San Diego State (0-2) at No. 9 Ohio State (1-1)
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: Columbus, Ohio
Line: Ohio State by 27.5
TV: ABC
What’s at stake: The Buckeyes are looking to rebound from last week’s tough loss to No. 2 Texas. San Diego State is trying to notch its first win of the year.
Overview: The Aztecs have been lit up in their first two games of the year and may be in for another rough day against Ohio State. After forgoing a soft non-conference schedule to play the Longhorns in a nationally televised contest, Ohio State may have paid the price by losing 25-22. Ohio State led most of the way and had a touchdown pass dropped in the third quarter by tight end Ryan Hamby. This week’s game marks the first start of the season for Troy Smith at quarterback. Smith, who saw action against Texas, will replace Justin Zwick, who has been inconsistent and fumbled late in the game last week after Texas had taken the lead. The Buckeyes are 2-0 all-time against San Diego State.
Michigan State (2-0) at No. 10 Notre Dame (2-0)
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Place: South Bend, Ind.
Line: Notre Dame by 6.5
TV: NBC
What’s at stake: Michigan State is looking to continue its winning ways in South Bend, Ind., where it has not lost in 12 years. The No. 10 Irish are trying to avoid a let down after last week’s big win at Michigan.
Overview: The Spartans are averaging 599 yards of total offense through their first two games. After defeating their first two opponents by a total score of 91-28, they are going to bring their high-flying offense to Notre Dame Stadium to face a team that suddenly has thrust itself back into the BCS picture with wins over then-No. 23 Pitt and then-No. 3 Michigan. Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton is coming off a 21-for-26 performance for 301 yards and three touchdowns against Hawaii. Michigan State’s four consecutive wins at Notre Dame are the most since Purdue won five straight there from 1954-1962.
No. 12 Purdue (1-0) at Arizona (1-1)
Time: 9:00 p.m.
Place: Tuscon, Ariz.
Line: Purdue by 7
TV: None
What’s at stake: The Boilermakers are trying to pad their ranking and build on a 49-24 win over Akron last weekend. Arizona is looking to avenge a 59-7 defeat at the hands of Purdue two years ago.
Overview: Arizona rebounded from a tough loss to Utah in the season opener to easily beat Northern Arizona last week. If they want to keep things going they’ll face a larger challenge as the 12th-ranked Boilermakers roll into town. Purdue is playing its first night game in 6 years and is visiting a Pac-10 team for the first time in 7 years. Arizona had a solid performance last week as they amassed 442 yards on offense and scored 24 points in the first half, but things will be tougher this week against a ranked opponent. Purdue is on the road for the first time this year and will face a much improved Wildcat defense from the one they played two years ago.
Eastern Michigan (1-1) at No. 14 Michigan (1-1)
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Place: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Line: Michigan by 29
TV: ESPNU
What’s at Stake: The Wolverines are trying to bounce back from a stunning loss to Notre Dame that snapped their 16-game winning streak in the Big House and dropped them 11 spots in the rankings. Eastern Michigan is attempting to defeat Michigan for the first time in its history.
Overview: Notre Dame walked into Ann Arbor, Mich., and pushed the No. 3-ranked team in the country around for a 17-10 victory last week. Sophomore quarterback Chad Henne must recover from his worst-ever start for Michigan, in which he was 19-for-44 for 223 yards, one touchdown and an interception at the goal line. He also lost a fumble at the Irish one-yard line. Michigan also must deal with a hamstring injury to running back Michael Hart, who is expected to miss two-to-three weeks, as it deals with an already depleted offensive line. The majority of the work at running back will go to true freshman Kevin Grady. Eastern Michigan is coming off a 31-10 romp over Louisiana-Lafayette. They are 0-6 against Michigan and have never won in 18 games against Big Ten teams.
Northern Iowa (2-0) at No. 22 Iowa (1-1)
Time: 2:35 p.m.
Place: Iowa City, Iowa
Line:
TV: None
What’s at stake: Iowa is looking to get back on track after being upset last week by Iowa State. Northern Iowa, the No. 9-ranked Division I-AA team, is looking for some respect.
Overview: Iowa, picked by some to win a national championship, was shocked by Iowa State 23-3 last week. The Hawkeyes failed to score a touchdown against the Cyclones, as quarterback Drew Tate struggled in limited action before being knocked out with a concussion in the second quarter. Tate is listed to start this weekend. The undefeated Panthers are looking for the first win over Iowa in more than a century.
Illinois (2-0) at No. 15 California (2-0)
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Place: Berkeley, Calif.
Line: Cal by 21.5
TV: None
What’s at stake: Illinois is 2-0 under Ron Zook and can match last year’s win total with a victory over Cal. Cal has scored 97 points against its first two opponents and wants to keep the points up after big wins over Sacramento State and Washington.
Overview: Illinois has been a cellar dweller in the Big Ten in recent years, but its quick start under Ron Zook, plus its come-from-behind victory against Rutgers in the season opener, gives hope to Illinois fans that brighter times are ahead. Cal quarterback Joe Ayoob, whose name backward is boo-ya, will try to cement his position as the starter while he plays in place of the injured Nate Longshore.
Wisconsin (2-0) at North Carolina (0-1)
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Chapel Hill, N.C.
Line: Wisconsin by 3.5
TV: ESPN2
What’s at stake: Wisconsin looks to keep its offense rolling after racking up 121 points in its first two games. North Carolina is trying to get its first win of the season after losing to Georgia Tech last weekend.
Overview: The Badgers defeated Temple 65-0 last week for the biggest win in the school’s modern era and are second in the nation in scoring offense. Wisconsin needs to maintain its focus after a game in which it was not challenged at all. The Tar Heels seemed out of sync against Georgia Tech as the offensive line gave quarterback Matt Baker little time to throw the ball as he was sacked two times for a loss of 27 yards.
Kentucky (1-1) at Indiana (2-0)
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Place: Bloomington, Ind.
Line: Kentucky by 2
TV: ESPN Classic
What’s at stake: The Hoosiers are looking to stay undefeated after squeaking by Nicholls State in a come-from-behind victory last week. Kentucky is trying to win its first game on the road this season.
Overview: Indiana is 2-0 for the first time since 1994 and wants revenge against a Kentucky squad that handed them a 51-32 beating last year. The Wildcats are making their first road trip of the season after splitting their first two games at home.
Reach David Kalan at [email protected].
