College football: Around the nation
BY GREG BEACHAM Associated Press
Saturday, November 10, 2012
11/10/12 at 3:25 AM
No. 13 Oregon State at No. 16 Stanford 2 p.m. Saturday TV: KOKI-5/23
Spotlight on new quarterbacks
Most teams that are unsettled at quarterback this late in the season are unranked, are no longer in control in their conference championship race or are out of contention for a BCS bowl game.
And then there's Stanford and Oregon State.
In the biggest game for both programs so far this season, Kevin Hogan will make his first start at quarterback for the No. 16 Cardinal against newcomer Cody Vaz and the No. 13 Beavers on Saturday at Stanford Stadium. The winner will keep alive its chance to upset second-ranked Oregon and represent the North Division in the Pac-12 title game.
"Usually, you're in these positions because your quarterback is playing well," Stanford coach David Shaw said. "But I think both teams also have to do what's necessary to help their teams win."
Hogan, a strong-armed and fast-footed redshirt freshman, had increasingly been inserted over the previous four games on read-option packages until relieving inconsistent starter Josh Nunes after Stanford's first two drives at Colorado stalled last week.
The Beavers boast the more experienced starting quarterback - albeit by three games.
Vaz had started two games for Oregon State (7-1, 5-1) while starter Sean Mannion recovered from arthroscopic knee surgery.
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 15 Texas A&M 2:30 p.m. Saturday TV: KOTV-6
Alabama awaits Manziel, A&M
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama doesn't get a break after rescuing its national title hopes in dramatic fashion.
The top-ranked Crimson Tide hosts No. 15 Texas A&M and its quick, versatile quarterback Johnny Manziel on Saturday.
'Bama remained undefeated with a last-minute touchdown against No. 9 LSU a week ago.
Tide left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio (KWAN-jo) says the team faces "a different animal this week."
Manziel and the Aggies have already made a big splash in a league that has won six straight national championships. They have taken top 10 teams Florida and LSU down to the wire before losing both games by a combined eight points.
Now, their pedal-to-the-metal quarterback and offense takes on a more vintage SEC football style in smashmouth Alabama.
The Tide leads the nation in scoring defense.
Original Print Headline: Around The Nation
Associated Images:
Stanford's Kevin Hogan will get the start at quarterback Saturday. MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ / Associated Press
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