Notre Dame by Foot

 
Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen (9 TDs, 0 INTs) will have two nagging problems to deal with against Purdue on Saturday: a painful right big toe, and a missing WR (freshman Mike Floyd, out with a broken collarbone) who was averaging 27.5 yards a catch and more than a touchdown a game. Clausen hopes a shoe insert will help him deal with his turf toe, and that his backup receivers will help offset the loss of Michael Floyd. Floyd's injury represents a second chance of sorts for Kamara and Parris and the first big chance for John Goodman, freshman Shaquelle Evans and Deion Walker, who did not play as freshmen last season. Clausen walked a bit gingerly into his weekly news conference on Wednesday wearing high-top sneakers instead of his usual flip-flops, "Hopefully I'll be ready to go for Saturday," he said.

It's important to keep up on small conferences, too, something the general public doesn't keep close tabs on. In the MAC, suspended Akron starting QB Chris Jacquemain has been removed from the team for the remainder of the season. Zips coach J.D. Brookhart suspended Jacquemain for last Saturday's game against Indiana for violating team policy. They had to turn to soph QB Matt Rodgers (1 TD, 4 picks) in a 38-21 loss to Indiana Saturday. Akron is at Central Michigan (330) Saturday. Central Michigan is 3-0 ATS the last 3 meetings.

An LA Times writer pointed out this week that USC's playcalling has been ultra-conservative for the young QBs. "No matter which player takes the snaps, USC's mantra has thus far been to protect the quarterback position at all cost -- even victory. The play-calling has been more conservative than a GOP fundraiser in Balboa and opposing coaches have already figured it out: Stack the line of scrimmage and make the quarterback beat you." The last two games have gone under the total. At least the defense gets some help: Southern California coach Pete Carroll says All-America safety Taylor Mays will return from a knee injury Saturday against Washington State.

Virginia Tech host Miami, FL, Saturday: "Virginia Tech's defense has been a hallmark of its rise in football, and with the unit ranked 107th in the nation against the run, defensive coordinator Bud Foster isn't mincing words. Foster says it is "embarrassing" for a defense that routinely ranks among the nation's best to be having such trouble stopping the run through three games for the Hokies (2-1). The No. 11 Hokies have allowed No. 3 Alabama, Marshall and No. 25 Nebraska to run for an average of just over 200 yards, and are allowing 364 yards per game overall, 77th best. Three consecutive opponents have also had a player gain over 100 yards on the ground against Foster's unit, the first time that has happened since the 2002 season. Kentucky hosts Florida and let's hope the Cats have short memories. Last year the Cats went to Gainesville feeling pretty good about themselves, fresh off a thrilling 21-20 win over Arkansas that improved their record to 5-2. But the Gators came out and blocked UK's first two punts, led 28-0 at the end of the first quarter, 42-3 at halftime, and 63-5 in the end. "That was the worst loss I've ever had in my life," sophomore WR Randall Cobb said. "All through high school, middle school, Pop Warner; I've never lost a game like that. I'm used to beating teams like that."

Out West, this is a big three-game stretch for No. 6 Cal: Oregon in Eugene, USC in Berkeley and UCLA in Cal's own out-of-town graveyard, Pasadena. It's not even October yet and some teams are having their unbeaten marks challenged!

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