Two games I care about are:
#6 Wisconsin [6-0] at #16 Michigan State [5-1]
With their win on Saturday, Michigan State has now beaten Michigan four consecutive times for the first time since 1959-1962. But that streak would hold little weight in 2011 if the Spartans fall to Wisconsin in East Lansing Saturday night.
MSU currently leads the Big Ten's Legends Division by a half game over Nebraska, Michigan and Iowa, while the Badgers remain undefeated after trouncing Indiana 59-7.
Wisconsin is quietly making a strong run at the BCS National Championship. They lead FBS schools in scoring (50.1 points per game) and have scored at least 35 points in every single game. Their two-headed monsters in the running game, Montee Ball and James White, have already rushed for over 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. Then there is the all-transfer team president, Russell Wilson, who is completing nearly 75 percent of his passes with over 1,500 yards passing and 14 touchdowns.
It's that runaway locomotive of an offense that Michigan State hosts this Saturday. The Spartans' defense has led them to their 5-1 start as their offensive output lingers in the middle of the FBS pack. They rank first in pass defense (119.1 yards per game), third in rush defense (186.1 yards per game) and fourth in scoring defense (10.8 points per game).
Wisconsin wins 36-24.
#25 Washington [5-1] at #8 Stanford [6-0]
Certain NFL fan bases have adopted "Suck for Luck" campaigns, hoping to snag the services of Andrew Luck in the 2012 NFL Draft, but Stanford's quarterback remains focused as he's led the Cardinal to a nation-best 14-game win streak. Their latest victory was a 30-point shellacking of Washington State. They return home for a Week 8 meeting with the 25th-ranked Huskies Saturday night.
Stanford currently ranks fifth in both scoring offense (45.8 points per game) and defense (11.2 ppg). Luck is completing 71.3 percent of his passes for more than 1,700 yards with 18 touchdowns and only three interceptions. A potpourri of running backs have accounted for 5.1 yards per rush and 15 touchdowns.
Washington's quarterback, Keith Price, is no slouch as he is third in the nation with 21 passing touchdowns. Outside of that, the Huskies' stats are far from inspiring heading into a road contest against Luck. They rank 45th in passing offense and 48th on the ground. What hurts the most and that needs to improve Saturday night are the 28.5 points per game (77th in FBS) Washington is surrendering each time they take the field.
Stanford wins 37-22.
