Front Seven: Previewing Saturday's top college football games
The Front Seven needs a costume.
1. Professor: Perhaps in a town called Oxford, something professorial would be appropriate for the weekend's headliner as No. 4 Auburn visits No. 9 Mississippi, just this week's game of the century in the SEC West in which both one-loss teams will do everything in their power to avoid a second. The Tigers' last venture to the Magnolia State was anything but a party as they couldn't recover from a catastrophic opening quarter in Starkville. QB Nick Marshall has directed the Auburn attack more effectively since the Mississippi State debacle, with help from main weapons WR D'haquille Williams and TB Cameron Artis-Payne. The Rebels' defense will be shorthanded with LB Denzel Nkemdiche (broken ankle) out for the rest of the season, but the group still packs a punch with the other Nkemdiche, DE Robert, causing havoc in the backfield and S Cody Prewitt patrolling the secondary. Ultimately, the contest could come down to which unit fares better when Ole Miss has the ball. It was the Rebels' offense that couldn't make headway in last week's loss at LSU as the mistake-prone version of QB Bo Wallace surfaced at the most inopportune moment. But the Auburn defense was just as shaky in its last outing, so Rebels WR Laquon Treadwell could have more chances to show his big-play ability. DE DaVonte Lambert and the Auburn front will have to penetrate the Ole Miss line early and often.
2. Mountaineer: No. 22 West Virginia will certainly dress for the occasion in hopes of taking down another top-10 visitor to Morgantown. This time it's No. 10 TCU. The Horned Frogs apparently learned their lesson after letting a 21-point lead get away against Baylor, keeping their foot on the gas until the scoreboard showed 82 against Texas Tech. The big numbers piled up despite QB Trevone Boykin losing favorite target Josh Doctson to an apparent ankle injury in the first half of that game. The good news for TCU is Doctson is expected back this week, and WR Kolby Listenbee is another reliable pass catcher. But the West Virginia defense has been a pleasant surprise in 2014, most notably its solid performance against Baylor that helped nail down that home upset. CB Daryl Worley and S Karl Joseph must again anchor the secondary. Mountaineers' QB Clint Trickett has been just as impressive, and he might just possess the ultimate weapon in big WR Kevin White. But the Horned Frogs have some defensive playmakers as well, like S Chris Hackett and LB Paul Dawson.
3. Devil: No.18 Utah could have a devil of a time in Sun Devil Stadium against No.14 Arizona State, one of two monumental showdowns on Saturday's Pac-12 South docket. In a league noted for high scores, it has been the Utes' defense that has fueled their improved results from a year ago. While their dominant pass rush starts up front, it is LB Jared Norris who acts as the glue for the unit. That group will have its work cut out for it against the ASU offense that is back at full strength with QB Taylor Kelly back from a foot injury. WR Jaelen Strong remains the field stretcher, but D.J. Foster does a bit of everything from the backfield and must also be watched closely. Utah QB Travis Wilson, meanwhile, has regained a firm grip on the starting job helped by his clutch delivery to Kaelin Clay against Southern California. TB Devontae Booker has continued his consistent production, and he'll be the main focus for LB Salamo Fiso and the Sun Devils' defense that has been known to show leaks at times this year.
4. Angel: At the same time in the division, No. 15 Arizona will be in action in the City of Angels at No. 25 UCLA. It figures to be another west-coast style track meet with both teams averaging over 35 points a game. But the Bruins, though they've shown more cohesion in recent weeks, can still struggle to protect dynamic QB Brett Hundley. He'll do his best to avoid LB Scooby Wright, the difference maker on the Wildcats' defense, as he looks for his top WR Jordan Payton. Arizona QB Anu Solomon should have little trouble keeping pace if the scores mount. WRs Cayleb Jones and Austin Hill can break loose at any time. TB Nick Wilson can also help if he can steer clear of hard-hitting Bruins' LBs Eric Kendricks and Myles Jack
5. Superman: No. 6 Oregon is back in the title hunt and QB Marcus Mariota is front-and-center in the Heisman Trophy discussion once again. But he and the Ducks are up against their perennial Pac-12 North nemesis Stanford, which in recent years has been the Kryptonite to the high-flying Ducks' offense. Setting the tone for the Cardinal stoppers this year are LBs Blake Martinez and A.J. Tarpley, who will lead the effort to keep Mariota's lanes closed. But with its interior line's stability restored, Oregon has been getting production from RBs Royce Freeman and Byron Marshall to give Mariota plenty of support. It's the Stanford offense, particularly in the ground game, that hasn't delivered in 2014. QB Kevin Hogan still has WR Ty Montgomery in his arsenal, but he'll likely have to contend with Ducks' CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu for much of the contest.
6. Sunflower: OK, maybe big cats and cowboys have been overdone. Perhaps a more horticulturally inspired outfit would be better for the 21st century in the Sunflower State. That's where No. 11 Kansas State looks to remain the lone unbeaten team against Big 12 competition as Oklahoma State comes to Manhattan. While QB Jake Waters and WR Tyler Lockett still provide the primary means of transportation for the Wildcats, RB Charles Jones has emerged as another option in the rushing attack and WR Curry Sexton is adding production from the slot. That could be bad news for LB Ryan Simmons and the OSU defense that has had difficult containing some of the league's more diverse offenses. Keeping QB Daxx Garman upright also is an ongoing issue for the Cowboys as he tries to get the ball to WRs Brandon Sheperd and David Glidden. The K-State defense, anchored by LB Jonathan Truman, wants to make sure those issues aren't resolved.
7. John Henry: Here we go, the steel-driving man is the perfect look for Pittsburgh — as long as you don't drop your hammer. Sorry. In any event, that's where the Panthers look to bounce back from a fumble-plagued loss to Georgia Tech as they host No. 24 Duke. This is the weekend's key clash in the chaotic ACC Coastal. The Blue Devils have what on paper looks to be a smooth path to the finish if they can clear this road hurdle. Veteran QB Anthony Boone and WR Jamison Crowder will always draw the most attention, but WR Issac Blakeney has become a solid second target, giving S Ray Vinopal and the Pitt defensive backfield more concerns. Ball security, to be sure, will be a top priority for the Panthers. The trio of QB Chad Voytik, RB James Conner and WR Tyler Boyd can be quite effective as long as they handle the rock. LB David Helton and the Duke defense will certainly be seeking chances to cause more miscues.
GALLERY: TOP GAMES TO WATCH
