A side note to the UNLV-Nevada game will be a battle between kickers Brett and Ben Jaekle.
Brett Jaekle kicks for the Wolf Pack, while his younger brother, Ben, handles kick-offs and long field goals for the Rebels. This is the third time the brothers have met on the field.
Brett Jaekle is off to a quick start, connecting on 5 of 7 field goal attempts and all 10 of his extra points. Both missed field goals came n the 35-19 loss to Texas Tech. Ben Jaekle has converted both of his field goals, including a long of 44 yards, and his only PAT attempt.
"Every year stands out for me," the elder Jaekle said. "You get to play in front of family and friends. Every year it's been the same.
"My parents were talking about it when I went home this weekend. I don't think they like it much because they can't really cheer for one team. They want us both to win."
The elder Jaekle said there is no sibling rivalry, and certainly no trash talking.
ANOTHER ROAD WIN FOR FSU
Pat Hill's team took its show on the road for the second time in three weeks and came away with a 55-54 overtime win over Toledo.
The reward for being 2-0 on the road? Another road game. This one is against UCLA in the Rose Bowl.
"We're looking forward to it," Hill said. "It's a big game for our players. We have 102 kids that weren't recruited and not one of the kids on their team would take a visit to Fresno State.
"We expect to take a great shot from them."
Hill was peppered with questions regarding scheduling, and was asked the chances of getting UCLA or USC to come to Fresno State.
"We have a hard enough time getting to their place," Hill said. "We'll bring 20 or 25,000 to the Rose Bowl. We brought 30,000 to USC. I don't know why it's not a good game for those teams.
"I'd like to play Utah, BYU, UNLV and San Diego State, and we can't get it done. It's not for lack of trying."
Fresno State gave USC all it wanted a couple of years ago, and maybe Pete carroll & Co. would rather beat up on a weak Virginia team than take on a school down the road.
PASS PROTECTION CONCERNS
First and foremost on the mind of Dick Tomey is pass protection heading into the Hawaii game.
The Spartans, despite another terrific performance by quarterback Kyle Reed, gave up eight sacks in a 23-10 loss to Stanford on Saturday. Reed completed his first 15 passes against the Cardinal and is around 80 percent for the season.
The lack of protection was a big reason why Reed didn't have a hance to get the ball upfield, relying more on intermediate routes against the Cardinal.
"That was part of it," Tomey said. "We didn't get things called; didn't get adjusted to what Stanford was doing."
San Jose State starts a combination of four freshmen and sophomores along the front, and center Ronnie Castillo has yet to play.
GRAUNKE IS OK
Tyler Graunke was cleared by team doctors last Friday, and he'll be under center when the Warriors host San Jose State this weekend.
Graunke suffered a hand inury against Oregon State, and coach Greg McMackin thought he might be lost for the season.
"He's still the starter," McMackin said. "He brings a lot of experience. He's been in the package for four years. That's what he brings."
BOREL WINS IN DEBUT
Utah State sophomore quarterback Diondre Borel made his starting debut against Idaho over the weekend and led the Aggies to a 42-17 win.
Borel ran for 93 yards and a score and passed for 191 yards and two scores.
The 42 points was the most the Aggies had scored since Brent Guy took over as head coach four years ago.
"He played very well for a guy playing his first start," Guy said. "There was still some indecisiveness when he had the ball on the edge."
Guy said there were times when Borel kept the ball instead of pitching it and vice versa. Overall, Borel's performance was solid.
POW WINNERS
Boise State freshman quarterback Kellen Moore completed 25 of 37 passes for 386 yards and three scores against Oregon State to earn Offensive Player of the Week honors.
'He did a good job of finding receivers," BSU head coach Chris Petersen said. "The offensive line did a good job of buying him time and the receivers made plays when they had to."
New Mexico State free safety Derrick Richardson recorded a career-high 21 tackles in New Mexico State's 34-33 win at UTEP to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors. It was the Aggies first win in teh Sun Bowl since 1994. Richardson also recovered a fumble.
Kiamni Washingtonof Louisiana Tech was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. Washington blocked a 44-yard field goal attempt that was picked up and returned 50 yards for a score, and he also forced a fumble on a kickoff return that Tech turned into a touchdown.