Xavier's bid to become the only team to play in the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive year came up short Friday night. Marquette stifled the Musketeers offense on the way to a 66-55 win.
 
The Golden Eagles came in with a game-plan to shut Tu Holloway down and did exactly that. Marquette decided to put their best player, 6-foot-7 forward Jimmy Butler, on Holloway - a risk with Holloway's ability to draw fouls.

The gamble paid off for the Golden Eagles. Butler limited Holloway to 5 points on 1-of-8 shooting.

COMPLETE ARTICLE (MusketeersScoop.com)

College Hoops xavier musketeers, 2011 ncaa tournament, marquette golden eagles

Now that the 4th of July has passed we can pay tribute to this former Miss Great Britain...
 

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Game of the Week:

3:30 PM
CBS

#9 LSU at #3 Alabama

Well if you like really good, hard-hitting, SEC defenses then this is the game for you. Much like when LSU and Florida played earlier this season, don't expect a whole lot of points to be scored in this one. Both teams will be playing the field position game and relying on their stout defenses to get them the win.

That's not to say that there won't be some exciting offensive players to watch in this one. Alabama will be handing the ball off to Heisman-candidate Mark Ingram all night long. Ingram has been the key to the Alabama offense who ranks fourteenth in the nation in rushing yards. If LSU wants to win this game they will have to slow the tireless runner down.

For LSU, they will be looking to Jordan Jefferson to lead their offense. Jefferson has made good decisions all year long throwing 11 touchdowns to only four interceptions, but one interception in this game could be the difference. This LSU defense can stop anyone in the nation, as they proved against Florida only giving up 13 points, but the key will be them scoring enough points to win the game.

Other Games to Watch:

#15 Ohio State at #11 Penn State

Plenty of storylines in this one, as not only are these two battling it out for second place in the Big Ten and a chance at sharing the Conference Championship should Iowa falter, but Terrelle Pryor is returning home for the first time since turning down the hometown team for the Buckeyes.

UConn at #5 Cincinnati

Cincinnati still has some uncertainty as to who will be the quarterback this week, but no matter who is under center the offense should continue rolling. Connecticut has had heartbreaking losses the past two weeks, so despite their record they aren't a cupcake.

Upset of the Week: Indiana over Wisconsin

College Football college football, ncaa, weekend preview, lsu, alabama, mark ingram

Aaron Rodgers, Packers - Rodgers sat out of practice on Wednesday with sprained right foot and sore toe on his left foot. He's not expected to participate in practice until Friday, but he is expected to play on Sunday.

Matthew Stafford, Lions - Stafford practiced on Wednesday, but only as a limited participant. His right knee is banged up.

Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks - Hasselbeck was very limited in practice on Wednesday with his rib injury. He only took a few snaps and will probably rest more throughout the week to prepare for Sunday.

Willie Parker, Steelers - Parker is sick and sitting out of practice but says there is no way he is missing the game on Monday night.

Sammy Morris, Patriots - Morris did not participate in practice on Wednesday. It is not known whether or not he'll be available on Sunday.

LeSean McCoy, Eagles - McCoy has a severe case of the flu and did not practice on Wednesday. Watch the illness as the week progresses.

Kevin Smith, Lions - Smith sat out practice on Wednesday after he re-injured his shoulder last week. 

 Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants - Just like every Wednesday practice in recent memory, Bradshaw was given the day off to rest his ankle and foot. His participation on Sunday is in question, but it has been each of the last few weeks and he's always played.

Brian Westbrook, Eagles - Westbrook has been cleared to practice after receiving a concussion two weeks ago. He practiced in full and is expected to play on Sunday.

Jonathan Stewart, Panthers - Stewart sat out of practice on Wednesday with an Achilles injury. He normally sits out on Wednesday's, so this is nothing new. He should be able to play on Sunday.

Calvin Johnson, Lions - Johnson did practice on Wednesday but was limited with the knee injury that has kept him from playing recently. The coaching staff is cautiously optimistic that Johnson will be able to play on Sunday.

Randy Moss, Patriots - Moss was given the entire bye week off from practice but returned and is participating fully this week. He will start on Sunday.

Donald Driver, Packers - Driver sat out of practice on Wednesday with a neck stinger, but he is expected to play on Sunday.Anthony Gonzalez, Colts - We've heard that November is the month that Gonzalez will return to action, we just don't know what week in November. He did not practice on Wednesday and it's looking like Week 9 will not be the week he starts. 

Anquan Boldin, Cardinals - The coaching staff has listed Boldin as day-to-day, but the receiver missed practice on Wednesday and may not be able to play on Sunday.

Roddy White, Falcons - The Falcons were not required to release an injury report today since they did not practice, but the team estimated that White would not have practiced due to his knee injury.

Mario Manningham, Giants - Manningham was limited in practice on Wednesday with a shoulder injury. He says that he's feeling better but it's not known whether he'll be able to play on Sunday.

Lance Moore, Saints - Moore has been icing his ankle all week and is in a walking boot. He did not practice on Wednesday but hopes that he'll heal quickly enough to play on Sunday.

Fantasy Football, NFL nfl, injuries, fantasy, football

Game of the Week:

#5 USC at #10 Oregon
8:00 PM
ABC

The Pac-10 champion won't be decided Saturday when these two square off, but it will definitely have an effect on the outcome.

The fifth-ranked Trojans will be out of the hunt if they should lose to Oregon. Meanwhile, Oregon has turned around their season since their season-opening loss to Boise State and are looking for their first Pac-10 title since 2001.

The key for the Trojans will be their defense and their running game. They will have to improve on the defensive side of the football after giving up 36-points last week to Oregon State this week, as they go against Oregon's prolific offense led by quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. On offense they will need to control the ball and open up some big holes for Joe McKnight and Allen Bradford in the run game.

For Oregon the key will be to get off to a fast start on offense and create turnovers on defense. The offense is averaging 45.7 points and 484.7 yards in the last three games that Masoli has played. Defensively the Ducks are tied for the lead in the Pac-10 with 19 takeaways. If they are able to get up early and force a turnover or two by USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley then the Ducks have a great chance to pull off the upset.

Other Games to Watch:

#3 Texas at #14 Oklahoma State

This year should renew the rivalry between these two teams. Colt McCoy is 3-0 against the Cowboys while completing 79.4 perecent of his passes for 1,019 yards. Will he come out of this one 4-0?

#22 South Carolina at Tennessee

Tennessee tries to rebound at home after their close call with Alabama last week against a South Carolina team that has only won once in 14 tries in Knoxville.

Upset Pick of the Week: Tennessee over South Carolina

College Football ncaa, football, usc, oregon, south carolina, tennessee

• Trent Edwards, Bills - Edwards has been ruled out for Week 8. He participated in practice on Wednesday but only in a limited capacity. He's not recovering as quickly from the concussion as the medical staff would like, even though he's been cleared to play. Ryan Fitzpatrick will start in his place.

• Matthew Stafford, Lions - Stafford practiced fully on Tuesday but was limited on Wednesday with his knee injury. The fact that he practiced two days in a row is a step in the right direction, but it's still not known whether or not he'll be able to start on Sunday.

• Daunte Culpepper, Lions - Culpepper practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday and his hamstring injury seems better. The Lions won't announce a starter for Week 8 until later in the week.

• Aaron Rodgers, Packers - Rodgers was limited in practice on Wednesday with a foot injury. He is listed as questionable for their game on Sunday against Minnesota.

• Brett Favre, Vikings - Favre was limited in practice on Wednesday with a hip injury but it's tough to see a situation where he wouldn't play on Sunday against Green bay.

• Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks - Hasselbeck did not practice on Wednesday due to a rib injury but head coach Jim Mora said that Hasselbeck will be at full-strength by Sunday.

• Donald Brown, Colts - As much as he wants to be at practice, Brown was held out on Wednesday with a left shoulder injury. Brown says he will practice this week but Bill Polian says he's not likely to play on Sunday.

• Darren McFadden, Raiders - McFadden's knee is not ready to return to action. He'll miss his fourth straight game on Sunday, which is good news for those of you who have handcuffed McFadden with Justin Fargas.

• Brian Westbrook, Eagles - Westbrook was held out of practice on Wednesday but still hasn't been ruled out of Sunday's game. That's crazy considering that Westbrook cannot remember whether he was knocked out of the game on a pass or run play.

• LenDale White, Titans - White's knee injury kept him from practicing on Wednesday and it's unlikely, even though the Titans haven't said as much, that he'll play on Sunday.

• Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants - Bradshaw made a trip to North Carolina to visit a foot specialist and get an opinion on his nagging foot/ankle injury. He usually spends Wednesday and Thursday in a protective boot and practices on Friday. He's played each week since tweaking the ankle in Week 3. He's listed as questionable at this point.

• Jonathan Stewart, Panthers - Stewart is expected to be limited by his Achilles injury all season. He missed practice on Wednesday but is expected to practice on a limited basis on Thursday.

• Anquan Boldin, Cardinals - Boldin practiced on Wednesday even though his ankle is still tender. He's been playing through the pain for a while now. Expect him to be on the field on Sunday.

• Calvin Johnson, Lions - Johnson was not able to practice on Wednesday making it very shaky that he'll play on Sunday. He is listed as questionable on the injury report.

• Andre Johnson, Texans - Johnson didn't practice on Wednesday due to a chest injury but is expected to play on Sunday -- he almost guaranteed as much.

• Anthony Gonzalez, Colts - Gonzalez is expected to get back to practice this week for the first time since damaging ligaments in his left knee during the season opener. It's questionable as to whether he'll be able to play on Sunday.

• Reggie Wayne, Colts - Wayne was not able to practice on Wednesday but the team expects him to only miss a day or two and to be able to play on Sunday.

• Bernard Berrian, Vikings - Berrian missed practice on Wednesday with a hamstring injury. He is listed as questionable for Week 8.

• Jerricho Cotchery, Jets - Cotchery returned to practice on Wednesday, participated on a limited basis and said that he will be ready to play on Sunday.

• DeSean Jackson, Eagles - Andy Reid told reporters that Jackson would be ok, even though he missed practice on Wednesday. Expect him to play on Sunday.

Fantasy Football, NFL fantasy football, injuries

Game of the Week:

#8 TCU vs #16 BYU

After having their BCS hopes ended by TCU last season, BYU is looking to return the favor and keep TCU from securing a major bowl bid.

TCU comes into this game holding the nation's fourth longest overall winning streak at nine straight victories. They will be trying to snap BYU's conference-record 13-game home winning streak.

The key will be TcU's defense, ranked fourth in the nation in total defense, and how they match up with BYU's potent passing game that is averagin 38.6 points per game, good enough for sixth best in the nation. BYU quarterback Max Hall has been explosive this year passing for 2,069 yards with 16 touchdowns.

TCU's offense hasn't exactly been anemic either as they come into the game averaging 33.8 points per game. However, they have only been able to muster 3.5 points per game in the first quarter. The Horned-Frogs can't afford to get too far behind in this one as it will take them out of their offensive game plan which is to keep the ball on the ground. They currently rank 11th in the nation in rushing, averaging 225-yards per game.

Turnovers could be key in this game however as BYU has been turnover-prone at times this season. They've lost 15 total turnovers compared to TCU's 10, but in big games the Cougars have been more careless with the football. They turned it over five times against Florida State and four times against Oklahoma.

Other Games to Watch:

Tennessee at #2 Alabama
The Vols want to prove themselves as a legit top team and there is no better chance than this one.

Louisville at #5 Cincinnati
On paper this shouldn't be a very good game, but it's homecoming, it's a rivalry and Louisville has upset the Cats before.

Oregon State at #7 USC
The Beavs upset the Trojans last season... Could they do it again?

Upset Pick of the Week: South Florida over Pittsburgh

College Football ncaa, tcu, bcs, byu, max hall

Aaron Rodgers, Packers - Rodgers participated fully in practice on Wednesday and said that his foot injury isn't a big deal. He'll play on Sunday.

Derek Anderson, Browns - Anderson participated in full on Wednesday at practice and his ankle injury will not keep him from playing on Sunday.

Trent Edwards, Bills - Edwards missed practice on Wednesday due to a concussion. He hasn't been ruled out for Sunday's game yet, but likely will be soon.

Eli Manning, Giants - Manning was limited in practice on Wednesday but said that his foot was not bothering him at all.

Jerome Harrison, Browns - Harrison is one of many Cleveland players who is nursing the flu right now. He missed practice on Wednesday.

Frank Gore, 49ers - The bye week help Gore as his ankle injury is fine, he practiced fully on Wednesday and will play on Sunday.

Adrian Peterson, Vikings - Peterson is dealing with an ankle sprain which caused him to only practice on a limited basis on Wednesday.

Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers - Mendenhall has a bruised knee and was limited in practice on Wednesday. The fact that he's practicing leads me to believe he'll be fine for Sunday, barring any setbacks.

Fred Taylor, Patriots - Taylor missed practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury.

Jonathan Stewart, Panthers - Stewart missed practice on Wednesday with his Achilles injury. He's been missing practice for weeks now and still runs well on game-day.

Darren McFadden, Raiders - McFadden's knee injury will keep him out of game-action until Week 10.

Jerious Norwood, Falcons - Norwood suffered a hip flexor on Sunday and does not expect to play this week.

Michael Turner, Falcons - Turner was limited in practice on Wednesday with a chest injury. It is assumed that he'll be able to play on Sunday.

Marion Barber, Cowboys - Barber said that his quad is no longer a problem and that he'll play with no issues. He practiced on Wednesday.

Felix Jones, Cowboys - Jones practice fully on Wednesday but wore a knee brace for the entirety of practice. He may wear the brace in the game on Sunday.

Chris Wells, Cardinals - Wells was limited in practice on Wednesday with a hip injury but is expected to play on Sunday.

Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants - Bradshaw was limited in practice on Wednesday with his foot injury but that's a step in the right direction. He usually has been watching on Wednesday and Thursday and practicing for the first time on Friday.

Anquan Boldin, Cardinals - Boldin's ankle injury kept him from practicing on Wednesday.

Chansi Stuckey, Browns - Stuckey is battling the flu, like many of his teammates. He missed practice on Wednesday.

Joshua Cribbs, Browns - Cribbs was held out of practice on Wednesday with a knee injury.

Percy Harvin, Vikings - Harvin was seen catching passes early in practice but was still limited on Wednesday.

Donnie Avery, Rams - Avery has a hip injury that kept him out of practice on Wednesday. He hopes to return to practice on Thursday.

Michael Clayton, Buccaneers - Clayton was limited in practice on Wednesday with a hamstring injury. He is expected t make the trip this week and play against New England.

Jerricho Cotchery, Jets - Cotchery only participated in individual drills and skipped the team portions. The Jets hope his limited status won't keep him out of Sunday's game.

Braylon Edwards, Jets - Edwards was limited in practice with a quadriceps injury but he's not expected to miss any time.

Roy Williams, Cowboys - Williams returned to practice on Wednesday. His forearm injury seems fine and he'll play on Sunday.

Steve Breaston, Cardinals - Breaston was limited in practice on Wednesday but is expected to play on Sunday.

Mario Manningham, Giants - Manningham took a knee to the back last week but feels fine now. He practiced fully on Wednesday and will not wear a protective jacket in Week 7.

Fantasy Football, NFL nfl injury report, eli manning, trent edwards, rashard mendenhall

Game of the Week:

#8 Oklahoma at #17 Miami

Saturday 8:00 PM

A tough schedule to start the season caught up with the U last week as they dropped their first game of the season.

The Hurricanes will have to bounce back against another tough opponent in No. 8 Oklahoma who are without last year's Heisman winner quarterback Sam Bradford.

The key will be to see how the Sooners' defense matches up against the Miami offense. Last week Miami sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris didn't look like the Heisman contender he had been hyped to be going 9 for 25 for 150 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and a lost fumble. The Virginia Tech defense was consistently in the backfield and had Harris out of his comfort zone from the first series to the last. The Sooner defense will undoubtedly be coming after the 'Canes signal caller.

If the Sooners' defense is able to slow down the Miami attack then it will come down to Bradford's backup, freshman Landry Jones, stepping up and making a few big plays when they ask him to. He has done a nice job filling in for Bradford thus far completing 43 of 69 passes for 622 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions. However, six of those touchdown passes came in one game against Tulsa and the Sooners have not faced a defense the caliber of Miami's yet with Jones at quarterback.

Other Games to Watch:

#4 LSU at #18 Georgia
Doesn't get much better than two of the top SEC teams going to battle on a Saturday after noon.

#7 USC at #24 California
The Trojans bounced back after their loss, but it will be tough to put this weeks' events behind them as teammate Stafon Johnson crushed his neck and larynx when the weight bar he was bench pressing slipped and fell on him. Cal was embarassed last week at Oregon so they'll be looking to get back on track at home.

#25 Georgia Tech at Mississippi State
The Yellowjackets are still trying to prove that they  are legit. This will be another good test for them as Mississippi State nearly upset LSU last week.

Upset Pick of the Week: Mississippi State over Georgia tech

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Game of the Week:

#9 Miami at #11 Virginia Tech

This game should be a great one as these two renew their rivalry that used to constantly host huge games when both were in the Big East. Miami has reclaimed its spot among College Football's elite BCS teams, but some are are still questioning them. Their No. 9 ranking will be put to the test as they face the best team of their young season with No. 11 ranked Virginia Tech.

Much like last week, the key to this game will be if Virginia Tech is too one dimensional. They have some good running backs with David Wilson and Ryan Williams and Tyrod Taylor is always a threat to run at quarterback, but Miami's solid defense will try and force Taylor to beat him with his arm. Taylor is still completing fewer than 50% of his passes, but last week he made the big passing play when he needed to for his team to get the win against Nebraska. This week could be the same way if they are able to run the ball effectively enough, then they may only need a few big plays from Taylor's arm to win the game.

Miami's sophomore quarterback, Jacory Harris, has looked extremely impressive in his first two games throwing for 656 yards and five touchdowns and is being talked about as a Heisman contender. His offensive line has really contributed to his success allowing only one sack. Look for another big week out of Harris as his favorite target from high school, Aldarius Johnson, made his return last week and will bolster this deep group of receivers that are going against a Virginia Tech secondary that has had some struggles with their safeties and defending the deep ball.

Other Games to Watch:

Washington State at #12 USC

If you want to see USC play mad, then this is your chance. They will be taking out their unexpected loss last week to Washington on a team that has Washington in their name.

Fresno State at #14 Cincinnati

Some people have talked about Cincinnati as a Title game contender this past week. However, to do that they'll have to stay undefeated as they face another test in Fresno this week.

#22 North Carolina at Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech has been deemed as an overrated team. They will try to fight off that moniker as they take on the No. 22 tanked Tar Heels.

Upset Pick of the Week: Stanford over Washington

College Football college football, tyrod taylor, virginia tech, hokies, miami, jacory harris, hurricanes