College Football 2011 Week 8: In Full Swing

By Cabrone D. Brewer
The first half of the season is in the books and from the results of the first BCS computer rankings of the season, the No. 1 LSU Tigers have carved out a nice niche in the polls.
LSU is ranked No. 1, followed by Alabama, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Boise State in a close-knit BCS race that currently sets up two epic conference thrillers in the Big 12 and SEC later this season.
As for the games at hand this weekend for schools ranked in the current BCS poll, it should be business as usual for most of the parties involved.
Still searching for an identity this year in the SEC, No. 19 Auburn travels to Baton Rouge to take on No. 1 LSU Saturday afternoon. LSU will play without three key players — cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, running back Spencer Ware and defensive back Therold Simon — who were all suspended for Saturday’s match for a violation of team rules earlier in the week.
LSU shouldn’t be too concerned about the suspensions — Auburn quarterback Clint Moseley is making his first collegiate start against a LSU team that ranks fourth in the FBS in total defense.
Wisconsin faces a huge road test Saturday when the No. 4 Badgers pull into East Lansing to battle No. 15 Michigan State.
Michigan State is still riding high after defeating in-state rival Michigan last week and sporting the No. 2 ranked defensive unit in the nation, but the Spartans will have their hands full against a Wisconsin team that currently leads the nation in scoring with an average of 50.2 points per game.
SEC rivals No. 2 Alabama and Tennessee take to the stage in Tuscaloosa this weekend. Tennessee is still licking their wounds after suffering a 38-7 loss last week to No. 1 LSU and things don’t appear to be getting any easier for the Volunteers — Alabama is outscoring opponents by an average of 32.7 points per game and the Tide is currently ranked No. 1 in the FBS in several defensive categories.
And over on the west coast, No. 7 Stanford and Heisman hopeful Andrew Luck host No. 22 Washington in a Pac-12 conference battle that could prove to be a bit of a surprising matchup for both schools.
That’s all for us this weekend. Check back Monday morning for a recap of all the big games.
Also Read:

College Football 2011: Bring on the BCS

College Football 2011: Hello, Goodbye

College Football Week 6 Recap: OU Defense Shines in Big D