College Football-Week 2 Preview

One player punched another in the jaw on national television. Navy took Ohio State down to the wire and almost embarrassed the number six team in the nation on their home turf. Oklahoma State proved that they're the real deal in a win over Georgia. USC started a true freshman at QB for the first time in school history. Iowa had to block 2 field goals to escape defeat at the hands of Iowa State. Notre Dame proved that they deserve to be ranked. Oklahoma lost its Heisman winning quarterback and All-American tight end to injury and were defeated as a result. Alabama won their top 10 matchup against VT. And all of this was topped off by an old school Florida State-Miami game (a game that Bobby Bowden said was one of the greatest he has ever coached with a team that he claims is the fastest he has ever coached) that ended in a dropped pass that could've won the game for Florida State. And that was just week 1.

Week 2 might not appear to feature the same matchups that week 1 did, but remember this, this is college football. Teams that look like they aren't gonna accomplish anything end up doing alot. Title contendors lose to no name schools. In short, shit happens. So without further ado, lets look at the week to come and matchups that should be entertaining (or interesting at the very least).

#3 USC at #8 Ohio State

This is the biggest name matchup of the week. Last season it looked like the winner of this game would be assured a spot in the national title game. Though that wasn't the case, this game remains interesting and something to watch. USC, led by Joe McKnight (aka Reggie Bush version 2.0) and true freshman Matt Barkley on offense as well as Taylor Mays on defense, are looking to dominate the Trojans again. Last year they embarassed Ohio State. But remember, that game was in Pasadena. And also remember, at that point of the season Terrelle Pryor wasn't a major part of the offense. Also remember, the offense last year was led by a redshirt junior named Mark Sanchez. All of that means that this game will be alot closer than the 35-3 blowout last year. If Terrelle Pryor can get into a rhythm and the USC defense can't stop him, then Ohio State could win this game. If the USC offense gets firing (especially Joe McKnight, Damian Williams, and Anthony McCoy) than USC will get the victory.

#18 Notre Dame at Michigan

Despite the storied histories of and between these two programs, before last week this game didn't look that interesting. It appeared that Michigan was gonna go for another embarassing losing season and Notre Dame would have an average one that would end in the firing of Charlie Weis. However, after Notre Dame spanked Nevada 35-0 and Michigan did likewise to Western Michigan with a 31-7 victory, this game gets alot more interesting and entertaining. Michigan needs to be able to get a solid pass rush on Clausen with Brandon Graham and be Obi Ezeh (linebacker) needs to be the playmaker that he has the potential to be. Notre Dame needs to find someway to stop this one two punch at quarterback with Tate Forcier (the passer) and Denard "Shoelaces" Robinson (who looks like a Pat White before he developed his passing). If the two true freshman for Michigan can have solid games and wideout Junior Hemmingway is ready when Forcier throws the ball, then Michigan definetly has a shot to upset this ranked Notre Dame team in the Big House. Notre Dame mustestablish that running game if it plans to set up the pass from Clausen to one of his spectacular recievers, Golden Tate or Michael Floyd.

#19 North Carolina at UConn

This is a game that I sincerely doubt many of you were planning to watch, but it would be worth your time to do so. Despite the top 25 ranking for this North Carolina team, they could easily lose this game and fall out of the top 25 with their trip to UConn. UConn features a two back rushing attack (it rhymes, i know) with sophomore Jordan Todman and senior Andre Dixon. Even though they lost Donald Brown last year, the rushing game for this team will remain very good and the key to their offense. Quan Sturdivant, linebacker for North Carolina, will really to stop the run to prevent the UConn offense from getting on a roll and running all over them. Bruce Carter (linebacker) and Kendric Burney (cornerback) could also help in this capacity. Without a solid, dominant rushing game, North Carolina should be able to dominate UConn. Thats a fact. Whether North Carolina can actually follow through and dominate this UConn rushing attack is a different matter.

- D.Wash