The Front Seven: Saturday's top college football games
The Front Seven is back.
1. Backups: No.1 Florida State's much-anticipated clash with No. 24 Clemson, which would be the week's headline game in any case with its ACC Atlantic and playoff implications, took on a life of its own as events unfolded in Tallahassee this week. The bottom line is the Seminoles' offense will be in the hands of backup QB Sean Maguire, who is starting because of the suspension of Heisman winner Jameis Winston. His best strategy would be getting the ball in the hands of WR Rashad Greene as much as possible. The Tigers are aware of this, of course, so Greene can expect added scrutiny from S Robert Smith while DE Vic Beasley brings the heat. RB Karlos Williams and TE Nick O'Leary will also be needed to help Maguire keep the chains moving. There are factions in the Clemson fan base who think Tigers' backup QB, freshman Deshaun Watson, should be taking more snaps. The coaches won't be taking the keys away from senior starter Cole Stoudt, especially in hostile environs. But Stoudt in turn must deliver, and WRs Mike Williams and Artavis Scott have to help out as they challenge FS Jalen Ramsey and the excellent FSU secondary.
2. Back to the wall: On the bright side, Florida passed its first SEC test in what Gators fans hope will be a bounce-back season. But the fact that three OTs were required to get by Kentucky, Florida's perennial punching bag, has them more than a little anxious heading into this week's date at No. 2 Alabama. Gators' QB Jeff Driskel has at least been able to make use of WR Demarcus Robinson's big-play ability, and TB Matt Jones has been a steady producer behind him. But Crimson Tide LB Xzavier Dickson is a disruptive force, and not much gets past S Landon Collins in the secondary. Alabama hasn't exactly been an offensive juggernaut itself as Blake Sims continues to settle in at QB with Jake Coker rotating in. Kenyan Drake has been the most frequent end-zone finder thus far among the Tide's deep TB corps, but WR Amari Cooper remains the unit's most dangerous weapon. He'll be watched by FS Keanu Neal, an early takeaway threat with two picks for the Gators.
3. Back for more: West Virginia gets a second crack at a top-five opponent in the young season. After hanging with Alabama in their opener, the Mountaineers now turn their attention to No. 4 Oklahoma, as both teams start their run through the competitive Big 12. The long trip to Morgantown poses a bit of a wild card for the Sooners, as does the early success enjoyed by WVU QB Clint Trickett. His primary target is WR Kevin White, with Mario Alford providing a reliable second option. But the Oklahoma defense, with LB Eric Striker the centerpiece and CB Zack Sanchez anchoring the secondary, has performed well. West Virginia will also be without suspended CB Daryl Worley, who has the team's only two INTs this season. QB Trevor Knight and WR Sterling Shepard figure to make the most of Worley's absence. The Sooners will be without TB Keith Ford (foot), so it will be up to Samaje Perine to lead the rushing attack.
4. Back to basics: No. 8 LSU has gone nine quarters without allowing a point, a promising sign for a somewhat youthful defense. But this week's visitor to Baton Rouge, fellow SEC West hopeful Mississippi State, poses a bit more of a challenge than the Tigers' last two opponents. It starts with Bulldogs' QB Dak Prescott, one of the league's few veteran signal callers who already has nine TD tosses in 2014. He's spread the ball around well, with WR De'Runnya Wilson's 6-5 frame proving useful in tight windows. Prescott also is a threat to run, though DE Danielle Hunter and the LSU front will try to make him think twice about that. Tigers' QB Anthony Jennings has taken care of the ball while letting RB Kenny Hilliard and his talented TB group do the heavy lifting. The Bulldogs have a strong defensive front backed by LB Benardrick McKinney, so Jennings might have to find WR Travin Dural early to stretch the field.
5. Back in time: No. 22 Nebraska and Miami (Fla.) have staged some epic battles over the years. The stakes in Lincoln this week won't be quite as high as in the 1984 Orange Bowl when Bernie Kosar and Mike Rozier were household names, but a victory would nonetheless be welcomed by both programs. The Cornhuskers, who narrowly escaped FCS visitor McNeese State in their last home date, would like to give their fans more to cheer about against a Power Five opponent. The Hurricanes, still in rebuilding mode and already saddled with an Atlantic Coast Conference loss, look to reverse their fortunes. Nebraska TB Ameer Abdullah has been as good as advertised, but he's sure to get extra attention from LB Denzel Perryman and the rest of the Miami run stoppers if QB Tommy Armstrong struggles to complete passes. That wasn't an issue a week ago at Fresno State, where WR Jordan Westerkamp was a major factor. Miami needs similar success on the road from freshman QB Brad Kaaya in order to optimize its best weapon, TB Duke Johnson. Nebraska S Nate Gerry can lend run support to LB Josh Banderas if the Miami aerial attack stalls.
6. Back of all trades: Regular followers of No. 23 Brigham Young already knew QB Taysom Hill was a multitalented producer. He and the Cougars get another chance to show what they can do in the national spotlight. But this week's visitor to Provo, Utah, is Virginia, fresh off an ACC upset of Louisville thanks to a dynamic defensive front that could give Hill trouble. Hill, who has six TDs via the keeper, will try to avoid Cavaliers' pursuit led by LB Henry Coley and DE Eli Harold. Trouble is, Hill also has produced four more scores by air, with a pair going to WR Mitch Matthews. The Virginia offense remains a work in progress, though QB Greyson Lambert has taken the bulk of the snaps. RB Kevin Parks does most of the work on the ground, and he'll try to keep Cougars' SS Craig Bills busy.
7. Back to back: East Carolina goes for a second consecutive win against a ranked ACC team, No. 25 North Carolina. This time, the Pirates will be on their home field after venturing into Blacksburg to take down Virginia Tech, where ECU QB Shane Carden was able to compensate for having WR Justin Hardy neutralized by making use of Cam Worthy and Isaiah Jones. They'll be opposed this week by CB Brian Walker and an opportunistic pass defense that has five INTs in two games. The Tar Heels come to Greenville rested after rallying to beat San Diego State on Sept. 6. Dual-threat QB Marquise Williams has solidified his hold on the starting job, and freshman TB Elijah Hood has made an impact as well. Pirates' LB Zeek Bigger will lead the effort to keep them contained.
GALLERY: GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND
