It pays to check out the NCAA football statistics once in a while just to see some of the mind-blowing numbers put up by individuals.

Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, who deserves to be considered for the Heisman Trophy if Ohio State's Troy Smith doesn't wrap it up with a victory over Michigan on Saturday, has thrown 43 touchdown passes in 10 games. His completion percentage is 72.4, and averages 9.9 yards per attempt.

Diminutive Houston utility back Anthony Alridge has rushed for 797 yards in just 64 rushes, an average of 12.5 yards per tote. Against SMU, he gained 225 yards and scored two touchdowns on just 13 rushes.

Ball State's Terry Moss averages 26.4 yards on his 20 receptions.

California's DeSean Jackson has scored touchdowns on four of his 22 punt returns and has averaged 20.7 yards per return.

The wildest numbers of all have been put up by Brennan's Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

Hawaii averages 48.7 points per game and is on a seven-game winning streak. In the last five games, the Rainbow Warriors have averaged 61.8 points, four times scoring 61 or more and twice scoring 68 points in a game.

Kansas State 34, Kansas 31: The oddsmakers established KU as three-point favorites for openers and the bettors backed K-State enough to bring the number down slightly. The first Ron Prince v. Mark Mangino confrontation could go either way. The most surprising outcome would be a low-scoring game.

Missouri 34, Iowa State 21: In Hollywood, the Cyclones would rally around good-guy coach Dan McCarney, forced into resignation, and pull off the upset. Unfortunately, this game will be played in Ames, not Hollywood, and all the stars will be playing for the visitors.

Oklahoma 38, Baylor 14: Sooner quarterback Paul Thompson is making most of his second chance as the starter supplied by Rhett Bomar getting bounced for bogus summer job salary.

Oklahoma State 34, Texas Tech 31: Expect a shootout. The Cowboys averaged 37.9 points per game and Tech averages 31.6.

Ohio State 27, Michigan 24: Smith needs this victory to nail down the Heisman. He has thrown 26 touchdown passes and four interceptions while completing 66.4 percent of his passes and has 221 net rushing yards. Michigan quarterback Chad Henne does not have as impressive a statistical profile, but if he can lead the No. 2 Wolverines to an upset victory Heisman voters have to consider that would have beaten Smith and Notre Dame's Brady Quinn in the same season.

USC 31, California 21: Coaches who study game film to try to determine why Pete Carroll is the most successful coach in the college game today are missing the boat. They must look at a more subtle factor for the key to his winning ways. Carroll has the most open-door media policy of any big-time coach. He trusts his players, enjoys watching them develop personal skills by interacting with the public through the media, and is able to tell parents of recruits that such exchanges will help their children grow and at the same time build contacts for jobs after football. Eventually, many coaches will take note of Carroll's brilliant media policies and copy them.

Oh, and the fact USC is located in the middle of a recruiting hotbed and has a tradition that includes seven Heisman winners could have a little something to do with it.

(The contest is currently closed. Good luck to all who entered.)