As mid-October approaches, it”s time to start weeding out potential Heisman hopefuls. Miami”s Ken Dorsey, UCLA”s DeShaun Foster and Florida”s Rex Grossman all play in games this weekend that could have a major impact on the Heisman race.
- Paul Wong
- Ethinic Sands, aims to further his stake as the nation”s leading reciever and Heisman candidate against in-state rival Florida State. <br><br>AP PHOTO
No. 2 Miami (Fla.) (2-0 Big East, 4-0 Overall) at No 14 Florida State (2-1 ACC, 3-1 Overall) 12 p.m. (ABC): Undefeated and unchallenged Miami heads up to Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahasse, where Florida State has not lost since 1991.
Miami, led by Heisman candidate Ken Dorsey is coming off a 38-7 trouncing of Troy State while Florida State had little trouble taking care of Wake Forest, 48-24 in its last game Sept. 29.
Miami will try to rattle freshman quarterback Chris Rix, much like North Carolina did when it upset Florida State three weeks ago. While Rix came back in his last game, completing 16 of 21 passes against the Demon Deacons, he shouldn”t expect such an easy time with Miami.
The Hurricanes have been held to under 200 yards rushing just once this year, so expect running back Clinton Portis to get plenty of carries. Making things easier is the fact that Florida State”s starting defensive end Alonzo Jackson is out for the game with a sprained MCL.
While the Seminoles have had an extra week to practice for this interstate rivalry and remember well last years loss in Miami, it all should prove for naught. Miami will continue its quest for the Rose Bowl and end Florida State”s home winning streak in convincing fashion.
Miami 31, Florida State 14
No. 10 Washington (2-0 Pac-10, 4-0) at No. 7 UCLA (1-0 Pac-10, 4-0) 3:30 (ABC): Two traditional Pac-10 heavyweights clash in Pasadena. UCLA”s running back DeShaun Foster looks to avenge last year”s defeat at Washington with a win at the Rose Bowl. In UCLA”s last game against No. 19 Oregon State, Foster carried 31 times for 147 yards and scored three times.
Making the Bruins even more impressive is the fact that three of its four wins have come against ranked teams.
Washington, meanwhile, barely squeaked by Pac-10 cellar dwellers California (31-28) and Southern Cal. (27-24) in its last two games after beating Michigan in early September.
On the offensive side, freshman wide receiver Reggie Williams has been themain man in Seattle so far, averaging over 22 yards per-catch.
While the Bruins” offense has established itself as capable of beating ranked teams, all the Huskies have done is show that they wins games by considerably less than expected. UCLA and Foster should be ready for this game, and expect Pickett to be rattled in his first true road test in Pasadena.
UCLA 28, Washington 16
No. 24 Texas A&M (2-0 Big 12, 5-0) at No. 20 Colorado (2-0, 4-1) 3:30 p.m. (ESPN): There was one point this year when Colorado looked just like the 3-8 team it was last year. It had just lost its first game of the year to Fresno State and most people were calling for Gary Barnett”s job.
But things have changed in Boulder. Colorado has since won four straight thanks to sophomore quarterback Craig Ochs, who has led a balanced offensive attack that averages over 435 yards a game. Chris Brown has taken over as the starting running back and already has seven rushing touchdowns in just five games.
Texas A&M has quietly gone 5-0 and done so mostly with stingy defensive play.
Quarterback Mark Farris is second in the Big 12 in passing, throwing for over 1,100 yards. But Barnett and his Buffaloes are on just too good of a roll right now for anyone to knock them off track.
Colorado 24, Texas A&M 22
No. 1 Florida (3-0 SEC, 5-0) at. Auburn (2-1, 5-0) 7:45 p.m. (ESPN): Florida sophomore quarterback Rex Grossman and the top-ranked Gators travel to Auburn and take on the Tigers in a rematch of last year”s Southeastern Conference championship game.
In just five games Grossman has thrown for over 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Auburn relies heavily on the legs of sophomore running back Casinious Moore who ran for 160 yards in last week”s 16-14 win over Mississippi State.
But facing Mississippi State”s defense is not like facing Florida”s. The Gator defense is led by last week”s SEC Defensive Player of the week Alex Brown. Brown had seven tackles and two sacks against Louisiana State. The Gators haven”t won by fewer than 29 points all year, including its 52-0 win over Mississippi State.
Florida 41, Auburn 9