Game of the Week:
Air Force vs. TCU
Air Force has not scored an offensive touchdown in the past nine quarters, and now the Falcons must face one of the nation's toughest defenses. Air Force is number two in the nation in rushing offense, but TCU leads the country in rushing defense. In four of the past six games between the teams, TCU has held Air Force to 14 or fewer points. FB Jared Tew will be the focal point of TCU's defense this week, because when the fullback is contained, most triple option teams struggle to continuously move the ball. Expect a big game from TCU's Daryl Washington, who is one of the best linebackers in the nation. The keys to this game remain Air Force run offense versus TCU run defense.
Best Mid Major vs. BCS:
The 14th-ranked Nittany Lions will try to keep racking up rushing yards Saturday afternoon when they step out of conference for the final time to host Football Championship Subdivision foe Eastern Illinois and quarterback Jake Christensen, who is no stranger to playing in Big Ten stadiums. Penn State (4-1) outscored its first three non-conference opponents 90-20, but hardly looked dominant rushing the ball, gaining 4.0 yards per carry after averaging 6.5 outside of league play a year ago. Eastern Illinois (4-1) has allowed 2.7 yards per carry in its first five games, but they will not have the luxury of facing another lower-tier team this week. This will be the third consecutive year the Panthers have faced a Big Ten team, their most recent experience against Illinois was not pleasant. Illinois ran for 399 yards and five touchdowns posting a 47-21 win. The Nittany Lions have won 19 straight non-conference home games and have outscored their two most recent FCS opponents 103-13. Don't expect that to change this week as the Lions look to extend that streak to 20.
Here's your chance, now show us what you can do:
Southern Miss lost starting quarterback Austin Davis for the season to a knee injury, meaning backup Martevius Young is now in the spotlight. Young, a junior, has thrown nine passes in his career, completing six for twenty four yards. He has also rushed for 82 yards. He complements his strong arm with some decent mobility, but the question remains as to whether he is proficient in the offense. He will make his first start on Saturday against Louisville, and it would help him if RB Damien Fletcher and WR DeAndre Brown are healthy and playing. Fletcher has been bothered by a groin problem, Brown by a shoulder problem. Neither played last week in their loss to UAB.
Mid Major Picks of the Week:
Southern Miss 17 Louisville 24
UTEP 27 Memphis 21
Boise State 35 Tulsa 24
Western Michigan 28 Toledo 21
LA Tech 14 Nevada 31
Utah 34 Colorado State 24