Mid Major Game of the Week:
Arkansas State vs. Troy
Watch for an exciting game as defenses and offenses clash in this matchup between two teams that look to be the best in the Sun Belt Conference. The Red Wolves have not been able to become Troy, and dominate every year, but they have been able to maintain a high level of play under coach Steve Roberts, and have been able to bring in some excellent talent, who have been among the best in the Sun Belt. Arkansas State running back Reggie Arnold versus the Troy front seven will be a key matchup for each squad. Troy will travel to Arkansas State, and stopping
Arnold is a must for the Trojans. Arnold has already rushed for 209 yards and five touchdowns this season, and he is looking to become just the eighth player in major-college history with four consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. Arnold has 25 career rushing touchdowns, but none against Troy, who has limited him to 214 yards rushing in three games. Troy will rely heavily on Boris Lee and Bear Woods, who make up the best linebacking duo in the Sun Belt.
Best Mid Major vs. BCS Game:
All of the weapons are in line for this Saturday night matchup to be a shootout between the Houston Cougars and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Houston is ranked for the first time since 1991, and the Cougars are a one point favorite over the Red Raiders, who fell to Texas by 10 last week. Both teams run versions of the spread offense, and both teams love to throw. Tech averages 444.3 throwing yards per game, which leads the nation, while Houston is fourth in the nation averaging 406.5 ypg. Both quarterbacks, Tech's Taylor Potts and Houston's Case Keenum are from Abilene, Texas, but have never played each other. Potts has thrown 12 TDs this season, Keenum, 7. Despite offensive weapons for both teams, Houston coach Kevin Sumlin is worried about Tech's defense. Tech had eight tackles for loss against Texas, and did not allow an offensive touchdown in the first half. Expect a large crowd and a game dominated by offense.
Here's your chance, now show us what you can do:
Southern Mississippi will put the school's longest winning streak since 1958 on the line when they visit number 19 Kansas on Saturday. The Eagles have won 8 straight dating back to last season, but will face their biggest challenged against 3-0 Kansas and quarteback Todd Reesing. The senior is 26-7 as a starting quarterback, and holds the nation's longest streak of games with a touchdown pass at 21. The JayHawks offense is currently ranked 3rd and posts an average of 42 points per contest. This week, Reesing's offense will face its toughest test yet, a USM defense that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 8 games. This will be a challenge to see what the USM players are made of. Look for them to respond to the challenge and play well.
Mid Major Madness Picks of the Week:
Cincinnati 27 Fresno State 16
TCU 28 Clemson 21
Colorado State 17 BYU 23
UCF 20 East Carolina 24
Missouri 31 Nevada 24