GameScout: CFB Top 25 capsules
September 7, 2017
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Oklahoma State at South Alabama
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GAME SNAPSHOT
KICKOFF: Friday, 8 p.m. ET
GAMEDATE: 9/8/17
SITE: Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala.
TV: ESPN2
SERIES: First meeting
RANKINGS: Oklahoma State No. 11
KEYS TO THE GAME
The last time Oklahoma State played in the state of Alabama as a decided favorite, in 2007, the Cowboys stumbled, putting in motion Mike Gundy's famous, "I'm a man, I'm 40" rant.
The last time South Alabama faced a ranked opponent at home, the Jaguars upset San Diego State, one of their many highlights of 2016.
Friday, the Cowboys (1-0) play in Mobile as about a four-touchdown favorite against a South Alabama squad that could use a jolt to this season after losing its opener to Ole Miss.
No. 11 Oklahoma State will lean on its veteran leadership.
"I think any game, no matter the ranking or who you're playing or where you're playing, if you've got veteran leaders, experienced guys who have been through all types of game situations, it's great," said Cowboys senior quarterback Mason Rudolph.
"You know how to kind of approach each and every game, each and every environment you're going to play in, whether it's in front of 100,000 in Austin or 30,000 or 40,000 down in Mobile. It's definitely a plus."
The Jaguars won't be awed by facing a Power 5 foe.
Last year, South Alabama went on the road to stun Mississippi State and knocked off No. 19 San Diego State at home, 42-24, on its way to a bowl game.
Already this season, the Jaguars have played at Ole Miss, losing 47-27, so taking on heavyweights has become the norm.
"There's still a long season in front of us and we can still be a great team," said South Alabama safety Malcolm Buggs.
Oklahoma State routed Tulsa in its opener, 59-24, behind a balanced offense that feasted on big plays. The Cowboys averaged a first down per snap (10.2 yards) against the Golden Hurricane and produced seven plays of 32 yards or longer, including touchdown passes from Rudolph covering 77 and 40 yards to James Washington and 44 to Tyron Johnson.
The Jaguars surrendered too many big plays to Ole Miss wideouts, including two of 70-yards-plus for scores. Overall, Rebels quarterback Shea Patterson completed 28 of 35 passes for 429 yards and four touchdowns.
"We saw some really good receivers, and I know that (Oklahoma State) has some really good ones as well," South Alabama coach Joey Jones said. "They also have the No. 1 quarterback in the country. They are going to throw it and run a hurry-up offense every snap.
"I know they are very good."
Jaguars quarterback Cole Garvin made his career debut a year ago against San Diego State, orchestrating that win. Against Ole Miss, he passed for a touchdown and ran for two scores.
South Alabama entered the season committed to improving its running game. The Jaguars ran for 170 yards against the Rebels, with junior college transfer Tra Minter going for 83, averaging 6.9 per carry.
"I think we've got two really good running backs and our offensive line is better," Jones said.
Oklahoma State is 15-1 all-time against teams from the Sun Belt. The loss, at Troy, remains attached to Gundy and the program still, especially with the 10-year anniversary of "The Rant" coming up on Sept. 22.
The Cowboys lost that night with Zac Robinson replacing Bobby Reid, the school's biggest-name recruit, at quarterback. When an Oklahoma columnist explained the benching of Reid, and the difficult reasons behind the move, Gundy went off the following week in a postgame tirade that remains relevant through repeated references to this day.
This Oklahoma State team, projected as a College Football Playoff contender, is far removed from that 2007 squad. Gundy carried a losing record through that Troy game, but now stands as the school's winningest coach, with three 10-win seasons over the last four years.
"I think we're a better team now," Gundy said, pointing to growth in the program since 2007, when Oklahoma State lost at Troy, 41-23. "I think our organization and our program is more mature now than it was in years past.
"We're still vulnerable at all times, and it's never as comforting to play on the road as it is to play at home. Our players understand that and we've had those discussions. We're holding them responsible for preparation and playing like we're playing at home."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cowboys
--RB Justice Hill, as expected, asserted himself as Oklahoma State's primary rusher by gaining 132 yards on 15 carries for an 8.8-yard average in the season-opening win over Tulsa. Hill was part of a ground attack that generated 332 yards as the Cowboys achieved the balance coach Mike Gundy desires from his offense. Hill emerged as the lead back, something OSU lacked in previous seasons, as a freshman last year.
--LB Kenneth Edison-McGruder provided some playmaking ability on defense. The junior recorded the Cowboys' only sack in the opener. He also returned a fumble 82 yards for a third-quarter touchdown. Edison-McGruder began his career as a safety, but at 6-0, 220, provides the bulk and range needed to defend spread tendencies as a linebacker. He was in on five stops, four unassisted.
--PK Matt Ammendola made his debut as a sophomore and provided 11 points with a 24-yard field goal and eight PATs. Tulsa's average starting field position after kickoffs by Ammendola was its 21.8-yard line. Six kickoffs sailed for touchbacks, but the three kicks that Tulsa fielded resulted in drive starts at its 7-, 17- and 22-yard lines. Ammendola replaced long-time starter Ben Grogan, a senior last season.
--WR Marcell Ateman, who missed last season with a foot injury, caught four passes for 75 yards against Tulsa.
Jaguars
--FS Jeremy Reaves tied for game-high honors in the season-opening game at Ole Miss, posting eight total stops while also breaking up a pass. The senior was credited with a personal-best two tackles for loss, including the first sack of his collegiate career. With the effort, Reaves became the fifth player in school history to surpass 200 career tackles. He was chosen a first-team preseason All-Sun Belt player by many publications.
--QB Cole Garvin accounted for 222 yards of total offense and a career-high-tying three scores against Ole Miss, guiding an offense that recorded 25 first downs and did not turn the ball over. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 204 yards and rushed for two touchdowns.
--LB Riley Cole, a redshirt freshman, made his starting debut last week. He shared game-high honors with eight tackles. Cole actually made three appearances last season -- with four tackles -- before suffering a season-ending injury and regaining the year of eligibility.
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Fresno State at Alabama
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GAME SNAPSHOT
KICKOFF: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
GAMEDATE: 9/9/2017
SITE: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
TV: ESPN2
SERIES: First meeting
RANKINGS: Alabama No. 1
KEYS TO THE GAME
Top-ranked Alabama lost two outside linebackers -- Christian Miller (biceps) and Terrell Lewis (elbow) -- for the season -- in its season-opening victory against then-No. 3 Florida State.
Two other linebackers -- Rashaan Evans (groin) and Anfernee Jennings (ankle) -- are dealing with serious injuries.
Lewis started and Miller was his backup. Jennings and Evans are starters in Alabama's 3-4 scheme.
Junior Jamey Mosley led the outside linebackers through drills as the Crimson Tide (1-0) began preparations for Saturday's home opener against Fresno State. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa with ESPN2 handling the telecast.
Sophomore Mekhi Brown and freshmen VanDarius Cowan and Chris Allen spent time in practice backing up Mosley. That's a lot of youth and inexperience.
"We hate it that we lost these players," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "They're both good players. They both made significant improvement. They both played well in the game.
"But this is an opportunity for somebody else to step up and be able to play at a high level as well. And we're going to work very hard as a coaching staff to help those guys get in position to do that."
On paper and in Las Vegas, this is a lopsided matchup. Alabama is favored by about 44 points over Fresno State, which finished 1-11 last season. But Saban sees a different Bulldogs team under first-year coach Jeff Tedford.
The Bulldogs opened last week with a 66-0 rout of Incarnate Word with sophomore quarterback Chason Virgil passing for 246 yards and receivers KeeSean Johnson and Jamire Jordan combing for 184 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions.
"This is a much, much improved team," Saban said. "They played really, really well in their opening game, where they scored 66 points and shut the other team out. Got a good quarterback. They've got a couple of good receivers. They've got some good players on defense.
"This is going to be a different kind of challenge for us, something that our players have to respond to because this is a much, much improved team."
Despite its big victory over the Seminoles, Alabama does have some questions.
Offensively, running back Damien Harris rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown while averaging 8.1 yards per carry. Calvin Ridley was Alabama's other top offensive weapon, catching seven passes for 82 yards and one touchdown.
The Tide continues to look for progress from quarterback Jalen Hurts in the downfield passing attack. Hurts (10-of-18) passed for only 96 yards, with 53 coming on one play.
But Fresno State's Tedford touted the Bama sophomore's ability to extend plays with his feet and make big plays.
"He can pull it down and really hurt you," Tedford said. "He's a strong runner. He's very fast. He's not going down -- he's not that guy to run and slide. He's like another running back."
Saban said he has a lot of respect for Tedford, a Fresno State alum who has been a noted quarterback guru in his coaching career. Tedford went 82-57 in 11 seasons at Cal, his last season there coming in 2012.
"Jeff Tedford is one of the best coaches, I think, offensively in the country," Saban said.
After holding Incarnate Word scoreless, Fresno State's defense has Alabama's attention. Alabama tight end Hale Hentges went as far as to compare Fresno State's defense to Florida State's.
"They fly around to the ball. They're fast, physical, They're long," Hentges said.
"Obviously, they shut out the team they played this last weekend. Anytime you can do that, you're a great defense. We're looking forward to the challenges we're going to have with them because they're definitely no slouch."
Alabama has been dealing with tragedy this week. The son of co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Mike Locksley was killed over the weekend. Locksley missed practice on Monday, but was back with the team on Tuesday.
"I just want everybody to understand that our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike, Kia and the entire Locksley family over this tragedy," Saban said. "We'll do everything we can to support Mike and his family in this time of tragedy."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Crimson Tide
--RB Damien Harris was Alabama's top rusher against Florida State with 73 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Bo Scarbrough rushed 15 times.
--WR Calvin Ridley is an electric receiver with game-changing ability. He caught seven passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in the opener.
--LB Jamey Mosley should see an increased role on Saturday with three players going down at his outside linebacker position. He contributed in Alabama's opener against Florida State once the injuries started to pile up.
--LB Keith Holcombe should get his first career start on Saturday with Rashaan Evans suffering from a groin injury. The junior made 24 tackles last season, including 12 on special teams.
Bulldogs
--RB Ronnie Rivers, a true freshman, rushed for a game-high 60 yards on just nine carries in his collegiate debut. Half his total came on a 30-yard scoring run.
--WR KeeSean Johnson led all receivers with seven receptions for 120 yards. He led the team in receptions with 66 last year.
--DL Emeka Ndoh was credited with three tackles for loss, including two sacks, a safety, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He is a transfer from De Anza College.
--CB Sherman Coleman Jr. came up with the Bulldogs' lone interception of the night. He also blocked a field goal, Fresno's first since 2013.
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Oklahoma at Ohio State
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GAME SNAPSHOT
KICKOFF: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
GAMEDATE: 9/9/17
SITE: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
TV: ABC
SERIES: Ohio State leads 2-1, winning last season 45-24 in Norman, Okla.
RANKINGS: Ohio State No. 2, Oklahoma No. 5
KEYS TO THE GAME
The tendency ahead of the big nonconference matchup Saturday night between No. 2 Ohio State and No. 5 Oklahoma is to look at last year's outcome to draw conclusions.
A relatively young and inexperienced Ohio State team went into Norman, Okla., and manhandled the Sooners in a 45-24 victory.
So, it stands to reason that with this year's hyped rematch at Ohio Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) the Buckeyes are favored to win.
Neither side is buying into the narrative, though, that just because the Buckeyes rolled last year at Oklahoma they are a shoo-in to win this one in the Horseshoe.
The Sooners haven't forgotten that game and the feeling of being humbled at home.
And they haven't lost since then.
Oklahoma carries the nation's longest winning streak of 11 games into the game between storied programs in one of college football's biggest venues.
"Everybody who was here for last year's huge loss definitely remembers that," Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield said. "And that's something we talked about during camp. We've never been here for a team to sing their fight song on our field. Quite frankly, it's just embarrassing."
Mayfield threw two interceptions in that game, including one returned for a touchdown by linebacker Jerome Baker that gave the Buckeyes a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
"Regardless of who would have won that game last year, I think both teams will be very motivated and excited to play this game," said 34-year-old Lincoln Riley, in his first year as Oklahoma's head coach after Bob Stoops stepped down in the summer. "I don't honestly believe that will be a huge factor in this one. We have to go out and try to play a lot better than last year and play more up to our capabilities. That will be our main focus."
The Buckeyes scored 35 points in the first half and put the Sooners in too deep of a hole to escape. Ohio State rolled up 443 yards of offense in that game, with 291 of those yards on the ground.
"No one is thinking about last year," Ohio State wide receiver Parris Campbell said. "It's all about right now."
But Campbell, whose six catches in Ohio State's opening win at Indiana included a 74-yard touchdown, also acknowledges that players know when the stage is bigger. This game is likely to have College Football Playoff implications.
"Our approach to this game is it's the biggest game of the year," he said. "It's a big-time opponent, a top-10 matchup. We have to prepare that way. These guys are probably going to come in here with a chip on their shoulder from last year's game."
Oklahoma comes in after pounding UTEP 56-7 in its opener at home last Saturday. Mayfield completed his first 16 passes and finished 19 of 20 for 329 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in one half. Tight end Mark Andrews caught seven passes for 134 yards and a touchdown, and the Sooners rushed for 196 yards.
Abdul Adams started at running back for the Sooners and had the best performance, with 87 yards of total offense. But how Oklahoma will divide carries in closer games remains to be seen. Either way, though, the Sooners have one of the best offensive lines in college football. They get their toughest challenge of the season in this one, though, as the Buckeyes' defensive line is one of the best around, loaded up front and at linebacker with potential first-round NFL draft picks.
The Buckeyes' area of vulnerability could be the secondary. Indiana threw for 420 yards in Ohio State's 49-21 victory last Thursday, but most of the yards came in the first 2 1/2 quarters before the secondary began to play better.
"We started slow. I was pleased how we rebounded in the second half," Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said. "Thirty-eight plays of no gain or lost yardage. The defensive line played outstanding."
Ohio State's offense also started slowly at Indiana but picked up steam behind the running of true freshman J.K. Dobbins, who gained 181 yards in his college debut, and J.T. Barrett's 304 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Add Mike Weber, last year's starter, into the mix at running back this week and the offense could be that much more lethal. Weber sat out the opener with a hamstring issue.
Ohio State coach Urban Meyer plans to use both backs but hasn't decided on a rotation. Running the ball against Oklahoma's defense most likely will be more difficult that at Indiana.
"They're big, very athletic and they're talented up front," Ohio State center Billy Price said. "I think with those guys you have to give them a lot of respect. They're big dudes. Looking forward to a great matchup with them."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sooners
--WR Marquise Brown might be the fastest player on Oklahoma's roster and his ability to get behind defenses could be important against a team like the Buckeyes.
--LB/DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo had the Sooners' only sack a week ago and led the Sooners with four tackles. He's key to not only slowing down the running game but also to pressuring the quarterback.
--LB Caleb Kelly, a sophomore, figures to play a bigger role in this game due to his ability to move from the inside to the outside depending on what Ohio State is doing offensively.
--TE Grant Calcaterra, a true freshman, showed that he could be a viable second option at tight end to complement Mark Andrews, coming up with a strong performance in the opener.
--DBs Tre Brown and Tre Norwood, both freshmen, are expected to see bigger roles on defense and special teams as the Sooners try to develop depth in the secondary with CB Jordan Parker suffering a season-ending knee injury in the opener.
Buckeyes
--QB J.T. Barrett began the season with a solid performance in the win at Indiana. The senior completed 20 of 35 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 61 yards on 13 carries. He accounted for 365 total yards in the game, bringing his career total to 9,211 yards, a school record. Last year in Ohio State's win at Oklahoma, Barrett threw four touchdown passes and passed for 152 yards and ran for 74 as the Buckeyes dominated the Sooners.
--RB J.K. Dobbins became just the sixth true freshman to start the first game of the season for Ohio State. With returning starter Mike Weber sidelined because of a hamstring issue, Dobbins made a head-turning debut with 181 rushing yards on 29 carries, a record rushing total for an Ohio State back in his debut. Even when Weber returns at 100 percent this week, expect to see plenty of Dobbins throughout the season.
--DE Tyquan Lewis opened the season with two sacks at Indiana. The fifth-year senior moved into the top 10 in school history in sacks with 18.5 for his career. The 2016 Big Ten defensive lineman of the year played in his 42nd career game and started for the 27th time.
--WR Parris Campbell had career highs in receptions (six) and yards (136) in Ohio State's win at Indiana to open the season. His 74-yard touchdown catch and run in the third quarter put Ohio State ahead for good. Campbell also returned two kickoffs for a 25-yard average.
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Auburn at Clemson
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GAME SNAPSHOT
KICKOFF: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET
GAMEDATE: 9/9/2017
SITE: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, S.C.
TV: ESPN
SERIES: Auburn leads 34-14-2. Clemson has won the last three meetings, including in 2016 season opener 19-13.
RANKINGS: Clemson No. 3, Auburn No. 13
KEYS TO THE GAME
The recent history of the Clemson-Auburn series -- as well as the program's high national ranking this season -- suggests that clash at Clemson will be another close one.
The two teams of Tigers kick off at 7 p.m. ET at Clemson's Memorial Stadium with an ESPN audience looking on.
"It was a very competitive game last year," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said, reflecting on his team's 19-13 win at Auburn, "and we expect the same thing this time."
Though his team would go on to a 14-1 record and national title while Auburn finished an 8-5 year with a 35-19 loss in the Sugar Bowl to Oklahoma, Swinney had high praise for the SEC team.
"They were a complete football team," Swinney said, "and one of the toughest teams we played all year."
That game was typical of the recent series. In five meetings over the last 10 years, two went to overtime and all but one was decided by touchdown or less. Each of the games has been filled with drama and intensity, and with No. 3 Clemson meeting No. 13 Auburn, this one should prove no different.
"This shapes up as a really good battle and matchup for us early in the year," Swinney said. "We like playing these type games, we like seeing where we are. Win or lose, you're going to find out a little more about your team."
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, who has come under some fire the last couple of years, sees the game much the same way.
"It will really be a good measuring stick of where we are at from a team standpoint, and that's my message to the team," Malzahn said.
The game promises to stand in stark contrast to both teams' openers. Clemson enjoyed what Swinney termed a "clean" performance in a 56-3 romp against Kent State. Auburn thrashed Georgia Southern 41-7.
Both teams showed an intent to run, run and run some more, and both did so effectively. Clemson amassed 353 yards on the ground -- its highest total in 23 games -- against Kent State. Auburn rushed for 351.
Although Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson is questionable after suffering a hamstring injury after rushing for 136 yards last week, starter Kamryn Pettway will return after serving a one-game suspension.
Malzahn suspended Pettway, who led the Southeastern Conference in rushing yards per game last season (122.4), along with wide receiver Kyle Davis and backup quarterback Sean White.
Both teams started new quarterbacks in their respective openers and had impressive debuts.
Clemson's Kelly Bryant accounted for 313 yards of offense and two touchdowns in the first start of his career after replacing two-time Heisman Trophy finalist Deshaun Watson.
Auburn's Jarrett Stidham, making his first start after transferring from Baylor, connected on 14 of 24 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns while running for a third.
"We need to build around his strengths and what he feels comfortable with," Malzahn said. "That's a big part of the game plan. There is nothing like going out there. You've just got to do it. He's been on the road, I believe, a couple of games he played in, and this will be one of the best environments there is, so it will be good for the future."
The key may be how each team's defense fares. Clemson held Kent State to 120 yards last week. Auburn gave up only 78 to Georgia Southern and thwarted the Eagles on all 15 third-down attempts.
"They played extremely hard, which is what stood out to me -- outstanding effort," Malzahn said. "That's what we will have to do this week. We are playing one of the best offenses in college football right now. We are going to have to be very physical, and we are going to have to play our guts out."
Clemson boasts one of the top defensive fronts in the nation, anchored by a couple of All-America candidates at defensive tackle in Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence.
"Their defensive front, I believe it's one of the top in the country, and when you turn on the film, it doesn't take long to figure that out," Malzahn said. "It'll be a big test for our guys up front. We're not only going to have to run the football, but we'll have to protect the quarterback, so that'll be a big key to the game."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
AUBURN
--QB Jarrett Stidham and an up-and-down performance in his first game for the Tigers. The Baylor transfer threw an interception and lost a fumble while being sacked in the first quarter but finished the night 14-of-24 passing for 185 yards and three scores.
--RB Kam Martin saw more playing time than he probably expected. With starter Kamryn Pettway suspended and Kerryon Johnson hurt in the second quarter, the sophomore tied Johnson for game honors in rushing with 136 yards on 14 carries, two fewer than Johnson's 16. He had a 61-yard run and scored on a 36-yard dash.
--DE Marlon Davidson put his knee problems behind him and had a dominating performance in the opener. The sophomore had two sacks among his career-high four tackles in the win over Georgia Southern.
--FS Tray Matthews had a quiet night with only one tackle, mostly because Auburn's front seven was in complete control and Georgia Southern hardly threw the ball. That will change at Clemson.
CLEMSON
--QB Kelly Bryant gets the second start of his career after shining in his debut -- a 56-3 romp against Kent State. Bryant put up big numbers, passing for 326 yards and a touchdown and running for 77 more and a second touchdown.
--RB C.J. Fuller was workmanlike in his first start last week with 51 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries, but his backups produced even bigger numbers, with Tavien Feaster and Travis Etienne averaging 11.5 and 10.1 yards per carry, respectively. It will be interesting to see how Fuller, a junior, fares against Auburn's stout defense.
--WR Deon Cain, a junior, showed why he was a preseason first-team All-ACC pick in Clemson's opener, hauling in a 61-yard touchdown pass to jump-start the Tigers' offense. Cain now has 15 touchdown receptions on only 74 career catches -- that's one score for every 4.93 receptions.
--DT Christian Wilkins is an All-America candidate at defensive tackle after playing all of last season at defensive end. He'll get plenty of chances to make an early statement against an Auburn rushing attack that posted 351 yards in the opener against Georgia Southern.
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Pittsburgh at Penn State
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GAME SNAPSHOT
KICKOFF: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
GAMEDATE: 9/9/2017
SITE: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa.
TV: ABC
SERIES: Penn State leads 50-43-4. Pitt won the last meeting 42-39 in 2016.
RANKINGS: Penn State No. 4
KEYS TO THE GAME
Pittsburgh's Darrin Hall has what may be a slightly different view of the Panthers' first trip to Penn State since 1999.
"I think it's going to be fun," the junior running back said.
Hall may want to take heed of the old adage "be careful what you wish for" because the No. 4 Nittany Lions look to be quite a handful for the unranked Panthers on Saturday. The teams kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET at Beaver Stadium in University Park.
"It's going to be a fun atmosphere," Hall continued. "I've been there before as a recruit. I'm looking forward to it. I'm really excited."
The two coaches are taking slightly opposite approaches to the second meeting between the two instate teams since the long-time rivalry was halted after the 2000 season. Pitt's Pat Narduzzi puts added emphasis on the game.
"I think I said that last year, it's just not another weekend," Narduzzi said. "It's a big game, it really is, and I want our guys locked in. It's an in-state rivalry, at least for us, and we're going to prepare for it that way."
But Penn State's James Franklin looks at it like just another weekend on the schedule. Or so he says.
"I understand the significance of this game," Franklin said. "And I understand the importance of this game, but I'm also a huge believer that this is the most important game on our schedule because it's the one this week.
"Last week the Akron game was the most important game in the universe for us. This week, the Pitt game is the most important game in the universe. It's the only thing that exists for us."
Pitt will go into the game somewhat hamstrung on defense with standout safety Jerome Whitehead and senior linebacker Quintin Wirginis, a key reserve, both out. Both were serving a three-game suspension before last week's opener, and it was revealed this week that Wirginis will miss the season due to a non-football injury.
Without them last week, the Panthers gave up 418 yards in a 28-21 victory over Youngstown State. Meanwhile, Penn State was rushing for 247 yards in its 52-0 thrashing of Akron with running back Saquon Barkley going for 174. He rushed for 130 yards in Penn State's 42-39 loss to Pitt last year.
"You'd better be sound," Narduzzi said of defending Barkley."You'd better be in the right gaps. He'll jump out of a gap. You'll think he's going there, he'll go there. Everybody has got to be gap sound.
"You've got to get penetration in the backfield, and you load the box and then they've got the other things. They've got players outside, too."
The Nittany Lions have more than just Barkley on offense.
Quarterback Trace McSorley is another Heisman candidate. He spread the ball around last week, passing for 248 yards and rushing for another 48 in the opener.
Barkley didn't touch the ball on Penn State's first series but a few designed quarterback draws with McSorley steered the offense into early scoring position. From that point, the quarterback spread the ball around to eight receivers and completed 72 percent of his passes with two touchdowns to tight end Mike Gesicki.
"I think (it was) really just taking what the defense gave us early and not trying to force things early on," McSorley said.
With Nate Peterman gone, Pitt is breaking in a new starter at quarterback. USC graduate transfer Max Browne completed 17 of 24 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown in overtime for the win. Wide receiver Jester Weah made the leaping grab over a Youngstown State defender in the end zone.
"I'd like to see him make a few more plays," Narduzzi said of Browne. "He had a great run, and we encouraged him to run. There was another third down where he could have run just to make sure he didn't make a negative. ... There's a lot of little things, just fundamentals. Again, first time he's been under fire for over a year really."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Panthers
--QB Max Browne got the job done when he needed to in his Pitt debut. His 11-yard touchdown pass to WR Jester Weah in overtime was perfectly placed. He made some other nice throws, as well.
--WR/KR Quadree Henderson -- Henderson had a slow day against Youngstown State. He wasn't a factor in the return game and caught just one pass. He did have nine carries for 77 yards, mostly on jet sweeps.
--FS Bricen Garner was playing in his first career game against Youngstown State, but that didn't stop him from hauling down a game-winning interception in overtime. Pitt won against Penn State in similar fashion last year, when it was a Ryan Lewis pick that sealed the deal.
--PK Alex Kessman went 0-for-2 on field goal attempts, including one that could have won the game for Pitt against Youngstown State as time expired in regulation. Coach Pat Narduzzi took the blame for not getting the ball onto Kessman's preferred left hash when he had the time to do so.
Nittany Lions
--RB Saquon Barkley has one game under his belt and it was a Heisman-level performance with 226 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His ability to shake tackles and shed defenders in the open field is nearly unmatched right now. Barkley scored four times against the Panthers last season.
--WR DaeSean Hamilton had a rough start to the season with three drops in the first half against Akron. He recovered to post three catches for 74 yards. Penn State's most experienced receiver won't soon forget a costly drop of what would've been the go-ahead touchdown late against the Panthers last season.
--DE Torrence Brown won nearly every individual battle against Akron, often overwhelming the Zips' young left tackle Trevor Brown. He might be Penn State's most explosive pass-rusher and will be counted on more if fellow end Shareef Miller can't play on Saturday.
--CB Amani Oruwariye quickly ascended to a top cornerback spot alongside Grant Haley. Oruwariye, who came off the bench, turned in a memorable game with a handful of tackles and an athletic interception deep down the field. He's flown under the radar in a talented secondary but is beginning to emerge as a ball hawk.
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Stanford at Southern California
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GAME SNAPSHOT
KICKOFF: Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET
GAMEDATE: 9/9/17
SITE: Los Angeles Coliseum, Los Angeles
TV: FOX
SERIES: USC leads 60-32-3 (the Trojans' 2005 victory was vacated due to NCAA penalty)
RANKINGS: USC No. 6, Stanford No. 14
KEYS TO THE GAME
A possible early preview of the 2017 Pac-12 title game will unfold Saturday at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where No. 6 USC hosts No. 14 Stanford.
Stanford (1-0) returns to action from a one-week layoff after opening the season Aug. 26 in Sydney, Australia, with a rout of Rice. The Cardinal seeks to win a fourth straight against the Trojans (1-0) and to reassert its place in the conference championship race.
The run games, as they have in the past, figure to take center stage.
USC junior Ronald Jones II went for 159 yards and three touchdowns on just 18 carries in a 49-31 victory against Western Michigan.
"He reminds you of (former NFL All-Pro) Jamaal Charles," Stanford coach David Shaw said. "More physical than people will give him credit for, he'll run through tackles. He's gotten bigger since last year. He's explosive, catches the ball out of the backfield; just a dangerous football player."
USC adds another element of danger to its ground attack with freshman Stephen Carr. Carr made a splash in his collegiate debut, rushing for a pair of touchdowns.
The Cardinal counters with its own two-man look.
Stanford's Bryce Love, taking over for All-American Christian McCaffrey, rushed for 180 yards. Cameron Scarlett rushed just eight times against Rice, but scored three touchdowns.
Further underscoring the importance of the run game: In nine of 10 meetings since 2008 -- and each of the last four -- the team with the rushing advantage won. USC seeks a dramatic improvement from its Week 1 performance, when it surrendered 263 yards to Western Michigan -- the most the Trojans allowed since Stanford went for 302 last September.
Run-stoppers will play central roles in Saturday's affair, and both Stanford and USC feature some of the Pac-12's best. The Trojans will have preseason All-American inside linebacker Cameron Smith available for a full 60 minutes for the first time on the season.
Smith missed the first half of last week's game while serving a one-half suspension due to a targeting penalty in the Rose Bowl. USC's performance against the run improved upon his return.
Few teams in the Pac-12 can match USC's experience in the front seven, between Smith and Uchenna Nwosu at linebacker, with Porter Gustin and Rasheem Green on the line, but Stanford's such an exception. Defensive lineman Harrison Phillips sets the tone up front, with upperclassmen Peter Kalambayi, Sean Barton, Joey Alferi and Bobby Okereke at linebacker.
This marquee matchup falls in September for a fourth straight season and for the fifth time in six years. Such a high-profile date this early provides an interesting measuring stick for the remainder of the season.
"I enjoy it," Stanford's Phillips said of drawing the Trojans early into the campaign. "It's very important to have a test that early in the season that proves every suspicion and proves our ambitions of what can come true."
Phillips noted winning or losing this one doesn't mean everything, though. He cited USC rallying from a 27-10 loss to Stanford last September to reach the Rose Bowl, while the Cardinal finished 6-3 in Pac-12 play.
Nevertheless, this matchup has taken on a rivalry feel.
"It's one of those dates you mark on your calendar, because you know it's going to impact your season," USC head coach Clay Helton said.
"David (Shaw) has done a tremendous job there ... building that program to what it is today. The consistency that he brings to the table with his program, year in and year out, is very impressive."
That consistency is evident in three conference championships from 2012 to 2015. Last year marked Stanford's sixth season with 10-plus victories since 2010.
USC-Stanford began to become competitive a decade ago. Shaw credits a Cardinal win in 2007 -- until this year, the largest upset in college football history -- for providing the launching point to Stanford becoming a nationally relevant program.
"I mark (2007) as the beginning of the program, where we started to be taken more seriously here at Stanford," Shaw said. "We hadn't arrived yet ... but the makings were there of a tough, physical football team that could go on the road and win a tough game."
Winning on the road has remained a theme for Stanford football in the past decade.
Dating to 2007, the Cardinal has won four of five games at the Coliseum. In contrast, USC's victory over Western Michigan marked the Trojans' 11th consecutive win at home.
USC is undefeated at the Coliseum since Helton took over as head coach midway through the 2015 season -- but also winless against Stanford at 0-2.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Trojans
--LB Cameron Smith, whom coach Clay Helton called "the rock of our defense," missed the first half of Week 1, serving a half-game suspension as the result of a targeting penalty in January's Rose Bowl Game. When he returned, the Trojans defense allowed only one touchdown to Western Michigan, and that came on a trick play fullback pass to quarterback Jon Wassink.
--QB Sam Darnold makes his first career start against the Cardinal, having debuted atop the depth chart one week after the Trojans faced Stanford a season ago. Darnold had a low-key debut against Western Michigan with 289 yards passing. His statistical output was hindered in part due to dropped balls.
--WR Deontay Burnett's starring performance in the Rose Bowl set the stage for Burnett to take over as USC's No. 1 receiving option, and he didn't disappoint against Western Michigan. Burnett finished with seven receptions for 142 yards. Darnold having that reliable option while new faces get established is a must for the Trojans offense.
--TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe was used sparingly in Week 1 as he recovers from a hip flexor. Tyler Petite started in his place. Imatorbhebhe should be back atop the depth chart against Stanford.
Cardinal
--CB Quenton Meeks has a chance to continue in the vein of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, a former All-Pro selection and Super Bowl champion who played at Stanford. This will be one of Meeks' best times to show what he can, having to defend tough receivers and an NFL caliber quarterback on a national stage against USC.
--QB Keller Chryst looked sharp in the opener, but the USC game will be a better gauge to see if he has lingering effects from his ACL injury, suffered in the Sun Bowl. When Chryst is accurate, confident, and can use his feet to turn a couple of broken plays into first downs, the Cardinal is one of the toughest outs in the nation.
--TE Kaden Smith is one of four tight ends for Stanford who can make an impact. Smith, while he's not the featured tight end -- senior Dalton Schultz is -- had a strong outing against Rice with four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. It was true freshman Colby Parkinson who stole the show, though, against Rice with two touchdown catches, including one of his first collegiate snap. He was the nation's top TE recruit in the 2017 class.
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Montana at Washington
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GAME SNAPSHOT
KICKOFF: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
GAMEDATE: 9/9/17
SITE: Husky Stadium, Seattle, Wash.
TV: Pac-12 Network
SERIES: Washington leads Montana 16-1-1. This will be the first meeting between the programs since 1951.
RANKINGS: Washington No. 7
KEYS TO THE GAME
Washington coach Chris Petersen knows his team's season-opening victory over Rutgers wasn't aesthetically pleasing.
While it is clear improvement is needed when the No. 7 Huskies host Montana on Saturday, Petersen is proud of one important thing.
"We won. That is what we are here for," Petersen said Monday. "We got that done, but I do think that it was a little bit of a wake-up call."
Junior quarterback Jake Browning can hear the alarm ringing. The player that finished sixth in last season's Heisman Trophy balloting wasn't the least bit impressed with the offensive performance despite passing for 284 yards and two touchdowns.
"We've got a standard we try to play to, and that's not the standard at all," Browning said.
Washington possessed the ball less than 22 minutes during the 30-14 victory over Rutgers. The Huskies didn't take the lead until the game was more than 26 minutes old -- on senior Dante Pettis' sixth career punt-return touchdown to tie the Pac-12 record set by California's DeSean Jackson (2005-07).
That leaves Petersen looking for a faster start from his team against the Grizzlies, an FCS team receiving a reported $625,000 to visit Seattle. Montana posted a 45-23 win over Valparaiso in its opener.
"I think they're a really well-coached team," Petersen said of the Grizzlies. "They've got their style. Who knows how they will play against us. They're more of an up-tempo (attack) trying to run a lot of plays."
Grizzlies senior quarterback Reese Phillips passed for 381 yards and four touchdowns against Valparaiso. The fifth-year senior, who began his career at Kentucky, thrived in his first career start.
Montana coach Bob Stitt said Phillips -- who is in his second year in the program -- received high grades in every area.
"He had a great day," Stitt said at a press conference. "He can really throw the ball and everybody saw that. We've been saying this since he got here that he can throw the ball as well as anybody. ... He probably had three or four throws that he'd like to have back but the rest of them were pretty darn good."
The Grizzlies feature a playmaker in sophomore receiver Jerry Louie-McGee, who caught nine passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns against Valparaiso. In one game last season, Louie-McGee set a school record with 21 receptions.
Junior Jeremy Calhoun, who rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns in the opener, is the top running back.
Meanwhile, the Washington defense gets senior All-American inside linebacker Azeem Victor back after he missed the opener due to a suspension for a violation of team rules. Having Victor back should help Washington get off the field quicker.
Washington has much larger defenders than Montana typically sees, and the Grizzlies will certainly find it challenging to block 6-foot-5, 340-pound standout defensive tackle Vita Vea.
The Huskies have a revamped secondary, and one of the highlights of the win over Rutgers was the play of redshirt freshman cornerback Byron Murphy.
Murphy made covering receivers look easy by intercepting two passes in his first college game.
"If the ball is around him, the guy can catch," Petersen said. "He's an instinctual player."
Offensively, while Browning is aiming to improve on his shaky 17-of-30 accuracy, the Huskies also see the need to get the ball into the hands of junior running back Myles Gaskins.
The speedster topped 1,300 rushing yards in each of his first two college seasons but had just seven carries against Rutgers. He had 59 yards for a gaudy 8.4 average and played a pivotal role in the passing game by catching five passes for 79 yards and one touchdown.
"Myles Gaskin was up to his old tricks," said Petersen, "and we've got to get him the ball as much as we can."
Dealing with Washington's offense will be a stern task for the Grizzlies, who allowed 450 yards in their opener.
Senior linebacker James Banks (12 tackles) had a solid opener for Montana, while safeties Evan Epperly (a junior) and Josh Sandry (a sophomore) each nabbed interceptions.
Montana is playing an FBS program for the first time since losing 17-12 at Wyoming in 2014. The Grizzlies were routed at Tennessee 42-16 in 2011 in their most-recent contest against a Power 5 conference school.
The Huskies hold a 16-1-1 edge in the series but Saturday's meeting is the first since 1951.
"This is going to be a great challenge for our football team mentally to be able to go in, focus on their job and when adversity does strike, that they just keep coming, keep your head down," Stitt said. "The scoreboard's going to take care of itself. Just keep working and doing your job and we'll look at it at the end."
Washington sophomore cornerback Austin Joyner will miss the contest to complete his two-game suspension for violation of team rules.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Huskies
--QB Jake Browning will be seeking a swift rebound from an opener in which he underwhelmed for more than half the game. Browning finished with 284 yards and two touchdowns but his accuracy (17-of-30) wasn't up to last year's form. Browning's 61 career touchdown passes are 14 behind school record-holder Keith Price (2010-13).
--WR Dante Pettis returned his sixth career punt for touchdown against Rutgers to match the Pac-12 record held by California's DeSean Jackson. The pivotal touchdown came after Washington was unable to score a touchdown in the game's first 26 minutes as he continues to show a knack for providing the team with a much-needed spark. It was the third straight year in which Pettis returned a punt for a score in the season opener and he figures to make a big impact as either a returner or a receiver against Montana.
--CB Byron Murphy, a redshirt freshman, made it look easy by intercepting two passes in his first college games. The Huskies are looking for more performances like his debut after losing both starting corners off last year's squad and coach Chris Petersen is mighty impressed with Murphy. "If the ball is around him, the guy can catch," Petersen said. "He's an instinctual player."
--DT Vita Vea had a relatively quiet season opener with just three stops against Rutgers. He figures to get untracked against the FCS Grizzlies, who don't often see players the size of the 6-foot-5, 340-pound junior. Vea posted five sacks last season and his athleticism allows him to be more than just an interior pass rusher.
Grizzlies
--S Justin Strong, a senior who has returned to the top of this week's depth chart, is one four Grizzlies with experience in Pac-12 games. Strong played against Washington in Seattle for Oregon State in 2014, logging six tackles, including 1.5 for loss. He finished last season at Montana as the team's third-leading tackler with 68 and led the team in interceptions with three, one of which he returned for an 86-yard touchdown.
--RB Jeremy Calhoun rushed for two touchdowns against Valparaiso last week, giving him 20 career TDs in his 21-game career. Somewhat surprisingly, last week's game was the junior's first career start.
--LB James Banks, a senior who began his career at UAB, posted a game-high 12 tackles against Valparaiso last week to set a career high.
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Florida Atlantic at Wisconsin
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GAME SNAPSHOT
KICKOFF: Saturday, noon ET
GAMEDATE: 9/9/17
SITE: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wis.
TV: Big Ten Network
SERIES: First meeting
RANKINGS: Wisconsin No. 9
KEYS TO THE GAME
Florida Atlantic had difficulty stopping Navy's option attack in its opener. Now, the Owls face Wisconsin's power running game.
The No. 9 Badgers (1-0) will be looking to build on their big second half against Utah State, when they ran for 234 yards en route to a 59-10 victory.
Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst was pleased with efforts from a handful of his young playmakers, particularly at running back and receiver. True freshman running back Jonathan Taylor had nine carries for a team-high 87 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore RB Bradrick Shaw added 18 carries for 86 yards as the Badgers roared to a 49-0 advantage after halftime.
"I thought (Taylor) had a pretty good tempo to him," Chryst said. "I was impressed with that. 'Brad,' one of the things we certainly like about him is when he takes it north and south, he can hit a hole. Each guy had his moments."
Shaw, who has been hampered by a right leg injury, was listed as questionable on the team's injury report released Monday.
Sophomore wide receivers A.J. Taylor and Quitez Cephus combined for six receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown against the Aggies. Chryst said their biggest area of improvement is confidence.
"I think part of that comes from knowledge of what they're doing," he said. "I think they know better what to expect. ... I think they both have kind of earned that confidence by working. So I think they're more relaxed."
First-year FAU coach Lane Kiffin dropped his debut, 41-19 to Navy on Friday night, when the Owls gave up 426 rushing yards. The game was delayed twice by lightning and lasted 4 hours and 50 minutes.
"I know you are going to look at the score and think that we didn't play very well defensively, but we did some really good things defensively and then fell apart at times," Kiffin said. "That is one of the best scoring offenses in all of football."
Chryst said he was impressed with FAU's effort.
"I think there's certainly energy," Chryst said.
"I think in watching their game, I know the score probably wasn't what they wanted, but they flew around and you saw a lot of good football players and things that he's brought in there. But that's from the outside looking in and watching tape."
Kiffin, trying to improve a program that finished with a 3-9 record in each of the past three seasons, hasn't settled on a starting quarterback.
Sophomore quarterback Daniel Parr got his first career start against Navy, completing 19 of 30 passes for 281 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. Sophomore DeAndre Johnson, a junior college transfer with more mobility, is also in the mix.
Kiffin said he'd like to play both Parr and Johnson. Johnson had four rushes for 31 yards against the Midshipmen.
"(Parr) did do some good things," Kiffin said. "His numbers weren't bad. We were not playing against the greatest defense in football, so we would have liked to have been more productive."
One disappointing development for Florida Atlantic was the right knee injury suffered by junior defensive tackle Ray Ellis late in the second quarter against Navy. Kiffin said Ellis, who was sidelined last year with a knee injury that required surgery, likely will undergo surgery again on the same knee.
"He really battled his way back," Kiffin said. "(The knee) really started to look really good as he got healthier and healthier. Tough deal on him and the loss of a really good player."
Wisconsin sophomore quarterback Alex Hornibrook recovered from a dismal first quarter last week, and then receivers dropped three passes in the second quarter. Hornibrook completed 7 of 13 passes for 63 yards and one interception in the first half. He was sacked three times.
He finished 15 of 23 for 244 yards and three touchdowns.
"There are some plays he can be better on, so overall, I liked the way that he saw the game, he made plays and gave guys a chance to make play," Chryst said. "I think there's still enough to work on that he's got to focus on and get a lot better."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Badgers
--QB Alex Hornibrook overcame a rough first quarter to throw a career-high three touchdowns for 244 yards in his 10th career start. Wisconsin's success on offense will depend largely on consistent play at quarterback, thus making Hornibrook's bounce-back effort in the final three quarters a good sign heading into Week 2.
--TE Troy Fumagalli is considered one of the best at his position in the country. It's a good sign for the Wisconsin offense that Hornibrook and Fumagalli established a good connection in the opener, with Fumagalli finishing with a career-high 105 receiving yards.
--CB Nick Nelson, a junior who replaces four-year starter Sojourn Shelton at cornerback, made his Badgers debut vs. Utah State after sitting out 2016 following his transfer from Hawaii. Nelson started 21 games for the Rainbow Warriors, recording 21 pass breakups. He made two tackles in the opener and is also returning punts.
Owls
--LB Azeez Al-Shaair led the team in tackles in each of the past two seasons, including 113 stops, with 12 for loss, in 2016. He opened this season with 14 tackles, once again leading the Owls. He'll be busy against Wisconsin's ground attack.
--RB Devin Singletary rushed for 1,021 yards as a true freshman last season, averaging 6.7 yards per game. He had only six carries in the opener against Navy, rushing for 26 yards.
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Cincinnati at Michigan
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GAME SNAPSHOT
KICKOFF: Saturday, noon ET
GAMEDATE: 9/9/17
SITE: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.
TV: ABC
SERIES: First meeting
RANKINGS: Michigan No. 8
KEYS TO THE GAME
Michigan's core of predominantly new starters showed last week it could handle the pressure of facing a ranked opponent in front of more than 100,000 fans at a neutral site.
This week, the task for the Wolverines will be demonstrating if they can handle prosperity against what appears to be an overmatched opponent at home.
Following an impressive 33-17 win over Florida last Saturday in Arlington, Texas, No. 8 Michigan opens the home portion of its schedule at noon ET on Saturday as a 33-point favorite over Cincinnati.
The Bearcats opened their season with a 26-14 win over Austin Peay on Aug. 31.
Despite having to replace 10 starters on defense from last year's unit that was one of the best in the nation, Michigan's defense has been getting accolades from around the country ever since beating Florida.
The Wolverines' defense gave up only three points, held the Gators to 11 yards rushing and 192 total yards, and recorded six sacks. Sophomore middle linebacker Devin Bush has two sacks in his first career start.
An article in the Detroit Free Press already suggested that this year's defense could be just as good as the defense Michigan had in 1997 when it won its last national championship, one that was led by Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson.
Always one to promote his players, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh certainly couldn't hold back about how good his defense looked against Florida.
"It was the best since I have been here coaching that I've seen our defense run to the football," Harbaugh said. "Holes opened up and they closed. Pursuit, nobody on the ground and everybody getting up off of the ground and running."
Harbaugh was equally pleased with his team's offensive line, which allowed senior running back Ty Isaac to rush for 114 yards on 11 carries and sophomore Chris Evans to run for 78 yards on 22 carries.
But there was a noticeable negative for Michigan against Florida, one that will no doubt be monitored throughout the season.
Junior quarterback Wilton Speight threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns, and he might find himself on a short leash if he continues to turn the ball over. Speight passed for 2,538 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season. But he was pushed in fall camp by John O'Korn and it only became clear he was retaining the job during the week of the season opener.
For now, Speight is the man for Harbaugh.
"If you can't handle that type of position when something goes bad, it's the wrong position to be playing," Harbaugh said.
"I thought he did very well. Sometimes that breaks a guy. Sometimes they can bounce back it from the next game, sometimes they can bounce back in the same game and sometimes they can't. If you can't, and it affects you to the point where you can't go execute and you are unwilling to take any chances or risk, that's the sign you can't handle it really well. He kept firing."
First-year Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell is very familiar with Michigan Stadium and the Michigan program, given that he was on Ohio State's coaching staff for 14 years before being hired as the Bearcats' head coach last December.
However, Fickell has done his best to downplay any familiarity.
"This is about our team and our program," Fickell said.
"It's not about me or the history I've had with the University of Michigan, but really truly try to focus on our team and our opportunities and the things we are doing. Just like me, just like every coach and every one of our players, we are extremely excited for this opportunity this week."
In the win over an Austin Peay team that now has lost 28 straight games, the Bearcats actually were outgained in total yardage, 313-248, and had only 22 minutes of possession.
But behind two forced turnovers and 100 yards on 19 carries from senior running back Mike Boone, the Bearcats managed to survive and give Fickell a victory in his first game with the program.
Now, the Bearcats will prepare for an ultimate measuring stick game against the Wolverines.
"We take incredible pride in the way we work, the way we train and the way we prepare," Fickell said. "There's no better way to do that than to have an opportunity on national television to go play against a top-5 team in the country. Everyone is excited."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wolverines
--QB Wilton Speight is under pressure to step up his performance after completing just 44 percent of his passes and being intercepted twice in the opener. Coach Jim Harbaugh indicated he won't be shy about pulling Speight from games even though senior backup John O'Korn was ineffective in relief. Speight was efficient and avoided mistakes most of last season so the mediocre debut was disappointing.
--RB Ty Isaac showed that he can be counted on with his strong performance in which he gained 114 yards on 11 carries. It was his best showing for the senior since rolling up 115 yards on eight carries against UNLV in 2015 and a sign he might be primed to have a big season. Isaac, who began his career at USC before transferring, has never lived up to his billing amid issues with consistency.
--DE Rashan Gary had just two tackles in his first college start amid heavy expectations. This is the season the sophomore is expected to dominate up front and live up to the hype that saw him named a second-team preseason All-American. He will look to make some impact plays against Cincinnati and get his season rolling.
--MLB Devin Bush displayed he is ready to make an impact with two sacks and an additional tackle for loss among his seven stops. The sophomore seldom saw action on defense last season but he made it clear he is ready to play with the performance against the Gators. He nearly got ejected for targeting on Florida's first play but kept his composure and put together a solid game.
Bearcats
--RB Mike Boone rushed for 100 yards in the season opener against Austin Peay, his sixth career 100-yard game and the first for UC since Boone tallied 137 yards on the ground against Tulsa on Nov. 14, 2015. Boone had gains of 26 and 25 yards in the opener.
--QB Hayden Moore threw for three touchdowns against Austin Peay to three different targets. He found Thomas Geddins on 16-yard scored in the first quarter, hit a 6-yard out to Kahlil Lewis who fought his way to the pylon, and delivered a 6-yard strike to Tyler Cogswell through a tight window.
--LB Tyrell Gilbert forced his third career fumble late in the first quarter against Austin Peay. Gilbert had four tackles, including one for loss, in the opener.
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Louisiana-Monroe at Florida State
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GAME SNAPSHOT
KICKOFF: Saturday, noon ET
GAMEDATE: 9/9/2017
SITE: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ACC Network
SERIES: Florida State leads 1-0. FSU won the only meeting 34-0 in 2011.
RANKINGS: Florida State No. 10
KEYS TO THE GAME
With sophomore and potential Heisman candidate Deondre Francois out for the season with a knee injury sustained in the opener against Alabama, Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher will be looking at breaking in a true freshman at quarterback when the 10th-ranked Seminoles host Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday.
Kickoff at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee was moved up to noon because of the impending threat of Hurricane Irma over the weekend.
James Blackmon from Belle Glade, Fla., will move into the spot Francois vacated.
"He is very easy, very strong-willed, very independent and confident -- not arrogant, but confident," Fisher said. "Has a great presence to him."
Blackman was the No. 7-rated pro-style quarterback in the nation in last year's high school class and apparently has the confidence of his teammates.
"He's going up against the best
