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Four Down Territory: Week eight College Football preview

Four Down Territory: Week eight College Football preview
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Welcome to Four Down Territory, Omaha Sports Insider’s weekly college football round table. We will be joined by members of the Omaha Sports Insider staff to get their thoughts on what is going on in the world of college football. This week we are joined by Joe Quinn of AM 590 ESPN Omaha, Alicia Sala, Producer of Omaha Sports Insider on AM 590 ESPN Omaha and Tyler Martin of OmahaSportsInsider.com

FIRST DOWN

When the AP poll came out on Sunday, it was a bit surprising to see four non-power five teams ranked (No. 24 Navy, No. 20 Western Michigan, No. 14 Boise State, and No. 11 Houston). None of these teams are likely to make the college football playoff, but there is still a lot to play for including a News Years Day Six Bowl.

Of the non-power five schools that are ranked, who has the best chance to represent the “Group of Five” in a News Years Day Six Bowl?

 

JOE:  I like Western Michigan a lot this year. They've already notched two wins against Big Ten teams, and have a very manageable schedule the rest of the way. I think the Broncos win out, and PJ Fleck will be one of the hottest names in coaching after this season. 

TYLER: It’s got to be Houston. Houston has the most talent behind quarterback Greg Ward Jr., along with a win over Oklahoma. Houston may have had a hiccup against Navy, but still has a chance to pick up a win against Louisville to even that out later in the season.

ALICIA: I think it will be Houston. The Cougars started the season off with a great win over a hyped up Oklahoma squad. They have the ability to finish the season 10-2, with losses to Navy and possibly Louisville. 

 

SECOND DOWN

News broke Sunday that Purdue has let Head Coach Darrel Hazell go after a 9-33 record three and a half seasons. There has been a lot of speculation as to who will take over the Boilermakers next year. Who do you think is at the helm for the Purdue in 2017?

 

JOE: The more I think about it, the more I think Purdue will need to find someone a little unconventional to help turn things around. The aforementioned PJ Fleck could be a fit, as would Oklahoma OC Lincoln Riley. It's probably a bottom-third Power 5 job, but a Power 5 job none the less. 

TYLER: Nebraska fans wouldn’t like it, but it would be interesting to see Bo Pelini on the sidelines of Purdue next season. Purdue would not have the same expectations and avid fan base like Nebraska did which were two things Pelini didn’t know how to handle. Not to mention, Nebraska could use another rivalry. Maybe Purdue and Nebraska could battle every year for the Cat Trophy.

ALICIA  I think Les Miles could be a definite option to coach at Purdue if something different doesn’t open up. He wants to coach at a Power Five school, why wouldn’t he? And Miles, who is 62 years old by the way, probably doesn’t have too much coaching time left. It will be interesting to see what happens, but don’t rule Les Miles out yet. 

 

THIRD DOWN

While Nebraska picked up a huge road win to improve to 6-0 for the first time since 2001, it came with a price. Nick Gates and David Knevel are both questionable for this week, leaving an already banged up offensive line in even more trouble.

With the line getting as thin as it is, do you think Riley will eventually have to burn a few redshirts to get some more depth up front?

 

JOE:   No. With half the season gone, the staff will do all they can to avoid burning any redshirts at this point, especially considering several red shirt freshmen like Michael Decker and Jalin Barnett haven't played much yet. The well is starting to get more shallow, but hasn't dried up yet. 

 

TYLER: Riley is obviously going to do everything in his power to not burn redshirts, but at some point he might not have a choice. While he still has options to go with, Nebraska has a huge road trip against two of the best defenses in the nation coming up. Nebraska’s offensive line could be even more banged up than they are right now, and Riley could be backed into a corner.

 

ALICIA:I think Riley will try his hardest to not burn redshirts. I think he will be able to make things work even if it means there won’t be a lot of depth on the line. Burning a redshirt on any of the guys you named wouldn’t be smart in my opinion. He will move guys around to get the necessary depth and make things work. We are already half way into the season, don’t waste a redshirt.

 

FOURTH DOWN

The marquee matchup this week is No. 1 Alabama heading to College station to take on No. 6 Texas A&M. Other key games this Saturday include No. 17 Arkansas at No. 21 Auburn and No. 23 Ole Miss at No. 23 LSU. Two games to keep an eye on in the Big Ten: No. 10 Wisconsin at Iowa and No. 2 Ohio State at Penn State.

What is the  biggest matchup of the weekend?

 

JOE: The obvious answer is the right one this week - it doesn't get any bigger than Alabama vs. Texas A&M. Even with both teams being undefeated and ranked in the top ten, Bama is still nearly a 20-point favorite in the game. If the Crimson Tide are going to lose this year, this might be the last realistic shot. 

TYLER: I’m most looking forward to Wisconsin vs. Iowa, but I’ll be keeping an eye on the LSU vs. Ole Miss game. Ole Miss suffered a tough loss to Arkansas last weekend, but the rivalry between Ole Miss and LSU will keep this one interesting.

ALICIA: I think for Big Ten purposes, the most interesting game for me this weekend is going to be Wisconsin and Iowa. Iowa has struggled recently and with Nebraska facing Wisconsin in the next few weeks, it will be interesting to see how this game turns out.