Overcoming Odds Missouri has already had a season filled with accomplishments. Another poor November, though, would take much of the luster off its impressive year. The ninth-ranked Tigers continue their quest for a spot in the Big 12 championship game Saturday with a road matchup against Colorado, where they haven’t won in a decade.
Author: Anthony Rome
Looking for Four Straight It’s been an up-and-down season for Texas running back Jamaal Charles. The same could be said for the No. 14 Longhorns, who entered the season as the fourth-ranked team in the country but got off to a dismal start in Big 12 play. Both Charles and the Longhorns, however, appear to have rebounded from their midseason swoons. They’ll go for their fourth straight win when they visit Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Tough Home Test for OSU Ohio State’s most recent victory might have earned it the respect they’ve been looking for. A win this weekend would certainly further that cause. The top-ranked Buckeyes can set a record for consecutive Big Ten victories as they host surging Wisconsin on Saturday.
Rushing Aggies Oklahoma is playing at home and well-rested coming off a bye week, but faces a unique test when it returns to the field on Saturday. Bob Stoops’ fifth-ranked Sooners go for their fourth straight win, needing to overcome Texas A&M’s potent rushing offense to accomplish that feat.
Bragging Rights Injuries to seniors Chad Henne and Mike Hart failed to derail resurgent Michigan after a poor start to the season. The Wolverines, though, are expected to have them back to face their biggest in-state rival for the final time in their careers. No. 15 Michigan looks for its sixth win in a row over Michigan State and eighth straight overall when the teams meet on Saturday for the 100th time.
Top 10 Battle in Eugene Expectations were not high for Oregon and Arizona State given their absence from the AP preseason poll. Now, a Pac-10 title and spot in the Bowl Championship Series title game could be in the offering for both teams. The fourth-ranked Ducks and No. 6 Sun Devils meet in a pivotal matchup at Autzen Stadium on Saturday as each program looks to move closer to a conference title and potential BCS berth.
Backward Movers? The Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers go into the season with championship aspirations. Both teams have given doubters good reason to be skeptical. One team was a big disappointment by not coming close to making the NBA finals, and the one that did may have only gotten worse.
SEC Showdown in ‘Bama Four years ago, Nick Saban led Louisiana State to its first national title in 45 years. On Saturday, Saban, now the coach of Alabama, hopes to put an end to the Tigers’ national title hopes. In the highly anticipated matchup of his first meeting against his former team, Saban and the 17th-ranked Crimson Tide look to gain the inside track to the SEC West as they host No. 3 LSU in a battle of first-place teams.
Johnson to Return? Boise State got back into the Top 25 without the help of Ian Johnson, but having the star running back would certainly improve the Broncos’ chances of remaining there. The 21st-ranked Broncos (7-1, 4-0) could have Johnson return to their backfield as they look to remain undefeated against San Jose State (3-5, 2-2) – and in WAC home games – on Saturday.
Shooting for the Upset Kansas is enjoying a once-in-a-century type season. For the eighth-ranked Jayhawks to beat Nebraska only seems just as unusual. Mark Mangino’s team tries to stay in the BCS championship picture and pick up a rare victory over its Big 12 North division rival Saturday when the Jayhawks host the Cornhuskers.