6C

Friday, October 9, 2015

SportsDayDFW.com

College Football Playoff Watch

PRESENTED BY

Bill Nichols
SATURDAYS NOTABLE GAMES

No. 23 California (+7) at No. 5 Utah

Big 12 has to keep proving itself

T

he Big 12 looks strong with

TCU and Baylor ranked
second and third, respectively, among four undefeated
teams. Keeping that appearance
will be critical come committee
time.
Having survived a scare
against Texas Tech, the Frogs
know the fine line CFP contenders
walk. They have a challenging

The Dallas Morning News

stretch with three of the next four

games on the road, including
Kansas State on Saturday and
Oklahoma State on Nov. 7.
Despite the loss of seven defensive starters to injury, the Frogs
appear to be gaining strength.
That 14 different defensive players
have made their first career start
speaks volumes about their depth.
This could result in a big payoff

with some of the injured returning for the playoff march.

With big wins over Tennessee
and West Virginia, Oklahoma
seems a lock over beleaguered
Texas, but rivalry games are potent grounds for upsets. Baylor
has yet to be tested. Close wins
over lesser opponents, such as Saturday against Kansas, would leave
the Bears little margin for error.

Oklahoma State has gone

through its share of struggles but
keeps winning. The low-profile
Cowboys have the tough task of
playing on the road against West
Virginia. This would be a quality
win for OSU, which plays fellow
conference contenders Baylor,
TCU and Oklahoma at home.
Twitter: @BillNicholsDMN

No. 2 TCU at Kansas

State (+1012)
6:30 p.m. (Ch. 4): The Frogs
are rolling at a 50.8-point,
603.0-yard pace the last four
games. Trevone Boykin has
thrown for 1,802 yards and 19
touchdowns, moving into the
national top 10 in quarterback
rating (174.0). Last year against
Kansas State, Boykin rushed
for 123 yards and three TDs in
the Frogs win. And hes still
got quite a target in Josh Doctson. Despite last weeks dramatic 36-34 loss to Oklahoma
State, the Wildcats loom large
to an undefeated opponent
with the playoff on its mind.
Veteran K-State coach Bill
Snyder said his team will need
to score throughout the
course of the ballgame to
counter TCUs prolific offense.
TCU 44, Kansas State 30.

9 p.m. (ESPN): Who would have thought that these

would be the Pac-12s only undefeated teams in
Week 6? The Golden Bears, two years removed
from 1-11, are off to their best start since 2007. The
Utes are ranked No. 5 (third time in school history),
thanks largely to their victory over then-No. 13
Oregon two weeks ago. Such lofty heights can be
scary to the uninitiated. Its almost like living in a
biosphere or a dome,' Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. 'Youve got people tapping on the glass
and looking in at you. Among the eyes: ESPN's
College GameDay will be on hand for a Cal game for
the first time since 2009. Utah 31, California 23.

No. 13 Northwestern (+712)

at No. 18 Michigan
2:30 p.m. (Big Ten Network): You can throw out the
calculator in this Big Ten matchup. If both teams
give up their average points allowed, then Northwestern will win by just a point. The Wildcats (5-0)
are surrendering just seven points per game as
they try to improve to 6-0 for the first time in 53
years. The Wolverines (4-1) are allowing 7.6 points
per game after consecutive shutouts. As the hoopla escalated this week, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh suggested that points may be scored, and
he made a pretty good point based on years of
breaking down film: The two defenses wont go
against each other in the game, they wont face
other,' he said. Northwestern 23, Michigan 20.

Miami (+9) at No. 12 Florida State

7 p.m. (Ch. 8): Rushing has been a big player in this
rivalry. The team that runs for the most yards has
won 20 of the last 28 meetings. Since Jimbo Fisher
arrived at Florida State as offensive coordinator in
2007, the Seminoles are averaging 182.9 rushing
yards against Miami. In the Seminoles 30-26 win
last year, Dalvin Cook ran for 92 yards and scored
two touchdowns, including the game-winner with
three minutes left. But Cook may not be at full
strength because of a strained hamstring. Florida
State 37, Miami 30.

Line through Tuesday. LAST WEEK: 3-1 straight, 3-1 vs line.

SEASON: 14-6 straight, 14-5-1 vs. line.
Rose Baca/Staff Photographer

College
picks

Texas (+1612) vs. Oklahoma

TCU at Kansas State (+10)
Baylor at Kansas (+44)
Oklahoma State (+7) at West Virginia
Iowa State (+13) at Texas Tech
LSU vs. South Carolina (+13)
Arkansas (+16) at Alabama
Florida at Missouri (+6)
Georgia at Tennessee (+3)
Georgia Tech (+612) at Clemson
Duke at Army (+1212)
Miami (+10) at Florida State
Northwestern (+8) at Michigan
Wisconsin (+112) at Nebraska
Minnesota at Purdue (+3)
Navy (+14) at Notre Dame
Maryland (+33) at Ohio State
California (+612) at Utah
Oregon State (+912) at Arizona
Colorado (+15) at Arizona State
Last week vs. line
Season vs. line
Last week straight
Season straight

CHUCK
CARLTON

CORBY
DAVIDSON

KATE
HAIROPOULOS

TOMMY
MAGELSSEN

BILL
NICHOLS

RIC
RENNER

NEWY
SCRUGGS

KEVIN
SHERRINGTON

BRETT
VITO

Colleges

The Ticket

Colleges

SportsDayDFW.com

Colleges

FSSW

Ch. 5

Columnist

Denton RecordChronicle

vs. Line
Straight
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Kansas St.
TCU
Baylor
Baylor
Okla. St.
W. Virginia
Texas Tech
Texas Tech
LSU
LSU
Arkansas
Alabama
Florida
Florida
Georgia
Georgia
Clemson
Clemson
Duke
Duke
Miami
Florida St.
Nwestern
Michigan
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Purdue
Purdue
Navy
Notre Dame
Ohio St.
Ohio St.
Utah
Utah
Arizona
Arizona
Colorado
Arizona St.
10-10 (.500)
48-51-3 (.485)
13-7 (.650)
74-28 (.725)

vs. Line
Straight
Texas
Oklahoma
TCU
TCU
Kansas
Baylor
Okla. St.
Okla. St.
Texas Tech
Texas Tech
LSU
LSU
Arkansas
Arkansas
Missouri
Florida
Georgia
Georgia
Clemson
Clemson
Duke
Duke
Miami
Florida St.
Nwestern
Nwestern
Nebraska
Nebraska
Minnesota
Minnesota
Navy
Notre Dame
Maryland
Ohio St.
Utah
Utah
Oregon St.
Arizona
Arizona St.
Arizona St.
9-11 (.450)
53-46-3 (.535)
12-8 (.600)
76-26 (.745)

vs. Line
Straight
Texas
Oklahoma
TCU
TCU
Baylor
Baylor
Okla. St.
Okla. St.
Texas Tech
Texas Tech
LSU
LSU
Alabama
Alabama
Florida
Florida
Georgia
Georgia
Clemson
Clemson
Army
Duke
Florida St.
Florida St.
Nwestern
Michigan
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Purdue
Purdue
Navy
Notre Dame
Maryland
Ohio St.
Utah
Utah
Oregon St.
Arizona
Colorado
Arizona St.
7-13 (.350)
45-54-3 (.455)
13-7 (.650)
72-30 (.706)

vs. Line
Straight
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
TCU
TCU
Baylor
Baylor
Okla. St.
W. Virginia
Texas Tech
Texas Tech
LSU
LSU
Alabama
Alabama
Missouri
Florida
Georgia
Georgia
Ga. Tech
Clemson
Duke
Duke
Miami
Florida St.
Michigan
Michigan
Nebraska
Nebraska
Purdue
Purdue
Notre Dame Notre Dame
Ohio St.
Ohio St.
Utah
Utah
Arizona
Arizona
Arizona St.
Arizona St.
11-9 (.550)
51-48-3 (.515)
14-6 (.700)
80-22 (.784)

vs. Line
Straight
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
TCU
TCU
Baylor
Baylor
W. Virginia
W. Virginia
Iowa St.
Texas Tech
S. Carolina
LSU
Alabama
Alabama
Florida
Florida
Georgia
Georgia
Clemson
Clemson
Duke
Duke
Florida St.
Florida St.
Michigan
Michigan
Nebraska
Nebraska
Purdue
Purdue
Notre Dame Notre Dame
Ohio St.
Ohio St.
Utah
Utah
Arizona
Arizona
Arizona St.
Arizona St.
10-10 (.500)
50-49-3 (.505)
12-8 (.600)
78-24 (.765)

vs. Line
Straight
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Kansas St.
TCU
Baylor
Baylor
W. Virginia
W. Virginia
Texas Tech
Texas Tech
LSU
LSU
Alabama
Alabama
Florida
Florida
Tennessee
Tennessee
Clemson
Clemson
Duke
Duke
Florida St.
Florida St.
Nwestern
Michigan
Nebraska
Nebraska
Purdue
Purdue
Notre Dame Notre Dame
Maryland
Ohio St.
Utah
Utah
Arizona
Arizona
Arizona St.
Arizona St.
10-10 (.500)
50-49-3 (.505)
14-6 (.700)
75-27 (.735)

Straight
vs. Line
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
TCU
TCU
Baylor
Baylor
Okla. St.
W. Virginia
Iowa St.
Texas Tech
LSU
LSU
Alabama
Alabama
Missouri
Missouri
Georgia
Georgia
Clemson
Clemson
Army
Duke
Miami
Florida St.
Michigan
Michigan
Nebraska
Nebraska
Minnesota
Minnesota
Notre Dame Notre Dame
Ohio St.
Ohio St.
Utah
Utah
Arizona
Arizona
Arizona St.
Arizona St.
8-12 (.400)
55-44-3 (.556)
12-8 (.600)
72-30 (.706)

vs. Line
Straight
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
TCU
TCU
Baylor
Baylor
W. Virginia
W. Virginia
Texas Tech
Texas Tech
LSU
LSU
Alabama
Alabama
Florida
Florida
Tennessee
Tennessee
Clemson
Clemson
Duke
Duke
Florida St.
Florida St.
Michigan
Michigan
Nebraska
Nebraska
Purdue
Purdue
Notre Dame Notre Dame
Ohio St.
Ohio St.
Utah
Utah
Arizona
Arizona
Arizona St.
Arizona St.
9-11 (.450)
50-49-3 (.505)
13-7 (.650)
75-27 (.735)

vs. Line
Straight
Oklahoma
Oklahoma
TCU
TCU
Baylor
Baylor
W. Virginia
W. Virginia
Texas Tech
Texas Tech
LSU
LSU
Arkansas
Alabama
Florida
Florida
Georgia
Georgia
Clemson
Clemson
Duke
Duke
Florida St.
Florida St.
Nwestern
Nwestern
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Minnesota
Notre Dame Notre Dame
Ohio St.
Ohio St.
Utah
Utah
Arizona
Arizona
Arizona St.
Arizona St.
10-10 (.500)
52-47-3 (.525)
14-6 (.700)
77-25 (.755)

COLLEGE BRIEFS
FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

BIG 12

COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

OUs Hield named

top preseason player
Oklahoma guard Buddy
Hield was named the Big 12s
preseason player of the year
and heads the all-conference
mens basketball team selected
by conference coaches Thursday.
Hield led the Big 12 in scoring last season at 17.4 points a
game and was a third-team AllAmerican. Hes joined on the
preseason first team by Baylors
Rico Gathers, Texas Isaiah
Taylor, Georges Niang of Iowa
State and Kansas Perry Ellis.
Deonte Burton of Iowa
State was named the newcomer of the year, with Cheick Diallo of Kansas selected as the
freshman of the year.
Chuck Carlton

TEXAS

Smart lands 6-10

centers commitment
In what may be a significant
domino for coach Shaka
Smarts recruiting efforts,

THURSDAYS RESULTS
at E. Kentucky ........ 48 Tennessee Tech............. 17
at Bethune-Cookman... 17 SC State....................... 14
at Houston ............. 49 SMU ............................ 28
Washington ........
at USC...............
TODAYS GAMES
Southern Miss
at Marshall
(CBSSN) 6:00
NC State
at Virginia Tech
(ESPN) 7:00
SATURDAYS GAMES
SOUTHWEST
Baylor
at Kansas
(Fox 1) 11 am
UTEP
at FIU
11 am
New Mexico St. at Ole Miss
(SEC) 11 am
Oklahoma
vs. Texas
(Ch. 8) 11 am
(at Dallas)
Rice
at FAU
1:30

James Banks, a center from La

Lumiere School in Indiana, announced Thursday he had
committed to Texas.
The 6-10 Banks is rated the
nations 45th-best player, according to Scout. ESPN has
him pegged as the 56th-best in
the nation. Banks chose UT
over Vanderbilt.
Austin American-Statesman

NORTH TEXAS

UNT women picked

to finish last in C-USA
DENTON The North
Texas womens basketball team
was picked to finish last in Conference USA in the leagues preseason coaches poll that was

MVSU
Cent. Arkansas
Georgia
South Carolina

at Prairie View
2:00
at Houston Baptist
2:30
at Tennessee
2:30
vs. LSU
(ESPN) 2:30
(at Baton Rouge, La.)
Iowa St.
at Texas Tech
(FSSW) 2:30
Nicholls St.
at Stephen F. Austin
3:00
Troy
at Mississippi St.
3:00
Portland St.
at North Texas
4:00
La.-Monroe
at Tulsa
5:00
Arkansas
at Alabama
(ESPN) 6:00
Incarnate Word at Sam Houston St.
6:00
Oklahoma St.
at West Virginia (ESPN2) 6:00
Louisiana Tech
at UTSA
6:00
Texas St.
at La.-Lafayette
6:00
Florida
at Missouri
(SEC) 6:30
TCU
at Kansas St.
(Ch. 4) 6:30
Abilene Christian at Lamar
7:00

released Thursday.
There are 14 teams in the
league. The Mean Green didnt
have a player selected among 10
named to the preseason allconference team heading into
its first season under new coach
Jalie Mitchell.
UNT finished 5-24 last season under Mike Petersen and
lost its top two scorers in
BreAnna Dawkins and Briesha
Wynn, who averaged 10.8 and
10.7 points a game as seniors.
Middle Tennessee is the preseason favorite, followed by Old
Dominion and Western Kentucky.
MTSU junior guard Olivia
Jones was named the preseason player of the year.
Brett Vito

LOUISVILLE

Firm hired to review

escort allegations
An independent Louisville
affiliate has hired a law firm to
review an escorts allegations
that former mens basketball
staffer Andre McGee hired
dancers to strip and have sex
with recruits and players.
The University of Louisville
Foundation announced the
hiring Thursday of the Stites &
Harbison law firm. The foundation invests donations to the
university.
Louisville President James
Ramsey also said he fully supports longtime athletic director
Tom Jurich as we work to identify the facts in this situation.
Ramsey reiterated the school
has hired former NCAA enforcement official Chuck Smrt
to lead the athletic departments investigations in Katina
Powells book, Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the
Escort Queen.
The presidents statement
went on to praise Jurich for
leading an exemplary program during his 18 years as AD,

but did not mention Cardinals

coach Rick Pitino.
The coach talked about the
omission in a radio interview,
saying, Im sorry that Dr. Ramsey did not think enough to
mention me, but thats something I cannot control.
Pitino bristled at a question
if the widespread attention now
on his program has made him
reconsider resigning.
I dont know what resigning would accomplish, Pitino,
63, told WHAS-AM (840). I
think thats the cowardly way
out if I resign now without
coaching two fifth-year seniors
and people who came to play
for me. What does it do for the
program if the coach runs
away?

TENNESSEE

Accusations against
Jones doubted
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
Tennessee Chancellor Jimmy
Cheek is very confident there
was no inappropriate conduct between Volunteers
coach Butch Jones and a player.
While speaking Thursday to

the Board of Trustees, Cheek

said there were rumors and
misinformation about an alleged incident during football
practice. The chancellor said
he and athletic director Dave
Hart have done our due diligence on this matter.
Cheek was responding to
message board discussions and
reports that Jones had a physical altercation with center
Mack Crowder during a preseason practice. Jones said the allegation was absolutely ridiculous.
Without specifically addressing the allegations, Crowder sent out three separate
tweets saying he was proud
and honored to be part of
Tennessees program.

AROUND THE NATION

Illinois: Starting RB Josh
Ferguson will miss Saturdays
game at No. 22 Iowa with a
shoulder injury.
South Carolina: Former
walk-on QB Perry Orth will
start Saturday against LSU after freshman Lorenzo Nunez
suffered a shoulder injury,
coach Steve Spurrier said.

C6 10-09-2015 Set: 22:39:52

Sent by: kcullen@dallasnews.com Sports

The Associated Press

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