Associated Press
Associated Press
No. 1 Alabama (2-0) at Arkansas, 9:30 a.m. (CBS)
Line: Alabama by 21
Series Record: Alabama leads 14-8
WHAT’S AT STAKE
What was supposed to be one of the most anticipated Southeastern Conference games of the season suffered a blow last week when Arkansas blew a 21-point third-quarter lead in an overtime loss to Louisiana-Monroe. The Razorbacks lost quarterback Tyler Wilson in that game, as well as their hopes of a national championship — falling from No. 8 to unranked. Wilson’s status is uncertain for this week, but Alabama coach Nick Saban is still wary of Arkansas’ offensive firepower and isn’t about to accept any kind of letdown from the Crimson Tide — who are chasing their third national championship in four seasons.
KEY MATCHUP
Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron vs. Arkansas’ secondary. When McCarron was upright — he was sacked six times — in last week’s 35-0 win over Western Kentucky, the junior completed 14 of 19 passes for 219 yards and four touchdowns. This week, he faces an Arkansas secondary that will likely be without starting cornerback Tevin Mitchel. Even before Mitchel’s injury, the Razorbacks have struggled mightily to stop the pass — allowing 412 yards passing in last week’s loss to the Warhawks.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alabama: CB Dee Milliner. The junior had four pass breakups, an interception and five tackles in the Crimson Tide’s season-opening win over Michigan. Arkansas’ passing attack should present more of a challenge, particularly if Wilson plays, and Milliner hopes to add to the seven turnovers Alabama has forced through two games.
Arkansas: Wilson. Any chance the Razorbacks have to win this game likely rests on the return of Wilson, who made his SEC debut as a starter against the Crimson Tide last season. The senior was battered and bruised after facing hit after hit by Alabama’s defense, just as he was last week against Louisiana-Monroe. If the first-team All-SEC quarterback does return, Arkansas must find a way to keep him protected and give him time to make plays downfield.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Alabama has won five straight over Arkansas … The Razorbacks’ last win over the Crimson Tide was in double-overtime in 2006, when Arkansas went on to win the SEC West … Crimson Tide freshman running back T.J. Yeldon is averaging 8 yards per carry and 14.6 yards per reception … Arkansas running back Knile Davis, returning after missing last season with a broken ankle, is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry … The Razorbacks are 3-1 all-time against the defending national champions in Fayetteville, with win over Auburn (2011), Tennessee (1999) and TCU (1939).
No. 2 Southern California (2-0) at No. 21 Stanford (2-0), 1:30 p.m. (Fox)
Line: USC by 9.
Series Record: USC leads 58-28-3.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
One of the toughest road tests of the year for USC and Heisman hopeful Matt Barkley, who has beaten every Pac-12 Conference team but is 0-3 against Stanford. The Cardinal no longer have Andrew Luck, though that hasn’t stopped them from an upset before. Stanford has won four of the last five against the Trojans, and often in dramatic fashion.
KEY MATCHUP
USC receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee vs. Stanford’s secondary. Cardinal coach David Shaw called Woods and Lee the best college combo he’s ever seen and it’s “not even close.” The All-American Woods has 16 receptions for 134 yards and four touchdowns and Lee has 21 receptions for 263 yards and four touchdowns already this season. The Cardinal start two new starting safeties, Ed Reynolds and Jordan Richards, and returning cornerbacks Terrence Brown and Barry Browning struggled against the Trojans tandem in last year’s 56-48 triple-overtime thriller.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
USC C Khaled Holmes, or more likely, his replacement. The fifth-year senior left last week’s victory over Syracuse on a cart with a right leg injury and his status against Stanford is uncertain. Holmes leads the protection and running scheme for the offensive line along with Barkley, who was not sacked by Stanford last season. If Holmes can’t play, redshirt freshman Cyrus Hobb is expected to take his spot.
Stanford FB Ryan Hewitt. Fullback is not a major position at most schools. Stanford isn’t one of them. Hewitt sat out the first two games with a right ankle injury and the running game struggled in his absence. The Cardinal had 92 yards rushing on 26 carries in a 50-13 rout of Duke last week, snapping Stanford’s 49-game streak of at least 100 yards rushing. Hewitt, who is expected to start, also caught four passes for 28 yards and a touchdown against USC last year.
FACTS & FIGURES
Stanford has never won four straight against the Trojans. … USC is 5-9 against ranked Stanford teams. … The USC-Stanford series dates back to 1905. … The last time Stanford started 3-0 in three straight seasons was from 1970-72. … The game is the first Pac-12 matchup of the year and the only meeting between conference teams this week.
Idaho (0-2) at No. 3 LSU (2-0), 1 p.m. (PPV)
Line: LSU by 42 1/2
Series Record: LSU leads 1-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Apart from avoiding a stunning upset that could send them tumbling down the rankings, the Tigers want to continue to work on their passing game under new starting QB Zach Mettenberger and develop depth across the lineup before opening the Southeastern Conference schedule at Auburn. Idaho looks to improve on a rough start and hopes to stay healthy with its entire Western Athletic Conference schedule still to come.
KEY MATCHUP
Idaho QB Dominique Blackman, a junior college transfer who completed 30 of 37 passes (81 percent) for 352 yards and a TD in his Vandals debut last week, against an LSU defense allowing only 44 percent passing and 150 yards a game through the air.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Idaho: Receiver/returner Justin Veltung was named to the preseason Paul Hornung Award watch list. Last season he returned two punts for TD, and also had two kickoff return TDs earlier in his career. He has had as many as 140 yards receiving and 240 all-purpose yards in a single game.
LSU: Mettenberger is finding his rhythm as LSU’s new starting QB. He’s completed 71 percent of his passes through two games (31 of 44) with a pair of TDs, and five of his six incompletions last week were classified as drops by LSU’s coaching staff.
FACTS & FIGURES
By defeating Idaho, LSU can set an NCAA FBS record with 40 straight nonconference regular season victories, surpassing the mark of 39 set by Kansas State from 1993-2003. … LSU hasn’t lost a nonconference regular season game since falling 26-8 to Virginia Tech to open the 2002 season. … Les Miles seeks to improve to 30-0 in nonconference regular season games as LSU’s coach. … Both teams have punters who were Ray Guy Award semifinalists last season: LSU’s Brad Wing and Idaho’s Bobby Cowan. … In the only other meeting between these teams, the Vandals traveled to Baton Rouge in 1998 and lost 53-20. … Corey Sandberg, a redshirt freshman linebacker for the Vandals, is also an Army veteran who received a Purple Heart after being wounded in Afghanistan. … Idaho has three sets of brothers on its 2012 roster: RB Ryan Bass and CB Dion Bass; OL Dallas Sandberg and LB Corey Sandberg; and LBs Robert and Russell Siavii.
Tennessee Tech (2-0) at No. 4 Oregon (2-0), 9:07 a.m. ET (Pac-12 Networks).
Line: No line.
Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Oregon will look to clean up the details in its final non-conference game, after some second-half lapses in a 42-25 victory over Fresno State last weekend. The usually high-scoring Ducks managed just one second-half touchdown while allowing the Bulldogs 19 points. Tennessee Tech, of the Ohio Valley Conference, has never faced a Pac-12 opponent, but has played at least one FBS opponent in each of the last 15 seasons.
KEY MATCHUP
Tennessee Tech’s offense against Oregon’s defense. The Golden Eagles pride themselves on their offensive speed, much like the Ducks. Last week in a 42-14 victory over North Greenville, Tennessee Tech’s six scoring drives averaged 1:26. Oregon’s defense will no doubt have the edge, because it practices against the Ducks’ speedy spread every day. But the D was hurt this week by the loss of free safety John Boyett, one of the unit’s leaders, because of season-ending surgery on both knees.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tennessee Tech: WR Da’Rick Rogers, who was suspended indefinitely by Tennessee Aug. 23 before transferring to Tennessee Tech. Rogers was a first-team all-SEC receiver in 2011, with 67 receptions for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns for the Volunteers. Last week, Rogers had five catches for 88 yards and one touchdown.
Oregon: De’Anthony Thomas, an early Heisman hopeful as a sophomore. Thomas has five rushing touchdowns in this last three games (counting the Rose Bowl), none for less than 33 yards. He’s averaging 55.6 yards per touchdown dash over those games. In this season alone, he has three touchdowns on the ground an two TD receptions.
FACTS & FIGURES
Tennessee Tech played last season at Iowa and lost 34-7. … Golden Eagles QB Tre Lamb needs 37 yards in offense to pass Hall of Fame RB Larry Schreiber on the school’s career list. … Tennessee Tech sits atop the Ohio Valley Conference in both total offense and total defense. … Oregon senior RB Kenjon Barner needs 87 yards rushing to break into the top 10 on school’s career list. … The Ducks have never faced a member of the OVC, while the Golden Eagles have never faced an opponent from the Pac-12. … Half of Oregon’s 14 touchdown drives this season have taken less than two minutes, while four have taken less than 60 seconds.
Wake Forest (2-0) at No. 5 Florida State (2-0), 6 a.m. (ESPN)
Line: Florida State 27 1/2.
Series Record: Florida State leads 23-6-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Fifth-ranked Florida State has struggled in recent seasons against Wake Forest, losing four of the last six. Wake Forest pretty much ended the Seminoles’ chances for winning the conference or get a BCS bid last year with a 35-30 win. The Seminoles are tied with Oklahoma at No. 5 in the Top 25, and this will be the Seminoles first ACC game and first vs. FBS opponents. Wake Forest goes into the game nearly a four touchdown underdog. The Demon Deacons have eked out wins of Liberty and North Carolina and now takes on a Seminole team that hasn’t allowed a touchdown, albeit against inferior competition. Wake Forest has winnable games against Army, Duke and Maryland and an open date in the four weeks following the trip to Florida State.
KEY MATCHUP
Florida State’s heralded pass rush led by junior DE Bjoern Werner will try to slow down Wake Forest quarterback Tanner Price, who was the Atlantic Coast Conference offensive back of the week for his performance in a win over North Carolina last Saturday when he completed 27 of 38 passes for a career-high 327 yards.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Florida State: Werner has five sacks in as many quarters this season. He has 15.5 career sacks and 23.5 tackles for losses. Cornellius “Tank” Carradine, on the other end, has 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss with just two career starts.
Wake Forest: Price passed for 233 yards and three touchdowns in the Demon Deacons 35-30 win over the Seminoles last year.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Coach Jimbo Fisher is 21-8 at Florida State, 17-8 against FBS teams, 11-6 in ACC play … The Seminoles’ Rodney Smith has caught at least one pass in the last 27 games … Florida State placekicker Dustin Hopkins hopes to begin a new streak after his consecutive number of successful point after kicks ended at 145 in last week’s win over Savannah State … Hopkins needs 45 points to become the career scoring leader at Florida State and the Atlantic Coast Conference … Wake Forest’s Michael Campanaro is tied for the national lead with 22 catches in the first two games.
Florida Atlantic (1-1) at No. 7 Georgia (2-0), 1:30 p.m. (CSS)
Line: Georgia by 44 1/2.
Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Not much, other than a chance for Georgia to officially introduce its newest canine mascot (Uga IX) and Florida Atlantic to attempt an upset that would be even more shocking than Louisiana-Monroe beating Arkansas last weekend. The Bulldogs have survived the toughest test from their early schedule — winning on the road in Missouri’s SEC debut — and this game will give key freshmen such as OT John Theus and RB Todd Gurley a chance to get more experience before the team heads into the teeth of its conference schedule.
KEY MATCHUP
Georgia QB Aaron Murray vs. Florida Atlantic’s secondary. The Owls rank 10th in the country in passing yards allowed (134.5 per game), but that’s largely because their first two opponents weren’t exactly passing powerhouses. Murray will look to rip apart a unit that likes to press the line and takes its chances in single coverages. Georgia went with a lot of four-receiver sets against Missouri, with great success, and could put up some big numbers against Florida Atlantic.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Florida Atlantic: QB Wilbert Graham. Fifth-year senior earned back his starting job with a strong second-half performance against Wagner in the season opener. He leads the Sun Belt in passing efficiency, having completed nearly 78 percent with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Georgia: OLB Jarvis Jones. He won numerous defensive player of the week awards after a dominant performance at Missouri, where he forced two fumbles and came up with an interception that he nearly returned for a touchdown. Overall, he leads the Bulldogs with 17 tackles, including 3.5 sacks. Florida Atlantic will have its hands full trying to keep him out of the backfield.
FACTS & FIGURES
Georgia’s defense will be bolstered by the return of DB Sanders Commings and LB Chase Vasser, who were suspended for the first two games after offseason arrests. … The Bulldogs have yet to announce when two other suspended players, S Bacarri Rambo and LB Alec Ogletree, will be allowed to suit up. … Florida Atlantic will be facing the first of two SEC opponents this season. Next week, the Owls visit top-ranked Alabama. … Florida Atlantic has never beaten an SEC team in six tries. … Georgia is beginning a stretch of three straight home games. … Bulldogs coach Mark Richt grew up less than two miles from Florida Atlantic’s Boca Raton campus and played for former Owls coach Howard Schnellenberger. … Georgia is 30-1 at home against non-SEC teams in Richt’s 12 years as coach.
UAB (0-1) at No. 8 South Carolina (2-0), 1:08 p.m. (Fox SportsNet)
Line: South Carolina by 33 1-2.
Series Record: South Carolina leads 2-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
South Carolina looks to extend its winning streak to six in a row, something it hasn’t accomplished since winning the last three games of 2006 and the first three of 2007. Coach Steve Spurrier is seeking his 200th win as a college coach, while UAB’s Garrick McGee is after his first.
KEY MATCHUP
South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore. The Gamecocks junior had a light day last week against East Carolina as the team’s passing attack took center stage in the 48-10 win. But UAB gave up 262 yards on the ground in a loss to Troy two weeks ago, the Blazers only game this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
UAB: QB Jonathan Perry threw for 317 yards and two touchdowns in the opening week loss to Troy. Perry rallied the Blazers from a 17-0 deficit, but threw an interception on one fourth-quarter sequence then fumbled after getting sacked a series later to end the Blazers’ chances.
South Carolina: QB Dylan Thompson made his first start a week ago for injured Connor Shaw and sparked the Gamecocks to 397 yards passing, the highest total in Spurrier’s eight seasons here. Shaw’s status against UAB is uncertain.
FACTS & FIGURES
South Carolina’s Lattimore needs one more touchdown for the school’s career record. He’s tied with 1980 Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers at 33. … UAB’s McGee spent the previous four years at Arkansas and helped the school go 3-1 in that time against South Carolina. … Spurrier is 45-0 against opponents who are not from BCS automatic qualifying conferences. … UAB had two receivers gain more than 100 yards against Troy. Patrick Hearn had seven catches for 108 yards and Jacki Williams had six receptions for 157 yards.
James Madison (2-0) vs. No. 9 West Virginia (1-0), at Landover, Md., 10:30 a.m. (Root Sports)
Line: No line.
Series Record: West Virginia 1-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
West Virginia is coming off a bye week and hopes to come close to the offensive proficiency it displayed in a 69-34 win over Marshall two weeks ago, its highest-scoring opener ever. James Madison has outscored its first two opponents 97-10 but hasn’t seen the likes of the Mountaineers, who are 12-0 against FCS opponents. The Dukes have beaten a ranked FBS opponent before, stunning then-No. 13 Virginia Tech in 2010.
KEY MATCHUP
James Madison quarterback Justin Thorpe against West Virginia’s defense. Thorpe is averaging 159 passing yards, 89 yards rushing and could find some room against West Virginia’s retooled defense that saw a dozen players get their first action in the opener. The Mountaineers gave up 545 yards to Marshall.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
West Virginia: QB Geno Smith. The senior set career school records for completions (651) and TD passes (60) against Marshall and has thrown for 724 yards and 10 touchdowns in his last two games.
James Madison: RBs Jordan Anderson, Jauan Latney and Dejor Simmons. With leading rusher Dae’Quan Scott nursing an ankle injury suffered last week, the Dukes’ rushing load could be shared by Anderson, Latney and Simmons, who average a combined 98 yards per game.
FACTS & FIGURES
The game is being played at FedEx Field, home of the Washington Redskins. It is about 150 miles from James Madison’s campus in Harrisonburg, Va., and 220 miles from Morgantown, W.Va. Virginia Tech and Cincinnati will play at FedEx Field on Sept. 29. … West Virginia won the teams’ only other meeting, 45-10, in 2004, the year James Madison won the FCS national championship. … James Madison has yet to allow any first-half points this season. In addition to a 21-16 win over Virginia Tech two years ago, the Dukes narrowly lost to Maryland in 2009.
No. 20 Notre Dame (2-0) at No. 10 Michigan State (2-0), 2 p.m. (ABC)
Line: Michigan State by 6.
Series Record: Notre Dame leads 46-28-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
This series has gone back and forth in recent years, but it always seems to be a good early season litmus test. The Spartans are playing at home and are favored, with the Irish coming off a tight win over Purdue. Notre Dame has won 15 of its last 20 at Spartan Stadium, but lost the last two.
KEY MATCHUP
Notre Dame QBs Evertt Golson and Tommy Rees vs. Michigan State’s pass rush. Rees relieved Golson during the win over Purdue, but either signal caller will face a tough test against the Spartans, who haven’t allowed an offensive touchdown this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Notre Dame: TE Tyler Eifert. The senior needs two catches to become the third tight end in school history with 100 career receptions. The Irish may need to rely on short, quick-hitting passes to counter Michigan State’s aggressiveness.
Michigan State: RB Le’Veon Bell. The Spartans are breaking in a new starter at quarterback in Andrew Maxwell, and they’ve shown a willingness to rely on the running game in a tight spot. Bell had 44 carries in a 17-13 win over Boise State to open the season.
FACTS & FIGURES
Michigan State is playing its first two home games at night for the first time in school history. The last time the Spartans played Notre Dame at home, they won on a fake field goal in overtime and coach Mark Dantonio was hospitalized afterward because of a mild heart attack. … The Notre Dame-Michigan State game has been decided by a touchdown or less in nine of the last 12 meetings. … This is the earliest in the season Michigan State has been ranked in the AP top 10 since 1979. … The Irish have dropped 12 of their last 15 road openers.
Furman (0-2) at No. 11 Clemson (2-0), 9:09 a.m. (Fox SportsNet)
Line: No line.
Series Record: Clemson leads 41-10-2
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Clemson is looking to start 3-0 for just the eighth time since 1960. Last year’s Tigers started 8-0 before losing three of their final four regular-season games. Furman is hoping to avoid its first 0-3 start since 1979.
KEY MATCHUP
Clemson QB Tajh Boyd against Furman’s secondary. The Tigers junior led the team to five touchdowns in the team’s first six possessions in a 52-27 win against Ball State last week. Boyd was 19 of 23 for 229 yards and threw three TD passes to DeAndre Hopkins.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Furman: QB Reese Hannon is making his first start for injured passer Dakota Derrick. Hannon came in midway through Furman’s loss, 47-45, triple overtime loss to Coastal Carolina and threw for 255 yards and four TDs. He’ll be the first freshman to start at quarterback since 1997 when his cousin, Justin Hill, did it.
Clemson: WR Sammy Watkins is back in the lineup for the first time this season after serving a two-game suspension for his drug arrest in May. Watkins had an All-American season as a freshman with school single-season marks of 1,219 yards and 12 TDs receiving.
FACTS & FIGURES
Clemson has won 29 straight against Furman. The Paladins last win in the series came in 1936. … Furman was Clemson’s first football opponent in 1896. … Clemson RB Andre Ellington leads the Atlantic Coast Conference with almost 135 yards rushing a game. … Furman has lost its last 11 games against teams from the Football Bowl Subdivision. It fell 55-32 against Florida last season. … Furman and Clemson share a bizarre uniform story. In 1960, the teams shared the same waterproof uniform pants in games played on the same day. Clemson wore them in the afternoon to beat Virginia, then shipped them to Furman to wear in a victory over William & Mary.
California (1-1) vs. No. 12 Ohio State (2-0), 6 a.m. (ABC)
Line: Ohio State by 17.
Series Record: Ohio State leads, 5-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Coach Urban Meyer has blasted several areas of his team despite opening with two victories. There has been very little spark on offense except when QB Braxton Miller runs it (44 carries, 302 yards) and the defense, although picking off five passes, has given up a lot of big plays and hasn’t gotten to the quarterback. Meyer is demanding improvement. The Golden Bears, on the other hand, begin an arduous two-game road trip that concludes next week at No. 2 Southern California.
KEY MATCHUP
Ohio State’s running game against Cal’s press defense in the secondary and frequent 46 alignment (similar to the ‘86 Chicago Bears). With starting TB Carlos Hyde out (sprained knee ligament) and Jordan Hall returning after missing the past two months (severed foot tendon), the Buckeyes have had to run Miller far more than they would like. If Hall is able to play meaningful minutes and contribute, or if unproven TBs Bri’onte Dunn or Rod Smith finally break through, it’ll ease a huge burden on Miller. Cal’s D has racked up 20 TFL so far, sixth in the nation.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
California: WR Keenan Allen is considered a top draft pick next spring. He and frosh WRs Chris Harper and Bryce Triggs need to have a big day on the receiving end for the Bears to move the ball. Of course, QB Zach Maynard must deliver it, handle Ohio State’s increased number of blitzes and be cool for the Golden Bears to spring the upset.
Ohio State: DE John Simon, considered one of the best pass-rushers in the Big Ten, has no sacks and half of a tackle for a loss. Look for LBs Ryan Shazier and Curtis Grant to blitz more to help the line get to Maynard.
FACTS & FIGURES
The teams are playing for the first time in 40 years. … The teams meet next Sept. 14 at Cal’s newly renovated Memorial Stadium. … Coaches Meyer (106-23) and Jeff Tedford (80-49) are each in their 11th year as a head coach. Both are also good friends. … Ohio State will honor 12 new inductees into its athletics hall of fame at halftime. The honorees include former Buckeyes players Mike Vrabel (now the DL coach) and Bob Knight, a sub on the 1960 national championship men’s basketball team (which beat Cal in the title game) who went on to a stellar coaching career at Army, Indiana and Texas Tech. … Meyer coaches the punt-block team which he has dubbed “The Freak Show.” Cal has its own freak in Allen, who returned a punt 69 yards last week in a 50-31 win over Southern Utah. … The teams have split wins in the Rose Bowl, the Bears winning 28-0 in 1921 and the Buckeyes taking a 17-14 verdict in 1950.
No. 13 Virginia Tech (2-0) at Pitt (0-2), 6 a.m. (ESPNU)
Line: Virginia Tech by 10 1-2.
Series Record: Virginia Tech leads 7-4
WHAT’S AT STAKE: Consider this Pitt’s preview of what life will be like in the ACC. The Panthers need something to build on following a pair of anemic performances to start the Paul Chryst era. The Hokies have been impressive if not dominant during a pair of season-opening victories. A win over Pitt on the road would help Virginia Tech continue to build momentum and send a message of what awaits the Panthers when they join the ACC’s Coastal Division in 2013.
KEY MATCHUP: Pitt’s defensive line vs. Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas. Thomas has yet to have a breakout performance, particularly with his legs. Still, the Panthers haven’t stopped anybody, giving up an average of 422.5 yards per game through the season’s first two weeks. Pitt’s secondary is its strength, but the defensive line has produced little pressure and the Panthers are still looking for their first turnover.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Virginia Tech: LB Jack Tyler. The junior linebacker has been a missile on defense. His 25 tackles include 1.5 tackles for a loss and he’ll likely be the one charged with trying to track down Pitt running back Ray Graham, who appears fully recovered from knee surgery to repair a torn ACL.
Pitt: RB Rushel Shell. The most prolific running back in Pennsylvania high school history had a so-so collegiate debut, rushing for 31 yards on eight carries in a loss to Cincinnati last week. There are still some maturity issues to iron out — he was suspended from the season opener for a violation of team rules — but his presence takes some of the pressure off Graham. And with Pitt’s passing game unable to generate much downfield, Shell and Graham are the offense’s two best — and sometimes only — options.
FACTS & FIGURES: This is the first meeting between the programs since a 31-28 Pitt win over then fifth-ranked Virginia Tech in 2003 … Pitt hasn’t started a season 0-3 since 2005 … The Hokies have won 13 straight true road games, the longest current road winning streak in the country … Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer is the winningest active coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision … Pitt and Virginia Tech played each other annually while both were members of the Big East from 1993-2003 … The Hokies haven’t won in Pittsburgh since 1999 … Pitt is 63-67-2 all-time against current members of the ACC.
No. 14 Texas (2-0) at Mississippi (2-0), 3:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Texas by 10.
Series Record: Texas leads 5-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
It’s a rare matchup for two programs that haven’t met since 1966. Texas is trying to prove its revival is for real after two easy home victories over Wyoming and New Mexico. Ole Miss has also won its first two games this season — matching the program’s win total from an abysmal 2011 campaign — and a victory (or even a close game) would do wonders for first-year coach Hugh Freeze.
KEY MATCHUP
The Texas defense against Ole Miss QB Bo Wallace. The Longhorns were dominant in a 45-0 win last week against New Mexico. LB Jordan Hicks and DE Jackson Jeffcoat have both been in the backfield constantly and would love nothing more than to knock Wallace around early. The Rebels have a quick-strike passing offense that’s helped produce more than 500 total yards in each of the first two games.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Texas: QB David Ash. The sophomore has progressed nicely in his second season with the Longhorns. The 6-foot-3, 223-pounder has completed 36 of 49 passes (73.5 percent) for 377 yards, three touchdowns and — maybe most importantly — no interceptions.
Mississippi: RB Randall Mackey. The converted quarterback is usually in the backfield as the primary tailback, but the senior will do a little bit of everything in the Ole Miss offense. He’s second on the team with 116 rushing yards, has caught four passes for 20 yards and also completed 2 of 2 passes for 34 yards.
FACTS & FIGURES
It’s the first time Texas has played against Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss … The Rebels have won just once in the series — 39-7 in the 1958 Sugar Bowl … Texas sophomore Joe Bergeron leads the Longhorns with 159 rushing yards and three touchdowns … The Rebels are 2-0 for the first time since 2009 … Wallace has thrown for 438 yards, five touchdowns and one interception this season. He also leads the team in rushing with 135 yards and two touchdowns.
North Texas (1-1) at No. 15 Kansas State (2-0), 1 p.m. (FSN)
Line: Kansas State by 28½
Series Record: Kansas State leads 5-1
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Wildcats are coming off a 52-13 blowout of Miami and are trying to keep momentum rolling into next Saturday’s showdown at No. 5 Oklahoma, a game that should help decide the Big 12. The Mean Green, who lost 41-14 loss to No. 3 LSU in their opener, will be preparing for Sun Belt play.
KEY MATCHUP
North Texas coach Dan McCarney against Kansas State coach Bill Snyder. McCarney is in his second year trying to build North Texas, where Snyder was an assistant in the late 1970s. The two are no strangers, though: McCarney beat Kansas State twice when he was coaching Iowa State.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
North Texas: RB Antoinne Jimmerson had 139 yards rushing on just 15 carries in the Mean Green’s 34-7 win over Texas Southern last week. The freshman helped the team pile up 352 yards rushing in the game.
Kansas State: RB John Hubert is often overshadowed by QB Collin Klein, but he’s gone over 100 yards rushing each of the first two weeks, and is averaging better than 8 yards per carry. He’ll face a North Texas defense that allowed LSU’s Kenny Hilliard (141 yards) and Alfred Blue (123) to have big days.
FACTS & FIGURES
McCarney will face a Big 12 team for the first time since Iowa State fired him in 2006. He spent time as an assistant at South Florida and Florida before taking over North Texas. … The Mean Green hasn’t started 2-1 since 1994, when the program was still in the Football Championship Subdivision. … Klein was Big 12 offensive player of the week after accounting for touchdowns against the Hurricanes. … The Wildcats had 498 yards of total offense against Miami. … Since 1990, Kansas State is 64-7 against regular-season nonconference opponents. … The Wildcats didn’t allow a TD for seven straight corners. The Hurricanes’ lone TD was set up by a 77-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter. … Kansas State has scored 87 points in its last five quarters.
No. 16 TCU (1-0) at Kansas (1-1), noon (FX)
Line: TCU by 21.
Series Record: TCU leads 16-8-4.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Horned Frogs are riding a nine-game winning streak, the longest in the nation, into their Big 12 debut against the Jayhawks. Kansas is trying to rebound from a fourth-quarter meltdown last Saturday against Rice, another former Southwest Conference program.
KEY MATCHUP
TCU QB Casey Pachall against the Kansas secondary. Pachall was 9 of 9 for 201 yards and three TDs in a 56-0 season-opening rout of Grambling State. He’ll be going against a Jayhawks defensive backfield that has struggled mightily against South Dakota State and Rice.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
TCU: RB Waymon James is a big play waiting to happen. He ran for 875 yards and six TDs last season, and his average of 7.2 yards was seventh nationally. James only carried five times in TCU’s opener, but he averaged 13.8 yards and also caught a 30-yard pass against Grambling State.
Kansas: QB Dayne Crist has struggled through his first two games since transferring from Notre Dame, throwing for just 313 yards with two TDs and three interceptions. Crist will have to do better than his 51.6 completion percentage to give the Jayhawks a shot against TCU.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Horned Frogs head into their next league having won 24 consecutive conference games. … Gary Patterson surpassed Dutch Meyer to become TCU’s winningest coach with last Saturday’s victory over Grambling State. Patterson’s winning percentage (110-30) is fourth nationally among active coaches. … Patterson was born in Larned, Kan., and played linebacker at Kansas State. … TCU and Kansas are meeting for the first time since 1997, a 17-10 win by the Jayhawks, who have won the last three matchups. … Kansas RB Tony Pierson has back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. … The Jayhawks have forced eight turnovers in their first two games.
Massachusetts (0-2) at No. 17 Michigan (1-1), 9:30 a.m. (BTN)
Line: Michigan by 47.
Series Record: Michigan leads 1-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Wolverines have a lot of improving to do, especially establishing a running game without Denard Robinson and stopping the run. UMass, in its first year at the highest level of college football, can give its program a signature win by stunning college football’s winningest program. Though mostly the Minutemen would just like to stay close.
KEY MATCHUP
Michigan RB Fitzgerald Toussaint against UMass LB Perry McIntyre. Toussaint ran for 7 yards on eight carries in his season debut against Air Force after being suspended for the opener. The Wolverines are determined to get him going and it will be up to the McIntyre-led linebackers to slow him down.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
UMass: RB Mike Cox. He is playing against his former teammates as a graduate transfer. Cox had a career-high 15 carries for 36 yards in last week’s 45-6 loss to Indiana. He had 39 career carries for 201 yards and two TDs for Michigan.
Michigan: WR Roy Roundtree. He has caught three passes for 17 yards in what was expected to be a breakout season for the player wearing Desmond Howard’s Michigan Legends No. 21 jersey.
FACTS & FIGURES
Two years ago at the Big House, UMass sent an onside kick out of bounds after pulling within five points and Michigan held on for 42-37 win. … Wolverines coach Brady Hoke cleared DE Frank Clark to play less than a week after he pleaded guilty to a felony after taking a laptop from a dorm room. … The Minutemen are led by first-time head coach in Charley Molnar, who was Brian Kelly’s offensive coordinator at Notre Dame and Cincinnati. … Michigan plays at No. 22 Notre Dame in prime-time next week. … UMass is playing in the Mid-American Conference.
No. 18 Florida (2-0, 1-0 SEC) vs. No. 23 Tennessee (2-0, 0-0), noon (ESPN)
Line: Tennessee by 3.
Series Record: Florida leads 22-19.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Both teams are seeking to prove they’ve rebounded after delivering disappointing results in recent seasons. Tennessee went 1-7 in SEC competition last season and has posted losing records in each of Derek Dooley’s two seasons. Florida went 7-6 last season in Will Muschamp’s first year for its lowest win total since 2004. Both teams have shown evidence of turning the corner by winning their first two games this season. The winner has reason to believe it can contend for an East Division title.
KEY MATCHUP
Tennessee’s passing offense vs. Florida’s pass defense: Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray has completed 73.8 percent of his passes for 643 yards and six touchdowns without an interception. He benefits from a dynamic receiving corps that features two of the SEC’s top playmakers in Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson. Hunter leads the SEC with 17 catches and ranks second in the conference with 219 receiving yards. Patterson leads the SEC with 360 all-purpose yards. Florida is one of only 10 teams in the nation that have played two games this season without allowing a touchdown pass.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Florida: RB Mike Gillislee: Although Gillislee injured his groin last week in Florida’s 20-17 victory at Texas A&M, Coach Will Muschamp has said Gillislee should be fine for Saturday’s game. Gillislee leads the SEC with 231 rushing yards and averages 6.1 yards per carry. The team that rushes for the most yards historically has dominated this series, so Gillislee’s health is a major factor.
Tennessee: WR Hunter: He was leading the SEC in receiving through the first two games of the 2011 season before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last September in a 33-23 loss to Florida. He is back at 100 percent now and has tied Johnny Mills’ 46-year-old school record for most catches through the first two games of a season.
FACTS & FIGURES
Florida has beaten Tennessee seven consecutive times, which represents the Gators’ longest winning streak in the history of this rivalry. … This marks the first Florida-Tennessee game since 2007 in which both teams are ranked. … Tennessee is ranked for the first time since the 2008 preseason poll. … Florida coach Will Muschamp and Tennessee coach Derek Dooley worked together on Nick Saban’s staffs at LSU (2001-04) and with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins (2005). … Florida’s victory over Texas A&M last week marked the first time the Gators have won a game under Muschamp after trailing at halftime. The Gators were 0-5 in those situations last year. … Florida linebacker Jelani Jenkins (thumb) and cornerback Cody Riggs (foot) will miss Saturday’s game, while safety De’Ante Saunders is returning from a two-game suspension. … Tennessee linebackers Herman Lathers (shoulder) and Curt Maggitt (toe) are questionable after sitting out the victory over Georgia State last week.
North Carolina (1-1) at No. 19 Louisville (2-0), 9:30 a.m. (ABC/ESPN2)
Line: Louisville 3 1/2
Series Record: Tied 3-3
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Good as Louisville has looked in dominating Kentucky and FCS Missouri State, the Cardinals have looked to this game as a measuring stick. They also want to carry the momentum of a 3-0 start at home into a three-game road swing at FIU, Mississippi State and Pittsburgh. North Carolina will try to bounce back from a 28-27 loss at Wake Forest in its ACC opener, when the Tar Heels rallied to take a late lead before allowing the Demon Deacons to win it.
KEY MATCHUP
Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater vs. North Carolina CBs Jabari Price and Tim Scott. The sophomore passed for a career-best 344 yards against Missouri State and hasn’t thrown an interception while completing 49 of 60 attempts. He has involved everybody but his receivers could face resistance from Scott (two interceptions) and Price (one).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
North Carolina: DL Sylvester Williams. A preseason candidate for several national awards, he passed up the NFL Draft to return for his senior season and has 2.5 sacks.
Louisville: S Hakeem Smith is second on the team in tackles and will need to be involved in stopping the run, especially if RB Giovani Bernard is healthy enough to play.
FACTS & FIGURES
Louisville has won two of the last three in the series but lost 14-7 last year at Carolina. … The Cardinals seek their first 3-0 start since 2006, when they began 8-0. … North Carolina is 7-9 against the Big East but has won three in a row. … First-year UNC Coach Larry Fedora and Louisville counterpart Charlie Strong were Florida assistants from 2003-04 as offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively.
No. 22 UCLA (2-0) vs. Houston (0-2), 1:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks)
Line: UCLA by 17.
Series Record: Tied 3-3.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
UCLA is ranked for the first time in more than four years, and the Bruins are playing a home game with a ranking for the first time in a half-decade. The good feelings of a strong start under new coach Jim Mora won’t last long if the Bruins stumble against the rebuilding Cougars, who beat UCLA in last year’s season opener.
KEY MATCHUP
Houston QB David Piland vs. UCLA CBs Aaron Hester and Sheldon Price. The Cougars’ pass-happy offense was trouble for UCLA last season, and Piland threw 77 times last week against Louisiana Tech without an interception, setting an NCAA record. Hester and Price are seniors who say they’re relishing the spotlight they’ll face.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston: RB Charles Sims. The Cougars are a passing team, but don’t forget about Sims. The junior averages 6.0 yards per carry in his career.
UCLA: RB Johnathan Franklin. The senior known as “Jet Ski” is the NCAA’s leading rusher through two games with 431 yards, finally harnessing his considerable potential behind an offensive line with three freshmen starters. Houston’s defense has given up a jaw-dropping 493 yards rushing in its first two games.
FACTS & FIGURES
Houston is fourth nationally with 395.5 yards passing per game this season, while UCLA is second in rushing offense with 343.5 yards per game. … The Cougars have won six straight road games, the fourth-longest active streak in the nation. … UCLA was ranked for one week during the 2008 season after beating Tennessee in Rick Neuheisel’s debut, but the Bruins fell out of the rankings during an ensuing bye week and never reached the Top 25 again under the fired coach. … Franklin rushed for 128 yards against Houston last season and 158 in 2010 as a sophomore. … Houston coach Tony Levine will coach his first true road game. The Cougars beat Penn State in the TicketCity Bowl in Dallas.
South Carolina State (1-1) at No. 24 Arizona (2-0), 4:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)
Line: No line
Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Ranked for the first time in nearly two years, Arizona is looking to avoid a letdown against the FCS Bulldogs after beating No. 18 Oklahoma State 59-38 last Saturday. The Wildcats have set records the past two games with 182 combined plays in each and will threaten that again against South Carolina State, another team that likes to play fast.
KEY MATCHUP
South Carolina State’s defense against Wildcats QB Matt Scott. Arizona’s fifth-year senior is a dual threat who’s tied with Syracuse’s Ryan Nassib for the national lead in total yards with 836 in two games. The Bulldogs return four starters on defense and will need to keep tabs on Scott wherever he goes.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
South Carolina State: QB Richard Cue. The Bulldogs’ junior had a superb opener, throwing for 300 yards and three TDs against Georgia State, but had a pair of interceptions and 69 yards on 8-of-28 passing against Bethune-Cookman last week.
Arizona: RB Ka’Deem Carey. The sophomore has had a good start to his first season as Arizona’s featured back, scoring five touchdowns in two games, including four against Oklahoma State. He opened the season with 147 yards against Toledo and had 126 more last week.
FACTS & FIGURES
Arizona is second nationally with 65 first downs. … South Carolina State lost two fumbles on special teams in a 27-14 loss to Bethune-Cookman in its home opener. … The Wildcats’ 59 points last week against Oklahoma State were their most ever against a ranked opponent. … South Carolina State has another tough road game after visiting Tucson, facing Texas A&M before facing defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Norfolk State. … Sophomore Austin Hill leads Arizona with 12 catches for 263 yards, tying him with USC’s Marqise Lee for the Pac-12 lead in receiving yards.
No. 25 Brigham Young (2-0) at Utah (1-1), 4 p.m. (ESPN2)
Line: Brigham Young by 4.
Series Record: Utah leads 55-34-4.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
BYU wants to avenge an embarrassing 54-10 loss last year in Provo and prove it belongs in the AP Top 25. As an independent, any loss will bust its BCS dreams. Utah is trying to avoid being tagged third-best team in the state after losing last week in overtime to Utah State, and losing QB Jordan Wynn to a career-ending shoulder injury.
KEY MATCHUP
Utah QB (either senior Jon Hays or freshman Travis Wilson) against a sack-happy BYU defense, ranked 10th overall in the country. The Utes reshuffled their offensive line after getting no push for their backs or protection for their quarterback, and the Cougars have a stout defensive line and playmaking LBs in Kyle Van Noy and Spencer Hadley.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Utah: RB John White. When he gains 100 yards rushing, the Utes win. He gashed BYU for 174 yards last season but had only 9 yards on nine first-half carries before getting untracked against the Cougars.
Brigham Young: WR Cody Hoffman. The 6-foot-4 junior has a 21-game receiving streak and a sizable advantage over Utah DBs. He could be in for a big game if QB Riley Nelson is on target and has the protection, considering Utah’s secondary also will be missing SS Brian Blechen (suspended) and perhaps FS Eric Rowe (strained hamstring).
FACTS & FIGURES
Utah has won two straight (and seven of the last 10) over its fiercest rival, including a 17-16 thriller in Salt Lake City two years ago in which the Utes blocked a last-second field goal to escape with the victory. … BYU is on a six-game winning streak dating to 2011. … Utah freshman QB Travis Wilson is 3 for 3 passing and has three TDs (one passing, two rushing) in spot action this season. … BYU QB Nelson was recruited by Utah. … Three of Utah’s coaches, including head coach Kyle Whittingham (1978-81), played at BYU. … The teams will take a two-year hiatus from the series in 2014 and 2015.