No. 23 Wisconsin (3-1, 1-0 Big 10) vs. No. 4 Ohio State (4-0)
If you haven’t had a chance to watch Wisconsin sophomore running back Melvin Gordon yet, then forget everything and watch him take on No. 4 Ohio State. Gordon, an amazing blend of speed and power, has 624 yards in only four games and is averaging an obscene 11.8 yards per carry.While Gordon is Wisconsin’s preeminent playmaker, the Buckeyes get their best playmaker back. After missing the better part of three games with a knee injury, Heisman Trophy hopeful Braxton Miller returns to action this week for Ohio State.
The best part of this game is that it stack up to be a knock-down, drag-out war between two physical running teams. The Buckeyes rank fifth in the country in rushing yards per game, averaging (311) and the Badgers are third in the country in the same category averaging 349 yards per game.
No. 6 LSU (4-0, 1-0 SEC) vs. No. 9 Georgia (2-1, 1-0 SEC)
The only top-10 matchup of the weekend features a great battle of running backs and quarterbacks.LSU’s top two running backs, sophomore Jeremy Hill and junior Terrence Magee are both averaging more than seven yards per carry. Georgia’s stud runner, sophomore Todd Gurley is averaging six yards per carry and has four touchdowns.
However, as good as these running back are, this game will probably go to whoever’s quarterback plays the best. Gerogia senior quarterback Aaron Murray has an outstanding quarterback rating of 201.8 so far and is completing 72 percent of his passes. Meanwhile, Tigers’ senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger isn’t far behind Murray. Mettenberger’s quarterback rating is slightly lower than Murray’s at 193.6 while his raw QBR is actually higher at 88.3 to Murray’s 84.3.
While these two schools are typically known for hard-hitting defenses, this game is a fantastic offensive showcase.
Small School Game to Watch: Toledo (2-2, 1-0 MAC) vs. Ball State (3-1, 1-0 MAC)
Ball State loves to throw the ball around, and they score a lot of points doing it. The Cardinals are No. 12 in the country in passing yards per game (336) and average 42.3 points per contest. Senior quarterback Keith Wenning leads the Cardinals’ aerial assault, is tied for No. 2 in the country in passing yards with 1,315.While Ball State gets things done through the air, Toledo does its damage on the ground. Rockets’ senior running back David Fluellen averages 6.7 yards per carry and has 497 rushing yards and four touchdowns through Toledo’s first four games.
Reach the reporter at ejsmith7@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @EricSmith_SP
