When third-ranked Texas A&M visits No. 7 Colorado Saturday, the game will have a subplot that could be as exciting as the game itself.
Less than one month into the season, running back Leeland McElroy of Texas A&M and quarterback Koy Detmer of Colorado already are having seasons that could possibly lead to the Heisman Trophy.McElroy is the nation's top offensive player, leading the nation in all-purpose yards (322.0 per game) and scoring (21.0) after two games. The junior also has a career kickoff return average of 39.0 that would surpass the NCAA record of 35.1 set by Southern California's Anthony Davis (1972-74).
"I would compare him to Barry Sanders," A&M coach R.C. Slocum said. "He's that style of runner. He has speed, he can break it, he can change directions, he has great vision in terms of making cuts."
Detmer, also a junior, leads the nation with a 205.2 passing rating, and has thrown for 948 yards, eight TDs and one interceptioon in three games.
"Despite the numbers, Koy and I both know he's not as good as he's going to be," first-year Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel said. "He may not have the strength or size or foot speed of some other guys, but he's a natural."
In other games Saturday involving ranked teams, it's No. 1 Florida State vs. Central Florida; No. 2 Nebraska vs. Pacitfic; No. 5 Southern Cal at No. 25 Arizona; No. 6 Penn State vs. Rutgers at East Rutherford, N.J.; No. 8 Ohio State at Pittsburgh, and North Texas at No. 10 Oklahoma.
Also, it's No. 11 Virginia at Clemson; Stanford at No. 12 Oregon; No. 13 Texas at No. 21 Notre Dame; Mississippi State at No. 15 Tennessee; No. 16 UCLA at Washington State; No. 17 Miami at Virginia Tech; Rice at No. 18 LSU; Akron at No. 19 Kansas State; No. 20 Georgia at Mississippi; Army at No. 22 Washington, and Duke at No. 24 Maryland.
While a loss by either Texas A&M or Colorado wouldn't necessarily eliminate either from national title contention, it would hurt badly.
"If we have any aspirations beyond winning a conference championship," Slocum said, "then this game becomes a must game - for both teams."
"This is it for me," A&M defensive back Ray Mickens said. "I feel like everything is on the line. It's got national championship written all over - for us, for them.
They've got a lot riding on it, too."
The biggest challenges for Florida State and Nebraska this weekend will be to win convicingly without getting criticized for running up the scores.
The Cornhuskers, who bear Arizona State 77-28 last Saturday, are 53-point favorites against Pacific.
"It's a game obviously, if we play well, we should win," Nebraska coach Tom Osborne said. "It's a difficult game to play because you always worry about players being sharp, being mentally ready."