Stanford hopes to rebound after first loss of season
No. 16 Texas Tech @ West Virginia, Sat. noon, Fox Sports 1
A pair of Big 12 teams face off Saturday. One of them is Texas Tech, led by first-year head coach Kliff Kingsbury. It is uncertain who will start for the Red Raiders this weekend, as freshman quarterback Baker Mayfield missed last weekend’s victory against Iowa State. Another freshman quarterback took the reins in Mayfield’s place. Davis Webb has performed adequately whenever he has stepped in for Mayfield this season, throwing for nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Mayfield has similar statistics, but has put up more yards than Webb and has thrown eight touchdowns and five interceptions. Traditionally a pass-heavy team, this year’s Red Raider offense is no different. Junior tight end Jace Amaro is a key target, catching 47 passes for 606 yards and a touchdown so far this year. The Mountaineers (3-3) have the home-field advantage but will need a monster effort from their offense to keep up with a high-powered Texas Tech. The quarterback situation is uncertain for West Virginia, so senior running back Charles Sims will have to help shoulder the load. He needs to have an incredible day for the Mountaineers to pull off the upset.
Iowa State @ No. 12 Baylor, Sat. 7 p.m., ESPNU
Another undefeated Big 12 team is Baylor. The Bears are playing so well on offense that some analysts see them as a potential dark horse contender for a national championship. It all starts with running back Lache Seastrunk. The junior has piled up 643 yards and eight touchdowns to lead the explosive offense. Junior Bryce Petty has played nearly mistake-free at quarterback. Petty has thrown for 1,690 yards and 13 touchdowns with only one interception. Senior Tevin Reese and junior Antwan Goodley have more than 600 yards receiving and six touchdown catches apiece. At 1-4, Iowa State’s hopes to win are slim, but if sophomore quarterback Sam B. Richardson can somehow find the end zone early and often, a victory is possible.
Central Florida @ No. 8 Louisville, Fri. 8 p.m., ESPN
Fresh off a Thursday night victory against Rutgers, “Teddy Heisman” is back at it again for Louisville. Teddy Bridgewater has led the Cardinals to an undefeated record so far. Louisville has one of its toughest tests of the season in Central Florida, whose only loss came to South Carolina. UCF junior quarterback Blake Bortles has had a solid year, with 1,334 yards and nine touchdowns and just three picks. Bridgewater seems to be the superior quarterback, compiling 18 touchdowns with just two interceptions. This game could prove to be a huge one for Bridgewater’s Heisman chances and the junior’s stock in the upcoming NFL draft.
No. 9 UCLA @ No. 13 Stanford, Sat. 3:30 p.m., ABC
Stanford (5-1) is coming off an upset loss against Utah, which put a damper on the Cardinal’s national title hopes. To keep them alive, Stanford must beat an undefeated UCLA team led by sophomore quarterback Brett Hundley. Hundley has dual-threat ability and is a big part of the Bruins’ running game. Joining him in the backfield is junior tailback Jordan James, who has five rushing touchdowns so far. For the Cardinal to win, junior quarterback Kevin Hogan needs to have a bounce-back game. Junior wide receiver Ty Montgomery could have a lot to do with making that happen, compiling 514 yards receiving and five touchdowns on 31 catches this year.
No. 5 Florida State @ No. 3 Clemson, Sat. 8 p.m., ABC
In what’s indisputably the best matchup of the week, two undefeated ACC powerhouses meet to help potentially decide the conference. The quarterback battle includes Florida State’s freshman phenom Jameis Winston and a savvy veteran in Clemson senior Tajh Boyd. Both quarterbacks have put up impressive numbers, as Boyd has thrown for 15 touchdowns and only two interceptions. Winston also has thrown only two picks, but has thrown for 17 touchdowns and has maintained an impressive 73 percent completion rate. The game may come down to defense, and both teams are among the top 10 in the country for points allowed. The Seminoles are third in the nation in the category but have not faced an offense as high-powered as the Tigers.