Saturday, September 20, 2003
Today's Top 25 games
UCLA (1-1) at No. 1 Oklahoma (3-0)
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Line: Oklahoma by 19.
Points: The Pac-10's No. 1 defense could be the Sooners' toughest challenge to date. Bruins CB Matt Ware and SS Jarrad Page must contain WRs Brandon Jones and Mark Clayton.
No. 2 Miami (3-0) at Boston College (2-1)
Time/TV: 7:45 p.m./ESPN.
Line: Miami by 12 1/2.
Points: BC's Derrick Knight leads the Big East and is fourth in the country, and Miami RB Frank Gore has surpassed 100 yards in each of his first three outings.
No. 5 Michigan (3-0) at No. 22 Oregon (3-0)
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m./Ch. 9, 2.
Line: Michigan by 7 1/2.
Points: Ducks LB Kevin Mitchell will lead the effort to bottle up RB Chris Perry. Oregon will continue to platoon QBs Kellen Clemens and Jason Fife as long as both are effective.
Marshall (1-2) at No. 6 Kansas State (4-0)
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Line: K-State by 19 1/2.
Points: Marshall is K-State's most dangerous nonconference test. With the Wildcats' Ell Roberson (hand) and Marshall's Stan Hill (knee) out, the game will hinge on fill-in quarterbacks.
No. 7 Georgia (3-0) at No. 10 LSU (3-0)
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m./Ch. 12, 7.
Line: LSU by 1 1/2.
Points: This game features two of the league's most effective quarterbacks. LSU's Matt Mauck is the conference's top-rated passer. Bulldogs QB David Greene also is among the national leaders in passing efficiency.
Colorado (2-1) at No. 9 Florida State (3-0)
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Line: Florida State by 20.
Points: Colorado will be without leading passer Joel Klatt (shoulder) and top rusher Bobby Purify (ankle). Erik Greenberg will start at quarterback for the Buffaloes.
No. 11 Pittsburgh (2-0) at Toledo (2-1)
Time: 7 p.m.
Line: Pittsburgh by 10.
Points: Pittsburgh is 21-0 against the Mid-American Conference, but the Rockets on their home field could be the Panthers' most dangerous MAC test.
No. 12 Tennessee (2-0) at No. 17 Florida (2-1)
Time/TV: Noon/Ch. 25.
Line: Florida by 3 1/2.
Points: The Gators hope last week's improvements will carry over in case they find themselves protecting another Miami-sized lead. The Vols are developing a power personality behind SEC rushing leader Cedric Houston.
No. 13 Texas (1-1) at Rice (0-2)
Time/TV: 9 p.m./ESPN2.
Line: Texas by 30.
Points: Texas visits Houston's Reliant Stadium to take on another former Southwest Conference rival. If Texas properly channels its anger from last week, LB Jeff Vanover and the Owls defense will be in for a long night.
No. 16 Arizona State (2-0) at No. 14 Iowa (3-0)
Time/TV: 6 p.m./ESPN2.
Line: Iowa by 7 1/2.
Points: ASU QB Andrew Walter seems to have found his new go-to receiver in Skyler Fulton. The game will hinge on whether the Sun Devils can contain Iowa RB Fred Russell.
North Texas (1-2) vs. No. 18 Arkansas (2-0)
Time: 7 p.m.
Line: Arkansas by 21.
Points: North Texas' solid defense should test the Razorbacks.
Vanderbilt (1-2) at No. 19 TCU (2-0)
Time: 7 p.m.
Line: TCU by 11 1/2.
Points: Texas Christian faces the first of two opponents from BCS conferences.
Idaho (0-3) at No. 21 Washington (1-1)
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Line: Washington by 26 1/2.
Points: Vandals FB Keith Greer remains in serious condition in a Seattle hospital with breathing complications after surgery on a broken leg.
Michigan State (2-1) at No. 23 Notre Dame (1-1)
Time/TV: 2:30 p.m./Ch. 5, 22.
Line: No line.
Points: RBs Julius Jones and Ryan Grant can help struggling QB Carlyle Holiday if they can keep Michigan State LB Ronald Stanley occupied. Spartans QB Jeff Smoker (toe) might not be available.
Louisiana-Lafayette (0-3) at No. 24 Minnesota (3-0)
Time: 8 p.m.
Line: Minnesota by 35.
Points: Big Ten play starts at Penn State next week for the Gophers.
New Mexico (1-2) at No. 25 Washington State (2-1)
Time: 5 p.m.
Line: WSU by 15 1/2.
Points: Washington State prepares for next week's Pac-10 opener at Oregon.
Rest of the Top 25
No. 8 Virginia Tech beat No. 20 Texas A&M 35-19 Thursday. No. 3 Southern California and No. 15 Nebraska are idle.
BENGALS / NFL
Steelers' rushing attack missing
Transcript of Friday's chat with Mark Curnutte
Isolation Booth: Hardy vs. Zereoue
Keys to victory: Special teams
Notes: James good to go vs. Steelers
Expectoration confrontation: Dolphins vs. Bills
NFL notebook
OHIO PREP FOOTBALL
Elder 42, La Salle 7
Moeller 10, St. Xavier 9
Princeton 62, Sycamore 28
McNicholas 44, Purcell Marian 36
Your audible game: Kings 40, Little Miami 0
Wyoming 54, Finneytown 8
Mariemont 47, Reading 14
Colerain 55, Fairfield 7
Alter 35, Roger Bacon 14
Friday's other Ohio games
KENTUCKY PREP FOOTBALL
Conner 24, Boone Co. 9
Dixie Heights 15, Ryle 13
Ludlow 28, Bellevue 12
Friday's other Kentucky games
MORE PREP SPORTS HEADLINES
Girls soccer paves way to life goals
Quarterback leads win after father/coach dies
Cross country polls, honor rolls
Friday's other prep sports results
Today's schedule
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Ohio State 24, Bowling Green 17
Fast start has UC in unfamiliar spot
Buckeyes vulnerable to an upset
Indiana will run; UK likely to throw
QB battle highlights MU's date with Rams
Friday: UNLV 33, Hawaii 22
Today's Top 25 games
REDS / BASEBALL
Take our poll on Great American Ball Park
Phillies 7, Reds 3
Larkin doubtful for rest of season
Notes: Stinnett enjoying playoff race
Major-league notebook
NL: Braves' Ortiz notches 20th win of season
AL: Yanks' Soriano ties leadoff HR record
XAVIER HOOPS
A-10 poised for expansion
WORLD CUP SOCCER
As World Cup play opens, Americans antsy to begin
ON THE AIR
Sports on TV, radio