Week one set the trend. Now it's time to see if college football programs can do it again. Can Tommy Rees keep Notre Dame's aerial offense hovering at a cruising altitude under the bright lights of Michign's Big House? This may be a battle of mice (FCS) and men (FBS), but before their heavyweight bout against Alabama, the Aggies have to take care of FCS powerhouse Sam Houston State Bearkats in a matchup that's available on pay-per-view.
Speaking of controversy and the SEC, Bobby Petrino is back in the NFL Southeast Conference for the second consecutive week. After his Western Kentucky Hilltoppers trounced the Kentucky Wildcats in his debut, they'll march up to Tennessee to face first-year coach Butch Jones. College football programs have spent a week prepping for the hot coals of gridiron football under the lights. Time to get it again
No. 14 Notre Dame at No. 17 Michigan
Brian Kelly can try all he wants to downplay this rivalry. Conversely, the last five matchups have been decided on the final possession or by a touchdown or less. Michigan saves its vitriol for Ohio State and Notre Dame only sharpens its spears for battles against USC, but there’s enough leftover passion for them to go for each other's jugulars annually. This will be the last time Michigan and Notre Dame play on a regular basis until at least 2020.
No. 12 Florida at Miami (FL)
Jeff Driskel still hasn’t figured out how to play quarterback from the pocket and the Gators offense will likely remain grounded against the Hurricanes. Unfortunately, the Hurricanes will be facing a juggernaut on defense. Duke Johnson has a herculean task ahead of him against a top-five run defense. A win for Miami would be a huge boon for the Hurricanes program that was left for dead two years ago. The Hurricanes have been outscored 126-36 against ranked opponents over the last three years.
No. 6 South Carolina at No. 11 UGA
The perfectly manicured hedges enclosing the playing field at Sanford Stadium are looking like a mighty attractive hiding spot for Aaron Murray. Or it could prove to be more of a deterrent for Clowney and the Gamecocks rushers than UGA’s spongy offensive line. Clowney got Murray so out of rhythm that he finished with the worst QBR rating of his career last October. It’s also worth noting that Richt hasn’t beaten Spurrier since 2009. South Carolina is often where UGA's dreams go to die. After Saturday's season-opening loss, this may be the cremation.
