Game Previews for Week 7 (Part 2)

Oklahoma St. at Missouri, Saturday

The Cowboys have been one of the more unheralded undefeated teams, mainly because they play in the same conference as highly-regarded unbeatens Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri. Do the Cowboys deserve to be held in the same regard?

The Cowboys are 4-0 in their FBS games, outscoring their opponents by 26 points per game. Sounds like a good start. The problem? Those four teams are a combined 5-13 in their FBS games. Even taking out their Ok. St. losses, they are still 5-9.

Still, Oklahoma St. has a lot working for them, including a balanced offensive attack. Kendall Hunter is fifth in the country in rushing yardage per game, while Zac Robinson is third in passing efficiency.

Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin get all the attention on the offensive side of the ball for the Tigers, but they have a clear defensive star as well in linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. Weatherspoon has three interceptions, 60 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks on the year.

Prediction: Missouri 47, Oklahoma St. 33


Michigan St. at Northwestern, Saturday


Michigan St.'s Javon Ringer took a break last week, carrying only 25 times for 91 yards. He had carried 34 times or more in his four previous games. Ringer is averaging less than five yards per carry, but the Spartans keep giving it to him, and last I checked three straight runs of four yards nets you a first down.

Northwestern has shown to be a strong defensive team, stopping the run and pass equally and posting the nation's 37th best team in total defense and 13th best team in scoring defense. Is that the schedule talking? Two of Northwestern's four FBS opponents are among the 14 teams winless against FBS competition.

Prediction: Michigan St. 20, Northwestern 10