Taking a look at the best of the upcoming week in college football, the Heisman race and the rankings.
View full sizeNebraska's multi-talented quarterback Taylor Martinez will get to strut his stuff in a showdown Saturday with Texas A&M.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Taking a look at the best of the upcoming week in college football, the Heisman race and the rankings:
This week's best national games
1. No. 8 Ohio State at No. 21 Iowa, Saturday, 3:30, ABC: The whole country is getting this game on ABC, so it's more than just a great Big Ten matchup. The Buckeyes are still looking for their first signature win.
2. No. 9 Nebraska at No. 18 Texas A&M, Saturday, 8, ABC: Scouting mission for Ohio State fans as Huskers face a good road test -- less than 11 months until Buckeyes go to Nebraska.
3. Fresno State at No. 3 Boise State, Friday, 9:30, ESPN2: With fellow undefeateds Oregon, Auburn and TCU on off weeks, this is the only taste of the national title race.
This week's best Big Ten games
1. Illinois vs. Northwestern, Saturday, 3:30, ESPNU: Watch it for the venue -- first college football game at Wrigley Field since 1938. And on a baseball theme, Notre Dame plays Army at Yankee Stadium on NBC at 7.
2. No. 6 Wisconsin at Michigan, Saturday, noon, ESPN: If the Badgers scored 83 on Indiana, might they get 100 against the Wolverines? Could be a fun one.
3. Purdue at No. 11 Michigan State, Saturday, noon, ESPN2: How will Jim Tressel disciple Mark Dantonio fare with the Spartans coming off a bye? Victory would give Spartans first 10-win season since 1999.
HEISMAN WATCH
View full sizeKellen Moore keeps winning, but the Boise State quarterback doesn't have the showcase games left to lift him above Auburn's Cameron Newton in the Heisman race.1. Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn, Jr., Odds: 3-2, bye week: Second in passer rating, eighth in rushing, has almost reached the point where if he's eligible, he wins. Only Alabama and SEC title game left.
2. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State, Jr., Odds: 3-1, vs. Fresno State: With Newton and James off, has a chance to own the weekend, might get to play four quarters against decent opponent.
3. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon, Soph., Odds: 6-1, bye week: Second game of the season under 100 yards rushing as Ducks only beat Cal, 15-13. Hurt the cause.
4. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State, Soph., Odds: 12-1, at Kansas: Has 180 more yards than any receiver in the nation, averaging 159 per game, along with 16 touchdowns for one-loss Cowboys.
5. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan, Soph., Odds: 15-1, vs. Wisconsin: Numbers came down a bit, but he's on a two-game winning streak and is still nation's No. 3 rusher.
6. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State, Jr., Odds: 20-1, at Iowa: More of a bystander in Buckeyes' comeback win vs. Penn State. Has thrown at least one interception in four straight games.
7. Dominique Davis, QB, East Carolina, Jr., Odds: 40-1, at Rice: Only player in the country accounting for more points than Cam Newton. Has thrown five TD passes two straight weeks for 6-4 Pirates.
Dropped out: TCU QB Andy Dalton (6), Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi (7)
DOUG'S TOP 25
1. Auburn; 2. Oregon; 3. TCU; 4. Boise State; 5. Michigan State; 6. Wisconsin; 7. LSU; 8. Stanford; 9. Nebraska; 10. Ohio State; 11. Oklahoma State; 12. Alabama; 13. Missouri; 14. Arkansas; 15. Virginia Tech; 16. Oklahoma; 17. South Carolina; 18. Texas A&M; 19. Mississippi State; 20. USC; 21. Arizona; 22. Nevada; 23. Iowa; 24. North Carolina State; 25. Florida State
Explaining my ballot
• Auburn continued to earn my No. 1 for the fourth straight week, and the Tigers picked up some support after beating Georgia, 49-31, while No. 1 Oregon slid past Cal by only 15-13. Auburn has a total of 53 No. 1 votes in the three major polls, compared to 13 last week. Oregon's No. 1 vote total dropped from 192 to 149.
• Though Boise State moved ahead of TCU, jumping from fourth to third in all three major polls, the Horned Frogs retained their No. 3 spot on my ballot despite only a 40-35 win over a decent San Diego State. I still think TCU's overall resume is a bit better, though Boise State plays a respectable Fresno State team on Friday and that could change. So my top 10 did not change at all, as I remain the staunchest supporter of Michigan State.
• Ohio State stayed at No. 10 on my ballot, No. 7 in the coaches poll, No. 7 in the Harris poll and No. 8 in the AP poll. But the Buckeyes lost points in every poll: 16 in the coaches, 14 in the AP and 3 in the Harris. Wisconsin, meanwhile, stayed at No. 5 in the coaches poll and Harris poll and gained a total of 52 points in the two polls, increasing the gap between the Badgers and Buckeyes in that part of the BCS standings.