (4-0) have come at home, none in impressive fashion, although sophomore dual-threat quarterback Braxton Miller has emerged as a Tebow-style Heisman candidate under Urban Meyer. (Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC)
1 No. 25 Baylor at No. 9 West Virginia » The Mountaineers (3-0) begin play in the Big 12 appropriately with a potential shootout against the Bears (3-0). While West Virginia averages 47.3 points per game and ranks third in the nation in passing (370 ypg) behind Geno Smith, Baylor averages 51.3 points and 362 passing yards behind Nick Florence. (Saturday, noon, FX)
