Conference Matchups

Before you head out the door for your saturday activities (mow that yard, rushin the kids to the latest soccer game, or even to travel down to Lavell Edwards stadium) here's a quick look at the conference matchups that will take place this weekend.

The team up north will travel to confines of Romney stadium to take on the Aggies which will likely be a lopsided affair. Defensive linemen Kenape Eliapo (broken foot) and Lei Talamaivao (broken fibula) will definately be scratched. Safety Robert Johnson is nursing a hamstring while OL Zane Beadles is dealing with a knee issue but both should see action. Quarterback Brian Johnson will again direct the offense (very well could be sitting by halftime). Matt Asiata and Darrell Mack seem to be splitting the carries. Asiata has 24 carries with 111 yards while Mack has 21 attempts on 85 yards. Wide receiver Freddie Brown comes into todays matchup with 7 recs on 119 yards. Former walkon Bradon Godfrey is sportin 10 recs on 115 yards. The aggies don't have a whole lot of offensive firepower. Quarterback Diondre Borel does have 3 TDs and no INTs with 101 rushing yards. Wide receiver Otis Nelson has 11 receptions for 104 yards so far this season. Beyond that the offensive cupboard seems pretty bare. CBSsportsline has the aggies ranked 119 (that's NOT a positive sign). The only question will be at what point do the yewt starters come out.

Air-izona State takes on UNLV at home. They are a pass first unit that ranks 6th nationally. The only question might be will they look ahead to two weeks when they face Georgia. Rudy Carpenter owns a 76.6 competion percentage with 4 TDs and 1 INT including 733 yards. Carpenter can definately stretch a field. His receivers Michael Jones (12 rec for 241 yards yes a 20.1 average) and Kerry Taylor (9 rec for 185 yards) will play a major role. Look for Rudy to direct the offense to another 300+ yard game. On the bright side for UNLV the rebels head into todays contest as only one of two teams thus far without a turnover (Florida is the other team). Frank "The Tank" Summers continues to roll with 27 carries for 174 yards and 2 TDs. The rebels QB Omar Clayton is playing wonderful so far with 4 TDs and no INTs. Keep in mind last year Omar was a 5th string walk on. Good news for the rebels is that after todays game the next 6 of 8 are at home.

The San Diego State Aztecs have plenty of work in front of them as they travel to San Jose State. Freshman Ryan Lindley is averaging 313 yards a game good for 10th nationally with 626 total yards for the Aztecs. Lindley understands the ball distribution. Vincent Brown has 10 rec for 117 yards. Matthew Kawulok owns 12 rec for 112 yards and Brandon Sullivan is looking at 11 rec for 71 yards. The San Jose State Spartans are stingy against the run at 80 yards a game (keep in mind the Aztecs only rushes for 49 yards a game). It won't get any easier for the Spartans who will face Stanford next. San Jose State should be able to defend the home territory this week.

Stanford is on the road and will face TCU and will try to avenge last years loss (TCU won 38-36). Coach Jim Harbaugh "It was a tough competitive game last year". This may be rather similar in a slugfest to the finish. Despite a 1-1 record Stanford is 2nd in the nation against the run at 29.5 yards a game. Yeah that's right. Keep in mind they matched up already against Oregon State and Arizona State. The cardinals RB Toby Gerhart has 35 attempts for 214 yards and a 6.1 carry average. The horned frogs have Ryan Christian filling in at RB for Aaron Brown (still no word on his status who has missed both game for violation of university policy) and who has performed admirably (22 rush for 107 yards). TCU should be able to take care of business at hand.

Mike Stoops will take his Arizona Wildcats to New Mexico and should be able to avenge last years loss 29-27 at home. Willie Tuitama has thrown 42 of 54 for 5 TDs while Nic Grigsby takes care of business on the ground with 5 TDs and 304 yards. The Lobos seem to be in a funk. Quarterback Donovan Porterie only passed for 191 yards with 3 INTs and nothin in the end zone. On a positive Rodney Ferguson ran wild against Texas A&M last week for 135 yards with 2 TDs. Next week's matchup at Tulsa won't be any easier. Gotta take a stand somewhere.

Due to Hurricane Ike (prayers go out to all those involved) the game between Air Force and Houston has been moved to SMU. Coach Troy Calhoun's team faces the nations top passing team which is average 427 yards a game. Look for the Falcons secondary to be tested and tested often. Quarterback Shea Smith has run for 32 times for 134 yards while starting back Kyle Lumpkin has posted 35 times to run for 148 yards. Falcon's top WR Kevin Fogler only has 3 rec for 69 yards. Sophomore QB for Houston Case Keenum has thrown already for 779 yards finding the end zone 9 times. Case has no INTs in the last 170 attempts. The Cougars definately know how to lit up a scoreboard and test a secondary. Starter Mark Hafner has 15 rec for 182 yards. At the other wideout is Patrick Edwards (redshirt freshman by the way) has 12 rec for 161 yards.

Lastly the North Dakota State (Bisons) member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference to head to confines of Wyoming. Of the Bisons Cowboys coach Glenn stated "Don't give me any stuff about them being I-AA team. These kids aren't intimidated. In fact, I'd say they play with a chip on their shoulder...". According to cbssportsline Wyoming ranks 118 and the matchups won't get any easier who will face the Cougs next week. The Cowboys are definately at a corral crossroads. The Bisons top RB and preseason all american Tyler Roehl suffered a sprained ankle in last weeks victory over Central Connecticut. Tyler does have 19 carries for 174 yards (yes a 9.2 average). Last season Roehl scampered for over 1430 yards even going off for 200 plus yards three times. Nick Mertens has passed for 490 yards with a 6-1 TD INT ratio. Wide receiver Kole Keckendorf has 9 catches for 203 yards. With a 22.6 average Kole knows how to get stretch a field. North Dakota State is currently ranked #2 in the FB subdivision. Bisons will put up a good fight at War Memorial Stadium.