No. 16 Notre Dame at Washington
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: Seattle, Wash.
TV: ABC
Line: Notre Dame by 13 1/2
Records: Notre Dame 2-1, Washington 1-2
Why to watch: The Huskies have not beaten a ranked opponent since 2003.
Coach Tyrone Willingham has tried to downplay his first game against the
school that controversially fired him last winter. But there will no
shortage of intrigue surrounding the inaugural “Ty Bowl.” Willingham will be
coaching against players he recruited for Notre Dame. Both sides have said
all the diplomatic things this week, but don’t think there won’t be an
electric atmosphere come kickoff time.
No. 1 Southern California at No.24 Oregon
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Eugene, Ore.
TV: ABC
Line: USC by 21
Records: USC 2-0, Oregon 3-0
Why to watch: The vaunted Trojans offense put up 133 points in the team’s
first two games. The reigning national champs may find their first real test
in Oregon, which snapped Fresno State’s seven-game winning streak last week.
The Ducks are developing their own high-powered offense with a new
spread-option system. If quarterback Kellen Clemens can continue his hot
start against the USC defense, this Pac-10 showdown could turn into a
shootout.
No. 10 Tennessee at No. 3 Louisiana State
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Place: Baton Rouge, La.
TV: ESPN
Line: LSU by 7
Records: Tennessee 1-1, Louisiana State 1-0
Why to watch: Emotions will be running high in Tiger Stadium as LSU hosts
its first post-Katrina home game. The Tigers are flying high after a
dramatic road victory over Arizona State in what was supposed to be a home
game. The Volunteers need to keep pace in the tough SEC after a
disappointing loss to Florida last week. Sophomore Erik Ainge, who was named
the starting quarterback this week, will try to jumpstart the Vols’ offense.
No. 15 Georgia Tech at No. 4 Virginia Tech
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: Blacksburg, Va.
TV: ABC
Line: Virginia Tech by 11 1/2
Records: Georgia Tech 3-0, Virginia Tech 3-0
Why to watch: The big question is if Georgia Tech quarterback Reggie Ball
will be recovered enough from viral meningitis to be effective. The Yellow
Jackets will need all the firepower they can muster against a stiff Hokies
defense that is coming off its second straight shutout. The game will
feature a primetime matchup of preseason All-Americans in Georgia Tech
receiver Calvin Johnson and Virginia Tech cornerback Jimmy Williams.
Colorado at No. 12 Miami
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Place: Miami, Fla.
TV: ABC
Line: Miami by 14
Records: Colorado 2-0, Miami 1-1
Why to watch: The Hurricanes will play their first non-conference game after
two nail-biters against ACC rivals. Miami beat Clemson in triple overtime
last week on Tyrone Moss’ 25-yard run. The junior tailback scored three
touchdowns and ranks 12th in the nation with 120.5 rushing yards per game.
Colorado and Miami have not met since 1993 – when a bench-clearing brawl
resulted in 12 ejections before halftime.
