Northwestern @ Purdue, 12:00 PM EST, Saturday

Northwestern:  Mike Kafka, Arby Fields and Andrew Brewer.
Watch for…..QB Mike Kafka.  The Big Ten leader in total offense (264 yds per game) faces a defense that hasn’t stopped anybody this year.

Purdue: Joey Elliot, Ralph Bolden and Keith Smith.
Watch for…..RB Ralph Bolden.  Ralph ran for almost 400 yds the first 2 weeks and around 130 yds the last 2 weeks.  He won’t run wild but will post good numbers this week.

Bottom Line: Northwestern is ranked 54th in total defense while Purdue is ranked 108th.  Defense is optional in this one. 

Washington @ Notre Dame, 3:30 PM EST, Saturday

Washington:  Jake Locker, Chris Polk and James Johnson.
Watch for…..RB Chris Polk.  Steady runner who will be called upon to move the chains Saturday.  1TD so far this year.  Don’t be surprised if he reaches paydirt once or twice on Saturday.

Notre Dame:  Jimmy Clausen, Armando Allen and Golden Tate.
Watch for…..WR Golden Tate.  With the loss of Floyd he will be asked to do more.  The Huskies will give up the big play and Tate will be on the receiving end of it.

Bottom Line: The Irish corralled the last dual threat QB that came to South Bend (Colin Kaepernick).  Locker has the athletes to make this one a track meet.

Central Michigan @ Buffalo, 3:30 PM EST, Saturday

Central Michigan: Dan LeFevour, Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson
Watch for…..WR Bryan Anderson.  For all the talent he has I am still waiting on him to break out.  If not this week then when will it happen?

Buffalo:  Zac Maynard, Brandon Thermilus and Naaman Roosevelt.
Watch for….QB Zac Maynard.  C’mon Zac!  4 INT’s vs. Temple.  You are better than that, and will show it on Saturday.

Bottom Line: This one has the potential to have a lot of yards and points.  Can Buffalo keep pace in a shootout?

Florida International @ Louisana-Monroe, 3:30 PM EST, Saturday

Florida International:  Paul McCall and T.Y. Hilton.
Watch for…..O-line.  All Paul needs is a little time to throw.  Hilton will be running free all afternoon vs La-Monroe’s 103rd ranked pass defense.

La-Monroe:  Trey Revell, Frank Goodin and Darrell McNeal.
Watch for….QB Trey Revell.  When discussing good QB’s in the Sun Belt, Mr. Revell never gets any love.  Very solid dual threat who will post good numbers Saturday.

Bottom Line: Here is the under the radar special for the week.  Good offenses, bad defenses.  What’s not to like?

Texas A&M vs Arkansas, 7:30 PM EST, Saturday in Arlington

Texas A&M: Jerrod Johnson, Cyrus Gray, Christine Michael, Ryan Tannehill and Uzoma Nwachukwu.
Watch for….QB Jerrod Johnson.  Who is the total offense leader in the Big 12?  You guessed it.  JJ (385 yds a game) is on fire and will continue his torrid pace Saturday. 

Arkansas:  Ryan Mallett, Joe Adams, Greg Childs and Jarius Wright.
Watch for….QB Ryan Mallett.  I always wondered how good he actually was.  Cross that off the list.  He is very, very good. 

Bottom Line:  Johnson vs. Mallett in Jerry Jones’ new playpen.  Expect plenty of pass attempts and a high scoring affair.