Some Saturday Previews.

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Miami at Appalachian State

When: 12:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, North Carolina

After two one-sided victories, No. 25 Miami faces its first true test Saturday against a dangerous Appalachian State team in what is sure to be a hostile environment. The Hurricanes put up 108 points while allowing a mere 13 in home wins against over-matched Florida A&M and Florida Atlantic, but as the first Power-5 conference team to ever visit Boone, N.C., will be facing the fired-up Mountaineers in front of a rabid crowd.

"For them to be home and us go there, and the excitement I know that's drawing from what I understand, it has got to be a huge day for their program," Miami coach Mark Richt said during a news conference this week. "I can't imagine them not being super hyped, ready to go." The Hurricanes have shown signs of being ready for such a test, having dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. After depending on junior Brad Kaaya's arm to carry the offense for two seasons, the Hurricanes are averaging 326 yards a game rushing while the defense has allowed only 34.5 yards on the ground to rank first in the nation despite starting a front seven dominated by freshmen and sophomores. Those young guys will face a big test against the Mountaineers, who are run-first team and feature one the nation's best running backs in senior Marcus Cox, who entered the season with 4,088 yards rushing and has added 248 yards already this season.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN. Line: Miami -3.5

ABOUT APPALACHIAN STATE (1-1): With 17 returning starters from a team that finished 11-2 in its first season as an FBS member, the Mountaineers were expected to be good and proved that in taking then-No. 10 Tennessee to overtime before losing 20-13 in the opener on a fumble recovery in the end zone by the Vols. The defense, led by linemen Antonious Sims (seven solo tackles, three sacks) and Caleb Fuller (two sacks) along with linebackers Eric Boggs (nine tackles) and Kennan Gilchrist (eight), held Tennessee to 3 yards per carry and only 319 total yards but did allow a disappointing 5.1 yards per carry against FCS foe Old Dominion in last week's 31-7 win. Cox is the offensive focal point but the Mountaineers also have a veteran quarterback in junior Taylor Lamb who has started 25 games and thrown 49 TD passes.

ABOUT MIAMI (2-0): Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz promised Miami would play an attacking style, and that has been the case with the Hurricanes leading the nation with 28 tackles for loss and tied for second in sacks with 10 with freshmen linebackers Shaquille Quarterman and Michael Pinckney, who had nine tackles against Florida Atlantic, and sophomore defensive linemen R.J. McIntosh and Demetrius Jackson leading the way. Miami ranks No. 2 nationally at 8.69 yards per carry with sophomore tailback Mark Walton (271 yards, five TDs, 8.5 yards per carry) and junior Joe Yearby (224 yards, three TDs, 8.4) off to blazing starts. Kaaya is coming off one of his poorest games -- two interceptions and no scoring passes -- but his history and a talented receiving corps suggests he'll rebound from a slow start.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Miami's starting offensive line (312-pound average) could wear down a talented but undersized Appalachian State defensive front seven (235-pound average).

2. The Kidd Brewer Stadium attendance of record of 31,523 is expected to be broken for Miami's much-anticipated visit to Boone.

3. Richt has vowed to cut down on Miami's nation-high penalty rate of last season but with nine last week, the Hurricanes currently rank 86th with 15 in two games.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Florida State at Louisville

When: 12:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky

Lamar Jackson has compiled 1,015 yards of total offense and accounted for 13 touchdowns in less than two full games for Louisville, so it goes without saying Florida State wouldn't mind having all hands on deck defensively. Unfortunately, that won't be the case for the second-ranked Seminoles on Saturday, when they visit the 10th-ranked Cardinals.
Florida State rolled to a 52-8 victory over FCS foe Charleston Southern last weekend, but it came at a substantial price as preseason All-American sophomore safety Derwin James suffered a cartilage tear in his left knee, sidelining him indefinitely. Although the Seminoles will be shorthanded defensively, they should have more than enough firepower on the other side of the ball to stick with FBS' highest-scoring team thus far, as running back Dalvin Cook has already accounted for 284 total yards and two touchdowns in limited action. While Cook has done nothing to hurt his campaign for the Heisman Trophy, Jackson has raced out to an early lead in that regard by ranking third in the country in rushing (318 yards) and eighth in passing (697) while leading Louisville to an average of 66 points in routs over Charlotte and Syracuse. The Cardinals will also be seeking revenge after losing halftime leads against the Seminoles in each of their first two clashes as conference rivals, getting outscored by a combined 70-24 in the second half.

TV: Noon ET, ABC. LINE: Florida State -2.

ABOUT FLORIDA STATE (2-0, 0-0 ACC): James played near the line of scrimmage and received much of the credit for holding Jackson to only 32 yards rushing in last season's 41-21 win - a "spy" role that could fall into the lap of linebacker Matthew Thomas this time around. Junior Travis Rudolph burned Charleston Southern for seven catches, 105 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone, allowing him to earn the second ACC Receiver of the Week award of his career and become the fifth Seminole to win a conference player of the week award this season. Cook tallied 192 yards from scrimmage in the opener against Ole Miss before settling for 92 in a little over two quarters last week, but he amassed 223 total yards in last year's meeting.

ABOUT LOUISVILE (2-0, 1-0): Jackson set an ACC record with 610 total yards of offense last week versus the Orange and became the first player in FBS history to record over 400 yards passing (411) and 175 yards (199) in the same game, helping the Cardinals set another school record with 845 total yards. Jackson and Brandon Radcliff (156) each topped 100 yards rushing, while receivers Jamari Staples (136) and James Quick (108) each went over 100 yards receiving, giving Louisville its first pair of 100-yard rushers and 100-yard receivers in the same game. The Cardinals are averaging a FBS-best 754 yards of total offense - 138 more than Baylor's top-ranked offense from a season ago and 338 more than Louisville averaged in 2015.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Cardinals have won only two of 16 meetings in this series and are 1-5 at home against the Seminoles, collecting their only such victory in 2002.

2. Florida State has allowed more 20-plus-yard pass plays than any team in a Power 5 conference (11), while Louisville leads the nation with the most such plays (15).

3. Seminoles senior safety Nate Andrews, who has missed the first two games of his career with a calf injury, is expected to return this week.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Alabama at Mississippi

When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi

Ole Miss sets its sights on knocking off top-ranked Alabama for the third consecutive season when the No. 17 Rebels host the defending national champions in the SEC opener for both teams on Saturday. Ole Miss recorded a shocking 23-17 home victory over the Crimson Tide in 2014 and followed it up with last season's memorable 43-37 victory at Alabama.
Rebels coach Hugh Freeze doesn't want to reveal the secret of defeating the Crimson Tide in back-to-back seasons but says the growth of his program is the biggest factor. "We believe that we can play with anyone in the country," Freeze said at a press conference. "That doesn't mean we can beat them on any given day, but we do believe we have gotten to a point where we can step on a field and compete with them. You know, you get a few breaks that go your way and find a way to win one and we have done that a couple of times." Alabama coach Nick Saban hasn't lost to the same team in three consecutive seasons during his 10 seasons at the school and he knows Ole Miss represents a stern road test. "It's a great challenge for us early in the season against a very, very good team," Saban said at a press conference. "Playing on the road early on has its own challenges, but this is a team that has been a really prolific offensive football team."

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Alabama -10.5

ABOUT ALABAMA (2-0, 0-0 SEC): Freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts still hasn't been declared the starting quarterback over redshirt freshman Blake Barnett but it is heading in that direction after Hurts passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns in last Saturday's victory over Western Kentucky. "I know you all are going to ask me about the quarterbacks, but we are going to continue to work with both of the quarterbacks," Saban said. "We have to try to get them better. Jalen, obviously, played the most in the game and there are things he could do better and there are things he did very well." Senior defensive end Jonathan Allen (three sacks) has been superb while senior safety Eddie Jackson (one interception) and sophomore cornerback Marlon Humphrey (one interception, one forced fumble) will be key figures against the Rebels' passing attack.

ABOUT OLE MISS (1-1, 0-0): Senior quarterback Chad Kelly passed for 341 yards and three touchdowns while fueling last season's win at Alabama and he has thrown for 532 yards and seven touchdowns in this season's first two games. Senior tight end Evan Engram, who has caught 11 passes for 164 yards, claimed he isn't the least bit concerned about playing the Crimson Tide, saying "we love opportunities and we know what's at stake with this game. I just have a confidence about it." Senior standout safety Tony Conner is shaking off the rust -- the NFL prospect suffered a season-ending knee injury against Alabama last season and is still rounding into top form.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Alabama owns a 47-11-2 series edge despite the consecutive defeats.

2. Ole Miss forced five turnovers in last year's win over the Crimson Tide and didn't commit a single one.

3. Crimson Tide junior WR ArDarius Stewart (nine receptions, 203 yards, three touchdowns) has outproduced star sophomore WR Calvin Ridley (11-138-1) over the first two games.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Oregon at Nebraska

When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska

Mike Riley watched his Oregon State teams drop seven straight "Civil War" games to Oregon before he bolted for Nebraska in December of 2014, so it should come as no surprise if the usually mild-mannered coach is a bit more amped up this week. He will get his chance to end his frustration against a familiar foe Saturday when his Cornhuskers host the 21st-ranked Ducks in the first meeting between the schools in nearly 30 years.
“This one - being who they are and what they mean nationally and where we want to go - this is exciting,” Riley told reporters in reference to Oregon after Nebraska forced six turnovers and blitzed Wyoming 28-0 in the fourth quarter en route to a 52-17 victory last weekend. The Cornhuskers have outscored their opponents 64-10 after halftime thus far to make up for some uneven play in the first half of their two wins. While Nebraska has finished strong after starting slow, Oregon has been just the opposite, enjoying a plus-42 margin before the break only to outscore their foes by one point over the final 30 minutes in its two home triumphs. Although they are sporting their usual offensive proficiency (eighth in FBS in total offense, tied for 14th in scoring offense), the Ducks are ranked 80th in scoring defense and 82nd in total defense despite playing a FCS opponent (UC Davis) and a struggling FBS squad (Virginia).

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Nebraska -3.5.

ABOUT OREGON (2-0): The Ducks appear well on their way to fielding at least one 1,000-yard runner for a FBS-best 10th straight season as Royce Freeman ranks eighth in the country with 294 yards rushing - 9.2 yards per carry - while scoring twice in each game. With 39 rushing touchdowns and 3,495 rushing yards in his career, the junior needs only two more rushing scores and 129 yards to move into second place in school history in both categories. Montana State graduate transfer Dakota Prukop has thrown for three touchdowns in both of his starts, extending the Ducks' FBS record with at least one touchdown pass to a FBS-record 82 straight games.

ABOUT NEBRASKA (2-0): One game after attempting only 10 throws, Tommy Armstrong Jr. unleashed 34 attempts for 377 yards - four shy of his personal best - and three touchdowns to give him a school-record 57 TD passes for his career. Jordan Westerkamp (105) and Alonzo Moore (109) each topped 100 yards receiving versus the Cowboys, marking only the third time in school history a pair of Nebraska wideouts accomplished the feat in the same game - Westerkamp has been a part of all three, which have occurred over the past three seasons. Safety Nate Gerry was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after returning from his one-game suspension to intercept two passes and record a team-high seven versus Wyoming.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Nebraska is 4-1 all-time against Oregon and 22-8 against the Pac-12 since 1983.

2. The Ducks have blanked their opponents 34-0 in the second quarter, while the Cornhuskers have routed their opponents 50-0 in the final period.

3. Nebraska is tied for the FBS lead in turnover margin (plus-seven) after finishing in a tie for 117th at minus-12 in 2015. The Cornhuskers have posted consecutive games with a plus-two turnover margin or better for the first time since the end of the 2003 season.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Pittsburgh at Oklahoma State

When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma

After one of the most bizarre finishes in college football history, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy had a hard time sleeping. If his Cowboys can't return their focus to the football field this week, his previously 17th-ranked squad could be staring at another long night when a solid Pittsburgh team visits Saturday.
"I felt like I would be able to go to bed, but I couldn't," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy told reporters after Saturday's 30-27 loss to Central Michigan when a misinterpreted rule extended the game one untimed down and allowed the Chippewas to score the winning touchdown on a Hail Mary and lateral. “When I'm involved in a game like that, it will come across my mind 500 times if I live long enough, whether I'm driving, sitting in the shower, sleeping, forever." The Cowboys tried to kill the final four seconds of the game by throwing the ball away on fourth down with time expired, but they were incorrectly penalized for intentional grounding, setting up the 51-yard play. Pittsburgh, entering off a stirring 42-39 victory over in-state rival Penn State in the Keystone Classic, is seeking to boost its top-25 credentials by starting 3-0 for just the fourth time since 2000.

TV: 3:30 pm ET, ESPN. LINE: Oklahoma State -6.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH (2-0): The Panthers raced to a 28-7 first-half lead against the Nittany Lions but needed a late fourth-quarter, end-zone interception by Ryan Lewis to hold off a second-half charge. In his second game back after overcoming knee surgery and Hodgkin lymphoma, James Conner rushed for 117 yards and scored two TDs to join Tony Dorsett as the only players in school history with 40 touchdowns. The defense has been opportunistic, tying for the FBS lead in sacks (five per game) while also ranking sixth by forcing three turnovers per game.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (1-1): Justice Hill (12 carries for 61 yards) and Chris Carson (12 for 45) are emerging as the lead backs, but the Cowboys average just three yards per rush and 97 yards per game while Pittsburgh is holding opponents to 63.5 yards per contest - 11th in FBS. Quarterback Mason Rudolph averaged 14.3 yards per completion last season - tops among all returning FBS starters - but hasn't been getting the ball downfield effectively thus far, completing a combined 45 passes for just 477 yards in the loss and 61-7 win over Southeastern Louisiana. The Cowboys defense, spearheaded by tackle Vincent Taylor and safety Jordan Sterns, who entered the season fifth among all Power-5 defensive backs in tackles (234), leads FBS with five fumbles recovered, ranks second with two defensive touchdowns and 10th with a plus-two turnover margin.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Pitt RB Quadree Henderson is averaging 53.5 yards per kickoff return and 14.5 yards per punt return. He returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown against Villanova and added a crucial 84-yard return against Penn State last week.

2. Oklahoma State is 25-2 in non-conference home games under Gundy, who took over the Cowboys in 2005.

3. The teams, meeting for the first time, are set to play again next season at Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Texas A&M at Auburn

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Jordan Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin sees a lot of similarities between his No. 20 Aggies and host Auburn heading into Saturday's SEC opener. Both teams have recorded big offensive games, have shown improving defenses and have fan bases expecting more wins.
"I think, a little bit like us, people have been down on them a little bit for not winning double-digit games," Sumlin said. "(Auburn) is hungry, just like us. I think they've got something to prove just like we do, and they're at home." The Tigers have been solid against the run, allowing 108.5 yards on the ground after allowing 182.7 yards last year, and the Aggies have also improved their rushing-defense numbers, allowing 78.5 rushing yards after holding Prairie View A&M to 32. Texas A&M features some of the league's top receivers while Auburn has built a balanced attack behind sophomore quarterback Sean White. The teams have split their four meetings since the Aggies joined SEC with the road team winning each time.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Auburn -3.5

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (2-0): Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight (583 passing yards, four touchdowns) is second in the SEC in passing and is tied for the league lead with three rushing TDs. Oklahoma transfer Keith Ford (team-high 63.5 yards) also has three rushing TDs for Texas A&M, which is averaging 49 points. Christian Kirk (team-high 13 catches for 164 yards, two TDs) needs seven receptions to join teammates Josh Reynolds (six catches, 131 yards, TD) and Ricky Seals-Jones (six catches, 90 yards) with 100 career catches.

ABOUT AUBURN (1-1): White went 17-of-23 for 244 yards and three scores last week after rotating with two other quarterbacks in a Week 1 loss to Clemson. Sophomore tailbacks Kerryon Johnson (218 yards, three TDs) and Kamryn Pettway (152 yards) each recorded their first 100-yard games last week, helping the Tigers to a SEC-leading 274.5-yard rushing average. Marcus Davis (seven receptions, 60 yards) is one of three Tiger receivers with at least five catches while Tony Stevens (five catches, 91 yards) has two scoring receptions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Auburn allowed Arkansas State to complete passes for 34, 38, 42 and 68 yards in last week's 51-14 win.

2. The Aggies are trying to start 3-0 for the third straight year, something they haven't done since 1939-41.

3. Kirk passed 2,000 career all-purpose yards last week while teammates Speedy Noil (53) and Reynolds (120) are closing in on that mark.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Mississippi State at Louisiana State

When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

No. 22 LSU's entire backfield is up in the air Saturday when Mississippi State pays a visit in SEC action. The Tigers are likely to have star running back Leonard Fournette back in the lineup, but the team's starting quarterback remains a secret with conference play ready to begin.
Fournette (ankle) missed last week's win over Jacksonville State, while Danny Etling took over for Brandon Harris under center. Etling replaced a struggling Harris on the third possession and led three straight scoring drives in an eventual 34-13 triumph. "It was a pretty cool feeling. It was pretty nice, especially since we were down at the time," Etling said to reporters. "It was nice to put ourselves in a position to succeed." The Bulldogs began SEC play last week with a 27-14 win against South Carolina as Nick Fitzgerald set a school record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: LSU -14

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (1-1, 1-0 SEC): Bulldogs wideout Fred Ross caught a touchdown and threw for another score last week, and the senior enters this weekend leading all active SEC receivers in career catches (138). Fitzgerald, meanwhile, is looking to deliver an encore to his 195-yard rushing effort against South Carolina and enters this weekend second in the nation in rushing yards among quarterbacks. On the defensive side of the ball, A.J. Jefferson is tied for the SEC lead with three sacks and has a league-high six tackles for loss.

ABOUT LSU (1-1, 0-0): The Tigers leaned on sophomore Derrius Guice in Fournette's absence last week and were rewarded with 155 rushing yards and a score. Etling, a transfer from Purdue who was making his LSU debut, completed only six passes but those passes went for 100 yards and a score, plus he added a rushing TD. Linebacker Kendell Beckwith paces LSU with 17 tackles, while cornerback Tre'Davious White had a pick-six in Week 1 and a punt return for a touchdown in Week 2.

EXTRA POINTS

1. LSU is 8-1 in its last nine conference openers.

2. The Tigers have won 15 of the last 16 meetings with the Bulldogs, although Mississippi State won the last time the teams met here in 2014.

3. The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 41-0 in the first half this season.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Ohio State at Oklahoma

When: 7:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma

Ohio State was expected to go through a few growing pains this season, as the team returned only six starters - the fewest in the BCS. Yet after two impressive wins, the expectations are sky high as the fourth-ranked Buckeyes travel to No. 14 Oklahoma for a Saturday showdown.
Ohio State is coming off a 48-3 rout of Tulsa in which Malik Hooker and Marshon Lattimore each returned an interception for a touchdown to complement four rushing scores by the Buckeyes. "We still have to go a little bit," Lattimore said, "but we're ready. I told the guys we've got the talent. If we perfect the schemes, we can come out with the win at Oklahoma." The Sooners followed up a disappointing loss to Houston in their season opener by topping ULM 59-17 last week despite the obvious temptation to look ahead to the matchup with Ohio State. "They're obviously a good program," Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield said of the Buckeyes. "Everybody knows that. I feel confident in what we're doing right now, and I think we're going to keep progressing. I think it'll be a good matchup."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Ohio State -1

ABOUT OHIO STATE (2-0): The Buckeyes proved that their offense can be centered on the passing game in Week 1, when J.T. Barrett threw for six touchdowns as part of a 349-yard performance against Bowling Green. Then last week they showed off their rushing attack as Mike Weber rushed for 92 yards and a score, Curtis Samuel added 78 yards on eight carries and Barrett rushed for a pair of scores. As for the defense, which allowed 188 total yards and forced six turnovers, coach Urban Meyer said: "Our defense is playing so well right now. Obviously, the challenge will come (Saturday) against a very good team, and we're going to jump on that one early and get ready to go."

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (1-1): The Sooners only needed Mayfield for a half against ULM their last time out, as the junior passed for three touchdowns before sitting out the rest of a contest that saw his team finish with 640 total yards. Joe Mixon paced the Oklahoma rushing attack with 117 yards on 13 attempts while Semaje Perine added a pair of rushing scores. Jordan Evans and Neville Gallimore combined for 18 tackles versus ULM and will have their work cut out for them against Ohio State's dynamic attack.

EXTRA POINTS

1. This is the first meeting between the teams since 1983 and the third all-time encounter.

2. Ohio State has won 18 straight road games - a school record and the longest active streak in the nation.

3. Against visiting nonconference opponents, the Sooners are 41-2 under coach Bob Stoops.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Michigan State at Notre Dame

When: 7:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana

Notre Dame might have the toughest first-month schedule of any contender for the College Football Playoff, and it is still looking for a signature win. The 18th-ranked Fighting Irish will try to earn a signature victory when they host well-rested No. 8 Michigan State on Saturday night.
Notre Dame opened the season with a double-overtime loss at Texas but declared DeShone Kizer starting quarterback for Week 2 and rolled past Nevada to even its record. "Two things came out of this year so far is that it's a group that's resilient, that will battle, and, two, that understands how to prepare for games," Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly told reporters of his team. "Now, I think the next step for this team is to play in all phases of the game at a higher level, and we're going to get that this week against a very good Michigan State football team." The Spartans have had two weeks to prepare for Notre Dame due to an early bye in Week 2. "The biggest thing for us was to make sure that we came out of last week as if we had played a game," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio told reporters. "That to me was very important but yet stay healthy. In other words, maintain your conditioning level that we had after getting ready for four weeks for our first football game."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Notre Dame -7.5

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (1-0): The Spartans had more trouble than expected in Week 1 as the offense was inconsistent with senior Tyler O'Connor taking over at quarterback after spending three years backing up Connor Cook. "We've been working, and we had a tough bye week," O'Connor told reporters. "We had our toughest bye week that we've had since we've been here over the past two years and rightfully so. We need it early in the season and also a big-time opponent." O'Connor, who threw three touchdown passes in the win over Furman, started against a ranked team at Ohio State last season in place of an injured Cook and managed 89 passing yards in a 17-14 win.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (1-1): Kizer was named the full-time starter over Malik Zaire after throwing five touchdown passes in the narrow loss to Texas and cemented his position with another solid performance against Nevada. "Look, if you've got a really good quarterback you've got a chance, and he's a really good quarterback," Kelly told reporters of Kizer. "He knows the offense, you know. ... He knows what he's doing. He knows how to do it and he's working to get better at it every single day. He gives you a shot at winning every game you play." Kizer completed 15-of-18 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 2 win and added a rushing score.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Notre Dame has taken three straight in the 77-meeting rivalry, which dates back to 1897.

2. Michigan State has won nine of its last 12 games against ranked opponents.

3. Fighting Irish CB Shaun Crawford (torn Achilles) will miss the rest of the season.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Southern California at Stanford

When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California

With visions of Stanford star Christian McCaffrey still fresh in its memory, USC heads to Palo Alto on Saturday to face the sixth-ranked Cardinal in the Pac-12 opener for both teams. McCaffrey had a school-record 461 all-purpose yards to help Stanford clinch last season’s Pac-12 title with a 41-22 victory over the Trojans in December.
The junior running back began this season's Heisman Trophy quest on Sept. 2 with 210 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in a 26-13 win over Kansas State, while USC followed its 52-6 loss to Alabama in the season opener with a 45-7 rout of Utah State. Stanford defeated USC twice last season and has won six of the last eight meetings, but seven of the past 10 games have been decided by eight points or fewer. After failing to score a touchdown in its opener against Alabama, USC bounced back against Utah State by jumping to a 31-0 lead and finishing with 422 total yards - including 178 on the ground. The Trojans will need an even better performance to keep pace with Stanford and McCaffrey, who has collected at least 200 all-purpose yards in seven consecutive games.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Stanford -9.5

ABOUT USC (1-1): Max Browne threw for 182 yards last week and connected with JuJu Smith-Schuster for two touchdowns after the star wideout was held to one catch against Alabama in the opener. USC will look to control the clock behind a solid offensive line and running back Justin Davis, who ran for 99 yards against Stanford in last season’s Pac-12 title game and gained 70 on 16 carries last week against Utah State. The Trojans need improvement from their defensive line but have a shutdown cornerback in Adoree’ Jackson, who returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown last week and could be the most dynamic player on the field besides McCaffrey.

ABOUT STANFORD (1-0): Senior Ryan Burns made his first career start against Kansas State and threw for a serviceable 156 yards with one touchdown, but he’ll receive a tougher test against USC's secondary. Starting defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (knee) likely will miss Saturday’s contest, while running back Bryce Love (leg) is expected to return after missing the opener but figures to see limited playing time behind McCaffrey, who will receive another heavy workload against the Trojans. “Great players need to touch the ball,” coach David Shaw told reporters. “Last year, he had over 400 (touches). But he doesn’t get hit hard a lot. His 400 may not be like 400 for somebody else.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Cardinal are 47-6 at Stanford Stadium since 2008.

2. USC has not allowed a first-quarter touchdown in its last four games

3. Stanford is 7-1 in its last eight conference openers, with the lone setback being a 13-10 loss to USC in 2014.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: UCLA at Brigham Young

When: 10:15 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Lavell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah

UCLA returns to BYU on Saturday for the first time since a 59-0 drubbing in 2008, the Bruins' worst loss since 1929. Like that season, when UCLA opened with an overtime win against a ranked Tennessee team then fell apart against the Cougars, the Bruins have been inconsistent this campaign, losing their opener in overtime at Texas A&M two weeks ago, then playing somewhat better in a 42-21 victory last weekend over visiting UNLV.
UCLA received some great news earlier this week when coach Jim Mora said defense tackle Eddie Vanderdoes was good to go against the Cougars after leaving the UNLV game with a strained right knee. Vanderdoes, who suffered a torn ACL in his left knee early last season, is a key figure up front for the Bruins as they allowed 175 rushing yards against UNLV and 203 versus Texas A&M. UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen also will look for continued improvement after bouncing back from his three-interception game against Texas A&M by playing turnover-free versus UNLV. The Cougars have been tough on opposing quarterbacks thus far, intercepting five passes through the first two games, but they'll be without starting defensive backs Kai Nacua and Austin McChesney in the first half, as they were penalized for targeting against Utah last week and ejected from the contest.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: UCLA -3.5

ABOUT UCLA (1-1): The Bruins also expect to have defensive end Takkarist McKinley back after he missed the UNLV game with a groin injury. UCLA will need to be better at getting the defense off the field after UNLV managed to convert 8-of-15 third-down opportunities. Getting pressure on 26-year-old quarterback Taysom Hill will be one of the challenges for the Bruins, as he's been sacked just three times this season.

ABOUT BYU (1-1): The Cougars likely will try to get plenty of carries for running back Jamaal Williams, who rushed for 162 yards on 29 carries in the 18-16 season-opening win against Arizona but ran just 12 times for 58 yards in the 20-19 loss last weekend at Utah. Williams is a downhill-type runner with deceptive elusiveness, evident by the 12 tackles he dodged against Arizona. The Bruins can't afford to lose containment on Hill either, as he's averaging 5.2 yards on his 24 carries this season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Cougars' 59-0 triumph over UCLA in 2008 remains the largest margin of victory in NCAA history by a non-power five conference team against a power five foe.

2. UCLA has rushed for at least one touchdown in 16 straight games.

3. BYU punter Jonny Linehan is averaging 42.5 yards per punt and has landed three of 11 inside the 20-yard line.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Texas at California

When: 10:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, California

Texas looks to avenge last year’s narrow loss to California on Saturday as the 16th-ranked Longhorns head out on the road for the first time this season to face the high-powered Golden Bears. While Texas is seeking its first 3-0 start since 2012, Cal is hoping to bounce back after allowing 334 rushing yards in last Saturday’s 45-40 loss at San Diego State.
Coach Charlie Strong recorded his 50th career win last Saturday as the Longhorns followed their season-opening 50-47 win over Notre Dame with a convincing 41-7 rout of UTEP. Saturday’s game figures to be a shootout reminiscent of last season’s 45-44 Cal victory, with Texas averaging 45.5 points and 466.5 yards through its first two games. The Longhorns were 1-4 on the road last season but have the weapons to keep pace with a Cal offense led by senior quarterback Davis Webb, who has thrown for 963 yards and nine touchdowns in games against Hawaii and San Diego State. Cal ranks 125th nationally defending the run while allowing 291 yards per game and could struggle to slow down Texas quarterback Shane Buechele and backup Tyrone Swoopes, who rushed for three scores in the opener against Notre Dame.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Texas -8

ABOUT TEXAS (2-0): A true freshman, Buechele continued to impress against UTEP with 244 passing yards and four touchdowns - including a pair to sophomore wide receiver Jerrod Heard, who started at quarterback last season. Sophomore defensive end/linebacker Breckyn Hager recorded a team-high eight tackles against UTEP in his first career start, but questions remain about the team’s secondary after Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer threw five touchdown passes in the opener. The young Longhorns expect starting running back D’Onta Foreman, left tackle Connor Williams and tight end Caleb Bluiett to return Saturday after all three sat against UTEP with minor injuries.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA (1-1): Webb has picked up where Jared Goff left off as the Golden Bears are second in the nation in passing offense (481.5 yards per game) and tied for third in total offense at 617 yards per game. Chad Hansen has become Webb’s favorite target with 28 catches for 350 yards and three touchdowns, but the team ranks 94th nationally with an average of 135.5 rushing yards through two games and could use a more-balanced attack after tailbacks Khalfani Muhammad and Vic Enwere combined for 13 carries against San Diego State. Cal needs to see improved play from its linebackers after being exposed by Aztecs star Donnel Pumphrey, who rushed 29 times for 281 yards and three touchdowns.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texas won the first five matchups against Cal by a combined score of 155-28 before the Golden Bears edged the Longhorns last season in Austin.

2. Cal has won 12 of its last 14 home openers, including a 73-14 victory over Grambling State last season.

3. The Longhorns were outscored 150-30 in their four road losses last year.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Colorado at Michigan

When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Fifth-ranked Michigan looks to pass its first real test of the season when it hosts Colorado on Saturday. The Wolverines opened the campaign with an impressive 63-3 win against Hawaii before blowing out UCF 51-14 to move into the Top 5, and their 114 total points in their opening two games is the fourth-most in program history.
Michigan is ranked fourth nationally in points per game (57) and hopes to continue the offensive fireworks by ending its non-conference slate undefeated for the first time under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Colorado followed up its impressive 44-7 season-opening win against Colorado State by routing FCS program Idaho State 56-7. The Buffaloes have fond memories of Michigan Stadium after shocking the Wolverines 27-26 on a last-second Hail Mary pass from Kordell Stewart to Michael Westbrook in 1994 and they hope lightning strikes twice in Ann Arbour as they search for their first 3-0 start in eight years. "We're really looking forward to it," Colorado wide receiver Jay MacIntyre told reporters. "We have confidence in our abilities and to be on such a big stage at Michigan we're really excited to show the world what we can do."

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, BTN. LINE: Michigan -20.5

ABOUT COLORADO (2-0): Senior quarterback Sefo Liufau went 15-of-18 for 204 yards and two touchdowns in two quarters of action against Idaho State before he was rested for the second half with the Buffaloes up 42-0. Center Alex Kelley and linebacker Derek McCartney both missed the win against Idaho State but are expected to return in time to make the trip to Michigan. The Buffaloes poked fun at Michigan's refusal to provide a depth chart by creating their own, listing pop culture characters such as Elmer Fudd at quarterback, Eric Cartman at left tackle and Happy Gilmore as the punter.

ABOUT MICHIGAN (2-0): Wilton Speight was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after completing 25-of-37 passes for 312 and four touchdowns in his second career start. All-American cornerback Jourdan Lewis missed his second straight game due to a muscle strain but is expected to return against the Buffaloes while defensive ends Taco Charlton (ankle) and Bryan Mone (knee) will be sidelined at least for another game. "We've got a few guys working through some things," Harbaugh told reporters. "Other than that we've got a team that came out of the past ballgame with no injuries ... so I believe the callous of the football team is being built and hardened."

EXTRA POINTS

1. Michigan has scored 50 or more points in successive games for the first time since 1992.

2. Colorado has lost 22 consecutive games against ranked opponents.

3. The Wolverines are ranked ninth nationally in scoring defense (8.5 ppg).

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: East Carolina at South Carolina

When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina

Not long ago, South Carolina’s Williams-Brice Stadium had become one of the tougher places to play in the SEC East, if not the nation, but the Gamecocks have had a tough time defending their turf recently. The Gamecocks hope to change that trend when they host East Carolina for their home opener Saturday.
South Carolina has lost three straight at home and is trying to avoid its first four-game skid at Williams-Brice since dropping 11 in a row there from 1998-99. “The great programs that have a home-field advantage, it has a lot to do with the fan base,” first-year Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp told reporters. “But it has more to do with the team that’s playing on the field and playing well.” The Pirates are looking for a second straight win over a Power Five opponent after knocking off North Carolina State 33-30 last week. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series 13-5 and have won all three meetings since the rivalry was renewed in 2011.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: South Carolina -3

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (2-0): The Pirates rolled up 688 total yards in a season-opening 52-7 win over Western Carolina, and they proved it wasn’t simply a product of their competition by racking up 445 yards against N.C. State. Quarterback Philip Nelson leads the nation with an 81.3 completion percentage and has completed passes to eight different receivers, though his top target is senior Zay Jones, who leads all active FBS players in receptions (258) and ranks fourth in receiving yards (2,786). The defense had its issues stopping the Wolfpack on the ground, allowing 6.9 yards per carry.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (1-1): The struggling offense is a concern for the Gamecocks, who have averaged just 13.5 points in their first two games. Muschamp didn’t announce a starting quarterback this week, saying it will be a game-time decision whether veteran Perry Orth or freshman Brandon McIlwain gets the nod, both of whom have been inconsistent in the passing game. The bigger concern in last week’s 27-14 loss at Mississippi State was the Gamecocks’ shoddy tackling, which will have to improve as East Carolina averages 211.5 rushing yards per game and South Carolina allows 229.5 per game on the ground.

EXTRA POINTS

1. South Carolina has lost two straight home openers after winning its previous seven.

2. East Carolina is 6-27 all-time against current SEC teams and has lost seven straight against the league since a 21-3 win at South Carolina in 1999.

3. Jones has caught a pass in 37 consecutive games dating to 2013, the fourth-longest active streak among FBS players.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Duke at Northwestern

When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois

For two teams coming off bad losses, Saturday's non-conference matchup between visiting Duke and Northwestern Could make or break the season for both teams. Duke struggled in an ACC home loss to Wake Forest last week, while Northwestern's loss to an FCS foe added to a winless start on the heels on a 10-victory season.
If Northwestern is on the ropes, it’s because few positives emerged from a 9-7 home loss to Illinois State. The Wildcats scored on a fourth-down pass with nine minutes left, then lost when a 33-yard field goal deflected off an upright and went through as time expired. Duke’s troubles are rooted in its offensive line, which allowed five sacks and led a ground game that was held to 37 yards. Duke's rushing attack was led by Jela Duncan, who carried nine times for 25 yards. C.J. Robbins and Northwestern’s defensive line will need to repeat last week’s effort when it held Illinois State to 85 yards rushing.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Northwestern -4

ABOUT DUKE (1-1): Freshman quarterback Daniel Jones threw 41 times for 332 yards and scored on two short rushes last week, but fumbled twice and threw an interception. Jones found Anthony Nash (eight receptions, 112 yards), T.J. Rahming and Johnathan Lloyd for a combined 25 catches, but play-calling balance could be a big factor. Senior safety DeVon Edwards told reporters the Blue Devils must match Northwestern’s physical play because “we know we’re going to have to battle in the trenches a lot. They have some big guys and they ran the ball pretty well against us, better than they threw it against us (last year), so we expect them to attack us with that. We’ve got to do a better job than we did last year.”

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (0-2): Junior running back Justin Jackson, who ran for 120 yards against Duke in 2015, left in the fourth quarter with an injury after gaining only 42 yards for a team that averaged 2.8 yards per carry last week. Sophomore quarterback Clayton Thorson (17-of-41 last week) passed for an average of 193 yards per game and has thrown only one touchdown this season. Northwestern has its own questions at the line of scrimmage according to Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, who told reporters “our inability to run the football is why we had to throw the ball so much. There’s no way I could have predicted that our offensive line would be as inefficient as they were.”

EXTRA POINTS
1. Northwestern was outscored by three points in its two losses.

2. Duke, which is 13-3 in its last 16 true road games, travels to No. 18 Notre Dame next week.

3. Both teams were 2-0 when they met at Durham last year with Northwestern posting a 19-10 victory.

 

[Greenbacks]

Preview: Vanderbilt at Georgia Tech

When: 12:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 17, 2016
Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia Tech’s defense stayed on the field far too long in last week’s victory over Mercer, and getting quick stops will be a priority Saturday as the Yellow Jackets host Vanderbilt. Georgia Tech only allowed one touchdown in a 35-10 triumph last week, but Mercer picked up first downs on seven of its nine possessions, a number that must improve considering Vanderbilt features one of the SEC’s better running backs in Ralph Webb.
“We’ve been bend but don’t break for two weeks,” Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson told reporters. “We need some three-and-outs.” Webb rushed for 211 yards – the most by a Commodores player in 38 years – in Vanderbilt’s 47-24 victory over Middle Tennessee State last week. “I’ll take him over any other running back in the conference,” Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason told the media in describing Webb’s performance. Webb’s start has been welcomed given the Commodores’ inconsistent passing game. Quarterback Kyle Shurmur misfired on his first seven passes last week before hitting on 13-of-14 attempts, after an 8-for-22 performance in a season-opening loss to South Carolina.

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network. LINE: Georgia Tech -6.5

ABOUT VANDERBILT (1-1): Webb already has 308 yards on the ground through two games and is 776 yards from matching Zac Stacy’s career school record, but Shurmur has completed just 46 percent of his passes for 186 yards and one touchdown. Linebacker Zach Cunningham has recorded 10 tackles or more in six consecutive games dating back to last season. Special teams continue to be an issue – Vanderbilt has been penalized in each of its first two games for booting a kickoff out of bounds, and a blocked punt set up a Middle Tennessee State touchdown last week.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (2-0): The Yellow Jackets’ defense was on the field for 29:42 against Mercer, giving up 320 yards to a FCS school in its fourth season of competition, but Georgia Tech rushed for a more Georgia-Tech like 364 yards after struggling in a season-opening victory over Boston College. Running back Qua Searcy, injured for most of 2015, sparked the ground game with 91 rushing yards (averaging 13 yards per carry). Quarterback Justin Thomas missed part of the Mercer game with what was described as a minor injury, but is expected to start Saturday.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Georgia Tech freshman Dedrick Mills, who rushed for 68 yards against Boston College, is expected to play after being suspended for the Mercer game due to an unspecified violation of team rules.

2. Vanderbilt plays its next two games on the road (Georgia Tech, Western Kentucky) before opening SEC play against Florida.

3. The Yellow Jackets and Commodores are among five FBS teams averaging fewer than 100 passing yards per game (Georgia Tech 99.5; Vanderbilt 93).

 

[indiana]

GB/2...........great info and write ups..........indy

 

[Greenbacks]

Bump.....Good luck today!