With most of the top teams in the nation facing sub-par conference foes, the discussion of meaningful games is more diverse than ever this week. A sell out crowd of scarlet and cream plan to husk Big XII rival Texas down to size in Lincoln, Neb.; the flawless Auburn Tigers, under the leadership of a junior transfer student, scheme to oust the Razorbacks; the undefeated Spartans hope to remain perfect as an underestimated Illini squad storms into East Lansing, Mich. following their monumentous Big Ten upset last week; and Iowa's tenacious defense looks to control Michigan's surging offense in Ann Arbor, Mich. Even without the majority of top ranked teams playing against stiff competition, this week still promises a fair share of excitement and intrigue.
Illinois vs. Michigan State
After a quick glance at the names of these two Big Ten programs, one would think the hype surrounds a marquee matchup taking place on the hardwood. Not so fast, though. At the midway point of the 2010 football season, both teams are generating a surprising amount of commotion on the gridiron.
Last week's impressive 33-13 road win over the Penn State Nittany Lions marks the Fighting Illini's biggest victory since defeating then-No. 1 Ohio State in 2007. After last year's frustrating 3-9 season, this Fighting Illini squad is one of the most underrated units in the nation, having dropped just two games to teams that boast a combined record of 11-0- Ohio State and Missouri.
Thanks in large part to the quick maturation of freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase and the leadership of workhorse junior running back Mikel Leshoure (who leads all Big Ten running backs with 121 yards per game), head coach Ron Zook has his eyes fixed on more than just a winning season.
However, Zook and first-year defensive coordinator Vic Koenning will have their hands full Saturday in East Lansing, as their opponent, the undefeated No. 13 Michigan State Spartans, are coming off a big win of their own, a 34-17 pounding of in-state rival Michigan.
With experienced junior quarterback Kirk Cousins commanding the uncharacteristically high powered Spartan offense, which has surpassed 30 points in every game this season, Zook and the rest of the Illini may want to prepare themselves for a return to mediocrity.
Arkansas vs. Auburn
The undefeated No. 7 Auburn Tigers have been on a fortune-filled ride up to this point. Auburn has defeated three of their four SEC opponents by a combined score of nine points, last week squeaking by Kentucky at home after a field goal in the closing seconds cemented a nail-biter of a victory.
The Tigers were up 31-17 at the half and needed a phenomenal performance of 408 total yards and four scores from junior quarterback Cameron Newton just to defeat a Kentucky team still searching for its first SEC win. Auburn will need more of the same from their emerging Heisman candidate when the No. 12 Arkansas Razorbacks, to whom they've lost three of their last four meetings, come to town Saturday.
While the versatile play of Newton, who leads the SEC with 112 rushing yards per game, has spurred the Tigers to a perfect start, the Razorbacks rely on the more conventional style of junior quarterback Ryan Mallett. With a cannon for an arm and quickness to complete passes outside the pocket, Mallett is the ideal NFL quarterback and the likely number one overall pick in next year's draft.
The Razorbacks are the underdogs in this SEC brawl even though they've dropped just one game, to defending national champion Alabama. With Mallett's second-ranked 358 passing yards per game the Razorbacks, have still been slumping as of late, scoring just three second half points in each of their past two contests.
However watch out for a turn-around performance, as Auburn's secondary is susceptible to the big play, ranking 10th in their conference in passing yards allowed per game.
Texas vs. Nebraska
At the kickoff of the 2010 season everyone from coaches to modest fans had this grudge match circled on their calendars. The Texas Longhorns' controversial victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in last season's Big XII title game catapulted Texas into the National Championship game and forced Nebraska into the Holiday Bowl.
With Cornhusker fans craving revenge, the anticipation surrounding this week's contest is through the roof. However, after six weeks, reality reads that the revamped No. 5 Cornhuskers are the only team in this matchup still holding on to 2010 title game aspirations.
Texas' last two games, losses at home to UCLA and Oklahoma by a combined total of 30 points, will not help to boost their confidence going into what should be the final meeting between Nebraska and Texas as Big XII foes. Since losing emotional leader and star quarterback Colt McCoy to the draft last year, the Longhorns have looked far from their preseason top-five ranking.
With Texas' 8-1 record in head-to-head meetings against Nebraska all-time, they will need to play a lot like the Longhorns of years past if they have any chance at beating the stingy Nebraska defense, led by junior defensive tackle Jared Crick and junior linebacker Lavonte David.
Last season's Ndamukong Suh-led Nebraska defense led the country in points allowed, and this year's squad remains close to tops in the country this year as well. Yet, it's their spread offense and fantastic freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez that has the nation buzzing.
Martinez and the second-ranked rushing offense in the nation look poised to exploit Texas' defense time and time again in what could be a drawn-out and vengeful victory for the Cornuskers.
Iowa vs. Michigan
Last year's meeting between these two Big Ten adversaries ended with Michigan's then-freshman quarterback Denard Robinson throwing a game-sealing interception with 46 seconds left. Expect the nimble-footed Robinson to be a little more adjusted this time around after five full games as a starter under his belt.
Even with that limited experience, Robinson is already making his presence felt in the Big Ten and across the nation, ranking second in rushing and total offense nationwide. Aside from stockpiling impressive individual numbers, Robinson's team had posted a spotless record through the first five games before suffering a loss to in-state rival Michigan State last week.
In contrast, the No. 15 Iowa Hawkeyes are coming off a much-needed week off and are hoping to put another dent in Robinson's Heisman hopes this Saturday in Ann Arbor. While the Hawkeyes have yet to win on the road this year, they boast the nation's top defense with just 10.2 points allowed per game.
All-American candidate senior defensive end Adrian Clayborn, who recorded 10 tackles (3 for loss) and a sack in Iowa's last game, and the rest of the suffocating Hawkeye defense will do everything in their power to continue Robinson's struggles, after he rushed for a season-low 86 yards and threw three picks last week.
