NCAA Football: Two Rivalries and a Bit More

We're all in for a couple of great games this weekend. At noon on Saturday, the Red River Rivalry is renewed at Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Then, one of the greatest rivalries in college football makes its way to South Bend, Indiana.

#20@

#3

The Red River Rivalry is almost here, and with it comes what will most likely be the best matchup of quarterbacks this season. It's true that Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Texas' Colt McCoy are friends. Well, despite the backdrop, they're insistant of that friendship. They will put that all away tomorrow.

The Cotton Bowl is the home of this particular game in conjunction with the Texas State Fair. What type of ride will this game take us on?

But one thing we can count on...a lot of hitting. We may be able to count on a lot of points, too. Last year's game sported a 45-35 final with Texas coming out on top. To witness that type of scoring again this year is not out of the question as the Sooners have the 13th rated offense and the Longhorns hold down a ranking of 7th.

Oklahoma does possess a good 1-2 punch in the rushing game with DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown. Both Murray and Brown have rushed for over 350 yards and 3 TD. Texas counters with a decent 1-2 punch of their own in Vondrell McGee and Tre' Newton. They almost match the Sooner duo in TD (5), but in short yardage situations, the Sooner defense should be aware of Texas RB Cody Johnson. Johnson has more rushing touchdowns (5) than any other running back in this game. The Sooners have just a bit better running attack. And that benefits Bradford as he continue to mend from his shoulder injury.

But most of the offensive focus will be squarely placed to the QBs: Bradford (left) for Oklahoma and McCoy for Texas. But who will they throw to? That's actually a bit of a problem because both have one specific target. (You think that's been covered in team meetings?) The Sooners look for WR Ryan Broyles and the Longhorns look to WR Jordan Shipley. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops will announce later today if Broyles will be available for the game. Bradford needs Broyles especially since the Sooners are without TE Jermaine Grisham for the entire season. If Broyles is a no-go, then Bradford's focus turns to WR Brandon Caleb. Caleb has similar stats to Broyles, except in TD.

And this game very well could fall onto the shoulders of Bradford and McCoy (right), but in games like this, a different, unexpected player emerges and grabs our attention. That "guy" could be Texas WR James Kirkendoll. With most of Oklahoma's attention going toward Shipley and the other WR Dan Buckner (in passing situations), Kirkendoll could step forward and provide a memorable game.

I like the Longhorns, but do not count out the Sooners. This will be close...something like 31-28.

#6@

#25

Yet another QB matchup...or is it? USC's frosh QB in Matt Barkley and ND's junior Jimmy Clausen. Not really a contest. Clausen is now getting a bit of Heisman hype while Barkley has missed time with a shoulder injury. One question people are asking is if Clausen has earned the hype. He has...somewhat.

One reason he's receiving a push is because he's playing for Notre Dame. Every game Jimmy Clausen (left) plays is on national television. But look at his performances...his entire work. The most impressive is that Clausen has tossed 12 TD and only 2 INT. He also has a higher QB rating than Texas' Colt McCoy, Florida's Tim Tebow and Cincinnati's Tony Pike. Only Pike has thrown for more TD (15 to 12).

But when Clausen is looking to pass, the Trojans must take WR Golden Tate away from him. And the #6 rated defense for the Trojans will have to do just that. If USC can make the Irish rely more on the rush, the Trojans should walk away from South Bend with a "W". Notre Dame is only rated 59th in rushing, but ranks 7th in passing. USC has a more run oriented offense (out of necessity) ranking 62nd in passing and 16th in rushing.

The x-factor: USC RB Joe McKnight (right). With Stafon Johnson out for the remainder of the season, the running load falls on McKnight's back. He has the talent to take advantage of this situation. For USC to leave with that win, McKnight must produce his best game of the year.

The Trojans got an unexpected boost with the appearance of Johnson at a team meeting. And who can forget the slip 'n' slide adventures? That's the difference between California and Indiana. That's why I like USC, 28-17. They have just enough fun to stay loose. That's why Pete Carroll is one of the five best coaches in college football. He finds ways to keep his guys loose.

Do you think they permit slip 'n' slides in South Bend?