This week's games of the week showcase a pair of SEC duels and a potential shootout in the Big 12 followed by another side of some MACtion in the Small School Game of the Week.
No. 3 Baylor (9-0, 6-0 Big 12) vs. No. 10 Oklahoma State (9-1, 6-1 Big 12)
Baylor gets the pleasure of facing its second 10th-ranked opponent in two weeks when it heads to Stillwater, Okla. The Bears have become known for their prolific offense that averages 61 points per game, but they can get it done on defense as well. Defensively, the Bears have the No. 7 scoring defense in the land allowing only 17.4 points per game. That defense will be well tested by an Oklahoma State offense that can score in their own right. The Cowboys average 40 points per game themselves so a shootout isn’t out of the question. OSU’s defense is no slouch either, as they allow only 19 points per game.
No. 8 Missouri (9-1, 5-1 SEC) vs. No. 24 Ole Miss (7-3, 3-3 SEC)
The Tigers are still well on their way to an SEC East title and an SEC championship game berth, but challenges still loom large. First they’ll have to take care of business against the No. 24 Rebels. The good news for the Tigers is that they’ll have senior quarterback James Franklin back after he missed the last four games with a shoulder injury. The real matchup to watch, however, is Ole Miss junior quarterback Bo Wallace and the Rebels’ 19th ranked passing attack against against Missouri’s 20th-ranked scoring defense that allows only 20 points per game. If the Tigers want to maintain control of their destiny, this game is a must-win.
No. 12 Texas A&M; (8-2, 4-2 SEC) vs. No. 22 LSU (7-3 3-3 SEC)
The LSU Tigers’ defense looked strong in the first half of their loss to Alabama, but in the second half, they looked weak, allowing 21 unanswered points in a 38-17 loss. This week, LSU’s defense will have a chance to redeem itself. However, redemption will not come easy. Texas A&M;’s offense puts up 578 yards per game (3rd in the nation) and was able to put up nearly that many yards against a vaunted Alabama defense earlier in the year. The Aggies’ redshirt sophomore quarterback and Heisman trophy contender Johnny Manziel alone averages 392 yards of offense by himself. Will the Tigers’ defense be able to do something not even No. 1 Alabama could?
Small School Game of the Week: No. 16 Northern Illinois (10-0, 6-0 MAC) vs. Toledo (7-3, 5-1 MAC)
For the second straight week the Huskies are in the small school game of the week, and how could they not be, with senior quarterback Jordan Lynch at the helm? Lynch ranks fifth in the country in total offense averaging 349 total yards per game. Toledo’s defense, ranked seventh in the MAC will be hard-pressed to stop Lynch and the Huskies offense, the best in the conference, which puts up 44.6 points per game. One thing the Rockets have going for them is the conference’s second leading rusher in senior running back David Fluellen who has 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year.
Reach the reporter at ejsmith7@asu.edu or follow him on twitter @EricSmith_SP
