#18 Penn State (1-0) vs. #1 Alabama (1-0)
Vs. 
7:00 ET ESPN, Sat. Sept. 11, Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
Penn State: Robert Bolden, the Nittany Lions true freshman quarterback, will have no tougher test in his second start ever. The young single caller impressed in his first start, but it was against Youngstown state. Alabama’s secondary is young as well, but also led by an All-American in safety Mark Barron. Senior running back Evan Royster, who didn’t have a good game last week, will need to make plays early if the Lions expect to take any pressure of Bolden. PLAYER TO WATCH: Derek Moye, Jr. WR
Alabama: Believe it or not, I don’t think it’s the speed of Alabama that gives them the edge, but rather the Tide’s offensive line that makes the difference in this one. ‘Bama’s ground game consistently has gaping holes for backs to run though, even if it’s not Heisman winner Mark Ingram running through them. Ingram is out again, but Trent Richardson is more than capable of stepping up. Wideout Marquis Maze, more so than Julio Jones, could have a breakout 2010 game here as well. PLAYER TO WATCH: Dont’a Hightower, So. MLB
The Pick: It’s hard enough for four year starting quarterbacks to head into Tuscaloosa and come out with a win. If Bolden does it, start handing this guy some hardware. Alabama is far too balanced a team and powerful inside to let a slip up come against Penn State here. Alabama 31 – Penn State 16
(Game of the week…)
#12 Miami (FL) (1-0) vs. #2 Ohio State (1-0)
Vs.
3:40 PM ET, ESPN, Sat. Sept. 11, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
Miami (FL): No. 12 Jacory Harris leads No. 12 Miami into a hostile place to play. Harris, finally healed of thumb surgery that plagued him last year, looked up to form last week against Florida A&M with three touchdowns and 210 yards in two quarters of play. Miami has one of the deepest receiving corps in the country, and it should be interesting to see if the Buckeyes have enough cover men to slow down the heralded junior passer. Expect a lot of new dialed up blitzes from outside linebacker Sean Spence and the defense as well, trying to get Pryor unsettled in the pocket. PLAYER TO WATCH: Lamar Miller, rFr. RB
Ohio State: No.2 Terrell Pryor leads No. 2 Ohio State against a team looking for revenge of a National Championship game. Pryor’s last two games – against Oregon and Marshall – he has looked like the passer Ohio State recruited him to be, standing tall in the pocket and delivering down field. Whether that Pryor shows up Saturday, against one of the fastest defenses he has ever faced, remains to be seen. The key for Ohio State will be to get running backs Brandon Saine and Dan Herron going first. Then let Pryor follow. PLAYER TO WATCH: Brian Rolle, Sr. MLB
The Pick: This is one of the toughest games of the year to pick, because both teams are matched quite equally and have so much working in their favor. A lot rides on this game for both as well. For Ohio State, it’s staying in the national title race, and a win here would put the team in a near cruise control for the title game. For Miami, it’s a national stage to prove that they’re back as one of college football’s elite teams and ready to make a title run of their own. Miami (FL) 27 – Ohio State 24
#7 Oregon (1-0) vs. Tennessee (1-0)
Vs. 
7:00 PM ET, ESPN2, Sat. Sept. 11, Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
Oregon: It’s always exciting to see the PAC-10 travel across the country to take on a team that’s in the national spotlight like Tennessee. Oregon crushed New Mexico last week by 72 points. Impressive no matter whom a team is playing. The Ducks did it without star running back LaMichael James too, who is expected back this week. With James, and last week’s breakout ‘back Kenjon Barner carrying the load on what is expected to be a soggy say in Knoxville, the Ducks should continue to roll. PLAYER TO WATCH: Kenny Rowe, Sr. DE
Tennessee: The Vols put up some offense last week. Fifty point’s worth of offense. But it was against Tennessee Martin. I wouldn’t expect half that amount in this one for Tennessee, especially with top wideout Gerald Jones out. Transfer Matt Sims was impressive in his limited action but the question for the Vols surrounds the running back position. Tauren Poole brought in 110 yards and two scores, but it remains to be seen if the junior can carry a full games pounding against a top defense like the Ducks. PLAYER TO WATCH: Marsalis Teague, So. WR
The Pick: It’s a far travel for the Ducks, their farthest since Michigan in 2007, but they’re a team that was designed for games before the invention of the forward pass. Even quarterback Darron Thomas should find room to scoot on a wet field in this one. I think Tennessee may surprise some people in how well of defense they play against a tough Duck offense, but the Vols offense just isn’t quite there yet. Oregon 28 – Tennessee 13
(Upset Pick…)
South Florida (1-0) vs. #8 Florida (1-0)
Vs.
12:21 PM ET, ESPN 3, Sat. Sept. 11, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
South Florida: The Bulls have been waiting for a shot at the Gators for quite some time. The first ever meeting between the two, South Florida will be pumped up to play in the Swamp. Quarterback BJ Daniels looked impressive last week and may have looked like the best Big East passer week one. A lot of the players on the South Florida team are Florida natives passed over by the Gators and a lot of them are players who have been facing one another since grade school. It would make the Bulls season to prove UF coaches wrong and walk over a Gator team that struggled week one. PLAYER TO WATCH: Evan Landi, So. WR
Florida: The offense proved last week they may miss Tim Tebow more than originally thought. Brantley didn’t look like the confident pocket passer we had been hearing about, and the receiving corps for the Gators failed to do anything for the first time starter. A tough, speedy defense, will be the key for the Gators. Although it is inexperienced, a lot of the Gators starters were heralded players from the state of Florida and should be used to a lot of the tendencies of South Florida’s players. PLAYER TO WATCH: Justin Trattou, Sr. DE
The Pick: The Bulls are 10-2 against instate opponents. The Swamp is an intimidating and tough place to play, but so is Doak Campbell Stadium, where the Bulls upset Florida State last season 17-7. I do feel the offensive problems by Florida last week, which include the bad snaps and fumbles, will be erased this week, but I really didn’t like what I saw form the offense and defense without those mistakes. The Gators won’t be able to out-speed another Florida team here, giving the Bulls their third-straight season in which they upset a team within the top 20 early in the season. The godly 17 point spread for Florida means nothing in this game to the Bulls. South Florida 23 – Florida 21
Iowa State (1-0) vs. #9 Iowa (1-0)
Vs.
3:30 PM ET, ABC, Sat. Sept. 11, Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
Iowa State: Senior quarterback Austin Arnaud has been a part of three straight beat downs by the Hawkeyes. Arnaud passed for just 113 yards on the Hawkeyes defense last season and led an offense that turned the ball over six times. Arnaud, now a senior, has a chance to make things happen with his arm and his legs, but needs to cut down on his mistakes. He threw two interceptions last week against Northern Illinois. It makes it hard to pick a team that turns the ball over so much. PLAYER TO WATCH: AJ Klein, So. OLB
Iowa: The Hawkeyes have quite the injury report heading into their home meet and top rivalry game. The list includes quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who twisted his knee last week, but Stanzi should be fine to go here. The Hawkeyes overpowered Eastern Illinois last week on the ground and should do the same to ISU this week. The defense is one of the stoutest units in the country led by All-American end, Adrian Clayborn. PLAYER TO WATCH: Karl Klug, Sr. DT
The Pick: A lot of rivalry games can be hard to pick because of the added tension between the two programs. This one, however, isn’t. The Hawkeyes are the far better team and as long as they don’t start turning the ball over consistently in this one, they should walk away with a win. If Arnaud can play good football to the level he is capable, though, Iowa State could make it closer than expected. Iowa 29 – Iowa State 12
#17 Florida State (1-0) vs. #10 Oklahoma (1-0)
Vs.
3:30 PM ET, ABC, Sat. Sept. 11, Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK
Florida State: Florida State should have success this year alone just by how good their offense is. Quarterback Christian Ponder is a tremendous passer and stands behind one of the best offensive lines in football. Against Oklahoma’s defense, however, teams can’t be one dimensional. The Seminoles ground game has struggled as of late, and although Ty Jones rushed for 110 yards last week, it was against Samford. Miami was able to have success in the rushing game against the Sooner defense last season and it proved to be the winning outcome. FSU needs to do the same, controlling the football here. PLAYER TO WATCH: Taiwan Easterling, Jr. WR
Oklahoma: A lot is being made of the porous performance against Utah State in the opener last week, and rightfully so. The Sooners secondary looked awful, not something you want to see as a coach if your team is facing Christian Ponder the next week. The secondary will get a boost from the defensive line in this one, however, as the Sooners welcome back end Frank Alexander and tackle Adrian Taylor, both starters who missed last week. The added defensive help and a ground game that churned out 208 yards from DeMarco Murray last week should be the deciding factor. PLAYER TO WATCH: Ronnell Lewis, So. OLB
The Pick: Streaks and records are meant to be broken right? Only if your Florida State looking at the 31 game home win streak by the Sooners would you be thinking that. Oklahoma did have a less than impressive opening game, and quarterback Landry Jones looked unimpressive himself. The situation is different in this game though, the Sooners won’t be caught off guard by a FSU team looking to make its way back into the national stage. Oklahoma keeps the streak alive. Oklahoma 37 – Florida State 28
#22 Georgia (1-0) vs. #24 South Carolina (1-0)
Vs.
12:00 PM ET, ESPN2, Sat. Sept. 11, Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
Georgia: Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray didn’t disappoint in his debut last week against Louisiana-Lafayette, tossing three touchdowns. The Bulldogs could roll this season behind the arm of Murray, but without junior wideout AJ Green, it makes things a little tougher to do so. An improved ground game should be shown this week with the return of Washaun Ealy after a one game suspension. Ealy will be able to open more downfield passes for Murray as well. PLAYER TO WATCH: Tavarres King, So. WR
South Carolina: The Gamecocks were the first college team to kick off the 2010 season, rolling over Southern Miss. Quarterback Stephen Garcia proved to be a dual threat weapon rushing for two scores, but he looked less than decent throwing the football. True freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore got more carries than was expected and impressed when he had an open field. I still think with Garcia leading the way the offense is a step back from Georgia’s right now. The Gamecocks defense, however, should keep it close. PLAYER TO WATCH: Cliff Matthews, Sr. DE
The Pick: Georgia won’t be intimidated by playing in Columbia, especially in a day game. They’ve been there every other season and have won four straight in South Carolina. Last year’s meeting was a 41-37 shootout with the Bulldogs coming out on top in Athens. With two far more improved defenses it’s reasonable to expect a closer game this season. Georgia 20 – South Carolina 14
#25 Stanford (1-0) vs. UCLA (0-1)
Vs.
10:30 PM ET, ESPN, Sat. Sept. 11, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Stanford: The Cardinal offense last season won games on the ground, using workhorse Toby Gerhart to pound down defenses. This year’s offense may be the total opposite with a quarterback like Andrew Luck at the helm. Luck threw for over 300 yards and four scores last week against Sacramento State. The ground game was also still prominent, brining in over 200 yards in a spread out backfield. PLAYER TO WATCH: Ryan Whalen, Sr. WR
UCLA: The Bruins gave up just 64 yards passing last week to Kansas State. Although the Wildcats only attempted 16 passes, less than Luck had completions last week, most in part because they piled 313 rushing yards on the Bruin defense. Still, the UCLA secondary remains one of the best in the PAC-10, led by junior safety Rahim Moore. The Bruin offense looked rather terrible against K-State though, with quarterback Kevin Prince turning it over twice through the air. PLAYER TO WATCH: Akeem Ayers, Jr. OLB
The Pick: This matchup was one of the hardest games to pick this week. The Bruins have won six straight home meetings against the Cardinal. This year’s Stanford team is changed from the last time they walked the Rose Bowl grounds, however. Led by a talented offense that can put points up on any defense the Cardinal should prove to be too much. UCLA is still trying to find their identity offensively, holding them back in this one. Stanford 34 – UCLA 19
Michigan (1-0) vs. Notre Dame (1-0)
Vs.
3:30 PM ET, NBC, Sat. Sept. 11, Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN
Michigan: The Wolverines were more than impressive week one, running past a good UConn team. They didn’t walk away unscratched, however. The Wolverines top target on the outside, Roy Roundtree, is listed as doubtful against the Irish, while wideout Junior Hemingway is listed as questionable. With quarterback Denard Robinson’s weapons on the outside depleted, it may make the dangerous scrambler one dimensional. But that might not be such a bad thing. The Michigan defense will need to get far more pressure on Notre Dame this week than they did last week against UConn. PLAYER TO WATCH: Martavious Odoms, Jr. WR
Notre Dame: The Irish offense was a success last week in their debut against Big Ten foe Purdue. I expected more than a modest game out of quarterback Dayne Crist, but he looked impressive at times. I have a feeling the offense was holding some stuff back in anticipation of this week’s game. Running back Armando Allen impressed last week with two scores on the ground and over 90 yards. How the defense handles containing Robinson will be the key to the success of Notre Dame in this one. PLAYER TO WATCH: Michael Floyd, Jr. WR
The Pick: The Michigan offense was explosive last week. So too was the Notre Dame defense, which blew up plays and disrupted Purdue quarterback Robert Marve all afternoon. Robinson is no Marve, however, and not even Touchdown Jesus would’ve been able to catch Robinson last week. If he is able to find the littlest of creases in the Irish defense, as he proved last week, it could be lights out for the Golden Domers. Michigan 34 – Notre Dame 31
Michigan State (1-0) vs. Florida Atlantic (1-0)
Vs.
12:00 PM ET, ESPNU, Sat. Sept. 11, Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Michigan State: The Spartans revealed a ground game last week that was lacking throughout all of last season. True freshman LeVeon Bell stepped in rushing for 141 yards and two scores, while sophomore Edwin Baker rushed for 117 yards and two scores. Neither was the projected starter for the season. Sophomore tailback Larry Caper is expected back this week after a hand injury kept him from the opener. With Caper back and Bell and Baker also in the mix, junior quarterback Kirk Cousins may not even need to attempt a pass for the Spartans. PLAYER TO WATCH: Trenton Robinson, Jr. FS
Florida Atl.: The good news for the Spartans is that Florida Atlantic allowed 345 rush yards last week. FAU narrowly escaped a one point game over UAB last week, with a blocked extra point being the deciding outcome. Quarterback Jeff Van Camp passed for 254 yards and three scores. Against a far better secondary of the Spartans, those numbers should be hard to come by again, however. They do have the speed defensively to keep up with the Spartans passing game, and it will be an area to watch, if MSU even attempts a pass. PLAYER TO WATCH: Lester Jean, Sr. WR
The Pick: The Spartans really over power the Owls in this one. Why the game is played at Ford Field, I haven’t really found out yet. I wouldn’t be surprised, however, if the starters are out of this one quick and rested before a week three meeting against Notre Dame. Michigan State 49 – FAU 17
Last Week: 6-4 Season: 9-5
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