Article Data Imported from Previous NDL SiteThe UnTouchable Report (Weeks 7-8)
Article By: The UnTouchable Report
A rundown of the week's hottest games.
....................WEEK 7....................
#11 Auburn Tigers 4-0 (2-0 SEC) bigred 
Arkansas Razorbacks 3-0 (1-0 SEC) steelcitychaos
Hot off the heels of upsetting the #1 team in the land, the Arkansas Razorbacks are ready to make some noise in the SEC West and prove they belong in next week's polls. The SEC West is absolutely stacked this season with Auburn, Arkansas, Alabama, and LSU all vying for a spot in the SEC title game. The Tigers and Razorbacks enter this contest still undefeated which makes it that much more important for both teams. Auburn has had Arkansas' number 3 of the past 4 seasons (2 of those wins courtesy of Bigred) so the Razorbacks will look to set the tempo in Fayetteville.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Auburn QB Barrett Trotter is not called on to throw very much so far this season (he's averaging just 14 passes a game) but he is very accurate when he does, throwing 11 TDs to just one interception. He'll need to continue his poise against a Razorback defense that exploited Alabama QB Philip Sims and picked him off 3 times en route to their upset. Michael Dyer is averaging over 100 rush yards per game but getting some goal line help from backup Onterio McCalebb. For Arkansas, look for QB Tyler Wilson to hook up with WR Jarius Wright early and often, especially if the Razorbacks find themselves in an early hole. Wilson is a less accurate QB, completing just 50% of his passes, but manages the offense efficiently; the Razorbacks are first in the conference in time of possession.
THE UNTOUCHABLE PREDICTION
It'll be interesting to see which team breaks first here as both coaches like the short-gain, lengthy-drive approach to their offense. This will be a low-scoring affair as both offenses chew up clock but I think the Razorback defense will step up again and give them just enough edge for a second straight upset.
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East Carolina Pirates 4-1 (1-0 C-USA) cdub21 
#13 Houston Cougars 5-0 (1-0 C-USA) RanDawg
Yes, there are 6 ranked teams in the "Others to watch for" but it's about time we show some love to the "little" guys. Not that East Carolina and Houston are little as each are perennially at the top of their respective divisions within Conference USA. RanDawg and Houston lost to East Carolina twice last season: by 10 points during the regular season and by 6 in the C-USA Championship game. It was the Pirates' best season but Jsence made it a one and done in Greenville. Cdub is at the helm now, coming off a MAC Championship himself with Miami (OH). Cdub is having the best stretch of his NDL career, having won 10 games in 3 of his past 4 seasons.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
We always give praise to Case Keenum but his 13th (or is it 14th?) season has been less than stellar. Keenum has tossed 10 picks and fumbled the ball 4 times so far this season. It's a wonder how the Cougars are 5-0 with those numbers until you realize they have the worst opponent record in the league (1-14). The Cougars are turning the ball over nearly 3 times per game while still scoring over 4 touchdowns per game so when they're clicking, they can be explosive. Keenum has hit 4 different receivers at least 10 times but definitely favors TE Brandon Hartson the most. Look for RB Bryce Beall to figure into the offense as well and get about 12 or so touches on the ground. The Pirates on the other hand will pass the ball about 80% of the time behind the arm of Dominique Davis, who has already thrown for nearly 1800 yards. Davis is the core of the offense and will zero in on WR Lance Lewis deep in the secondary often. Lewis has the speed to burn any corner in the league and leads all receivers in catches (30), yards (707), and touchdowns (7).
THE UNTOUCHABLE PREDICTION
The Cougars haven't proved they can beat anybody of value yet. The Pirates are streaking and anybody who beats Big Mike, even if it is with Louisiana-Lafayette, has my vote.
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Others to watch for:
#3
Florida Gators 4-1 (1-1 SEC)
Daw1git @ #12
LSU Tigers 2-1 (1-0 SEC)
nole4real
---Conference powerhouses collide midway through the season in their quest for a SEC championship.
#14
Missouri Tigers 3-1 (1-0 Big 12)
Black Crowes @ #23
Kansas State Wildcats 2-1 (0-0 Big 12)
brett11253
---These teams find themselves among a very strong Big 12 conference this season. A win here can separate them from the pack.
#6
Oklahoma Sooners 3-1 (0-1 Big 12)
bearass @ #25
Texas Longhorns 3-1 (1-0 Big 12)
VeniVediV1ci
---The Red River Rivalry will prove pivotal in a tough conference with no championship.
....................WEEK 8....................
#17 Michigan Wolverines 2-1 (0-0 B1G) nick 
#7 Michigan State Spartans 4-0 (1-0 B1G) Weasel
The last time Nick coached a team of any relevance was back in Season 17 when he took the Oklahoma Sooners to their 3rd-worst ever season in NDL history at 4-8. He's already halfway of matching that win total and one of those wins was actually on the road against a tough Texas team. A stop in East Lansing will be his next test against Michigan State mainstay Weasel and the Spartans. The two have a common opponent already: Michigan State edged Notre Dame 24-21 in South Bend while the Irish drubbed the Wolverines 30-13 in Ann Arbor.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
The Spartans will come out with a very balanced offense, preferring the run slightly more than the pass. Edwin Baker gets nearly all the handoffs but in 3rd and short situations expect linebacker-turned-fullback TyQuan Hammock to carry the load straight up the gut. Michigan State is very methodical with its gameplan and have only turned the ball over twice this whole season. QB Denard "I Can't Tie My Shoes" Robinson orchestrates the Wolverine offense and is no stranger of taking off from the pocket. WR Daryl Stonum has 310 yards on just 6 catches this season so the Spartan defense will need to make sure he doesn't get free in the secondary. Look for the Wolverines to run a lot of zone reads and playaction in their play calls. Michigan has only turned the ball over once this season but they're not quite forcing the turnovers either; they have yet to force a fumble.
THE UNTOUCHABLE PREDICTION
With the schedule he's got I think Nick takes the Wolverines to a bowl game but the Spartans are too consistent to give one up here.
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#20 Connecticut Huskies 3-1 (0-0 Big East) DRiccio21 
Brigham Young Cougars 4-1 ICE
It seems like just yesterday Dave took the Huskies to an improbable 12-1 season and Sugar Bowl Championship. And while last season didn't fare quite as well, he still put up 9 wins and a bowl victory. ICE is somewhat in a similar position. Two seasons ago he took BYU to a 10-3 season but slumped to just 7-6 last season (he also won both his bowl games in those seasons). Both have already suffered one loss this season but they are to teams currently ranked in the Top 11. It'd be foolish to say this game wasn't important to either coach in reclaiming that glory they once had.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
The Huskies under the direction of Dave have always been a pass first, run second type of team. QB Johnny McEntee passed the 1000 yard mark last game but he's only completing 50% of his passes and he's thrown nearly as many picks (7) as touchdowns (8). McEntee will need to make better decisions against a BYU defense that's picking off opponents 2.5 times per game. He's got plenty of help from his offensive line as they've given up only 3 sacks this season so he needs to just find a rhythm and stick to it. The Cougar defense is stiffling, however, allowing just 7.4 points per game. QB Riley Nelson is even worse in the turnover department as he's thrown 10 picks to just 6 touchdowns and fumbled the ball twice. Look for RB JJ Di Luigi and FB Bryan Kariya to split time on the ground and pull the Cougars out of any holes their QB gets them into.
THE UNTOUCHABLE PREDICTION
This game could get sloppy but I think it will ultimately go to the team whose defense steps up more and I think that will be the Huskies.
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Others to watch for:
#3
Florida Gators 4-1 (1-1 SEC)
Daw1git @ #11
Auburn Tigers 4-0 (2-0 SEC)
bigred
---These teams have back-to-back tough conference games including this showdown in Auburn.
Air Force Falcons 3-1 (0-1 MWC)
heavelygifted @ #21
Boise State Broncos 1-1 (0-0 MWC)
mtwasik
---Can the Broncos stop the power attack of the 3rd-ranked rushing offense Falcons?
Cincinnati Bearcats 2-1 (0-0 Big East)
UCWeiser @
South Florida Bulls 2-1 (0-0 Big East)
swellvermin
---The Bearcats narrowly lost to #7 Michigan State in Week 1. Will they begin conference play with a victory?
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