Both the Buckeyes (2-0) and the Wolfpack (1-0) look to extend their unbeaten streaks when the two teams meet at Raleigh, N.C. Mike Nugent's 55-yard field goal as the clock ran out lifted Ohio State over Marshall and earned the All-American the Big Ten co-special teams player of the week.
Buckeyes, Wolfpack: Battle of unbeatens
No. 9 Ohio State vs. N.C. State
Ohio State averages 429.5 yards and 25.5 points a game on offense, but they have also given up seven turnovers in the young season - four interceptions and three lost fumbles.
"Football in this day and age, teams are so well schooled so well trained, you better expect playing tight ball games," Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel said.
Esther Gim
Colorado State vs. No. 22 Minnesota
After beating Illinois State 37-21, Minnesota is far from becoming complacent as they head to Colorado State to play at 10 p.m. this Saturday, head coach Glen Mason said.
"I didn't like anything about the game last weekend, with the exception that we won the football game," Mason said. The team had 12 penalties, including an excessive celebration penalty, and a "multitude of coaching errors," he said.
Dual rushing threats junior Marion Barber III and sophomore Laurence Maroney each contributed to the Gopher's numbers, both gaining more than 140 yards 18 attempts apiece.
While sophomore quarterback Bryan Cupito has less than 50 percent throwing efficiency, he has thrown 204 yards for two touchdowns.
Colorado State's Justin Holland has thrown for 636 yards in two games, but has had five interceptions. The Ram's run defense has given up 577 yards and averaged 1.7 yards per rush. They are 0-2 this season after losing to USC and Colorado.
Tina Reed
No. 17 Michigan vs. San Diego State
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San Diego State goes to Michigan Stadium seeking to snap U-M's 11th consecutive win in the Big House.
The Wolverines (1-1) look to bounce back after being upset by unranked Notre Dame at South Bend, Ind., last weekend, 27-20. History seems to be on U-M's side, however, as the Wolverines have lost back-to-back games only four times in head coach Lloyd Carr's tenure.
"We're hard at work trying to find out some way to run the football and prevent big plays," Carr said. "We're going to host, what I view as, an outstanding defensive football team and a team offensively that has a lot of weapons - very athletic and very quick."
The Aztecs are 1-0 after defeating Idaho St. 38-21.
Esther Gim
No. 16 Iowa vs. Arizona St.
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With the Cy-Hawk trophy secured for one more season, the Hawkeyes (2-0) take their road opener to Arizona St.
Iowa's defense has held opposing teams to 8.5 points per game this season, including giving up 110 total yards to Kent St. in week one, and 66 yards on the ground against inter-state rival Iowa State.
Arizona State is off to a 2-0 start after defeating UTEP 41-9 and Northwestern 30-21 with their run-and-gun offense. The Sun Devils have relied heavily on senior quarterback Andrew Walter, who has thrown for 533 yards and six touchdowns this season.
Junior wide receiver Derek Hagan is the target of choice for Walter, with 16 receptions for 273 yards and two touchdowns.
This Big Ten vs. Pac -10 contest has major season implications as both teams have a chance to enter conference play undefeated.
Jon Gunnells
No. 20 Wisconsin vs. Arizona
The Badgers defense and special teams led the way for a win against UNLV last weekend 18-3.
Wisconsin was helped by two safeties and a blocked field goal which was returned 86 yards by safety Jim Leonhard.
"Jimmy is a special man, he isn't real flashy, but he is always around he ball, he always makes stuff happen," Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez said.
Leonhard also became the Badger's all time leader in punt return yardage with 1,030 yards.
Arizona dropped to 1-1 on the season after losing to then 15th-ranked Utah 23-6 last weekend.
Jon Gunnells
Indiana vs. Kentucky
Indiana holds a slim one-game advantage in this rivalry for the Bourbon Bowl trophy, leading Kentucky 17-16-1. The Wildcats, however, have won eight of their last nine meetings, including a 34-17 win last season.
The Hoosiers have their best start since 1996 (2-0) after upsetting then-No.24 Oregon in which they forced seven turnovers.
"I see a team that's bigger, stronger, faster, but the noticeable difference is our guys are playing with more confidence," Indiana head coach Gerry DiNardo said.
Esther Gim
Penn State vs. Central Florida
Penn State (1-1) will need to show more strength in Saturday's game against the University of Central Florida after losing to Boston College last weekend, head coach Joe Paterno said.
In that matchup, senior quarterback Zack Mills threw for three touchdowns, but had four interceptions.
Sophomore running back Tony Hunt led in rushing yards, averaging 8.1 yards per carry. The Nittany Lions struggled rushing the ball, gaining only 73 yards on 21 attempts.
Central Florida (0-2) has given up 465 yards on the ground in two games.
Tina Reed
Northwestern vs. Kansas
Northwestern (0-2) is trying to forget last Saturday's loss to Arizona State as they push forward into this Saturday's matchup against Kansas (2-0), head coach Randy Walker said.
"It's just about getting back on the saddle and putting this behind us," Walker said. "We're a better team than how we played."
Last weekend, Northwestern's leading rusher Noah Herron gained 103 yards on 17 attempts.
Kansas is 2-0 after beating Tulsa and Toledo.
Tina Reed
Illinois vs. Western Michigan
The Illinois rushing duo of E.B. Halsey and Pierre Thomas produced 146 yards last week. But the Fighting Ilini (1-1) were unable to stop the UCLA ground game last weekend in their 35-17 loss, allowing 273 rushing yards.
Western Michigan (1-1) lost 63-0 to Virginia Tech in their second game.
Jon Gunnells
