Each week, our bloggers will take a closer look at the storylines you should be watching. What's on tap for Week 6?
ACC
Interceptions in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor showed significant progress in the passing game last weekend against Duke, and didn't throw any interceptions in the process, but the Eagles have picked off five passes this year. Both teams have a knack for interceptions. Virginia Tech, in fact, has registered more interceptions (182) since the start of the 2000 season than any program in the country. Oklahoma (174) is second, and BC (173) is third during that time span. (ESPN360.com, Saturday, noon ET)
Big 12
Oklahoma State's reaction to the loss of Dez Bryant. The Cowboys already are facing serious injury woes. But now they'll have to account -- perhaps for the rest of the season -- for the loss of their top offensive weapon and most explosive player after Bryant's suspension by the NCAA. His abilities as a receiver and punt returner made him a threat to score every time he touched the ball. Without him, the Cowboys won't be nearly as explosive. It will place more pressure on receivers like Hubert Anyiam, DeMarcus Conner and Josh Cooper. They have a combined career total of 21 receptions.
Big East
Runny Heinz. The forward pass is not the favorite option of either Randy Edsall or Dave Wannstedt. Both UConn and Pitt (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET) love to pound the ball and play a physical style. The Huskies have Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman at their disposal, while the Panthers have Dion Lewis and Ray Graham. Whichever side dictates the running game at Heinz Field will have a big edge.
Big Ten
Iowa defense goes streaking. The Hawkeyes try to continue one of the more remarkable streaks in college football on Saturday night against Michigan (ABC, 8 ET). Iowa hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown for 33 consecutive quarters, stretching back to last year's game against Penn State on Nov. 8. Sturdy defensive line play has been the hallmark of this team in 2009, but Iowa will be tested by Michigan's rushing attack, which ranks second in the Big Ten in rushing (197.8 ypg).
Pac-10
Nate Costa gets his moment. The expectations for Costa were high before the 2008 season. He was the heir-apparent to Dennis Dixon, and many Ducks fans whispered that he might even be better at running Chip Kelly's offense than Dixon was. Then he blew out his knee. Again. Jeremiah Masoli ended up being thrust into the starting role and ran with it. It seemed that, at best, Costa would finish his Oregon career as a backup wondering what might have been. Now, with Masoli nursing a bum knee, all signs point to him starting at UCLA (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET). Can he keep the Ducks on top of the Pac-10?
SEC
Bedlam on the Bayou. If you love college football and love the atmosphere surrounding college football on game day, find a way to be in Baton Rouge, La., on Saturday night. The party outside Tiger Stadium has a chance to be as good as the game itself. They do it up right on the Bayou for every game, but the environment for the Florida-LSU showdown will be electric. I can already taste the gumbo. I can already feel the anticipation of the last two national champions squaring off in one of college football's most hallowed (and deafening) cathedrals. I can already hear the LSU band striking up those legendary first four notes: DAH-DANT-DA-DUM. For a little taste, go to LSUsports.com and click on "Touchdown for LSU" (pregame).
Non-AQ
Runnin'. Both Louisiana Tech and Nevada got big wins last week by employing their running games, but facing each other this week (ESPN, ESPN360.com, Friday, 9 p.m. ET) should produce a very different result. Neither team's rushing defense has been stellar this year, but Louisiana Tech comes in with the 105th-ranked rushing defense and the Wolf Pack had three players rush for more than 180 yards last week.
- Rumors: What Mallett will do
- Feldman: Rivalry weekend picks
- Heisman Predictor: McCoy is the favorite
- Tools: Game Predictor | PickCenter
- Draft: Mel's Big Board (11/25) | NFL draft blog
