Previewing Thursday night's TV games
- Second-ranked Oregon plays first true road game of season, at No. 24 Arizona State
- Ducks begin closing stretch that includes four teams currently ranked in coaches Top 25
- Slumping Southern Methodist hosts suddenly hot Houston
No. 2 Oregon (6-0) at No. 24 Arizona State (5-1)
Time/TV: 9 p.m. ET/ESPN.
Surface: Grass.
Covers.com line: Oregon by 8.
Sagarin difference: Oregon by 1.84.
Synopsis: The back half of Oregon's schedule that features four teams currently in the top 25 should be more to the liking of the BCS computer formulas. That stretch begins Thursday night in Tempe, where the Sun Devils hope to make the jump from fringe player to Pac-12 contender with a splashy upset. They can do it if QB Taylor Kelly continues his steady play and manages long possessions. If it's working, TE Chris Coyle probably will be a big part of the equation. But the Ducks' defense likes to force the issue with agitators such as DE Dion Jordan and LB Kiko Alonso. The Ducks aren't terribly concerned with time of possession thanks to the breakaway speed of RBs Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas. ASU will count on DT Will Sutton to bother QB Marcus Mariota before he gets the ball to his playmakers in space.
Houston (3-3) at Southern Methodist (2-4)
Time/TV: 8 p.m. ET/FSN.
Surface: Artificial.
Covers.com line: Houston by 5.
Sagarin difference: SMU by 3.27.
Synopsis: On the undercard is this Conference USA matchup featuring a team that appears to have reversed its fortunes and another that desperately needs to. Houston has righted itself after starting 0-3, now posting the kinds of offensive numbers its fans have grown to expect. QB David Piland and TB Charles Sims provide good balance, but they'll have to beware of SMU LB Randall Joyner. The Mustangs are moving in the opposite direction, falling to previously winless Tulane in their last outing. They need a fast start from QB Garrett Gilbert to avoid catch-up mode, where CougarsLBs Phillip Steward and Derrick Mathews would be free to blitz often.
Jeff Sagarin's power ratings show the relative strength of teams; 2.66 points were added to the home team's rating to calculate the difference.