Saquon Barkley<\/strong> is averaging just over seven yards per carry over the last four games, as Penn State\u2019s running game has learned to go wide and fast and not just run it up the gut, traditional Big 10 style.<\/p>\nMeanwhile, Indiana<\/strong> is on the verge of being bowl eligible for the second straight year, and few had those projections correct. The Hoosiers<\/strong> have the third best offense in the Big 10 thanks mostly to quarterback Richard Lagow<\/strong>. He has already thrown for more than 2,500 yards this season at a 61% completion clip. The downside is he also has 13 interceptions. Turning the ball over to Penn State\u2019s ground attack offense is going to kill the clock and the game for Indiana. They are going to need more from running back Devine<\/strong> Redding<\/strong> who has sufficient yards this season, if not touchdowns.<\/p>\nAuburn (7-2, 5-1) at Georgia (5-4, 3-4); 3:30pm EST, CBS<\/h3>\n
Look, when this season started Gus Malzahn<\/strong> was looking at potential \u201cimpeachment\u201d for crimes against the Auburn<\/strong> nation. Heck, some college football writer here, who shall remain nameless other than the byline on this column, even had him taking over at Texas A&M<\/strong> after the Aggies\u2019 coach got canned. Now none of that is happening\u2026<\/p>\nMy career an employment pundit has been stunted, and the Tigers are breathing down Bama\u2019s<\/strong> neck in the SEC West. Auburn has six straight wins, but that includes a couple of shaky, one-score margin wins over LSU<\/strong> and Vanderbilt<\/strong> when the running game struggled. Tigers running back Kam Pettaway<\/strong> left last week\u2019s game with hamstring issues, and his return this week is critical for Auburn. He has four straight games of at least 169 yards rushing, and it helps keep the pressure of inconsistent quarterback Sean White<\/strong>. You know what else helps? Scoring touchdowns. Auburn is only converting 51% of its red zone opportunities into touchdowns. That is \u201cgood\u201d enough for #115 n the country.<\/p>\nMeet the Georgia<\/strong> defense which is giving up red zone touchdowns at a 75% pace. The Bulldogs<\/strong> have got to pound the ball first and foremost. Nick Chubb<\/strong> and Sony Michel<\/strong> have been slowed by nagging injuries and nagging defenses and have the combined stats of one outstanding running back. But with Jacob Eason<\/strong> converting only 25% of 3rd<\/sup> downs with at least seven\u00a0yards to go, the duo has to perform for Georgia to remain a real bowl candidate.<\/p>\nUSC (6-3, 5-2) at Washington (9-0, 6-0) 7:30pm EST, Fox<\/h3>\n
The Huskies<\/strong> are finally getting the love they feel they deserve from voting precincts across the nation. Of course \u201csome\u201d west coast correspondents from \u201csome\u201d college football publications saw this coming three months ago.\u00a0 Quarterback Jake Browning<\/strong>\u00a0torched Cal\u2019s<\/strong> defense for 19 of 28 passing for 378 yards and six touchdowns. He is getting multiple threats at the receiver position with both John Ross<\/strong> and Dante Petis<\/strong> and multiple threats with the running game in Lavon Coleman<\/strong> and Myles Gaskin<\/strong> who have 1,552 yards rushing combined.<\/p>\nThe Trojans<\/strong> did not know what to think of the early campaign returns. Clay Helton<\/strong> was the choice of virtually no SC fans as the head coach, and they started the season 1-3. Many are saying the difference was made when they pulled Max Browne<\/strong> as their quarterback and went to freshman Sam Darnold<\/strong>. Reality says the difference is their running game was averaging 143 yards per game in that 1-3 stretch and Browne was running for his life. Justin Davis<\/strong> and Ronald Jones<\/strong> are now averaging 267 rushing per game, and the offensive line has only given up nine quarterback sacks in the same period.<\/p>\nMichigan (9-0, 6-0) at Iowa (5-4, 3-3) 8pm EST, ABC<\/h3>\n
The Wolverines<\/strong> are making a rare campaign stop. This is only their second game out of the state of Michigan<\/strong> this entire season. They are the complete candidate. They take care of the ball. Quarterback Wilson Speight<\/strong> has only three interceptions all year, and the offense has only fumbled the ball away three times. The defense is Harbaugh-tough and tops in the nation for fewest red zone trips allowed by an opposing offense. Whether it is this week or next or the week after that, Michigan is going to have back to back 10-win seasons for the first time in 13 years.<\/p>\nPerhaps Jim Harbaugh<\/strong> has a future in this game. Iowa is going to need to take risks and open the offense more in this game. Quarterback C.J. Beathard<\/strong> has 1,584 yards passing but only 13 touchdowns. The Hawkeyes<\/strong> are not going to win on field goals and are going to have to improve on their 72% touchdown rate inside the red zone for this game. And for those that despise political correctness, this is the game for you. As tough guy Harbaugh has to have his Wolverines use the visitors\u2019 locker room at Kinnck<\/strong> Stadium<\/strong>\u2026..the one that is painted wall to wall pink.
\nHey, political and football campaigns are a rough and tumble business.<\/p>\nMain Photo<\/p>\n