YOU’LL search a long time before finding someone who knew these names in August: Landry Jones, Zach Frazer, and Zach Collaros. In fact, good luck finding anyone who knows two guys named Zach . . . period.
But we know them now, because, as backup quarterbacks, they answered the call, replaced injured starters and performed admirably in their first start.
Jones? Well, he had the toughest task. He had to replace Sam Bradford, the 2008 Heisman winner. And while Jones has certainly fallen, he started out with a bang, as Oklahoma hammered Tulsa, 45-0, in his first start against a Division I team. And let’s not forget what we’re here for: That win was an easy cover.
Frazer? He’s seen easier challenges, as well. After Cody Endres went down, the former starter had to take the reins of an emotionally-drained UConn team last week, just in time to play at No. 5 Cincinnati. No problem. Frazer and the Huskies battled till the final gun, before bowing, 47-45. And yes, you guessed it, that was a cover.
Collaros? Well, he’s at the top of this class. Tony Pike’s injury gave Collaros the keys to that Cincinnati offense, and it just continues to purr. Collaros, in his first start, whacked Louisville, 41-10. Another cover.
Where’s all this going? To Iowa. Or, specifically for this weekend, Columbus, Ohio. For it’s at The Horseshoe Saturday vs. No. 8 Ohio State (8-2), where another backup you didn’t know — James Vandenberg — takes center stage.
Vandenberg will replace Iowa’s all-everything starter, Ricky Stanzi, in the most trying of circumstances. He won’t be playing Tulsa. He’ll be facing the Rose Bowl-tasting Buckeyes.
“It’s a great atmosphere, they’re a good team and it should be a very exciting place,” Vandenberg said. “That’s what you dream about. Now I’m in the light and it’s my job to get prepared as much as I can.”
We think he will, and we think, more importantly, that his team will follow. Because if the Zach Attack — and Jones, while we’re at it — has taught us anything, it’s that teams get fired up for the next game after losing a mate to injury.
“We’re underdogs,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “We’ve got them right where we want them. It’s perfect.”
That’s a bit of a coachspeak stretch, but let’s run with it. Iowa lost to Northwestern, 17-10, with a lot on the line last week, yes. And, clearly, the No. 13 Hawkeyes (9-1) had some quality bounces just to be undefeated before that. But let’s not forget: This team can still play defense. It can still run the ball. And if you look at its two biggest wins — 27-17 over Arizona, and 21-10 over Penn State — Stanzi threw for just 340 yards and three interceptions . . . total.
“They’re still going to be who they are,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. “That’s what has made Iowa such a solid program.”
We agree. Iowa (+17) is the pick.
Ute never know: Utah tries to hang with TCU
Welcome to another week of BCS posturing. No. 1 Florida, No. 2 Alabama, and No. 3 Texas have big numbers to tackle on the road, yes, but they are not the story this time. The spotlight, clearly, is on No. 4 TCU, as the Horned Frogs have the national stage to greet last year’s BCS Cinderella: Utah.
We love what the Frogs (9-0) have done so far, how can you not? We just think the No. 14 Utes (8-1) have some extreme value here. Utah’s been in big games before. They hung with Oregon this year, they beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, they’ve won six in a row, and they allow less than 300 yards per game. That’s enough for us.
Utah (+20) is the pick.
TONIGHT
RUTGERS (+2) over South Florida: No “Pandemonium in Piscataway” this time, as the Bulls are marginal at best. But Rutgers needs to take advantage of a team that routinely struggles when they travel north.
TOMORROW
CINCINNATI (-9) over West Virginia: Didn’t think we were going to build Zach Collaros up, just to knock him down, did ya? The Bearcats — with a national audience watching — have too much at stake to give the ho-hum Mountaineers any life.
SATURDAY
Georgia Tech (-10) over DUKE: Last week — a nailbiter at home vs. Wake — was typical for Tech. But the Yellow Jackets love being on the road, where they’ve already covered large at Vanderbilt, Mississippi State and Virginia.
PENN STATE (-22) Indiana: The Lions usually make good on their final home game, and the Hoosiers — with almost as many tough losses as we’ve had this year — have to be running out of gas.
Texas (-25) over BAYLOR: Too easy to give up on Texas because they didn’t cover vs. UCF. The defense is still dominant, and this is a virtual home game. Plus, Mack Brown wants to pad Colt McCoy’s numbers for purposes of that stiffarm trophy they give out each December here in New York.
Florida (-15) over SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gators’ best work has been done on the road, and Tim Tebow surely remembers that Steve Spurrier did not vote for him in the Preseason All-SEC balloting.
BOISE STATE (-28) over Idaho: The Broncos — after letting a big lead slip vs. Louisiana Tech — have to make BCS hay on the blue field. Have to.
OREGON (-17) over Arizona State: The Ducks defense gets a breather with the anemic Sun Devils on their way, and the return of LeGarrette Blount should help the offense.
Boston College (-5) over VIRGINIA: Traditionally, we take the Eagles at home, and fade them on the road. But, once November hits, we really strive to not take bad teams, regardless of their value. And Virginia is bad.
Arizona (+2) over CAL: Funky line, what with the Bears struggling and the Wildcats rolling. And while we see the Wildcats losing two games from here on in — vs. Oregon and USC — we think they have enough here.
SOUTHERN CAL (-10) over Stanford: The value cannot be ignored, as the Trojans have been at least 21-point favorites in this series the last seven times. The Cardinal deserve credit for last week, but they’ve yet to win a road game anywhere other than at Washington State.
Notre Dame (+7) over PITT: Did someone say pressure? Look, we know where the Irish stand, but they have some bite as an underdog this year. Some of Charlie Weis’ greatest moments have come at Heinz Field. What’s another?
Alabama (-12) over MISSISSIPPI STATE: Linesmakers have been giving the Tide breaks seemingly all season, and other than a midseason hiccup, they’ve taken advantage. Away from Tuscaloosa, Alabama is 3-0 against the spread, winning by an average of 15.6.
OFF THE GRID
Each week, we take a look at some games that we don’t have to pick as part of Saturday’s Heroes. This week, we see three:
Brigham Young (-25) over NEW MEXICO: The Cougars have been terrible against good teams, but good against terrible teams. And, make no mistake, New Mexico is terrible.
GEORGIA (-4) over Auburn: We like the home team in one of the nation’s most underrated rivalries. The Tigers have been awful the last two times on the road, and it’s tough to see that changing.
Miami (-3) over NORTH CAROLINA: Value play, as Las Vegas likes the little run the Tar Heels are on these days. The road team is flat-out better. Let’s see if it plays like it.
LAST WEEK’S GOOD TREATS
Alabama, a 7½-point fave that scuffled most of the game, kicked a late field goal to give us a 24-15 cover over LSU.
LAST WEEK’S BAD BEATS
Tulsa collapsed at home, allowing two scores in the final two minutes to Houston. The Cougars, as a one-point dog, escaped with a 46-45 win. Killer.
RECORDS
It was a kissing-your-sister type week, as our Off the Grid plays pushed us to .500. Good luck this weekend. Last week: 9-9 Overall; 1-2 Best Bets; 2-1 Off The Grid; Season: 81-94-2; 11-19; 17-10.
tsullivan@nypost.com