STANFORD AT NOTRE DAME

IOWA (4-1) Big Ten: (1-0)
COACH: Kirk Ferentz

After blowing a 24-6 lead against Iowa State and a 22-point fourth-quarter lead against Penn State, Iowa settled down during an overtime that must have felt oddly familiar. C.J. Jones caught a 6-yard touchdown pass in the extra period.

The Hawkeyes played well on both sides of the ball for three quarters against PSU. The run defense was especially stout as the Penn State was held to just 59 yards on the ground. Keep that up throughout the Big Ten season and the Hawkeyes have a chance to go to the Rose Bowl.

RB Fred Russell -- He was a workhorse against Penn State, carrying 35 times for 150 yards and a touchdown. Russell has the speed to break the long runs, but he is also an effective inside runner. I really feel this is the biggest break through as opposed to what I felt in the preseason after losing a guy like Ladell Betts. In comes Russell.

Banks was sensational in the win. He threw four TD passes and kept his cool in overtime. Banks completed 18 of 30 passes for 260 yards and 2 int’s.

PENN STATE (3-1)
COACH: Joe Paterno

Penn State needs to start the game more efficiently and not depend on last-minute comebacks. The Nittany Lions clearly were not ready at the start of the game, while Iowa came out focused and efficient. A well-rested Wisconsin team should be prepared for the Nittany Lions this week.

Penn State’s pass defense is suspect, we knew it to start the season. The safeties Yaacov Yisrael (knee) and Ben Lago (knee) are out for the season and their losses have hurt. Bollinger is licking his chops this week. The run defense is also questionable.

Zack Mills is PSU at this point. The Penn State quarterback was unable to come through in overtime, but he threw four TD passes and led the team to a 22-point fourth quarter comeback.

WR Bryant Johnson had a big game for the Nittany Lions as he caught eight passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns against the Hawkeyes. Johnson is a big-play threat who can use his athleticism to make big plays over the top of the defense.

WISCONSIN (5-0)
COACH: Barry Alvarez

The Badgers are coming off a bye week.

Return of Lee Evans? Everyone’s #1 Preseason All-American. Evans went down with a torn ACL in the spring game. He is listed as questionable. I thought Wisconsin was doomed at that point. Now they are 5-0 and if Evans can get back to at least 90%, look out.

GEORGIA (4-0)
COACH: Mark Richt

Georgia barely beat South Carolina and Clemson before playing Northwestern State and New Mexico State the past two weeks, so it's really difficult to tell just how good the Bulldogs are.

Top five unit rankings at WR - WRs Terrence Edwards, Fred Gibson and Damien Gary. It's a talented, experienced position for the Bulldogs, but the receivers are dropping way too many passes. Still waiting for the offense to shine with all of the fire power they have…David Greene was last season’s SEC Freshman Of The Year. Dawgs have played a weak schedule and still 89th in the nation in total offense.

Georgia's improving defense allowed only one touchdown for the third consecutive game, but it has yet to see the kind of hard-nosed offensive line and running game it will face at Alabama.

ALABAMA (4-1)
COACH: Dennis Franchione

QBs Tyler Watts and Brodie Croyle -- This is the game within the game. Both QBs are capable of winning for the Tide, but coach Dennis Franchione isn't likely to play both on a regular basis. Brodie Croyle's standout performance against Arkansas last Saturday makes him the starting quarterback IMHO.

Alabama's defensive line continues to lead the way against both the run and the pass. The combination of Kenny King, Jarret Johnson, Kindal Moorehead makes it tough to run between the tackles

NEBRASKA (3-2)
COACH: Frank Solich

Out of the AP for first time since 1981

Power in the Big 12 North has shifted, at this point you have to think the favorites to win the division are Iowa State and Kansas State.

Is there a QB controversy now? Solich pulled Jamaal Lord in favor of Mike Stuntz in the loss to Iowa State. Not sure who will start this week. Lord had two critical turnovers that led to scores by Iowa State on Saturday while going 5 for 10 for 120 yards, but 90 came on a TD pass.

Can’t blame struggles on the QB as The offensive line has not been able to open holes for the running backs, who have not broken free for many big runs.

Nebraska running back Thunder Collins had his eligibility restored by an NCAA committee Tuesday and could play Saturday against McNeese State after sitting the last 4 games.

VS. IOWA STATE- The Huskers committed five turnovers in the game, leading to 17 Cyclone points and ISU controlled the football, holding a 15-minute advantage in time of possession.

MCNEESE STATE (4-0)
COACH: Tommy Tate

McNeese State is one of the top programs in Division I-AA and enters Saturday’s game with a 4-0 record and a No. 2 national ranking.

The Cowboys feature a run-oriented offensive attack, averaging 230.8 yards per game on the ground

Quarterback Scott Pendarvis triggers the Cowboys’ offensive attack. The sophomore has completed nearly 60 percent of his passes.

The MSU rushing attack is led by junior tailback Vick King, who averages nearly 90 yards per game and has scored

Defensively, the Cowboys have been very strong against the run, allowing four opponents to run for an average of just 70.5 yards per contest.