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Friday, September 27, 2002

A streak that makes all others in college football pale could end tomorrow when Nebraska (3-1) visits Iowa State (4-1). The No. 20 Cornhuskers have been ranked for 348 consecutive weeks by The Associated Press, but a loss likely would bring that to an end.

Cyclones quarterback Seneca Wallace is sixth in the nation in passing efficiency and 10th in total offense.

Nebraska has won 27 consecutive conference openers and its past nine meetings with the 19th-ranked Cyclones. Old habits are hard to break. Nebraska, 33-30.

In other games:

Toledo (3-1) at Pitt (3-1): Listening to the talk out of Pitt and the media, you would think the Panthers were playing the New England Patriots. Lest we forget, the Rockets are out of the Mid-American Conference, and Pitt has never lost to a MAC team. Yes, Toledo beat Penn State, but that was two years ago. Yes, they're 3-1, but they've beaten no one of consequence and lost to Big 10 doormat Minnesota by 10. Pitt, 24-10.

Iowa (3-1) at Penn State (3-0): The Hawkeyes have won their past two games at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions will have difficulty containing Fred Russell, who is No. 2 in the nation in rushing with 157 yards a game. As a team, the Hawkeyes are fifth in the nation in rushing, but their defense isn't nearly so good. Penn State, 37-20.

East Carolina (1-2) at West Virginia (2-1): The Mountaineers' win against Cincinnati gains them new respect, considering how well the Bearcats played against Ohio State. East Carolina, with losses to Duke and Wake Forest, looks overmatched. West Virginia, 31-20.

Indiana (2-2) at Ohio State (4-0): Freshman running back Maurice Clarett returns for the Buckeyes to face an Indiana defense that's allowing 190 rushing yards a game. This could get ugly. The Buckeyes have won this matchup nine consecutive times. Ohio State, 38-13.

Alabama (3-1) at Arkansas (2-0): The Razorbacks have outscored their opposition, 83-17, and always are tough at home. The Crimson Tide, who lost leading rusher Ahmaad Galloway to season-ending surgery this week, are primed to move into the Top 25. Their only loss was to No. 2 Oklahoma in a close game. Alabama, 33-29.

Syracuse (1-2) at Auburn (3-1): Both teams emphasize the run, with the Tigers rushing for 229 yards a game, the Orangemen for 220. The Tigers are averaging 42 points a game since their opening loss to USC. Syracuse, with a win against only Rhode Island, looks to be in decline. Auburn, 38-17.

Washington State (3-1) at California (3-1): Much has changed since the start of the season when the Cougars were a conference favorite and the Bears were expected to be an also-ran. They're bunched far more closely this week, with the availability of Washington State quarterback Jason Gesser (cracked ribs) a key to the game. Washington State, 27-20.

Georgia Tech (3-1) at North Carolina (1-2): With the nation's leading rusher, Tony Hollings, out for the season, the Yellow Jackets must rely on backup Ajenavi Eziemefe and struggling quarterback A.J. Suggs to provide their offense. Tar Heels quarterback Darian Durant leads the ACC in total offense. North Carolina, 21-17.

Mississippi State (1-2) at LSU (2-1): Life in the SEC is not fair. Four of the first five opponents on the Bulldogs' schedule are Oregon, Auburn, LSU and South Carolina -- with three of those games on the road. They're reeling already. LSU, 34-19.

Oregon State (4-0) at Southern California (2-1): Beavers quarterback Derek Anderson has thrown for 15 touchdowns and one interception and running back Steven Jackson is seventh in the nation in rushing, including 227 yards last week. The Beavers won at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1960, but they have lost their past 18 games there. Southern California, 34-21.

UCLA (2-1) at San Diego State (0-4): Colorado unmasked the Bruins last week, but they're still good enough to handle San Diego State, whose defensive problems -- 34 points a game -- are too great for Adam Hall, No. 2 in the NCAA in total offense, to overcome. UCLA, 42-16.

Stanford (1-1) at Arizona State (3-1): The 63 points the Cardinal scored last week against San Jose State are the most since John Elway was the quarterback. Andrew Walter has won the quarterback job with the Sun Devils after throwing for six touchdowns, on only 24 passes, in the past two games. Arizona State, 34-30.

Last week: 7-6, .538; season: 31-18, .633.