College Football: Games to watch

Defensively, Duke has done just enough to win games, surrendering 20 or more points in five of their last six games. The Blue Devils will need to get to Jameis Winston and force a few early turnovers to keep it close. That won’t be easy to do against a Florida State team that can run as well as it can pass.

For those who might believe Winston will succumb to all the emotion and negative press surrounding his sexual assault case, think again. If anything, Winston and the Seminoles have been more focused than ever. It’s difficult to envision Florida State, which has accumulated 6,313 yards in total offense, having any problems scoring on Duke. This isn’t to say Winston is invincible. The redshirt freshman, despite throwing for 325 yards and a TD in a win over Miami, struggled a bit as he threw two interceptions. The Hurricanes got to the Seminoles with some early pressure.

Whether Duke can do the same remains to be seem, especially if the Seminoles decide to run the ball early. Between Devonta Freeman, Karlos Williams and James Wilder Jr., there isn’t a team in the country Florida State can’t run on. If Duke stacks the box, Winston will have a choice of receivers to throw to. Rashad Greene (914 yds, 9 TDs), Kenny Shaw (855 yds, 5 TDs) and Kelvin Benjamin (838 yds, 12 TDs) is arguably the top WR trio in the country. Pick your poison Duke.

Michigan State’s offense is another story. The Spartans have shown they can score, but the consistency has been lacking. Michigan State’s offense managed just 324 yards in a 14-3 win over Minnesota last week. An argument can be made the Spartans, who had a spot in the Big Ten title claim clinched before the Minnesota game, were just going through the motions. They can’t do that against an Ohio State offense that averages 48 points per game. Miller has 1,759 yards passing, 21 TDs and just 5 INTs. He’s been equally as impressive on the ground with 891 yards and 8 scores.

Can the Spartans slow down his running? Yes. Michigan State has a stout front seven. But Miller won’t just run all day. He’ll hit either Devin Smith or Philly Brown if the Michigan State secondary gets caught looking in the backfield. There is also Jeff Heuerman to throw two. With a trip to the BCS title game on the line, expect Ohio State to be supremely focused.

Missouri also crushed Georgia and Florida (when Florida was still decent). Get the picture? Many people have already put Auburn in the BCS title game. Not so fast. Missouri’s offense has operated like a machine this year, even without Franklin (1,953 16 TDs, 4 INT), who missed four games with a bad shoulder. The Tigers’ offense (252 passing, 236 rushing) is about as balanced as you’ll see anywhere in the country. Their top three rushers have combined for 2,139 yards and 26 TDs, while Franklin has 412 yards on the ground and three scores.

Auburn’s rushing attack is second to none. And the Tigers proved etched that statement in stone after running all over Alabama for 296 yards. And don’t think Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall can’t make a play in the passing game. His 39-yard scoring pass to Sammie Coates that tied the score at 28 set up Chris Davis’ 100-yard return. Marshall completed 11 of 16 passes in the win.

Auburn’s defense, which struggled at times early in the season, will need to fix any holes very quickly. As uplifting as the Tigers’ win over Alabama was, they still allowed a 99-yard TD pass. They also gave up 532 total yards in a 43-38 win over Georgia. Granted Georgia QB Aaron Murray is one o the best, he ripped Auburn’s defense for 415 yards and 2 TDs.