WEEK EIGHT PREVIEW
Biggest news: Oklahoma (3-1) dropped all the way from #4/5 to #17/20 following their blowout loss in the Red River Shootout (to a previously 0-3 Longhorn team), leaving Missouri (4-0, #8/8) as the only Big 8 team in the top 10.
Oregon (5-1, #9/9) leapfrogged Arizona State (5-1, #10/17), the only team to defeat them, as the top-ranked team with one loss.
It's rare when a team that records a 52-31 win over Florida in the Swamp actually drops in the rankings. LSU (4-2, #21/21) managed to fall a couple spots, with undefeated Utah (4-0, #19/18) and Duke (4-0, #20/19) jumping the Tigers.
Also, news coming out of the ACC regarding the Blue Devils - senior QB Anthony Boone, who was averaging nearly 350 passing yards per game with a nation-leading rating of 213.3, will miss the rest of the season due to broken vertebrae suffered during a win over Indiana. He may qualify for a medical redshirt due to only playing in three games in 2014.
Top games:
#3/3 UCLA (5-0) at #22/NR Stanford (3-2): The Bruins had better not look past the Cardinal even though they face Oregon at the Rose Bowl next week. Both of Stanford's losses have come at home, so UCLA certainly won't be intimidated by the venue at the Farm.
NR/#24 USC (3-2) at #7/7 Notre Dame (6-0): Already the fifth road game for Steve Sarkisian's Trojans, they look to rebound from last Thursday's 37-34 loss at Arizona. The Irish have started 6-0, winning each game by at least 18 points but have played only one major/power school, 1-5 Penn State.
#8/8 Missouri (4-0) at #23/25 Nebraska (3-1): The Tigers have been slaughtering foes by an average score of 50-17, but those victories have all come at home over Georgia State, Old Dominion, Tulsa, and USF - not exactly a tough slate. Nebraska lost their opener at surprising Toledo (5-1) but have won two tough road games at Pittsburgh and Miami-FL since.
#11/10 Ole Miss (5-1) at #21/21 LSU (4-2): The Tigers come into this one fresh off the heels of their finest offensive performance of the season, a 52-31 thrashing at Florida. Anthony Jennings appears to have seized the QB job, accounting for 372 yards of offense and five touchdowns against the Gators. LSU may need a similar showing against the Rebels, who barely allow over 20 PPG.
#16/13 Ohio State (3-1) at #24/22 Iowa (3-1): The Hawkeyes fought valiantly against Michigan State in a 24-17 loss two weeks ago and had a bye to prepare for the other Big Ten favorite, Ohio State. The Buckeyes have scored at least 45 points in each of their three wins.
Barring an injury, the top three quarterbacks all appear to be on the invite list to the Downtown Athletic Club. It is still early, but they have far and away been the best players in the country. Melvin Gordon has himself on the fringe as the top running back while this week Everett Golson, the starting QB for the 6-0 Fighting Irish, replaces FSU WR Rashad Greene on the list. Golson has struggled with accuracy, but with the excellent TD:INT ratio and an undefeated record at one of the traditional powers, he has some support. Godson has a chance to move up the list as Notre Dame hosts rivals USC this week.
HUSKY PREVIEW
Following the blowout loss to Oregon, UW gets to host the only team to beat the Ducks this year, Arizona State. Much like Oregon, who have now won 11 straight over the Huskies, ASU has owned the Dawgs of late, winning the past eight meetings.
It won't be easy to snap that streak this week as the Sun Devils are averaging over 50 PPG the last three weeks, and that includes games with Oregon and USC, not exactly the little sisters of the poor. Their offense has been extremely balanced, averaging over 300 yards passing and 200 yards rushing.
Due to a lack of depth at running back (both Dwayne Washington and Lavon Coleman will be out because of injuries), OLB Shaq Thompson will see some action on both sides of the ball. LG Dexter Charles will miss his second game of the season after leaving practice Thursday with a sprained knee.