#6 Texas (2-0) vs. Texas Tech (2-0)
Vs. 
8:00 ET ABC, Sat. Sept. 18, Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX
Texas: I’m still not sold on Texas. The longhorns are obviously a very talented team, but a BCS championship talented team remains to be seen. Quarterback Garrett Gilbert has been relatively impressive so far this season, completing 62 percent of his passes. Gilbert, though, has thrown for under 400 yards and only one touchdown in two games, not what Longhorn fans are typically used to. The Longhorns pass defense is phenomenal, however. Corners Aaron Williams and Curtis Brown are two of the best in the conference and they will get their first big test of the season this week. PLAYER TO WATCH: Blake Gideon, Jr. FS
Texas Tech: Get ready to see some passing when watching Texas Tech. Taylor Potts has 84 pass attempts in the Red Raiders first two games and will surely be testing the Texas defensive backfield early. Tommy Tuberville has stated he wants the offense to be more balanced, but if it aint broke, don’t fix it. Receiver Detron Lewis was one of Potts favorite targets last season and is second on the team in receiving thus far. The surprise player this year has been senior wideout Lyle Leong, who is averaging over 100 yards in the first two games. PLAYER TO WATCH: Baron Batch, Sr. RB
The Pick: The Longhorns return to Lubbock for the first time since their loss to the Red Raiders on Michael Crabtree’s late game heroics. Lubbock is no easy place to play, especially at night in a nationally televised game. Tech will put points on the board at will and it will be up to Gilbert to respond. Without the Longhorns secondary, I would be scared for Texas, but because of it, they should be able to slow Potts and the offense down just enough. Texas 36 – Texas Tech 31
Air Force (2-0) vs. #7 Oklahoma (2-0)
Vs.
3:30 PM ET, TBA, Sat. Sept. 18, Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK
Air Force: The Air Force offense is a bit of a question this week. When things are rolling for the Falcons, they’re hard to stop. Quarterback Tim Jefferson works as a conductor for the option attack, while tailbacks Jared Tew and Asher Clark execute plays to perfection. The problem this week is that both Tew and Clark remain questionable heading into Norman. The offense is averaging 50 points a game this season with Tew and Clark leading the way. If they are not able to go, this game could be a different kind of story for the Falcons. PLAYER TO WATCH: Rick Ricketts, Sr. DE
Oklahoma: All the worries about the Sooners following the Utah State game were diminished last week as the Sooners rolled over Florida State. All aspects of the Sooners offense have been clicking since this season. Quarterback Landry Jones has tossed the ball for nearly 600 yards and six scores. Running back Demarco Murray is averaging 130 yards a game, and receiver Ryan Broyles has brought in 21 catches for 266 yards in two games. The pass defense took another back seat to quarterback Christian Ponder last week; luckily Air Force is no threat to throw the ball more than 12 times a game.
The Pick: It’s hard to tell how this one will play out. If Air Force has a healthy offense, the Falcons can play with anyone. Evident of their 31-27 over Houston in its bowl game and a 35-14 win over BYU last week. The Sooners don’t mess around at home. Thirty two and counting now for Oklahoma at the Memorial, mid as well make it 33. Oklahoma 41 – Air Force 27
(Game of the week…)
#8 Nebraska (2-0) vs. Washington (1-1)
Vs.
3:30 PM ET, ABC, Sat. Sept. 18, Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA
Nebraska: Finally the Cornhuskers get a test on the season. They themselves had to be getting a little tired of picking on lesser opponents the first two weeks. Quarterback Taylor Martinez has been phenomenal so far this season, currently sitting at eight in the country in rushing yards. Although he has yet to pass for more than 136 yards, Martinez will have his chance this week. Running backs Rex Burkhead and Roy Helu should be run hard this week to help Martinez. The Huskers tremendous defense will also be tested this week. They will be without starting linebackers Will Compton and Sean Fisher, though. PLAYER TO WATCH: Jared Crick, Jr. DT
Washington: The Huskies have survived one of two tests this season, losing to a good BYU team, while also beating a rebuilding Syracuse team last week. Quarterback Jake Locker has been as expected. Locker has passed for 555 yards with five scores and no turnovers. Running back Carlos Polk has also been a playmaker for the offense, rushing for 209 yards through the first two games. Junior wideout Jermaine Kearse shot off last week bringing in 179 yards and three scores. Kearse will be tested this week against preseason All-American corner, Prince Amukamara. PLAYER TO WATCH: Mason Foster, Sr. OLB
The Pick: I like this game, a lot. I picked the Huskers to go to the National Championship game this season, and that was before quarterback Taylor Martinez starting rushing for over 120 yards a game. Locker and the Huskies will be a test for the Huskers, but I don’t know that the Washington defense has enough talent to stop the ground attack of Nebraska. The Huskers defense, however, does have enough power to at least slow down Locker. Nebraska 29 – Washington 23
(Upset Pick…)
#9 Iowa (2-0) vs. #24 Arizona (2-0)
Vs.
10:30 PM ET, ESPN, Sat. Sept. 18, Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ
Iowa: Surprisingly the Hawkeyes offense has overshadowed the stout defense of Iowa this season. Running back Adam Robinson has flourished through two games, rushing for 265 yards and four scores. Banged up quarterback Ricky Stanzi has also been impressive throwing for 204 yards and two touchdowns against rival Iowa State last week. The Hawkeyes defense has been dominant as well, not allowing more than a touchdown in each of their first two games. PLAYER TO WATCH: Adrian Clayborn, Sr. DE
Arizona: I had been waiting for the Wildcats to pick up a little recognition and they got it last week, moving into the AP poll. The offense is powered by a three headed attack of quarterback Nick Foles, running back Nic Grigsby and wideout Juron Criner. Foles has completed 83 percent of his passes this season, an astonishing number no matter who they’ve played. Grigsby is an electric back with an 8.4 average and five touchdowns this season, while Criner has brought in 236 yards in the Wildcats first two games. The offense will challenge a good Hawkeye defense; it will be up to the defense to step up. PLAYER TO WATCH: Ricky Elmore, Sr. DE
The Pick: I had this game circled on the calendar at the beginning of the season and am looking forward to seeing two conference contending teams duke it out. It’s just too bad the game takes place at 10 pm for east coast viewers. Arizona nearly walked away with the win last season at Iowa. This year, the games in their backyard, a place the Wildcats only lost one game last season, a 2OT thriller to PAC-10 champ Oregon. Iowa’s defense is phenomenal, but so is the Foles led Arizona offense. The Wildcats defense isn’t too bad either, giving up just eight points on the season. Points need to be put on the board, though, why the Wildcats should take it in a close battle. It’s too bad the spread can’t get any closer than one, because this one just might push that. Arizona 24 – Iowa 23
#10 Florida (2-0) vs. Tennessee (1-1)
Vs.
3:30 PM ET, CBS, Sat. Sept. 18, Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
Florida: So maybe the Florida offense isn’t as bad as originally thought. Quarterback John Brantley picked his game up last week against South Florida after a shaky opener against Miami (OH). Brantley still hasn’t shown fans or coaches what was expected of the heralded single caller, however. One thing is clear about the Gators offense, though, running back Jeff Demps is a different player this season. Demps has placed the team on his shoulders in each of the Gators first two wins, last week rushing for 139 yards and a score last week. Brantley is still missing a top target at wideout and one needs to step up before the Gators get too far into the SEC schedule. The defense continues to take the ball away, with corner Ahmad Black leading the way. PLAYER TO WATCH: Deonte Thompson, Jr. WR
Tennessee: Things were going great for the Vols last week against Oregon. Then the third quarter came. The offense and defense for Tennessee both shut down late in the game, ending in a 41-13 blowout. Its clear head coach Derrick Dooley wants to run the ball with running backs Tauren Poole and David Oku both averaging over six yards a carry. The offense can’t run, however, if the defense puts the offense in a 30 point hole. Whether or not the Vols defense can stop an offense besides Tennessee-Martin remains to be seen. PLAYER TO WATCH: Denarius Moore, Sr. WR
The Pick: If the Gators offense continues to keep teams in games, they will drop a couple to SEC opponents. I don’t however think one of those will be Tennessee. As long as the defense is still forcing quarterbacks into bad decisions, the Gators will win some games. This week against the young Matt Sims at quarterback, the UF defense should be able to walk away with a few more turnovers. Florida 23 – Tennessee 17
#12 Arkansas (2-0) vs. Georgia (1-1)
Vs.
12:00 PM ET, ESPN, Sat. Sept. 18, Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
Arkansas: The Arkansas offense has molded to fit its tremendous quarterback Ryan Mallett. Once a rush happy team, the Razorbacks have been riding Mallett for two seasons now. With 43 pass attempts and 400 yards through the air last week, it’s clear the plan is working. Mallett is one of the most talented passers in the country and has one of the better arsenals to use in his receiving core. Wideouts Joe Adams and Greg Childs have been Mallett’s favorite targets this season once again, and may be too much for the Bulldogs to handle. PLAYER TO WATCH: DJ Williams, Sr. TE
Georgia: The Bulldog offense has the skill to operate at a level as high as the Razorbacks, but there are a few things holding them back. All-American receiver AJ Green is still serving a four game suspension, leaving Georgia short-changed at wideout. Finding a reliable target outside of Green has been a struggle so far for quarterback Aaron Murray. The Bulldogs would also like to establish a running game with backs Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, but the ground attack was non-existent last week against SEC foe South Carolina. PLAYER TO WATCH: Justin Houston, Jr. OLB
The Pick: The loss of AJ Green is turning out to hurt the ‘Dogs pass attack a lot more than I originally thought it might. The next returning receiver behind Green’s 53 catches last year is sophomore Tavarres King, and he only brought in 18 catches, though. With Mallett playing as good as he is right now he may be too much to stop. If South Carolina quarterback Stephan Garcia was able to pass for 165 yards on Georgia last week, Mallett should easily be able to double that amount this week. Arkansas 38 – Georgia 27
Clemson (2-0) vs. #16 Auburn (2-0)
Vs.
7:00 PM ET, ESPN, Sat. Sept. 18, Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
Clemson: The Tigers have yet to be tested even a little on the season. Their first week they blew past North Texas and last week rested their starters following the first quarter against Presbyterian. Preseason is down, however, for Clemson. The running game, led by Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper, should see a lot of action this week after both brought in 100 yard performances in the opener. They should be well rested after each carried the ball just three times last week. A lot of pressure will be placed on the Tiger defense in containing Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton. They have the speed to do so, but the discipline remains to be seen. PLAYER TO WATCH: Da’Quan Bowers, Jr. DE
Auburn: So far so good for Newton and the Tiger offense. The single caller survived his first SEC road trip in last Thursday’s game at Mississippi State. Auburn just pulled out the victory in Starkville, but it’s no easy place to play. Newton is engineering a powerful offense and is averaging over 120 yards on the ground. He can’t start relying on his legs to do all the work however. The Tigers defense was phenomenal last week, gang tackling the Bulldogs wherever the ball went. Defensive tackle Nick Fairley has proven to be quite the player inside for the Tigers. PLAYER TO WATCH: Michael Dyer, Fr. RB
The Pick: It’s hard to tell what kind of team this Clemson quad is. After two straight walkthrough games and a game in which their starters barely played, it makes it hard to predict what kind of team Auburn will see. Running backs Harper and Ellington should both get 15 plus touches so it will be important for Auburn to make quarterback Kyle Parker beat them, rather than the running game. The good news for Auburn is that the defense hasn’t allowed a rusher over 45 yards this season. Newton will outplay the Clemson defense, and the Tigers win…Auburn Tigers, that is. Auburn 28 – Clemson 20
(Bonus preview)
Massachusetts (2-0) vs. #20 Michigan (2-0)
Vs.
12:00 PM ET, Big Ten, Sat. Sept. 18, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
Massachusetts: The last time an FCS team visited the Big House it didn’t go so well for the Wolverines. UMass isn’t Appalachian State, however. The Minutemen went 5-6 last season, but have started the 2010 season with two big wins. Running back Jonathan Hernandez is averaging 101 yards a game this season, but UMass will likely try to air it out with quarterback Kyle Havens. Havens has passed for 516 yards and three scores. Better yet, he has yet to turn the ball over. PLAYER TO WATCH: Anthony Nelson, Sr. WR
Michigan: After two big tests to start the season, the Wolverines can finally dial back the offense. Quarterback Denard Robinson has been far better than anyone could have imagined. Apart from Robinson, however, the rest of the offense has been relatively quiet. It will be interesting to see if the Wolverines try to establish a better running game with tailbacks Vincent Smith and Michael Shaw today. The Wolverines should be able to get some rest late in the game, though, a first for Michigan this season. PLAYER TO WATCH: Jonas Mouton, Sr. OLB
The Pick: After Michigan’s first two performances, a lot would have to go wrong here for the Wolverines to drop the game to UMass. This is a far different team than the one that let their guard down to App State. Look for a lot of depth to play today and a basic offense against the Minutemen today. Michigan 45 – Umass 14
(Give me a ticket to see…)
Notre Dame (1-1) vs. Michigan State (2-0)
Vs.
8:00 PM ET, ABC, Sat. Sept. 18, Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
Notre Dame: For the Irish, this week’s Michigan State game may be even more pivotal a game to the season than last week’s Michigan game. If the Irish drop it here in East Lansing, bad things could be ahead. Quarterback Dayne Crist has been decent, but I’m sure coaches expect more out of the once heralded recruit. Establishing a run game with running back Armando Allen today should be more import than getting Crist going. The Spartans will establish the run and control the ball early and the Irish should try to do the same. Allen has rushed for 182 yards this season, going for 89 last week against Michigan. Notre Dame needs to become a balanced offense to pull out a win. PLAYER TO WATCH: Cierre Wood, rFr. RB
Michigan State: Through two games this fall, the Spartans have made it clear they want to run the football. Running backs Edwin Baker and Le’Veon Bell are both averaging over 9.4 yards a carry on the season. Baker has brought in 300 yards, including 183 last week. Bell, a true freshman, has 190 yards on the season filling in for injured sophomore Larry Caper. Caper has been upgraded to probable for the Irish game and a three headed attack could be established by the Spartans. Quarterback Kirk Cousins may be the Big Ten’s most underrated quarterback and has the ability to beat the Spartans through the air if need be. PLAYER TO WATCH: Keshawn Martin, Jr. WR
The Pick: The Spartans are 3-2 against the Irish the last five seasons, and the home team barely has an advantage in the series. The Spartans have yet to have a tough test on the year, having faced Western Michigan and FAU. Notre Dame has established a tough defense this season, but against the powerful running game of the Spartans, I don’t know how tough it really is, especially after giving up nearly 300 yards on the ground to Michigan last week. Michigan State 33 – Notre Dame 27
BYU (1-1) vs. Florida State (1-1)
Vs.
3:30 PM ET, ESPN 3, Sat. Sept. 18, Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
BYU: Following an opening game win against Jake Locker and Washington, the Cougars looked like another dark horse BCS team. Losing to Air Force last week, however, might have shot down those dreams. BYU has continued a two quarterback system with Riley Nelson and Jake Heaps so far. Sooner or later, I think coaches will need to stick with one to create a rhythm in games. Nelson brings something to the table with his legs, while Heaps has great potential with his arm. Running back JJ Di Luigi has been special this season, leading the Cougars in both rushing and receiving through two games this season. PLAYER TO WATCH: Brian Logan, Sr. CB
Florida State: Florida State went into last week’s Oklahoma game surrounded by hype and claims that this Seminole squad was a different team than previous seasons. They proved otherwise. The Seminoles took a pounding from the Sooners, losing 47-17. Quarterback Christian Ponder is a terrific talent, but failed to impress last week against a scrutinized Sooner secondary. The problem for FSU has been a lack of rushing game, something that continues to hinder the offense this season. PLAYER TO WATCH: Nigel Bradham, Jr. OLB
The Pick: Last season the Seminoles traveled to Provo, pounding the Cougars 54-28. This season may be no different at Doak Campbell with the Seminoles looking to take out their anger following a blowout loss. FSU may need to become a more balanced team to beat the power of BYU, but expect Ponder to air it out a lot Saturday. Florida State 35 – BYU 20
Last Week: 9-4 Season: 20-9
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