November 13, 2009

Rivals.com Staff

Each week, Rivals.com's college football experts give fans six things to keep an eye on over the course of the weekend.

USC. Can USC maintain its perfect record in November under coach Pete Carroll and avoid losing three games in a season for the first time since 2001? The Trojans' offense has managed just three touchdowns in the past two games, and the defense has allowed at least 27 points in three of the past four games. In addition, WR Damian Williams and TE Anthony McCoy are questionable with sprained ankles. The Trojans appear unusually vulnerable, and they're facing a Stanford offense that is balanced and explosive. QB Andrew Luck may be the best in the Pac-10 and RB Toby Gerhart leads the conference in rushing. The Cardinal have rolled up at least 33 points in each of the past three games, and that was against solid defensive teams in Arizona, Arizona State and Oregon. Still, trends favor the Trojans. USC is 28-0 in November since Carroll's arrival and has won 47 of its past 48 home games. But the last time USC lost in the L.A. Coliseum was to Stanford in '07.

- OLIN BUCHANAN

Can Iowa generate any offense at Ohio State? After QB Ricky Stanzi suffered an ankle injury in the first half against Northwestern last week, Iowa failed to score a point with redshirt freshman James Vandenberg under center. It was obvious Vandenberg wasn't ready for extended action, as he was 9-for-27 for 82 yards and an interception. If the Hawkeyes couldn't score against Northwestern with Vandenberg at the controls, how will they score at Ohio State? This is an Iowa attack that was average - at best - with Stanzi and ranks 10th in the Big Ten (349.8 ypg) in total offense. The Buckeye' defense ranks first in the conference and No. 6 in the nation in total defense (254.1 ypg). The unit is coming off of a stifling effort in a 24-7 victory at Penn State. Unless Iowa generates several turnovers and scores at least one unconventional touchdown, it may not have a chance to win in Columbus - costing the Hawkeyes a share of the Big Ten championship after that stellar 9-0 start.

- TOM DIENHART

Will anyone establish themselves in the Big 12 North? Winning the Big 12 North might not necessarily be something to be proud of, but it's better than slipping to the bottom of the North. Nebraska visits favorite Kansas this week. The Jayhawks have lost four in a row, and now even Todd Reesing is struggling. Nebraska's passing game is inept, but at least the defense has come to play this season. Surprising division leader Kansas State plays host to Missouri, which lost last week to a Baylor team led by a freshman quarterback. Can Nebraska and Kansas State establish themselves as the top teams in the division before their head-to-head matchup next week? Or is the Big 12 North so awful that Nebraska and Kansas State both lose to league also-rans?

- DAVID FOX

Heisman contenders on the road. Mark Ingram and Alabama are at Mississippi State. Case Keenum and Houston play at UCF. Tim Tebow and Florida meet South Carolina in Columbia. Colt McCoy and Texas are at Baylor. Toby Gerhart and Stanford play at USC. C.J. Spiller and Clemson are at North Carolina State. Jimmy Clausen and Notre Dame are at Pittsburgh. Ingram, McCoy and Tebow also must worry about their teams staying perfect in what should be tough road environments.

- MIKE HUGUENIN

How will Utah QB Jordan Wynn fare against TCU? Utah has lost only once, but the Utes' fast start didn't stop them from removing true freshman QB Jordan Wynn's redshirt more than halfway through the season. Wynn went 18-of-28 for 297 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in his first career start last week, but that solid performance came against winless New Mexico. Wynn faces a much tougher challenge Saturday at unbeaten TCU, which ranks third in the nation in total defense, fifth in scoring defense and seventh in pass efficiency defense. Utah's chances of ruining TCU's perfect season depend in part on whether this true freshman can maintain his composure against one of the nation's toughest defenses.

- STEVE MEGARGEE