THE TITLE CHASE BEGINS. Clemson and Oklahoma lead a crowded field chasing defending champion Alabama

Transcription

1 THE TITLE CHASE BEGINS Clemson and Oklahoma lead a crowded field chasing defending champion Alabama

2 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 2 PLAYER SPOTLIGHT Heisman Candidates Favorites DeShaun Watson, QB, Clemson After a promising freshman season, Watson exploded on the scene in 2015, throwing for over 4,100 yards with 35 touchdowns while rushing for over 1,100 yards and another 12 touchdowns. Watson s production led him to be a finalist for the 2015 Heisman while driving Clemson to the national championship game. Another national title run in Watson 2016 could result in Watson taking home the Heisman. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford McCaffrey finished the 2015 season as the Heisman runner-up after a season that saw him put up nearly 4,000 total yards (2,019 rushing, 645 receiving, 1,200 returning) and 15 total touchdowns. It remains to be seen how the Cardinal s season will go with someone new under center, but McCaffrey s presence should ease the burden on the new quarterback. McCafrey If the Cardinal can make another playoff push, McCaffrey will likely be the driving force, which could result in another trip to New York City. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU Fournette was the early leader in the 2015 Heisman race before a 31-yard effort against Alabama officially derailed they Fournette hype train and put Alabama s Derrick Henry squarely on track to an eventual Heisman. Fournette eventually finished third nationally in rushing yards (1,953) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (22). If LSU can avoid the three-game Fournette losing streak that helped cool the hype on Fournette in 2015, he could find himself making the trip to New York City as a Heisman finalist. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma Mayfield led the Sooners into the 2015 College Football Playoff, giving the Big XII of a representative a year after having two top teams snubbed. Mayfield threw for 3,700 yards, with 36 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions, while also picking up 405 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground. A repeat performance for a Sooners team favored to make a Mayield playoff run is likely to make Mayfield a Heisman finalist. J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State Barrett was a bonafide Heisman contender as a freshman in 2014 before getting hurt in the season finale against Michigan. In a platoon enviroment with Cardale Jones last season, Barrett put up almost a 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns passing in addition to almost 700 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing. With Jones out of the picture, Barrett should get the Barrett full-time gig back. Another playoff push for the Buckeyes could lead Barrett to New York City. Dark Horse Greg Ward Jr., QB, Houston The Cougars are the trendy pick when discussing G5 teams who may crash the playoffs after a 13-1 season that saw an upset of FSU in their bowl game. Ward was the driving force behind the #HTownTakeover in 2015, accounting for over 2,800 yards and 17 touchdowns passing and over 1,100 yards and 21 touchdowns rushing. With a win over Oklahoma in their Ward season opener, the Cougars schedule is set up for another shot an undefeated season and a chance at the playoffs. Doing so would undoubtedly leave Ward as the dark horse candidate to crash the Heisman party. Running backs regain spot on college football s center stage The diminished role of the running back in college football was greatly exaggerated. In some respects, the position is as strong as ever. Alabama s Derrick Henry became the first running back to win the Heisman Trophy since 2009 last year and was one of five players to run for 1,800 yards as rushing averages nationwide surged to record levels. Henry has moved on to the NFL, but three 1,800-yard rushers are back this season: LSU s Leonard Fournette, Stanford s Christian McCaffrey and Oregon s Royce Freeman. The surge in star power at the position flies in the face of the conventional wisdom that college football has become a quarterback-dominated game. The running game, I wouldn t say it had gotten lost necessarily, because there have been a lot of good runners, Stanford coach David Shaw said. But the emphasis has been on the spread passing attacks. But really good spread teams always have a good back. It s good to see in college football, guys turn around and hand it to a runner and be physical. I think those guys are fun to watch and we have a pretty special one, too. The notion that a running back s value was fading gained credence when no players at that position were drafted in the first round in either 2013 or Quarterbacks won the Heisman eight times in a nine-year stretch from , the exception being Alabama running back Mark Ingram in People have definitely advised me to pick another position, said Tennessee s Jalen Hurd, who s a bit taller than the average running back at 6-foot-4. I ve got people all the time just looking at me like, Dude, are you sure you want be a running back? But that s my position. Hurd stayed in the backfield and enters his junior season just 891 yards shy of Travis Henry s school rushing record. The emergence of Fournette, Hurd and Georgia s Nick Chubb, who is recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for the second half of the 2015 season, has helped the Southeastern Conference maintain its elite status during a stretch when it has struggled to produce top quarterbacks. I think definitely if it didn t change last year, the running back value is going to change this year, Hurd said. This running back resurgence goes well beyond the SEC and stretches from coast to coast. The Atlantic Coast Conference returns three players who ran for more than 1,400 yards last season Florida State s Dalvin Cook, Clemson s Wayne Gallman and North Carolina s Elijah Hood. The league also welcomes back 2014 ACC player of the year James Conner of Pittsburgh after his successful fight with cancer. On the West Coast, the Pac-12 has the Heisman Trophy runner-up in McCaffrey as well as Freeman. There are a lot of good-looking running backs out there, said Dave Warner, Michigan State s co-offensive coordinator/running backs coach. In the NFL, they re not as premium anymore because they don t last very long, Warner added. (In) college, they last with us. Many of those running backs are competitive enough to keep tabs on one another. I watch all of those guys, Cook said. Fournette, McCaffrey.... Chubb will come back 100 percent. Jalen. Royce. I watch all of those guys. Great backs. (I) take little lessons from their game, try to tweak my game a little bit because all of those guys have different running styles. You can t ever stop learning, no matter what. Defenses haven t quite learned how to slow them down. Football Bowl Subdivision teams averaged yards rushing per game last season, the most since That s at least partly due to the increased number of snaps that have come from the rise in up-tempo offenses. But teams also are running more effectively than before. FBS schools averaged a record 4.5 yards per carry last season I think it s a byproduct of spread offenses, Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. I think it s the byproduct of play-action passes and all the run-pass options that offenses are doing now where a quarterback has three or four options on a run play in every single play. The soaring totals have left some running backs fighting for attention. Hood s track record would make him a legitimate Heisman candidate many other years, but McCaffrey, Fournette, Freeman and Cook are coming off even better seasons. The North Carolina standout said he didn t worry about the lack of attention and, my play speaks for itself. San Diego State s Donnel Pumphrey has rushed for more than 3,500 yards over the last two seasons, yet he isn t particularly well known outside the Mountain West Conference. Gallman rushed for 1,527 yards last year while being overshadowed by Cook and Hood in the ACC and by quarterback Deshaun Watson in his own backfield. That s an extra chip. I have to go out there and prove myself every play, Gallman said. Recent history suggests they shouldn t expect a payoff down the road. At least two running backs were drafted in the first round every year from 1985 to 2010, but the NFL doesn t hold that position nearly in the same regard anymore. A total of three running backs have been first-round selections over the last four years, including Ohio State s Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick in the most recent draft. But at least in college, running backs have become increasingly vital. It s no coincidence the nation s most prolific runners play on some of college football s top teams. No shortage of dark horse Heisman candidates for 2016 The pool of candidates for the Heisman Trophy is a deep one. Derrick Henry, the winner from Alabama last year, has moved on to the NFL, but five of the next six players in the voting are back, led by runner-up Christian McCaffrey of Stanford. Also returning are Clemson s Deshaun Watson, Oklahoma s Baker Mayfield, LSU s Leonard Fournette and Florida State s Dalvin Cook. All of them, along with Ohio State s J.T. Barnett and Georgia s Nick Chubb (if fully recovered from his knee injury), are in the first wave of contenders for Here are five players who could insert themselves into the Heisman conversation: Chad Kelly, senior quarterback, Mississippi The strong-armed Kelly is the top returning QB in the SEC and listed high on NFL draft boards for The nephew of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly led the Rebels to five victories over Top 25 teams, including Alabama on the road, and they are expected to challenge in the SEC West. A big showing against national title contender Florida State in the opener would push Kelly into the top flight of candidates. Royce Freeman, junior running back, Oregon Freeman s 3,201 yards rushing the last two years are the most by any player in a Power Five conference. He broke LaMichael James single-season school rushing record with 1,836 yards in 2015 and was the only FBS player to pick up more than 100 yards from scrimmage in every game. He also led the country with 36 runs of 15 yards or more. Seth Russell, senior quarterback, Baylor Russell led the Bears to a No. 2 national ranking and six straight wins before a neck injury against Iowa State ended his season. He threw for 29 touchdowns and more than 2,100 yards in seven games and also ran for 402 yards. He opened last season by accounting for six touchdowns against SMU, threw for six TDs against Rice and in his last full game threw for 380 yards and five TDs and ran for 160 yards and a TD against West Virginia. Jabrill Peppers, sophomore linebacker, Michigan The last two-way player to win the Heisman was the Wolverines Charles Woodson in Peppers could be the next. He s moving from safety to a hybrid linebacker AP PHOTO Texas Tech defensive lineman Branden Jackson (9) pressures the pocket as Baylor quarterback Seth Russell (17) passes in the irst half, Oct. 3, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. position. He also has shown the ability to excel at a half-dozen other spots, not to mention returning punts and kicks. Anything is accomplishable for Jabrill Peppers in the game of football, coach Jim Harbaugh said, adding that Peppers has greatest-in-the-world type of athleticism. Josh Rosen, sophomore quarterback, UCLA Rosen threw for almost 3,700 yards and 23 touchdowns as a freshman and set a school record by going 245 consecutive passes without an interception, though he ended up with 11. The Bruins are transitioning from the spread to a pro-style system that suits him better. He has a new quarterbacks coach in Marques Tuiasosopo and new offensive coordinator in Kennedy Polamalu. As good as Rosen was last year, he figures to only get better. All content for College Football Weekly is provided by The Associated Press.

3 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 3 AROUND THE COUNTRY Six games most likely to determine who reaches playoff If you can only watch six games this college football season, well, you should probably consider changing jobs or something because that is no way to live. If that truly is your plight, though, we re here to help. Out of the more than 700 FBS regular season games (conference championships not included) scheduled to be played from Aug. 27 (Aug. 26, Australia time) to Dec. 2, these six will have the greatest impact on which teams reach the College Football Playoff: OKLAHOMA vs. HOUSTON at NRG Stadium in Houston, Sept. 5 The neutral site is about a 10-minute drive from the Cougars campus, but expect plenty of Sooners support at the home of the NFL s Texans. The stakes are high for the Sooners, but Oklahoma can slip here and recover to make the playoff. This nonconference game makes the list because of its importance to Houston and the American Athletic Conference. If Tom Herman s team pulls the upset, it could vault the Cougars and by extension the entire AAC into the playoff conversation. Lose and the playoff pretty much comes off the table for the Cougars in week one! OKLAHOMA at TCU, Oct. 1 Since the Horned Frogs joined the Big 12 in 2012, every game against Oklahoma has been decided by one score. The Sooners and Frogs have split the last two, with the winner taking home at least a share of a conference title. There will still be a long way to go in the season, and the Big 12 has the feel of a conference that will produce an upset or two from the middle of the pack. But these are the best two rosters and the winner in Fort Worth has the inside track to being the league s One True Champion even though it has retired the slogan. CLEMSON at FLORIDA STATE, Oct. 29 The winner of this game has won the last seven Atlantic Division titles and as Jimbo Fisher and Dabo Swinney have grown their programs into national title contenders, it has become one of the most significant rivalries in the country. In each of the last three seasons, the winner has gone into the postseason with a chance to win the national championship. There is certainly a possibility both the Seminoles and Tigers could be playoff teams in 2016, but only one can win the ACC and this showdown in Tallahassee could end up being a playoff elimination game. ALABAMA at LSU, Nov. 5 Since the Tigers 9-6 Game of the Century victory in 2011, the Crimson Tide has won five straight in the series. As Ole Miss can attest, beating Alabama does not guarantee an SEC West championship. But no SEC West team has won the division in college football during Nick Saban s time at Alabama without beating the Tide. Can Alabama s defense derail a second consecutive Leonard Fournette Heisman Trophy campaign? Can the Tigers keep the Tide from a third straight playoff appearance? STANFORD at OREGON, Nov. 12 The Ducks (two) and Cardinal (three) have won all the Pac-12 titles since the conference broke into divisions in The twist last season was Oregon won the head-to-head meeting and probably spoiled Stanford s playoff hopes, though the Cardinal still went on to win the conference. The Pac-12 could be looking at another season with a two-loss champion. And Washington might very well have a say, for once, in who wins the North. But until proven otherwise this is the Pac-12 s most important game. MICHIGAN at OHIO STATE, Nov. 26. Michigan State fans, feel free to be a little slighted the Spartans have won two of the past three Big Ten titles, after all. That said, the second Harbaugh-Meyer matchup sets up to be the first of many to decide the Big Ten East, and send the winner to Indianapolis looking to win not only a conference title but a spot in the playoff. Besting the Bear? Saban in hot pursuit of Alabama icon WEEKLY POLLS WEEK 1 THE AP TOP 25 The Top 25 teams in The Associated Press preseason college football poll, with irstplace votes in parentheses, 2015 records, total points based on 25 points for a irst-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote, and 2015 inal ranking: Record Pts Pv 1. Alabama (33) , Clemson (16) , Oklahoma (4) , Florida St. (5) , LSU (1) 9-3 1, Ohio St. (1) , Michigan (1) , Stanford , Tennessee 9-4 1, Notre Dame , Mississippi Michigan St TCU Washington NR 15. Houston UCLA NR 17. Iowa Georgia NR 19. Louisville NR 20. Southern Cal NR 21. Oklahoma St North Carolina Baylor Oregon Florida Others receiving votes: Miami 159, Texas A&M 81, Utah 74, Washington St. 68, Boise St. 49, San Diego St. 46, Wisconsin 42, Auburn 22, Pittsburgh 15, Arkansas 14, Texas 12, Nebraska 11, Navy 8, Northwestern 5, W. Kentucky 4, South Florida 2, Toledo 2. TUSCALOOSA, Ala. Bobby Bowden never thought he d see the day when someone would challenge Bear Bryant as Alabama s greatest coach. But it s happened. Nick Saban has bellied up to the Bear with one of the best runs in major college football history, and he s already passed the rest of his predecessors in the category that turns coaching greats into coaching legends. Saban s latest Crimson Tide team seems ready-made to challenge for the sixth national title of his career, which would match Bryant s longstanding record. The once-nomadic coach enters his 10th season in Tuscaloosa fresh off claiming No. 4 in seven years. As the Bear might say of his successor, he ain t nothin but a winner. Like Muhammed Ali in boxing, it had long seemed there could only be one Greatest at Bama. Never thought it could happen, said Bowden, a Birmingham native who was coaching at Howard (now Samford) when Bryant hit his stride at Alabama starting in the late 1950s. Gosh, it s like lightning striking twice in the same place, which they say it doesn t do. For him to come in there and do what he does, and now they re comparing who s the greatest. Who would have thought that 20 years ago? Twenty years ago, Saban was having his second straight six-win season at Michigan State. Alabama was in the final season of Gene Stallings tenure, easily the most successful of the seven head coaches bridging the Bryant and Saban eras. (Mike Price was fired without coaching a game). Saban, who also won a championship at LSU, has gone over the past eight seasons. Notre Dame s Frank Leahy and Southern California s John McKay join Bryant and Saban as the only coaches with at least four national championships in The Associated Press poll era, dating to Leahy also won his four titles in a seven-year span but he didn t actually coach in 1944 or 1945 because of World War II. Then there was Bowden, who had a run of 14 consecutive top-5 finishes at Florida State. Who knows if Saban will stick around long enough to match that, but he s been nearly unbeatable with a title on the line. He s 11-1 in conference or national championship games, with the only loss coming to eventual national champ Florida in the 2008 SEC title tilt his second year at Alabama. There were runs something like this, but this may be the best of all of them so far in the history of football, Bowden said. The Alabama coach turns 65 on Oct. 31 and shows no sign of slowing down. He continued his string of No. 1-ranked recruiting classes in February. About a month earlier, he led the Tide to a shootout victory over Clemson in the national championship game, making the call for a game-changing onside kick early in the fourth quarter. Steve Spurrier, who had three straight 11-2 seasons at South Carolina after turning 65, visited with Saban after speaking at a high school clinic over the summer. He said Saban joked that he was starting to hear of opposing coaches telling recruits he wouldn t be around much longer. He s got a good six to eight years or more, depending on what he wants, really, said Spurrier, who stepped down during the 2015 season. If he keeps winning at a high level, which he certainly can the way they recruit. The question is if he gets to 8-4, I think he said, All hell will break loose around here if I go 8-4. It s really hard to go out on top. It s hard to say you ve had enough unless you start losing. That s what happened to me, is we started losing. Saban still takes care of himself physically. He eats a salad daily for lunch, plays basketball with his assistants during the offseason and tosses passes with a nice touch during drills with the defensive backs. He s stayed the same weight probably since he was 30 or 35, said Spurrier, fresh from one of his own daily workouts. Plenty of other coaches have had high levels of success after 65. Bowden won two national titles and 12 ACC championships before stepping down not long after his 80th birthday. Penn State s Joe Paterno won 169 games and had seven top-10 finishes. Bryant won championships in 1978 and 1979 and was at 65-plus. Bowden said the biggest challenge in sustaining that kind of enduring success is keeping the players as focused and motivated after they reach the top as they were in getting there. So your biggest enemy becomes yourself, Bowden said. Keeping your players hungry is a very key ingredient, and I really don t know anybody that does a better job of that than Coach Saban. Enter The Process, Saban s philosophy of focusing on the task at hand and not getting distracted by past results or future ambitions. Saban says it s the human condition to relax and feel a sense of entitlement after great success, though he never seems to suffer from it. We ve had to deal with this with some of our teams in the past, Saban said. They start questioning and judging, Why are we practicing this hard? Why are we doing conditioning this way? Well, it s the same thing we did that helped you be successful last year. Saban s footprint on college football and the SEC has spread to the sidelines in a big way. Former assistants Jim McElwain, Will Muschamp and Kirby Smart are all head coaches in the SEC East, Jimbo Fisher won a national title at Florida State and Mark Dantonio led Michigan State to a playoff matchup with his former boss last season. I think he can go forever, McElwain, Florida s head coach, said of Saban. That s just the way he s wired. And I haven t seen one thing, when we were around each other that week of the SEC Championship game, I didn t see one less bounce in his step, anything like that. And, you know what? The guy s something special. Smart took over at Georgia this season after serving on Saban s Alabama staff for all four national championships. He s pretty well qualified to answer: What drives Saban? Well, that s an easy question, Smart said. He s driven to be the best. And I think that s what makes him different. Because everybody is driven for their different purpose and everybody has their why. And for Coach Saban, I think he wants to be the best. At Alabama, that means topping the Bear. AMWAY TOP 25 POLL The preseason Amway Top 25 football coaches poll, with irst-place votes in parentheses, 2015 records, total points based on 25 points for irst place through one point for 25th, and previous ranking: Record Pts Pvs 1. Alabama (55) Clemson (7) Oklahoma Florida State (1) Ohio State LSU Stanford Michigan Notre Dame Tennessee (1) Michigan State Mississippi Houston TCU Iowa Georgia Southern Cal NR 18. Washington NR 19. Oklahoma State North Carolina Baylor Oregon Louisville NR 24. UCLA NR 25. Florida Others receiving votes: Miami (Fla.) 120; Wisconsin 82; Boise State 73; Utah 73; Washington State 47; Texas A&M 37; Arkansas 34; Texas 34; Northwestern 31; Navy 30; Mississippi State 19; San Diego State 18; Auburn 17; Nebraska 17; Western Kentucky 11; Pittsburgh 8; Brigham Young 6; Appalachian State 4; Duke 3; Arizona 2; Marshall 2; South Florida 2; Toledo 2; Indiana 1; Memphis 1; Northern Illinois 1.

4 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 4 ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE 2015 IN REVIEW Boston College Eagles Final record: 3-9. Despite having one of the nation s toughest defenses, the Eagles followed up a 3-1 start by losing their last eight games. Lacking the offense to pair up with their stingy defense, the Eagles lost nine games by a total of 67 points, including a loss to Syracuse to close out the season. Clemson Tigers Final record: The Tigers rode sensational sophomore and Heisman finalist Deshaun Watson and their high-octane offense to a perfect regular season, conference championship and first-round playoff win over Oklahoma. The Tigers lost a thrilling game to Alabama in the national championship game. Duke Blue Devils Final record: 8-5. The Blue Devils started off the 2015 season by winning six of their first seven games. However a fourgame losing streak followed, before closing the regular season out with a win over state rival Wake Forest. The Blue Devils finished their season with a overtime win against Indiana in the Pinstripe Bowl. Florida State Seminoles Final record: Despite a midseason loss to Georgia Tech that snapped a 30-game regular season winning streak, the Seminoles were still in the hunt for an ACC championship until a loss to eventual conference champion Clemson. After a dominating 27-2 win over hated rival Florida in the regular season finale, the Seminoles were stunned by AAC foe Houston in the Peach Bowl. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Final record: 3-9. After a pair of wins to start the season, the Yellow Jackets went on to lose nine of their last 10 games, managing only a win over No. 9 Florida State on a last-second blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. The Yellow Jackets closed out the season with a 13-7 loss to in-state rival Georgia. Louisville Cardinals Final record: 8-5. After losing their first three games by a total of 13 points (including by 3 each to eventual AAC champion Houston and eventual ACC champion Clemson), the Cardinals closed the regular season having won seven of their last nine games. The Cardinals closed out the season with a over Texas A&M in the Music City Bowl. Miami Hurricanes Final record: 8-5. After winning four of their first six games, a 58-0 loss to Clemson led to the firing of head coach Al Golden. Under interim coach Larry Scott, the Hurricanes won four of their last five regular season games before losing to Washington State in the Sun Bowl. North Carolina Tar Heels Final record: Larry Fedora s fourth year at the helm was by far the most successful for the Tar Heels. After opening the season with a loss to South Carolina, the Tar Heels their next 11 games, going undefeated in conference play before dropping the championship game to top-ranked Clemson. The Tar Heels closed the season with a loss to Baylor. North Carolina State Wolfpack Final record: 7-6. After starting the season 4-0, the Wolfpack lost three of their next four games and five of their last eight regular season games, including a loss to rival North Carolina. The Wolfpack finished on a losing note, dropping the Belk Bowl to Mississippi State Pittsburgh Panthers Final record: 8-5. The Panthers won six of their first seven games and climbed into the rankings for two weeks before backto-back losses to North Carolina and Notre Dame. The Panthers won two of their last three regular season games before a loss to Navy in the Military Bowl to close out the season. Syracuse Orange Final record: 4-8. After starting the season 3-0, the Orange went on an eight-game losing streak that cost head coach Scott Shafer his job. The Orange snapped their losing streak in their season finale with a win over Boston College. Virginia Cavaliers Final record: 4-8. The Cavaliers started the season losing four of their first five games and never really recovered, going 3-4 over their final seven, including a season-ending loss to Virginia Tech in the Battle for the Commonwealth Cup. Virginia Tech Hokies Final record: 7-6. After a four-overtime, loss to Duke dropped the Hokies to 3-5, they reeled off three wins in their final four regular season games, including a win over Virginia in the Battle for the Commonwealth Cup. The Hokies sent head coach Frank Beamer into retirement a winner, beating Tulsa in the Independence Bowl. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Final record: 3-9. After a 41-3 season-opening win over FCS foe Elon, the Demon Deacons managed just two more wins in their final eleven games, finishing the season on a six-game losing streak that included a loss to Duke in their season finale. Clemson, Florida State set to battle (again) for ACC control RALEIGH, N.C. Clemson s Deshaun Watson still thinks about carrying an unbeaten record into the final game of the season before losing to Alabama with a national championship on the line. The Tigers and their star quarterback are the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference and be positioned to return to the College Football Playoff, but there s another team Florida State that enters the season with a playoff shot within reach. In fact, it s not impossible that both teams could find themselves in playoff position coming out of a league where the balance of power is tipped heavily toward the Atlantic Division that includes both the Tigers and Seminoles. We know how to get there, Watson said of last year s title-game loss. We ve experienced it and we ve got to start over this year and try to get back there. Clemson (14-1) and Florida State (10-3) have combined to win the last five ACC championships. They ve combined to go 57-3 against the rest of the league, while the last time either lost to a division opponent came nearly four years ago. We ve been able to recruit well and have very good players and we ve been able to coach them well, Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said of the gap between the Atlantic powers and the rest of the league. Not that other guys haven t, but we ve been able to be fortunate in certain games. I mean, we ve created a culture that right now we re both playing pretty well. The favorites Atlantic Division Clemson. The Tigers were the preseason pick by media members over the Seminoles. While Louisville is poised PREDICTIONS Atlantic Champion Coastal Champion ACC Champion Florida State to make a leap in Year 3 under Bobby Petrino, it would be a shock if the Tigers and Seminoles don t finish atop the division. Coastal Division North Carolina. The Tar Heels are coming off an 11-win season and are trying to become the first repeat Coastal champion since 2011 in a typically wide-open division. North Carolina Top players Watson, Clemson. Last season, AP FILE PHOTOS This Nov. 28, 2015, photo shows Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson scrambling out of the pocket looking for a receiver during the second half against South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. Florida State running back Dalvin Cook (4) rushes out of the backield for a irst down during the irst half against Clemson, Nov. 7, 2015, in Clemson, S.C. he was ACC player of the year, third in Heisman Trophy voting and the Manning Award winner as the nation s top quarterback. All as a sophomore. Dalvin Cook, Florida State. The Seminoles have their own Heisman candidate with a junior running back who ran for an ACC-best 1,691 yards and 19 touchdowns last year. Elijah Hood, North Carolina. The junior is a physical presence for the Coastal champions after running for 1,463 yards and 17 scores. New faces Mark Richt, Miami. He spent the past 15 seasons at Georgia but is now at his alma mater, trying to provide a jolt to a one-time power that has yet to win the Coastal title. Justin Fuente, Virginia Tech. The former Memphis coach is replacing longtime Hokies coach Frank Beamer, taking over a program that had gone from annual 10-win seasons to consecutive 7-6 finishes. Bronco Mendenhall, Virginia. The Cavaliers have one winning season in eight years. Now it s up to the former BYU coach to turn things around. Dino Babers, Syracuse. The former Bowling Green coach takes over a Syracuse program that has seven wins in the past two seasons. Eli Drinkwitz, North Carolina State. Drinkwitz is the Wolfpack s new offensive coordinator after leading one of the nation s top offenses at Boise State. He inherits a team looking for a new quarterback. James Conner, Pittsburgh. This is a welcome-back season for the running back and 2014 ACC player of the year who went down with an opening-game knee injury, then battled lymphoma. On the hot seat Boston College s Steve Addazio is coming off an 0-8 ACC season. Florida State

5 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 5 ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE GAME OF THE WEEK #11 Mississippi vs. #4 Florida State Rebels, Seminoles close out weekend in Labor Day matchup The two coaches have slightly opposing views of the venue for Monday night s clash between No. 4 Florida State and No. 11 Ole Miss that winds up college football s opening weekend. Orlando s Camping World Stadium, previously known as the Citrus Bowl, is a mere hour drive from the Seminoles campus in Tallahassee. The Ole Miss campus in Oxford is 627 miles away as the crow flies and over 150 miles longer when it comes to driving distance. It has its advantages, Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said, noting an immediate introduction for his team to a bowlgame, playoff-like atmosphere and national exposure, not to mention a history that shows the Noles have gone when they have played in Orlando dating back to The disadvantage? You have to play a great opponent, he said, laughing. Rebels coach Hugh Freeze had slightly different opinion when the subject was brought up during the summer at the SEC Media Days. I did get a kick out of our AD telling me it s a neutral-site game, Freeze said. And I d use that in quotes, neutral site, and I explain to him, Any time you go on the road to a neutral-site game and you have to use silent cadence, it shouldn t be considered a neutral site. So we ll have a great opposition there in a lot of ways, and it will be an atmosphere that we have to handle. Florida State will be starting a new quarterback in Deondre Francois, who will be the second redshirt freshman starter in the last four seasons for the Seminoles. The other? Heisman winner Jameis Winston. Francois was named the starter after fifth-year senior quarterback In this Nov. 21, 2015, photo, Florida State running back Dalvin Cook runs for a touchdown in the irst half against Chattanooga. Sean Maguire all but ended the Cook might remind him of. preseason competition when We didn t play Georgia last year, he fractured a bone in his foot but he is probably similar to their during one of the Seminoles first guy, he said, referring to Nick practices. Chubb. He has a lower center of But Francois already had established himself as the front-runner. a bit more than the ones you have gravity. Makes you miss in space If you didn t think it was official mentioned it seems to me. a long time ago, Fisher said of the Fisher described Kelly as a competitor and said the Seminoles decision, I m worried about you. Ole Miss has a veteran and would be wary of opening running one of the top quarterbacks in lanes with an aggressive pass rush, the SEC in senior Chad Kelly, a citing Kelly s ability to make big top-ranked prospect according to plays with his feet. NFLDraftScout.com, but the Noles To me of all the things, you see have a weapon the Rebels don t the physical things, but you see have in running back Dalvin Cook. his competitiveness all the time, Cook has rushed for 2,699 yards in Fisher said of Kelly. just two seasons and is only 1,261 This will be just the second yards away from Warrick Dunn s meeting between the two schools. school record. The first was in 1961 with Ole Miss Freeze was asked who in the SEC winning 33-0 in Oxford. In this Oct. 31, 2015, photo, Mississippi quarterback Chad Kelly throws a pass during the second half against Auburn. WHAT TO KNOW What s at stake With 17 returning starters, Florida State would like to show that the early expectations of being a College Football Playoff contender are valid. Ole Miss lost 14 starters off last year s team but has one of the nation s top quarterbacks in Chad Kelly, who threw for 4,042 yards last season which was the third-most in SEC history. Key matchup Ole Miss LT Rod Taylor vs. Florida State DE DeMarcus Walker. Taylor, a 6-foot-3, 329-pound junior is getting his fifth career start but first at left tackle. The previous four were at right guard. Walker, a 6-4, 280-pound senior, had 10.5 sacks last season and could get more rushing opportunities due to the emergence of sophomore LB Josh Sweat. Players to watch Mississippi: WR Quincy Adeboyejo. The senior was second on the team in receptions (38) and yards (604) with seven touchdowns last season. His 15.9 yards per catch were seventh in the SEC. Florida State: RB Dalvin Cook. Set a single-season school rushing record with 1,691 yards last season. The junior tied for the FBS lead last year with 22 carries of 20 yards or more. Facts & figures QB Deondre Francois is the fourth freshman in Florida State history to start an opener. The last was Jameis Winston, who led the Seminoles to a national title in Florida State is in games played in Orlando, including in regular-season games.... This is the first time Ole Miss has played a game in Orlando.... The Rebels are 3-3 under coach Hugh Freeze against teams ranked in the top five.... In neutral-site openers, the Seminoles are 8-1 and have won their last seven. The Rebels have played only one, defeating Boise State in Atlanta in Betting line Florida State by 4. AP PHOTOS THIS WEEK S SCHEDULE * All times Eastern Thursday Charlotte at Louisville, 7 p.m. Tulane at Wake Forest, 7 p.m. William & Mary at NC State, 7:30 p.m. Friday Colgate at Syracuse, 7 p.m. Saturday Georgia Tech at Boston College, 7:30 a.m. Liberty at Virginia Tech, 12:30 p.m. Villanova at Pittsburgh, 1:30 p.m. Richmond at Virginia, 3:30 p.m. Georgia at North Carolina, 5:30 p.m. North Carolina Central at Duke, 6 p.m. Florida A&M at Miami (FL), 6 p.m. Clemson at Auburn, 9 p.m. Monday Ole Miss vs. Florida State, 8 p.m. STANDINGS ATLANTIC Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA Boston Coll Clemson Florida St Louisville NC State Syracuse Wake Forest COASTAL Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA Duke Georgia Tech Miami N.Carolina Pittsburgh Virginia Virginia Tech ACC NOTEBOOK GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 22 North Carolina vs. No. 18 Georgia, in Atlanta. Three SEC-ACC matchups headline opening weekend, but the Tar Heels trip to Atlanta stands out because it s the only one of them in which the ACC team is lower-ranked. North Carolina had a breakout 2015 season, reaching its first ACC championship game after winning the Coastal Division, and the best way for the Tar Heels to prove their staying power is by knocking off the Bulldogs in a de facto road game and in Kirby Smart s debut as Georgia coach. We understand the importance of it, UNC fifth-year coach Larry Fedora said. BEST MATCHUP: Clemson offense vs. Auburn defense. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson looks to give his Heisman Trophy candidacy a jump start when he faces an Auburn defense that offensive-minded coach Gus Malzahn has said could be the best of his four-year tenure at the school. That will be put to the test by Watson, the first player in FBS history with 4,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in one season. Auburn will rely on linemen Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams to contain Watson. This group has a chance to be as good as we ever had on paper, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Eight current ACC players have rushed for 1,000 or more yards in a season. That s by far the most in the league at one time. The previous high of five was set in 2009 and matched five years later. Seven of them did it last year, led by Florida State s Dalvin Cook (1,691), while Pittsburgh s James Conner did it in LONG SHOT: Wake Forest is a 17-point favorite against Tulane in a matchup of teams coming off consecutive 3-9 seasons. The Green Wave figure to debut a run-heavy system that new coach Willie Fritz s Georgia Southern teams used to lead the Bowl Subdivision in rushing in each of the past two years. If Tulane can control the ball and the clock, it will give itself a chance to win. IMPACT PLAYER: It s guaranteed to be emotional Saturday when Pittsburgh plays host to Villanova and Conner makes his return. The 2014 ACC player of the year suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 2015 opener and then was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in November. Working out through chemotherapy, and taking part in spring practice while wearing a surgical mask, Conner was declared cancer-free in May. New offensive coordinator Matt Canada, formerly at North Carolina State, has been tinkering with playing multiple running backs in an effort to get Conner on the field.

6 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 6 BIG 10 CONFERENCE 2015 IN REVIEW Illinois Fighting Illini Final record: 5-7. The Fighting Illini got off to a 4-1 start to the 2015 season, including a thrilling, last-second win over Nebraska. They would go on to lose six of their last seven games, including a loss to rival Northwestern in their season finale. Indiana Hoosiers Final record: 6-7. The Hoosiers started the season off 4-0, scoring 30-plus points in all four games. A loss to top-ranked Ohio State started the Hoosiers on a six-game losing streak before wins over Maryland and Purdue got them to bowl eligibility. The Hoosiers ended their season with a overtime loss to Duke in the Pinstripe Bowl. Iowa Hawkeyes Final record: Coming into the year with few expectations after a season, the Hawkeyes started the season off 12-0, climbing as high as No. 3 in the polls. After losing to then-no.5 Michigan State in the Big Ten championship game, the Hawkeyes were sent to the Rose Bowl, where they suffered a loss to then-no. 5 Stanford. Maryland Terrapins Final record: 3-9. After a 2-1 start to the season, the wheels fell off for the Terrapins. Head coach Randy Edsall was fired in the midst of an eight-game losing streak that would finally end with a road win over Rutgers in the season finale. Michigan Wolverines Final record: The first year under new coach Jim Harbaugh would be termed by most as a smashing success. After a road loss to Utah, the Wolverines nine of their next 10 games, with only a bizarre last-second loss to Michigan State on a blocked punt. The Wolverines closed out the regular season with a loss to rival Ohio State before finishing with a 41-7 win over SEC foe Florida. Michigan State Spartans Final record: The Spartans avenged a 2014 loss to Oregon and beat Michigan on a blocked punt en route to an 8-0 start to the season before a controversial road loss to Nebraska. They recovered from the loss to win their final four games, including a road win over then-no. 2 Ohio State and a Big Ten Championship win over then-no. 4 Iowa that put them in the College Football Playoff. The Spartans suffered a disappointing 38-0 loss to Alabama in the first round. Minnesota Golden Gophers Final record: 6-7. After a season-opening home loss to then-no. 2 TCU, the Golden Gophers won four of their next five. The Gophers went on to lose five of their last six regular season games before closing out with a win over Central Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl. Nebraska Cornhuskers Final record: 6-7. An up-and-down season saw the Cornhuskers drop a last-second loss to Illinois and a last-second home win over then-no. 6 Michigan State en route to a 5-7 record. One of three sub-.500 teams to receive a bowl invite, the Cornhuskers beat UCLA in the Foster Farms Bowl. Northwestern Wildcats Final record: A season-opening win over Stanford propelled the Wildcats to a 5-0 start that saw them climb as high as No. 12 in the polls before dropping back-to-back blowouts to Michigan and Iowa. The Wildcats closed the season on another five-game winning streak before a 45-6 blowout loss to Tennessee in the Outback Bowl. Ohio State Buckeyes Final record: The 2015 Buckeyes picked up where the 2014 Buckeyes left off, riding a 10-0 start into a key stretch against Michigan State and rival Michigan. The Buckeyes dropped the home game against Michigan State, but recovered to dominate Michigan The Buckeyes finished the season with a win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Penn State Nittany Lions Final record: 7-6. The Nittany Lions got off to a rough start, losing to Temple for the first time since They recovered to win seven of their next eight games, before ending the season on a four-game losing streak, including a loss to Georgia in the TaxSlayer Bowl. Purdue Boilermakers Final record: A second-week victory over FCS foe Indiana State moved Purdue to a 1-1 record and ended up being the last win for a while. After dropping their next five games, the Boilermakers upset Nebraska before finishing the season on another five-game losing streak. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Final record: 4-8. After a win over Indiana moved Rutgers to an even 3-3 record, the Scarlet Knights five of their last six games, a stretch that ultimately cost coach Kyle Flood his job. Wisconsin Badgers Final record: After a season-opening loss to Alabama, the Badgers won nine of eleven games, losing only to eventual division champ Iowa and Northwestern, before ending the season with a win over USC in the Holiday Bowl. Power remains centered in Big Ten East Division The big change in the Big Ten is the move to the nine-game conference schedule. What doesn t figure to change is the dominance of the East Division. Ohio State, Michigan and defending champion Michigan State all are positioned to make runs at being national top-10 teams, if not College Football Playoff contenders. Iowa s amazing 12-0 regular season in 2015 notwithstanding, this looks like another year when the West will play in the East s considerable shadow. The Big Ten attempted to create balance when it split into divisions with Nebraska s entry in The Legends and Leaders monikers went by the wayside after three years, replaced by the geographical East-West alignment. Last season, Michigan State went to the playoff and was joined by fellow East members Ohio State and Michigan among the top 12 teams in the final Top 25. Iowa, at No. 9, was the only West team among the top dozen. The year before, Ohio State won the national championship and Michigan State was No. 6 in the final AP poll, with Wisconsin the highest West team at No. 13. The East won the last two Big Ten championship games, with the folks in Wisconsin still smarting from the 59-0 beat-down administered by Ohio State in Commissioner Jim Delany said shuffling the divisions is not in the plans. Things are a little cyclical, he said. I mean, if you look at other conferences who have experimented much longer than we have, you had a 10- or 12-year run by the eastern group in the SEC and then a 15-, 10-, 12-year run by the West. It looks like the (SEC) East is getting stronger. We have some great programs in the West who have won national championships, that have won big bowls, that have found themselves in the top five and 10 rankings in the country, have great coaches, great resources, great brands. So I suspect over time there would be parity. The Big Ten will join the Pac-12 and Big 12 in playing nine-game conference schedules. SEC and ACC teams each play eight league games. The favorites East Division Urban Meyer has a bevy of talented reinforcements ready to step to the fore after the NFL PREDICTIONS East Champion West Champion Big Ten Champion Ohio State plucked a record number of players from Ohio State. J.T. Barrett has the quarterback s job all to himself, finally, and can hurt defenses in a variety of ways and redshirt freshman Mike Weber is ready to step in at running back. The receiving corps and offensive line are retooling. The strength of the defense is at linebacker, where Raekwon McMillan made a teamhigh 119 tackles. Michigan continues is rise under Jim Harbaugh, and the Wolverines are contenders to win the Big Ten and figure in the playoff picture if they can end their four-game losing skid to Ohio State. The offensive line and receivers are set. All the Wolverines need to do is settle on a quarterback. New defensive coordinator Don Brown inherits key pieces to what was one of the nation s best units. Michigan State won the East and went to the playoff after ending Ohio State s 30-game conference win streak in Columbus. The inclination would be to expect the Spartans to take a step back because of key departures on offense. Don t count them out, though. The defense is loaded, and the Ohio State and Michigan games are at home. West Division Iowa turned into the darling of college football with its 12-0 regular season, and the Hawkeyes have the schedule and returning personnel to win the division again. Quarterback C.J. Beathard, most of the top running backs and several key receivers are back, and All-America cornerback Desmond King is among eight returning Iowa starters on defense. Nebraska had five losses by five points or less, but a bowl win over UCLA left the Cornhuskers with a positive vibe coming out of a 6-7 first season under Mike Riley. If the Huskers can split back-to-back road games against Wisconsin and Ohio State, their Nov. 25 game at Iowa might decide the West. Northwestern returns workhorse running back Justin Jackson from a team that won 10 games despite averaging fewer than 20 points. Wisconsin gets running back Corey Clement back from injury, but the Badgers are unsettled at quarterback and they play one of the most brutal schedules in the country. Top players Michigan s Jabrill Peppers is a fringe Heisman Trophy candidate. He s listed at linebacker after primarily being a safety in 2015, but he has proved he can play about any position on either side of the ball. Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett also could get into the Heisman conversation. He won back the starter s job in the eighth game and is the Buckeyes undisputed leader. Iowa CB Desmond King is among the nation s top defenders after intercepting eight passes. Michigan State DL Malik McDowell goes into his junior season with 17 of his 56 career tackles having gone for losses. New faces Chris Ash, the former Ohio State defensive coordinator, takes over a Rutgers program that has lost 12 of 16 Big Ten games in its two years in the conference. D.J. Durkin, the former Michigan defensive coordinator, is in charge at Maryland, where facilities improvements and UnderArmour money should enhance the Terrapins chances of winning after going 5-11 in the conference through two seasons. Lovie Smith, the new Illinois coach, hasn t worked at the college level since 1995, but he brings fresh perspective and NFL cache to a program that has finished above.500 only twice since the 2007 team went to the Rose Bowl. On the hot seat Purdue coach Darrell Hazell, whose three-year record is 6-30 overall and 2-22 in the Big Ten. He probably kept his job after last season only because the administration didn t want to pay $6.6 million to buy out a contract that runs to Ohio State AP PHOTO Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett, center, runs up ield between Penn State defenders Austin Johnson, left, and Carl Nassib during the second half, Oct. 17, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. AP PHOTO Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) dives over the Indiana defense to score during the irst half in Bloomington, Ind., Nov. 7, 2015.

7 BIG 10 CONFERENCE COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 7 GAME OF THE WEEK #5 LSU vs. Wisconsin Wisconsin looks to trip up No. 5 LSU and Leonard Fournette MADISON, Wis. The Heisman Trophy campaign for LSU s Leonard Fournette begins Saturday at Lambeau Field. It could also be the start of yet another make-or-break year for coach Les Miles, with the fifthranked Tigers holding national title hopes. Wisconsin is poised to play spoiler in the marquee season opener at the home of the NFL s Green Bay Packers. One of the things you always find in your first game is an accurate indicator of who you are at that point, and where you have to go, Badgers coach Paul Chryst said. A victory over LSU could give Wisconsin a huge confidence boost to start a season with a brutal schedule. The Tigers are just an appetizer with Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State still awaiting the Badgers and that s just within the first six games of the year. To have a shot at beating LSU, Wisconsin must slow down Fournette, the 6-foot-1, 235-pound bruiser who ran for 22 touchdowns and a single-season school record 1,953 yards last season. We ve got to swarm. We ve got to be relentless, Wisconsin linebacker Jack Cichy said. Just play fast and play relentless. It sounds like what LSU faces nearly every week in the SEC. But with so much at stake this fall, Miles likes the intensity in his players. I think this team wants more, said Miles, entering his 12th season as head coach. I think this team is a little bit more focused than other clubs that I ve had. Some other things to watch and notes for Saturday s game: Deriving inspiration The flooding this summer in Baton Rouge provided perspective for the Tigers. Many players are from Louisiana and some have relatives or friends who were displaced by flood waters. Miles also has experience coaching in the wake of natural disasters. His first season at LSU was 2005, when the double blow of hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated communities along the Gulf Coast. With everything that s going on right now in Louisiana, and what we went through, LSU football, I think, and what the team thinks, will help the community out, no matter what they re going through, just to bring their hopes up high, Fournette said. The Wisconsin football equipment truck was also bringing donations of backpacks, school supplies and bottled sports drinks to Green Bay to give to to LSU equipment staffers at Lambeau. LSU would then take the donations back to Louisiana. Getting defensive The Tigers have unique insight on Wisconsin. LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda held the same position the previous three seasons in Madison, where the Badgers had one of the top units in In this Oct. 31, 2015, ile photo, Wisconsin linebacker Vince Biegel (47) and Joe Schobert celebrate after Biegel sacked Rutgers quarterback Chris Laviano. WHAT TO KNOW What s at stake Another pivotal season for LSU begins in a neutral site road game at Lambeau Field, far from the comfy confines of SEC country. The Tigers are a national title contender featuring a Heisman Trophy hopeful in RB Leonard Fournette. A loss to Wisconsin puts coach Les Miles back on the seemingly perpetual hot seat. The Badgers could get a huge confidence boost with a schedule looming filled with tough games, including Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State. Key matchup Fournette vs. Wisconsin linebackers. Strength vs. strength. At 6-foot-1, In this Oct. 3, 2015, photo, LSU running back Leonard Fournette (7) carries past Eastern Michigan linebacker Anthony Zappone (43) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 235 pounds, Fournette will be hard to bring down. He ran for 22 touchdowns last season, averaging yards per game. But the Tigers have new starters at both tackle positions and right guard. Badgers OLB Vince Biegel must lead a strong team effort to limit yards after contact. Third-and-longs will help a Wisconsin defense that will have three new starters in the secondary, including both safeties. Players to watch LSU: Fournette. Let the Heisman campaign begin. Wisconsin: RB Corey Clement. The senior is eager to leave behind a disappointing 2015 season marked by injuries and an off-field issue. He s still averaging 6.6 yards per carry in his career. Healthy again, Clement is Wisconsin s best breakaway threat. the nation. Aranda s linebacker-led defenses were known for flexibility and unique blitz packages. We have a good scouting report on these guys. We know who the strong points in the defense are, LSU guard Will Clapp said. Biegel and the backers Senior Wisconsin linebacker Vince Biegel is known for his wild hairstyles as much as his pass-rushing prowess. Once again, linebacker is the strength of the Wisconsin defense, including Jack Cichy, who had sacks on three straight plays in the Holiday Bowl against Southern California. He ll start inside with Chris Orr in the 3-4 defense, with T.J. Watt NFL star J.J. Watt s brother bookending Biegel on the outside. LSU QB Brandon Harris is looking to back up his comments about being a more mature and developed quarterback as he goes into his junior season and second season as full-time starter. Harris has said that he s expanded his arsenal of throws, and has worked to get better at making short, quick passes to play-making running backs or receivers who have the potential to make short throws into long gains, rather than trying to force intermediate and longer throws. Wisconsin QB Senior Bart Houston is making his first career start at the home of his namesake, former Packers QB and Hall of Famer Bart Starr. Houston won a training camp competition with redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook. He has the benefit of having worked already for a full season with the offensive-minded Chryst, entering his second year as head coach. But as debuts go, it doesn t get much tougher than facing an LSU defense led by Aranda. Facts & figures Fournette needs 13 yards to reach 3,000 for his career. With 487 attempts in 25 games, the junior is poised to become the fastest player in LSU history to reach that plateau, a mark currently held by Kevin Faulk (3,000 on 572 attempts in 28 games)... LSU is 13-5 in neutral site games under Miles, entering his 12th season as head coach.... Wisconsin has not played an in-state game outside of Madison since a 21-0 victory over Notre Dame in Milwaukee on Oct. 14, QB Bart Houston, who is named after former Packers QB and Hall of Famer Bart Starr, will make his first career start at Lambeau, where Starr played his home games. LSU by 10 Betting line AP PHOTO THIS WEEK S SCHEDULE *All times Eastern Thursday Indiana at Florida International, 7:30 p.m. Oregon State at Minnesota, 9 p.m. Friday Furman at Michigan State, 7 p.m. Saturday Hawaii at Michigan, 12 p.m. Bowling Green at Ohio State, 12 p.m. Eastern Kentucky at Purdue, 12 p.m. Western Michigan at Northwestern, 12 p.m. Howard at Maryland, 12 p.m. Rutgers at Washington, 2 p.m. Kent State at Penn State, 3:30 p.m. Murray State at Illinois, 3:30 p.m. Miami (Ohio) at Iowa, 3:30 p.m. LSU at Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. Fresno State at Nebraska, 8 p.m. STANDINGS EAST Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA Indiana Maryland Michigan Michigan St Ohio State Penn State Rutgers WEST Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA Illinois Iowa Minnesota Nebraska Northwestern Purdue Wisconsin BIG TEN NOTEBOOK GAME OF THE WEEK: Wisconsin vs. No. 5 LSU in the Lambeau Field College Classic in Green Bay on Saturday is chock-full of story lines. Dave Aranda, the architect of Wisconsin s top-shelf defense the last three years, is going against his former team as the Tigers defensive coordinator. His replacement at Wisconsin, Justin Wilcox, must devise a plan to keep Leonard Fournette under control as the junior running back begins his Heisman Trophy campaign. The game also marks the first career start for Wisconsin quarterback Bart Houston. BEST MATCHUP: Northwestern could have its hands full with Mid-American Conference favorite Western Michigan. P.J. Fleck s Broncos are known for prolific offense. Northwestern has posted back-to-back 10-win seasons, won 21 of its last 23 September games and return the top returning Big Ten rusher in Justin Jackson. The Anthony Walker-led defense was stellar most of last season, but it ended with an embarrassing 45-6 bowl loss to Tennessee. The Wildcats new starting cornerback, Montre Hartage, will be kept busy with WMU s Corey Davis, the active leading receiver in the Bowl Subdivision. INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Defending Big Ten champion Michigan State (vs. Furman on Friday) is 36-5 since Ohio State (vs. Bowling Green) is 32-1 against current MAC members.... Maryland plays Howard for the first time, even though only 7.5 miles separate the schools.... QB Wes Lunt has thrown 28 TDs against nine interceptions in two years at Illinois (vs. Murray State).... Michigan (vs. Hawaii) plays its first five at home for the first time since Purdue (vs. Eastern Kentucky) has played an FCS opponent every year since 2010 and is 6-0 in those games.... Rutgers (at No. 14 Washington) last played a ranked opponent to start the season in Nebraska (vs. Fresno State) will sell out its 348th consecutive home game since LONG SHOT: Indiana has some mojo after going to a bowl but can t afford to take FIU lightly on the road Thursday night. The Hoosiers defense is yet to prove it can stop anybody, and the Panthers bring back starters at QB, RB and WR. The Panthers, picked fifth in the East Division of Conference USA, led into the fourth quarter of their loss in Bloomington last year. PLAYER TO WATCH: QB Mitch Leidner can set the tone for Minnesota with a strong outing at home Thursday against an Oregon State team replacing seven defensive starters. Leidner, who ll be making his 30th start, passed for at least 250 yards in four straight games last season and was MVP of the Quick Lane Bowl. He missed spring practice after having offseason foot surgery. The Gophers have only 13 seniors, with Leidner among an FBS-low three on offense, so they need him to be really good if they hope to get back over.500 after going 6-7 in 2015.

8 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 8 BIG 12 CONFERENCE 2015 IN REVIEW Baylor Bears Final record: The Bears entered the 2015 season with title aspirations after being snubbed from the 2014 College Football Playoff field. Despite losing star quarterback Seth Russell to a midseason neck injury, the Bears rolled to an 8-0 record. A loss to eventual Big XII champion Oklahoma started the Bears on a 1-3 stretch to close out the regular season before rushing for over 600 yards in a win over North Carolina in the Citrus Bowl. Iowa State Cyclones Final record: 3-9. Following a season-opening win over FCS foe Northern Iowa, the Cyclones went on to lose nine of their last 11 games, with only a win over winless Kansas and a 24-0 win over Texas. The Cyclones closed the season on a four-game losing streak, including a 30-6 road loss to West Virginia in their season finale. Kansas Jayhawks Final record: David Beaty s first season on the job was one to forget, as the Jayhawks went winless on the season, including a home loss to FCS foe South Dakota State in their season opener. Kansas State Wildcats Final record: 6-7. After a triple-overtime home win over Louisiana Tech moved Kansas State to a 3-0 record, the Wildcats went on to lose their next six games, four against ranked teams, including a pair of seven point losses to teams ranked No. 2 at the time (TCU in week five and Baylor in week nine). A home win over Iowa State broke the slump and propelled the Wildcats to a three-game winning streak that pushed them to a bowl game. They ended the season with a loss to Arkansas in the Libery Bowl. Oklahoma Sooners Final record: The Sooners sat at No. 10 in the polls with a 4-0 record heading into the Red River Showdown against Texas. A upset at the hands of the Longhorns was the Sooners only misstep of the regular season, as they won their next 11, including three straight against then-no. 4 Baylor, then-no. 11 TCU and then-no. 9 Oklahoma State. A year after the Big XII had two teams snubbed by the College Football Playoff committee, Oklahoma was chosen as the fourth seed, falling to No. 1 Clemson in the first round. Oklahoma State Cowboys Final record: The Cowboys started the season 10-0 including a home win over then-no. 5 TCU en route to a No. 4 ranking. The Cowboys were among the Big XII teams with a brutal final stretch as they ended the regular season with a home loss to then-no. 10 Baylor and a home loss to then-no. 5 Oklahoma in the Bedlam Series. After finishing second in the Big XII, the Cowboys were invited to the Sugar Bowl, where they lost to Ole Miss. TCU Horned Frogs Final record: The Horned Frogs picked up where they left off in 2014, scoring less than 40 points only once en route to an 8-0 start. They were dismantled in a road loss to then-no. 12 Oklahoma State. After bouncing back with a win over Kansas, the Horned Frogs fell a point short after going for the two-point conversion in the final minute against then-no. 7 Oklahoma. After a double overtime win over then-no. 7 Baylor, the Horned Frogs closed the season with a thrilling, triple-overtime, comeback win over Oregon in the Alamo Bowl. Texas Longhorns Final record: 5-7. After a 1-4 start left some fans questioning Charlie Strong as a head coach, the Longhorns pulled the upset in a win over Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown. The Longhorns split their final six games including a win over then-no. 12 Baylor, but fell just short of bowl eligibility. Texas Tech Red Raiders Final record: 7-6. The Red Raiders started off 5-2 with their only losses coming to top five teams (TCU and Baylor). They followed with a three-game losing streak before closing the regular season with back-to-back wins, including a thriller over Texas on Thanksgiving night. The Red Raiders took a beating in their final game, taking a loss at the hands of LSU in the Texas Bowl. West Virginia Mountaineers Final record: 8-5. After a 3-0 start pushed the Mountaineers into the polls, they went on to drop their next four, all to ranked opponents (Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor and TCU), before winning four of their last five regular season games. The Mountaineers finished their season with a win over Arizona State in the Cactus Bowl. Oklahoma going for 10th title in Big 12 still with 10 teams DALLAS Oklahoma already has a record nine Big 12 championships, and last season took the league into the College Football Playoff for the first time. While the smallest Power Five conference could soon be expanding, the Sooners and Bob Stoops now the longest-tenured FBS coach seem to have everything in place to push for another playoff run out of the 10-team league. Since their last national title in 2000, the Sooners made another BCS Championship Game in 2008 and last season played in the Orange Bowl, losing the CFP semifinal to Clemson after the Big 12 was snubbed for the first four-team playoff in I don t reflect back much on it, Stoop said of the national title in his second season at Oklahoma. I look forward and try and continue to improve, and be a more powerful team is what I m constantly preaching. Big 12 leaders have to decide whether to add two, four or no teams. Even without expansion, the league is restoring its championship game in 2017, with a likely split into divisions again. For now, the Big 12 remains the only Power Five conference with a round-robin league schedule. We ve been in five different conferences, and we ve done it about every way that you can, said TCU coach Gary Patterson, whose Horned Frogs go into their fifth Big 12 season. I don t think there s any tougher way of playing it as when you have to play everybody. The favorites Baker Mayfield is back for his second season as Oklahoma s quarterback, with the option for another year after this in Norman for the former Texas Tech walk-on freshman starter thanks to a Big PREDICTION Big 12 Champion Oklahoma 12 rule change about in-league transfers. The Sooners also have the running duo of bruising Samaje Perine and explosive Joe Mixon. Oklahoma State, TCU and Baylor all also won at least 10 games last season. Healthy quarterback Mason Rudolph is among a wealth of returners for the Cowboys. Dualthreat quarterback Trevone Boykin is gone, but TCU has 13 starters back from last season, plus six other starters who had season-ending injuries a year ago. Baylor, the nation s best offense the last three seasons, still has plenty of talent. But the Bears lack depth in transition after the offseason dismissal of coach Art Briles following allegations that the program didn t properly handle AP FILE PHOTOS In this Dec. 31, 2015, photo, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayield looks to pass during the irst half of the Orange Bowl semiinal playof game against Clemson, in Miami Gardens, Florida. Arkansas defensive lineman Tevin Beanum (97) and defensive back Jared Collins chase Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes II during the second half, Sept. 19, 2015, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. sexual assault allegations against some players. Top players Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma. A legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate who threw for 3,700 yards and accounted for 43 touchdowns (36 passing, seven rushing) with only seven interceptions. Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas. While starting every game as a true freshman and recording 61 tackles, Jefferson also became a key leader. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech. The dual-threat quarterback, the national leader with 393 total yards per game, is now a one-sport athlete. He got his first full offseason focusing solely on football after giving up baseball. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma. Quiet off the field, the junior already has 3,062 yards and 37 TDs in two seasons, just 1,056 yards shy of Billy Sims school record. Seth Russell, QB, Baylor. The top-rated FBS passer when he suffered a season-ending neck injury seven games into last season, Russell is healthy but has no proven backup. Josh Carraway, DE, TCU. Already one of the league s top pass-rushers (nine sacks), and with help with the return of fellow end James McFarland from injury. James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State. A deep-ball threat who can outleap defenders, his 10 TD catches averaged 49 yards. New faces Iowa State coach Matt Campbell. At 36, Campbell is the youngest head coach of a Power Five school after four full seasons as Toledo s coach. The Cyclones have one winning record the past 10 seasons. Baylor coach Jim Grobe. The former Wake Forest coach came out of semi-retirement for a one-year deal as acting head coach. TCU quarterback Kenny Hill. After initially thrilling Texas A&M when succeeding Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, Hill gets a fresh start near home. Texas offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert. Gilbert brings a philosophy to be fast and physical, have fun and score points after initially balking at the job. On the hot seat Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia. The Mountaineers came into the Big 12 after sharing consecutive Big East titles, and a 10-3 debut season for Holgorsen. They are since, in league games. Charlie Strong, Texas. The Longhorns haven t had three consecutive losing seasons since If they match that, Strong (11-14 so far) could be three-andout in Austin.

9 BIG 12 CONFERENCE COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 9 GAME OF THE WEEK #10 Notre Dame vs. Texas Texas looks for strong start against Notre Dame Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly apparently couldn t make up his mind about his quarterback situation and will play two. Texas coach Charlie Strong may or may not have made a decision on his starter at quarterback, but he isn t saying who. Such is the situation as the Fighting Irish and Longhorns prepare for Sunday s season opener at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Kelly said veterans DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire will split duties for the 10th-ranked Irish, who are coming off a 10-3 season that ended with a loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. They have both have been outstanding, they both make plays, Kelly said. They both are playmakers. We would just continue to practice and continue to see both of these guys make plays. So we re going to play both of them at Texas. Kelly said last season he felt a two-quarterback system was not a path to failure, whereas much coaches follow the football mantra that if you have two quarterbacks, you have none. Perhaps Kelly is challenging both players, but he said this week he truly wants to find out if one or both are ready for primetime. Kizer replaced Zaire in the 2015 opener and helped the Irish to a 10-3 record last season. Kelly is playing his cards so close to the vest that he even said he would consider putting the quarterbacks on the field at the same time. Though Strong didn t reveal any choice, he really has just one legitimate option. Texas senior quarterback Tyrone Swoopes hasn t shown the ability to command the position the last two seasons. That means it will likely be true freshman Shane Buechele s turn. If Buechele does start against Notre Dame, he will be the first true freshman to start for the Longhorns since Bobby Layne in But that s what Texas fans are hoping to see. Anything less will not sit easy, but that won t be Strong s determining factor. The fans, they ll be fine, Strong said. Both of those guys are competing. It s been a great matchup. Our team s Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer looks to throw a pass against Temple, Oct. 31, WHAT TO KNOW What s at stake Texas coach Charlie Strong s future. After consecutive losing seasons no Longhorns coach has had three in a row since the 1950s the third-year coach has a national stage to sink or make a statement the program is turning around. Notre Dame can t afford early stumbles to struggling programs if it wants to be a national playoff contender in December. Key matchup Notre Dame freshman S Devin Studstill vs. Texas WR John Burt. Studstill must protect the secondary against the deep ball, which is sure to come in new Texas offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert s game plan. Burt is Texas top target, a 6-foot-3 speedster who finished second in the Big 12 in the 110-meter hurdles. Texas will look to him to stretch the field. Players to watch Notre Dame: QBs DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire. Both are proven playmakers. Only one can start. Coach Brian Kelly has been mysterious about that and it hasn t set well with either one. Kelly s approach could be bold or backfire if neither player developed good chemistry with the offense around him. Texas: LB Malik Jefferson. The Texas defense was among the worst in school history going to know who the starting quarterback is. Those aren t the only issues with the two teams, of course The Irish have among the fewest number of returning starters in the country after losing their top rusher, three leading receivers, four top tacklers, a sack leader and several offensive line standouts. So Kelly is taking a backto-basics approach. Chuck Noll made it famous with his football team with the Steelers, but that s true with this team, Kelly said. If they just do the basics the ordinary things and they do them very well, this is going to be a good football team. Strong, meanwhile, is looking for a turnaround for his Longhorns, who struggled through a 5-7 campaign in 2015 that began with a 38-3 whipping at Notre Dame. But Strong said that the team s attitude has changed since last season as has the intensity and the bond among the players and coaches. We re not that team anymore, Strong said, referring to the 2015 squad. That s not us. We re a totally different team than we were last season. This will be the 12th meeting between the two storied programs. The Irish hold a 9-2 advantage in the series and have won all four prior games played in Austin. The Irish also have won the last five meetings. and desperately needs a big year from the sophomore who is already slated as one of the top players in the Big 12. His pass rushing and run-stuffing tackles will be important to getting Texas off the field on third down. Facts & figures Texas is 3-8 against ranked opponents the last two years... Notre Dame is starting the season with a true road game for the first time in 10 years... Texas will introduce its new live longhorn steer mascot Bevo XV after his predecessor passed away last year from cancer. Betting line Notre Dame by 3 2 AP PHOTOS In this April 16 photo, Texas quarterback Shane Buechele scrambles for yards during Texas spring game. THIS WEEK S SCHEDULE *All times Eastern Friday Northwestern State at Baylor, 7:30 p.m. Kansas State at Stanford, 9 p.m. Saturday Missouri at West Virginia, Noon Oklahoma at Houston, Noon Southeastern Louisiana at Oklahoma State, 3:30 p.m. Rhode Island at Kansas, 7 p.m. Northern Iowa at Iowa State, 8 p.m. South Dakota State at TCU, 8 p.m. Steven F. Austin at Texas Tech, 8 p.m. Sunday Notre Dame at Texas, 7:30 p.m. STANDINGS Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA Baylor Iowa St Kansas Kansas St Oklahoma Oklahoma St TCU Texas Texas Tech West Virginia AP PHOTO In this Sept. 12, 2015, photo, Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder watches from the sideline during the irst half against UTSA, in San Antonio. BIG 12 NOTEBOOK GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 15 Houston, in the Texas Kickoff Classic at NRG Stadium, home of the NFL s Texans. Oklahoma went to the College Football Playoff last season and is the overwhelming preseason favorite to win its 10th Big 12 title. The Sooners face a tough opening nonconference challenge in a game featuring top quarterbacks. The Cougars went 13-1 last season in the debut of head coach Tom Herman, who was coming off a national championship as Ohio State s offensive coordinator when he got to Houston. Baker Mayfield threw for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns for the Sooners last season, while Houston s Greg Ward Jr. was 13-0 as a starter and accounted for 38 touchdowns. Ward was one of only two FBS quarterbacks with 2,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing. BEST MATCHUP: No. 10 Notre Dame at Texas, the same matchup that was a 38-3 wipeout for Notre Dame over the Longhorns in South Bend in last year s opener. Despite that lopsided score and Texas coach Charlie Strong coming off consecutive losing seasons to start his tenure with the Longhorns, there s hope for Texas because this opener is in Austin. These are two teams needing a positive start the Irish are expected to contend for a playoff spot and both have quarterback options. The Longhorns did beat Oklahoma and Baylor away from home last season, and three of their losses were by a field goal or less. INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Kansas takes a 15-game losing streak into its opener against Rhode Island, an FCS team that went 1-10 last season.... The Big 12 returns four 1,000-yard rushers from last season Oklahoma junior Samaje Perine (1,349 yards), Iowa State sophomore Mike Warren (1,339), Baylor senior Shock Linwood (1,329) and Bears junior Johnny Jefferson (1,000).... The only three active FBS coaches with 143 wins or more at their current schools are all in the Big 12, Kansas State s Bill Snyder (193), Oklahoma s Bob Stoops (179) and TCU s Gary Patterson (143).... Oklahoma State has 18 starters back, including an offensive line with a combined 101 career starts. LONG SHOT: Kansas State at No. 8 Stanford. K-State is a two-touchdown underdog Friday night when the Wildcats play the highest-ranked nonconference opponent they have ever faced in a season-opening road game. It is only the seventh time they have a true road nonconference game against a Power Five school since 1989, coach Bill Snyder s first season. IMPACT PERFORMER: Defensive end Noble Nwachukwu has started 26 of his 35 games at West Virginia. He had 8 1/2 sacks and 13 tackles for loss last season for a Mountaineers defense that will open the season at home against SEC team Missouri, which was in the Big 12 before WVU joined the league.

10 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 10 PAC-12 CONFERENCE 2015 IN REVIEW Arizona Wildcats Final record: 7-6. In a year with large expectations, the Wildcats started off 3-0 before a pair of losses to UCLA and Stanford led to a 3-6 stretch. After finishing the regular season with a loss to rival Arizona State, the Wildcats finished with a win over New Mexico in the New Mexico Bowl. Arizona State Sun Devils Final record: 6-7. The Sun Devils embarked on a rollercoaster season, starting off 4-2 before a three-game losing streak sent them to 4-5, followed by a two-game winning streak that sent them to 6-5. They closed out the regular season with a loss to Cal and finished with a loss to West Virginia in the Cactus Bowl. California Golden Bears Final record: 8-5. After starting 5-0 and climbing into the polls, the Bears went on to drop five of their next six games, before finishing the regular season with a win over Arizona State and then rolling to a victory over Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl. Colorado Buffaloes Final record: 4-9. After a 3-1 start to the season, the Buffaloes struggled mightily, losing eight of their last nine while finishing their regular season with a loss to Utah. Oregon Ducks Final record: 9-4. The Ducks struggled to gain traction early as they adjusted to life without Marcus Mariota. After alternating wins and losses through their first six games, the Ducks went on to win their final six regular season games before losing a triple overtime thriller to TCU in the Alamo Bowl. Oregon State Beavers Final record: was pretty much a lost season for the Beavers. After a week three win over San Jose State pushed the Beavers to 2-1, they went on to lose their final nine games in mostly emphatic fashion. Stanford Cardinal Final record: The Cardinal bounced back from a season-opening road loss to Northwestern to win their next eight games and climb into the top 10 in the polls. After a loss to Oregon set them back, the Cardinal rolled off another three-game winning streak, including a win over No. 4 Notre Dame. After being left out of the College Football Playoff, the Cardinal took out their frustration on Iowa in a Rose Bowl victory. UCLA Bruins Final record: 8-5. After winning a top-20 matchup against Arizona to move to 4-0, the Bruins went on to split their final eight games of the regular season, ending with a loss to rival USC with the Pac-12 South on the line. The Bruins finished the season with a loss to Nebraska in the Foster Farms Bowl. USC Trojans Final record: 8-6. The Trojans started off with an up-and-down early stretch, during which head coach Steve Sarkisian was let go, and a 3-3 record. After winning four of their next five games, the Trojans pulled away from UCLA to win the Pac-12 South. They followed with a loss to Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship and a loss to Wisconsin in the Holilday Bowl. Utah Utes Final record: The Utes began the season 6-0, with a road win over Oregon helping vault them into the top 5. After a loss at USC knocked them from the ranks of the undefeated, the Utes went 3-2 in their next five games to close out the regular season. They wrapped up their season with a win over rival BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl. Washington Huskies Final record: 7-6. The Huskies mostly alternated wins and losses throughout 2015, with wins over then-no. 17 USC and a season finale rivalry win over then-no. 20 Washington State to boast about. The Huskies finished their season with a win over Southern Miss in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Washington State Cougars Final record: 9-4. A season-opening home loss to FCS foe Portland State got the Cougars off to a rough start, though they would recover to eight of their next 10 games, with close losses to then-no. 24 Cal and then-no.8 Stanford. They finished their regular season with a loss to rival Washington in the Apple Cup before beating ACC foe Miami in the Sun Bowl. With no clear favorite, Pac-12 promises memorable fall race LOS ANGELES Stanford coach David Shaw only needed a few words to epitomize why his Cardinal are the Pac-12 football favorites this fall and also why that distinction doesn t mean much. I think we have a chance to be a good team, but we re a team in flux, Shaw said after learning his Cardinal had won the preseason media poll. The West Coast s top league is wide open heading into the fall, with a half-dozen legitimate title contenders and no overwhelming favorite. Every team has major questions at key positions, but nobody seems better prepared to answer them than the ever-resourceful Cardinal. Stanford is the defending champion of the conference and the Rose Bowl, and running back Christian McCaffrey might be the nation s top player. It s still not enough to make them prohibitive favorites to repeat in a conference that could end up without a playoff representative again despite several quality teams. Parity is the enemy of excellence, and the Pac-12 is full of teams with big positives and big question marks. Two-thirds of the league began training camps with uncertainty at quarterback, and the league doesn t appear to possess any dominant defenses. It could be a recipe for tight division races, memorable Saturday finishes and a crackerjack conference title game. The favorites NORTH: Stanford has McCaffrey, but less than 10 other returning starters, including no tested quarterbacks. The Cardinal also must fight through a brutal schedule while fending off challenges from Oregon and Washington, who both could contend with just a few breaks. The Huskies are the popular pick to surge in their third season under Chris Petersen, while the Ducks always have enough talent despite no clear starting quarterback. SOUTH: Although Utah is a serious contender, the division race could come down to the annual crosstown showdown between UCLA and USC at the Rose Bowl on Nov. 19. The Bruins had too many injuries on defense to contend last season, but quarterback Josh Rosen is ready to blossom into a national star. They could be ready to knock off the talented Trojans, who must play Alabama, Stanford and Utah away from home in September. Top players Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey. After one of the most spectacular individual seasons in conference history, the do-everything Heisman Trophy finalist is back to doing everything again. UCLA QB Josh Rosen. A new PREDICTIONS offensive scheme should mean bigger plays and more chances for Chosen Rosen to shine. USC WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Trojans annual turmoil has obscured the career of the next brilliant pass-catcher in USC s long lineage, but he has a chance to get everybody s attention this fall. Oregon RB Royce Freeman. After setting the Ducks single-season rushing record last year, he will shoulder a heavy load during a possible transition season. Utah DL Lowell Lotulelei. The consummate space-eating lineman from a powerful football family is back to clog lanes on one of the nation s top defensive fronts. Washington QB Jake Browning. The Huskies preseason popularity hinges partly on the gifted sophomore, who appears poised to break out with an improved offense. Washington State QB Luke Falk. The big-armed passer might be the man who can lead coach Mike Leach s offense into title contention. New faces Oregon QB Dakota Prukop. The Montana State transfer is the favorite to follow Marcus Mariota and Vernon Adams, but he has two capable competitors for the job at the controls of the Ducks remarkable offense. Arizona defensive coordinator Marcel Yates. Rich Rodriguez is rebuilding his defense with the former Boise State coordinator, but he could need more than one season to fix everything. USC coach Clay Helton. He s far from new, but the veteran assistant is in his first full season in charge of the Trojans, with a roster in flux and a sadistic schedule. On the hot seat Sonny Dykes, California. No coach in the Pac-12 is in imminent trouble as the season begins, but Dykes certainly could use a strong year after Jared Goff s departure to solidify his rebuilding program with the Golden Bears. Mike MacIntyre, Colorado. Likewise, the Buffaloes coach s rebuilding project probably would benefit greatly from a.500 season or heck, even three Pac-12 victories in the same season for the first time since North Champion South Champion Pac-12 Champion Stanford UCLA AP FILE PHOTOS UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen looks for a receiver during the second half against California on Oct. 22, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. In this Oct. 3, 2015, photo, Stanford s Christian McCafrey runs against Arizona in Stanford, Calif. Stanford

11 PAC-12 CONFERENCE COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 11 GAME OF THE WEEK #20 USC vs. #1 Alabama No. 1 Alabama going for perfect 10 Saban opener vs. USC ARLINGTON, Texas Topranked Alabama has never lost an opener under Nick Saban. And the Crimson Tide s last two national championships, including a season ago, started at the home of the NFL s Dallas Cowboys. Maybe Crimson Tide fans should go ahead and make plans for Tampa in January for the next College Football Playoff title game. Many of them probably already have even before the start of Saban s 10th season. Alabama opens Saturday night at AT&T Stadium against 20thranked Southern California, which is facing an SEC team for the first time in 10 years. It is the seventh of Saban s openers to be played in a neutral site against team from another Power Five conference the Tide have won all of those first six at least double figures. That includes beating Michigan in 2012 and Wisconsin last September in the stadium where they also won the CFP semifinal in the Cotton Bowl last New Year s Eve. Well, I d rather play here in Tuscaloosa, Saban said this week on campus. The issue is getting people to play you in Tuscaloosa that are quality opponents, and then when you do home-andhome. That means next year we d have to play in California. So next year we wouldn t make any money, this year we would. This is a business decision but it s also a program decision in the tremendous amount of exposure, when you play a quality opponent like USC. The Tide have won four national titles under Saban. The first was in 2008, when the Trojans won their last Pac-12 title. USC has seven wins in its history against No. 1 teams, but the last was in What an unbelievable opportunity. You look at the sacrifices this team made, the things it s gone through to get here, and you can t help being excited about it, said Clay Helton, who goes into his first game of his first season as the Trojans permanent coach. That s why you come to SC. If you don t like the challenge, you don t take the job. Some other things to know when Alabama and USC go head-to-head for the first time since 1985: New QBs USC s Max Browne has won the job to replace Cody Kessler but has attempted only 19 passes in nine games. Alabama s starter is a mystery, either junior Cooper Bateman or redshirt freshman Blake Barnett. If Saban has picked a guy, he isn t saying just like the past two years when Blake Sims and then Jake Coker claimed the jobs through game performances. Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) celebrates a catch against Florida during the irst half of the 2015 Southeastern Conference championship game. WHAT TO KNOW What s at stake Defending national champion Alabama would like to show it s the team to beat once again, and that the Crimson Tide s new starting quarterback either Cooper Bateman or Blake Barnett is capable of leading the way. The Trojans, who have seven wins over No. 1 teams, could make a huge statement to open Clay Helton s first full season. They re targeting the program s first Pac-12 title since Key matchup USC s offensive line versus Alabama s defensive front seven. The Trojans return all five starters but Chuma Edoga will start at left tackle instead of injured senior Chad Wheeler. They will face a deep group led by dangerous pass rushers Jonathan Allen and Tim Williams. Players to watch USC: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster is coming off a huge season with 89 catches for 1,454 yards and 10 touchdowns. He ll lead a deep receiving corps for QB Max Browne that faces a talented Tide secondary led by S Eddie Jackson and CBs Minkah Fitzpatrick and Marlon Humphrey. Alabama: RBs Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris take over for the departed Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. They had a combined 261 rushing yards as freshmen but are former five-star recruits who need to take the pressure off the Tide s quarterback early in the season. Kiffin s old team Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is plenty familiar with the Trojans, having coached 19 members of the USC team. He s a former USC head coach and assistant. It won t be about me, just like it wasn t about me when we were at Tennessee, Kiffin said early in preseason camp. It s not about coach when we go to LSU. It s about our players playing really well. All we can do is put our players in the best position to win. New but familiar New Trojans head coach Clay Helton has been on their staff since There is also a new offensive coordinator (Tee Martin) and new defensive coordinator (Clancy Pendergast), and like Helton, neither are strangers at USC. Martin has been on staff there since 2012, and Pendergast was previously the Trojans defensive coordinator in 2013, before returning to the NFL the past two seasons. Prolific receivers If the quarterbacks are unproven, their top targets are pretty obvious. USC s Browne has JuJu Smith- Schuster, who flirted with 1,500 receiving yards and has impressed Saban all the way around. A bigtime guy, the coach said. Kind of a Dez Bryant-type of receiver, and he s certainly going to be a challenge for us to guard. Alabama counters with Calvin Ridley, who emerged as one of the SEC s best as a freshman. Ridley is also taking over returning punts. Opening streaks The Crimson Tide s streak of season-opening wins is even longer than Saban s tenure. They have won their last 14 openers overall, which is three fewer than USC s streak of 17 consecutive seasons with a win in the first game. Facts & figures It s the first meeting between these teams since USC has won its past 17 openers, and Alabama owns a 14-year streak of its own.... Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is a former USC assistant and head coach who has coached 19 current Trojans. USC offensive line coach Neil Callaway played on Bear Bryant s Alabama team that beat the top-ranked Trojans in The quarterbacks USC s Browne and Alabama s combo of Bateman/Barnett have thrown a combined 71 collegiate passes. Barnett hasn t played in a game.... Alabama twice played in Arlington last season, beating Wisconsin in the opener and Michigan State in the playoff semifinals. Betting line Alabama by 11 2 AP PHOTOS In this Dec. 30, 2015, photo, Southern California wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster catches the ball against Wisconsin in the Holiday Bowl. THIS WEEK S SCHEDULE *All times Eastern Thursday Southern Utah at Utah, 8 p.m. Oregon State at Minnesota, 9 p.m. Friday Colorado State at Colorado, 8 p.m. Kansas State at Stanford, 9 p.m. Saturday Rutgers at Washington, 2 p.m. UCLA at Texas A&M, 3:30 p.m. UC Davis at Oregon, 5 p.m. Southern Cal vs. Alabama, 8 p.m. Eastern Washington at Washington State, 8 p.m. Brigham Young at Arizona, 10:30 p.m. Northern Arizona at Arizona State, 10:45 p.m. STANDINGS NORTH Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA California Oregon Oregon St Stanford Washington Washngton St SOUTH Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA Ariz. St Arizona Colorado Southern Cal UCLA Utah High expectations for Utah pass game after years of futility SALT LAKE CITY The Utah receiving corps has been a laughingstock in recent years and Tim Patrick is sick of it. The unit and the passing game in general has struggled to progress since the program joined the Pac-12 in Utah s pass offense has ranked dead last in the conference three times in five seasons and was No. 11 in The high point was a No. 9 ranking in 2013, the only year of Pac-12 membership where the Utes have averaged more than 200 passing yards per game. Patrick insisted 2016 will be different for Utah, which hosts Southern Utah in the season opener Thursday. Utah is known for being the worst passing team in the Pac-12, Patrick said. That s disrespectful to me and all the other receivers. To me, that s telling me that I suck and I don t belong in the Pac-12. So, it s for sure a chip on my shoulder. (We re) completely disrespected. When they talk about Utah, it s not Utah offense. It s Utah front-seven and Utah 22 picks last year.... We re here to quiet that rumor down and let offense be the main priority of the team. Utah will have new starters at every offensive skill position, but that s not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to the passing game. Transfer Troy Williams won the quarterback job and has been named a captain despite just arriving on campus in January. Patrick is healthy after injuries limited him to just 16 catches in 2014 and Tyrone Smith and slot receiver Kyle Fulks are listed as the other two starters, but Cory Butler-Byrd was a starter before being suspended because of a criminal mischief case. There is concern because Utah will be without 2015 leading receiver Britain Covey, who left on a two-year Mormon church mission. But with new receivers coach Guy Holliday leading the unit, expectations are high within the program. It s been a point of emphasis ever since last season ended, coach Kyle Whittingham said. It s gotten much more attention in practice than ever before.... In practice, we re there. But that s just practice. Far more competitive nature by the receivers. Practicing with a great deal of intensity and purpose. Far fewer drops. Big play capability seems to be definitely on the rise. Whittingham said there is no one reason the group has improved and he credited Holliday for having a personality that fits well with this particular group. Some of the optimism comes from the sheer physical nature of the position. Patrick and Caleb Repp are both 6-foot-5 and Smith is 6-4 and all have good speed for their size. Raelon Singleton is 6-3, 215 pounds. We might be the biggest receiving corps in the Pac-12, Patrick said. People will have problems getting the ball away from us. The Utes will break in a new full-time starting quarterback for the first time since 2012, but there doesn t seem to be much trepidation surrounding Williams. The Santa Monica College transfer was named the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback recruit by Rivals.com in 2013 and he played five games at Washington before playing a season at the junior college. He s got the athleticism to move but is a pocket-passer with enough arm to hit the deep ball. Whittingham said Williams was on track to be named the starter during the spring until an injury forced the competition into the fall. He s a guy that does everything you look for in a quarterback, Whittingham said.

12 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 12 SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE 2015 IN REVIEW Alabama Crimson Tide Final record: was business as usual for the Crimson Tide. After another early season stumble against Ole Miss, the Crimson Tide went on to win their next 9 regular season games by an average of 22.6 points per game before dominating Florida in the SEC Championship. After a dominating 38-0 win over Michigan State in the first round of the College Football Playoffs, Alabama held on for a thrilling win over Clemson in the National Championship. Arkansas Razorbacks Final record: 8-5. After a rough 2-4 start, the Razorbacks bounced back by winning five of their last six games including road wins over then-no. 19 Ole MIss and then-no. 9 LSU. The Razorbacks finished the season with a win over Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl. Auburn Tigers Final record: 7-6. A season with great expectations became a rollercoaster ride for the Tigers. Auburn essentially alternated wins and losses throughout the season, finishing the regular season with a loss to rival Alabama in the Iron Bowl, before a win over Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl. Florida Gators Final record: In the first year under new head coach Jim McElwain, the Gators surged back into the top 10 in the polls after a 6-0 start. After a road loss to then-no. 6 LSU, the Gators won their next four games before a loss to rival Florida State to end their regular season. Losses to Alabama in the SEC Championship and Michigan in the Citrus Bowl saw the Gators end the season on a three-game losing streak. Georgia Bulldogs Final record: A 4-0 start saw the Bulldogs climb to the top 10 in the polls before a stretch of four games saw losses to Alabama, Tennessee and Florida. The Bulldogs recovered to win their final five games, including a win over Penn State in the TaxSlayer Bowl. Kentucky Wildcats Final record: 5-7. The Wildcats started the season 4-1 with only a loss to Florida in their first five games. Things fell apart after that, with the Wildcats losing six of their final seven games, including a loss to Louisville to finsih their season. LSU Tigers Final record: 9-3. After starting the season 7-0 and reaching No. 2 in the polls, a loss in a showdown with then-no. 4 Alabama started a three-game losing streak that dropped the Tigers from the polls. They recovered to win their final two games, including a win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. Mississippi State Bulldogs Final record: 9-4. At 7-2 through nine games, the Bulldogs were at No. 20 in the polls with a chance to make a run at the SEC West crown before losing to then-no.2 Alabama and then losing to rival Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl to end the regular season. They ended the season with a bang, beating NC State in the Belk Bowl. Missouri Tigers Final record: 5-7. The Tigers got off to a fast start, getting to 3-0 and cracking the polls before a loss to Kentucky. After beating South Carolina the next week, things fell apart as the Tigers went on to lose six of their last seven games. Ole Miss Rebels Final record: A week three win over then-no. 2 Alabama moved the Rebels to 3-0 and vaulted them to No. 3 in the polls the following week. A 4-3 stretch over the next seven games knocked the Rebels from SEC title contention, but they finished the season on a three-game winning streak, including a Sugar Bowl win over Oklahoma State. South Carolina Gamecocks Final record: 3-9. The 2015 season was a tough campaign that saw coach Steve Spurrier step down after six games, as well as a five-game losing streak to end the season that included a home loss to FCS foe The Citadel. Tennessee Volunteers Final record: 9-4. After a 3-4 start with late losses to Oklahoma, Florida and Alabama, the Volunteers hit their stride, winning their last five regular season games before a blowout 45-6 win over No. 12 Northwestern in the Outback Bowl. Texas A&M Aggies Final record: 8-5. The Aggies won their first five games climbing into the top 10 in the polls. Back-to-back top 25 losses to Alabama and Ole Miss started a 3-3 stretch to close out the regular season before taking a loss to Louisville in the Music City Bowl. Vanderbilt Commodores Final record: 4-8. A midseason win over Missouri moved the Commodores to 3-4 before they finished the season losing four of their last five games, ending the season with loss to in-state rival Tennessee. Alabama, SEC trying to stay in college football s penthouse A postseason rampage put both Alabama and the Southeastern Conference back on top in college football last season. Now, the trick will be staying there with three new coaches in the East and quarterback uncertainty across much of the league, including at Bama. The Crimson Tide is once again the team to beat in the league, and perhaps nationally, after claiming the SEC s eighth national title in 10 seasons. That broke a two-year drought for the league, which went 9-2 in the postseason counting the Tide s playoff wins over Michigan State and Clemson. Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen doesn t think coach Nick Saban will let complacency set in. The biggest thing at Alabama is that if you don t have hunger, Allen said, then you re not going to start this year. It s a luxury afforded by a string of top-rated recruiting classes, even with an unproven backfield. Tennessee and Mississippi, who have the SEC s most accomplished returning passers in Joshua Dobbs and Chad Kelly, are trying to continue climbing the ranks. Longtime Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart is now trying to get Georgia over the hump. Will Muschamp s back in the SEC East at South Carolina and Barry Odom is trying to lead a comeback to division contention at Missouri. In the West, Auburn and Texas A&M are trying to bounce back while LSU aims for a stronger finish. The favorites East: Tennessee. Butch Jones has positioned the Volunteers, led by Dobbs, as front-runners for their first division title since They have 17 starters back from a team that went 9-4. Florida is the defending champion while three of the seven teams have new coaches. Unlike Tennessee, potential challengers Florida and Georgia entered fall camp without an established No. 1 quarterback. West: Alabama. The defending national champions, as PREDICTIONS East Champion West Champion SEC Champion Tennessee usual, have talent all over the field. Cooper Bateman is the only quarterback with college experience, but Blake Barnett and David Cornwell were highly rated recruits. The division is typically loaded with coach Les Miles and Leonard Fournette trying to lead LSU back from late-season stumbles. Kelly helps make Mississippi which has beaten the Tide two straight years a strong threat, too. Alabama Top players Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU. Consensus All-American flirted with a 2,000-yard season and was a big Heisman Trophy favorite early last season. A more consistent passing game would help him out. Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M. In LSU running back Leonard Fournette (7) gets past Syracuse cornerback Wayne Morgan (2) for a touchdown in the irst half, Sept. 26, 2015, in Syracuse, N.Y. Mississippi quarterback Chad Kelly dives in for a touchdown against Alabama linebacker Shaun Hamilton during the irst half, Sept. 19, 2015, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. AP PHOTOS a league full of elite pass rushers, he may be the best. Has 24 sacks in two seasons. Cam Robinson, LT, Alabama. Started every game in his first two seasons and will be blocking for a new backfield. Chad Kelly, QB, Mississippi. Sugar Bowl MVP had third-most passing and total yards of any SEC quarterback in a season. Nick Chubb/Sony Michel, RBs, Georgia. Both are trying to return from injuries, and both have posted huge numbers when healthy. New faces Kirby Smart, Georgia. The standard was made crystal clear when Mark Richt was fired after winning double-digit games nine times in 15 seasons. Smart will be chasing his mentor, Saban. Trevor Knight, QB, Texas A&M. The former Oklahoma starter could be the biggest on-field addition for any SEC team. Doesn t hurt that he once led a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama. He and fellow sophomore Damien Harris are vying to replace Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. It s the first time Saban hasn t had an experienced back returning. On the hot seat Gus Malzahn, Auburn. Three years removed from an SEC title, he s been unable to beat the top teams since. Quarterback struggles held back his normally prolific, fast offense last season. Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M. An record in SEC games over the past three seasons and trouble holding onto quarterbacks could at least make it lukewarm. Les Miles, LSU. Last year s groundswell of support and a talented roster make him secure at least until the next three-game losing streak. Derek Mason, Vanderbilt. Two SEC wins in as many seasons but 16 returning starters, including RB Ralph Webb and LB Zach Cunningham. Alabama

13 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 13 SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE GAME OF THE WEEK #2 Clemson vs. Auburn Watson, No. 2 Clemson open in SEC country against Auburn AUBURN, Ala. Deshaun Watson and Clemson pick up where they left off last season sort of. The second-ranked Tigers open against another Southeastern Conference team from the state of Alabama, visiting Auburn Saturday night hoping to resume their pursuit of a national title and, perhaps, a Heisman Trophy for Watson. They finished an otherwise unblemished season with a loss to Alabama in the national championship game. Watson was at his playmaking best in racking up nearly 500 total yards against one of the nation s top defenses. The task now will be to beat an Auburn team seeking redemption after a disappointing season. It s a big challenge out of the gate for us, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. Not so big as the one Swinney s Tigers faced to finish off last season. Auburn opens picked to finish sixth in the Southeastern Conference Western Division after flopping last season amid much higher expectations. Auburn also lost its top three rushers from last season to a dismissal, a transfer and an early entry into the NFL draft. The receivers are mostly unknown, and Sean White won a renewed quarterback battle after throwing one touchdown pass in five starts last season. It makes for a tough opening challenge for coach Gus Malzahn s team. Swinney points out that openers carry a certain amount of mystery for both sides. There are a lot of unknowns, he said. They have players we don t know a lot about, and we have players they don t know a lot about. You don t ever really know until you see a team for two or three games. Here are some things to watch in the Clemson-Auburn matchup: Watson s encore? Watson enters the season among the favorites to win the Heisman after a third-place finish. His 478-yard performance passing and rushing in the title game was nearly enough to pull off the win. Their quarterback is one of the best players in college football, if not the best player, Malzahn said. And Auburn? White beat out Jeremy Johnson and junior college transfer John Franklin III to emerge as the starter. Of the three, Franklin is the biggest rushing threat and could potentially play in a Wildcat role though Malzahn has been mum on Auburn quarterback Sean White (13) celebrates with Auburn running back Peyton Barber (25) after Barber scored a touchdown San Jose State, Oct. 3, WHAT TO KNOW What s at stake Clemson is hoping to mount another run to the national title game and win this time. It could also be the first notch in QB Deshaun Watson s Heisman Trophy campaign. Auburn is trying to rebound from a disappointing season that may have left coach Gus Malzahn needing improvement to secure his job. Key matchup Auburn s defense vs. Watson. Watson racked up 478 yards of total offense in the national championship game against Alabama and is major college football s first single-season 4,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher. He ll face a defense that figures to be improved with a deep, talented front line led by DE Carl Lawson and DT Montravius Adams. Freshman Marlon Davidson is slated to start opposite Lawson. FS Stephen Roberts is suspended. Players to watch Clemson: RB Wayne Gallman returns after setting a Clemson record with 1,527 rushing yards. Auburn was 11th in the SEC against the run last season. Auburn: QB Sean White won a three-man competition for the starting job and will have to find ways to keep up with Clemson s high-powered offense. White threw only one touchdown pass last season and his supporting cast includes an unproven group at both receiver and tailback. the pecking order behind White. White has impressed Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables. He s a quality, quality player, Venables said. He beat out Deshaun at the Elite 11 for top quarterback. He s got that it. He s a very good leader, all the qualities that you love. The intangibles, his toughness, his confidence, he makes everybody around him better. Seeing Steele Swinney will face one of his former defensive coordinators in Kevin Steele, now leading Auburn s defense. Steele spent three seasons under Swinney and helped the Tigers to the 2011 Atlantic Coast Conference title. But soon after Clemson was embarrassed by West Virginia in the Orange Bowl, Swinney fired Steele and replaced him with Venables. Steele skipped his normal session with reporters this week. Tailback comparisons Wayne Gallman is coming off a school record-setting season, 1,500-yard season for Clemson. Auburn is high on Kerryon Johnson but he had only 52 carries as a freshman, vaulting to the starting spot when Jovon Robinson was kicked off the team in preseason camp. Getting defensive Auburn has struggled defensively in recent seasons but Steele s side of the ball might be the team s strength. Veteran defenders Carl Lawson, Montravius Adams and Johnathan Ford are all back and joined by Illinois graduate transfer T.J. Neal at linebacker. Facts & figures Clemson matches the 1952 Maryland team as the highest ranking nonconference opponent Auburn has faced in the regular season. That was also an opening game. Auburn hasn t beaten a nonconference regular season opponent ranked higher than No. 4 Florida State in Clemson has won the past two meetings after dropping 14 straight.... Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele held the same post at Clemson from Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has won six games over SEC opponents over the past five years, the most of any coach from another league. Clemson by 7 2 Betting line AP PHOTOS This Nov. 28, 2015, photo shows Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson scrambling out of the pocket looking for a receiver during the second half against South Carolina. THIS WEEK S SCHEDULE *All times Eastern Thursday Appalachian State at Tennessee, 7:30 p.m. South Carolina at Vanderbilt, 8 p.m. Saturday Missouri at West Virginia, 12 p.m. South Alabama at Mississippi State, 12 p.m. LSU at Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. UCLA at Texas A&M, 3:30 p.m. Louisiana Tech at Arkansas, 4 p.m. North Carolina at Georgia, 5:30 p.m. Southern Miss at Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. Massachusetts at Florida, 7:30 p.m. USC vs. Alabama, 8 p.m. Clemson at Auburn, 9 p.m. Monday Ole Miss vs. Florida State, 8 p.m. STANDINGS EAST Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA Florida Georgia Kentucky Missouri S.Carolina Tennessee Vanderbilt WEST Conference All Games W L PF PA W L PF PA Alabama Arkansas Auburn LSU Mississippi Mississippi St Texas A&M SEC NOTEBOOK GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 11 Mississippi vs. No. 4 Florida State in Orlando, Florida. The Rebels are involved in one of the nation s premier games this week, facing the Seminoles on Monday night at the Citrus Bowl. Ole Miss returns QB Chad Kelly, who threw for more than 4,000 yards last season. Florida State will counter with redshirt freshman Deondre Francois, who will be making his first career start under center. Francois will have help on offense: RB Dalvin Cook returns after running for 1,691 yards last season. MATCHUP OF THE WEEK: UCLA offensive tackle Conor McDermott vs. Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett: McDermott, a fifth-year senior, earned second-team all-pac-12 honors last season as part of an offensive line that yielded only 14 sacks. McDermott will have his hands full Saturday lining up against Garrett, arguably the nation s premier pass rusher. Garrett recorded 11 2 sacks as a freshman in 2014 and followed that up by delivering 12 2 sacks and 19 2 tackles for loss last season. NUMBERS GAME: The SEC owns a record and an.818 winning percentage since That s the highest nonconference winning percentage of any league during that stretch.... No. 5 LSU owns an FBS record 52 consecutive regular-season nonconference victories heading into Saturday s game with Wisconsin. LSU hasn t lost a regular-season nonconference game since falling 26-8 to Virginia Tech in its 2002 opener.... No. 9 Tennessee is in the top 10 for the first time since it was ranked eighth on Oct. 29, Missouri s visit to West Virginia marks the first time the Tigers have opened the season with a true road game since a loss at Texas in No. 25 Florida has the lowest preseason ranking ever of a defending SEC East champion. Missouri was ranked 24th to start each of the last two seasons as a defending East Division champion. LONG SHOT: Wisconsin vs. No. 5 LSU: LSU should be really good this season, but it s still surprising to see Wisconsin as a 10-point underdog, especially when it s essentially a home game for the Badgers at Lambeau Field. LSU has one of the nation s best running backs in Leonard Fournette, but needs improvement from junior quarterback Brandon Harris, who threw for 2,165 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. IMPACT PERFORMER: Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason: This true freshman from Lake Stevens, Washington, is competing with graduate student Greyson Lambert for the right to start No. 18 Georgia s season opener Saturday against No. 22 North Carolina in Atlanta. Eason, who enrolled at Georgia in time to participate in spring practice, went 19 of 29 for 244 yards and a touchdown in the Bulldogs spring game.

14 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 14 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE THIS WEEK S SCHEDULE *All times Eastern Thursday Tulane at Wake Forest, 7 p.m. Tennessee-Martin at Cincinnati, 7 p.m. Maine at Connecticut, 7 p.m. Friday Army at Temple, 7 p.m. Saturday Oklahoma at Houston, Noon Fordham at Navy, Noon Western Carolina at East Carolina, 6 p.m. Towson at South Florida, 7 p.m. Southeast Missouri State at Memphis, 7 p.m. San Jose State at Tulsa, 7 p.m. SMU at North Texas, 7 p.m. South Carolina State at UCF, 7 p.m. Led by Houston, AAC tries to build on breakthrough season Houston coach Tom Herman and his defending American Athletic Conference champion Cougars have moved on from one of the best seasons in the history of the program. The words Peach Bowl are banned from the football facility. All the gear and swag the Cougars brought back from Atlanta after beating Florida State is not allowed to be worn at team gatherings. I haven t sensed an ounce of complacency, which is good, Herman said. There is a similar feeling throughout the conference as the American tries to build on a season in which the league set itself apart as the strongest outside the Power Five conferences. Temple, Memphis and Navy all spent time in the AP Top 25 and by the end of the season South Florida was playing as well as any of those teams. The AAC notched 10 wins in 2015 against Power Five conference teams, including Mississippi, Miami, Penn State and Louisville. The Cougars victory against Florida State was the highlight, a final statement that helped the American recover from what was otherwise a blah bowl season. The conference heads into 2016 with chests puffed with pride. We have forged a powerful Power Six narrative as a nationally relevant and respected conference, Commissioner Mike Aresco said. A true Power Six is not happening anytime soon, but the realistic goal for the American in 2016 is to again lock up the spot in the New Year s Six bowls that goes to the highest-ranked Group of Five conference champion. The favorites East: USF coach Willie Taggart was heading toward the hot seat before redirecting the Bulls to seven wins in eight games to end the regular season. The Bulls return the talented threesome of quarterback Quinton Flowers, running back Marlon Mack and receiver Rodney Adams and most of the back seven on defense. Temple, retooling what was the best defense in the conference last year, and Cincinnati figure to push the Bulls. UConn is hoping to improve its offense enough to be a dark horse contender. West: Houston is an overwhelming favorite to repeat. Quarterback Greg Ward Jr., who accounted for 38 touchdowns last season, returns to lead a potent offense. The defense will rely on a talented front. Contenders Memphis and Navy are both replacing star quarterbacks. Keep an eye on SMU and Tulsa with their second-year coaches and prolific offenses. Top players Ward could be a legitimate Heisman contender if he can lead the Cougars into playoff contention with big games in the opener against Oklahoma and a late-season meeting versus Louisville. QB Dane Evans, Tulsa, passed for 4,332 yards in his first season running coach Philip Montgomery s Baylor offense. RB Marlon Mack, USF, has led the American in rushing the last two seasons. DT Foley Fatukasi, UConn, eight sacks last season. QB Matt Davis, SMU, threw for 2,263 yards and 16 touchdowns and led the Mustangs with 761 yards rushing and 10 scores. GAME OF THE WEEK #3 Oklahoma vs. #15 Houston No. 15 Houston opens against No. 3 Oklahoma with stakes high Houston coach Tom Herman has spent all offseason downplaying the importance of the Cougars opener against No. 3 Oklahoma. The high-profile matchup at NRG Stadium, the home of the NFL s Texans, on Saturday won t decide a conference championship nor will it pave the way to a spot in the College Football Playoff for the winner. Just going in with the mindset that it s just another game that we will be prepared for, said Houston cornerback Brandon Wilson, toeing the company line. So, yes, there is still almost a whole season to play and the opener only counts for one. All the cliches apply. But a victory by 15th-ranked Houston unquestionably opens up a world of playoff possibilities for the much-hyped Cougars, the American Athletic Conference and maybe the Group of Five conferences in general. A loss by the Cougars and they can focus on defending that league title. The Cougars capped a 13-1 season with a victory against Florida State in the Peach Bowl in January. The buzz in Houston for the Coogs hasn t been this high since the late 1980s and early 90s. Back then it was star quarterbacks Andre Ware and David Klingler run-and-shooting their way into the record books. That era ended abruptly. Houston started the 1991 season ranked No. 12, and went into its second game of the season against No. 2 Miami ranked 10th. Instead of a breakthrough, Klingler and the Cougars got buried by the Hurricanes. Houston s preseason ranking this year is its best since 91, but the Cougars are trying to hold on to the underdog intensity they had last year when they weren t even favored to win their division. We ve tried to keep that chip on our shoulder. That kind of made us who we are, tight end Tyler McCloskey said. What will it take for Houston or any Group of Five team to reach the playoff? The playoff has only been around for two years and there hasn t been a test case yet for the selection committee. An undefeated record is probably a good start. At least one big nonconference win will be important because the quality wins the committee looks for are tough to accumulate outside Power Five leagues. A big season by the Cougars has the potential to be the story of the playoff race when the rankings start coming out in early November. That s why of all the compelling matchups in a great first weekend of the season, the stakes are highest in Houston. Things to know about the third meeting between Oklahoma and Houston: Heisman watch Trying to follow in the footsteps of Ware, Houston s only Heisman Trophy winner, is Greg Ward Jr. He was one of two FBS quarterbacks to pass for more than 2,000 yards and run for more than 1,000 last season. He accounted for 38 touchdowns. The biggest thing he does is take advantage of blitzing teams or D-ends running up field. He s just going to step up and try to get down field or get a scramble drill going, Oklahoma cornerback Dakota Austin said. Defending Big 12 champion and playoff semifinalist Oklahoma has its own Heisman contender quarterback in Baker Mayfield, who passed for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns last year and finished fourth in the Heisman voting. Both give you trouble scrambling around with their legs, Sooner coach Bob Stoops said of Mayfield and Ward. Just talented players, I think, is the number one thing you can say about them both. Go-to receivers AP PHOTOS Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. (1) runs for a 47-yard touchdown against Temple during the second quarter of the 2015 American Athletic Conference championship. Both teams enter the season looking for new No. 1 receivers to emerge after the departures of Sterling Shepard from Oklahoma and Demarcus Ayers at Houston. Expect the Sooners to get tight end Mark Andrews more involved after he caught seven touchdowns as a redshirt freshman. Penn State transfer Geno Lewis steps into a starting role at wide receiver. The Cougars will be looking for some inexperienced players to emerge and Chance Allen, who had 56 catches and 752 yards last season, to take a bigger role. New faces Tulane coach Willie Fritz. The Green Wave lured Fritz away from Georgia Southern. Don t expect a typical triple-option in New Orleans. Fritz s offenses when he was at FBS Sam Houston could air it out. East Carolina coach Scottie Montgomery. The 38-year-old former Duke offensive coordinator brings an all-business approach to the Pirates. UCF coach Scott Frost. The former Oregon offensive coordinator takes over a team that went winless last season. This rebuild is likely to take a while. Memphis coach Mike Norvell. The 34-year-old offensive coordinator from Arizona State has a tough act to follow in Justin Fuente. On the hot seat None. Another disappointing season for Tommy Tuberville at Cincinnati could generate some heat. In the AAC, it s about retaining the rising-stars the way Houston did with Herman and Temple did with Matt Rhule. How much longer can they keep those guys around? East USF Predictions Houston American Champion USF West Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayield (6) runs ahead of Iowa State defensive back Jomal Wiltz (17) as Oklahoma wide receiver Dahu Green looks to block, Nov. 7, WHAT TO KNOW What s at stake So, so much for Houston. A victory by the Cougars sets up coach Tom Herman s team to possibly make a push to become the first team outside the Power Five conferences to reach the College Football Playoff. It would also be a huge win for the American Athletic Conference as a whole and it could sting the Big 12 all season. Oklahoma has opportunities to rebound, but a loss would be a tough start for a team with national championship aspirations. Key matchup Oklahoma linebackers vs. Houston QB Greg Ward Jr. s running. Ward ran for 1,108 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. He is elusive and fast, but undersized at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds. The Sooners are relying on some new starters and inexperienced players at linebacker such as Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Tay Evans, who will need to hem in Ward. Players to watch Oklahoma: QB Baker Mayfield. The junior threw for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns, and ran for seven touchdowns last season. Mayfield finished fourth in the Heisman voting. Houston: LB Steven Taylor. The Cougars lost some key players in the back seven, but Taylor is an all-over-the-field linebacker. He had 92 tackles, 10 sacks and two interceptions last season. Facts & figures Houston has its highest preseason ranking since 1991 and Oklahoma is the highest ranked team the Cougars have ever faced to start the season. The Cougars are the highest ranked opening opponent for Oklahoma since 1986, when the Sooners faced No. 4 UCLA.... Houston has won five straight games against Power Five opponents, the longest streak in the nation for a team outside the Power Five.... Mayfield gets a lot of attention, but Oklahoma might have the best running back duo in the country in Samaje Perine (1,349 yards last season) and Joe Mixon (753)... Houston was plus-21 in turnover margin last year, second-best in the country. Oklahoma was plus-9. Betting line Oklahoma by 10 2 Freshmen Houston landed one of the best defensive line recruits in the country this year in Ed Oliver. The freshman is expected to make an immediate impact. With Oklahoma retooling at linebacker, freshman Caleb Kelly will likely see some time and Stoops said Mykel Jones will be part of the receiver rotation.

15 CONFERENCE USA COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 15 GAME OF THE WEEK Louisiana Tech vs. Arkansas Arkansas intent on fast start in opener against La. Tech THIS WEEK S SCHEDULE *All times Eastern Thursday Charlotte at Louisville, 7 p.m. Indiana at Florida International, 7:30 p.m. Rice at Western Kentucky, 8 p.m. Saturday FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. Bret Bielema doesn t plan to remind Arkansas about last year s shocking early-season loss to Toledo ahead of Saturday s season opener against Louisiana Tech. Frankly, he thinks the players have already heard enough about their slow start in Entering his fourth year at Arkansas, Bielema also thinks the deep and talented Razorbacks are primed to open the year like the team that closed last season with six wins in its final seven games. I do think that one of the things our guys have talked about is starting fast, Bielema said. Last year we didn t start fast in our first four games, and the result was we were a 1-3 team coming out of it. So, I think that element is out there good enough. Slow starts to the season have been a problem in each of the last two seasons for Arkansas, though the Razorbacks have recovered both times to earn bowl appearances. Arkansas was 4-4 two seasons ago before winning four of its final six games, and last year s strong finish came after a 2-5 start. With a first-time starting quarterback in Austin Allen, an overhauled backfield and three new starting offensive linemen, the new-look Razorbacks aren t likely to ease into this season on Saturday, either. Awaiting Arkansas is a Louisiana Tech team that s 18-9 over the last two seasons, including a 6-2 mark in Conference USA last season. However, the Bulldogs lost much of the talent that led the way to a New Orleans Bowl victory over Arkansas State last season including eight starters on defense. That said, fourth-year coach Skip Holtz is confident Louisiana Tech s established winning ways will help it contend with its lack of experience in a difficult Southeastern Conference environment. Likewise, the Razorbacks believe they are ready to continue building momentum after improving their win total in each of Bielema s first three seasons. And they are ready to show they ve learned from last year s early struggles. We always learn new things through our struggles, Arkansas running back Rawleigh Williams said. And I think that s what we learned, to keep it week by week. Louisiana Tech wider receiver Carlos Henderson (1) catches a long pass as Arkansas State defensive back Chris Humes (29) covers during the irst half of the 2015 New Orleans Bowl. Some things to watch in Saturday s opener for both teams: Higgins watch Quarterback Ryan Higgins was expected to be the starter for the Bulldogs on Saturday, but the senior while not suspended won t start following his arrest on a drunken-driving charge in early August. Instead, 6-foot-1, 222-pound freshman J Mar Smith is expected to take the first snap for Louisiana Tech after redshirting last season, though Holtz didn t rule out Higgins seeing action. Allen s debut After seeming limited action in eight games over the last two seasons, Allen will make his first start for the Razorbacks on Saturday. The fourth-year junior was named the starter by Bielema in the spring, and he succeeds his older brother, Brandon. Holtz tribute Former Arkansas coach Lou Holtz, father of Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz, will be recognized at halftime of Saturday s game. Lou Holtz coached the Razorbacks from and was I think it is an unbelievable tribute and I am excited for him, that he will have the opportunity to experience that and the appreciation of the Arkansas fans, Skip Holtz said. Defensive return After finishing 10th nationally in total defense two years ago, Arkansas fell to 58th last season allowing yards per game. The Razorbacks, led by thirdyear defensive coordinator Robb Smith and a unit that returns nine starters, believe they are poised to return to their 2014 form. Helpful Hatcher Arkansas wide receiver Keon Hatcher missed most of last season with a foot injury, but the senior will make his return on Saturday. Hatcher had 43 catches for 558 yards two seasons ago, and he s expected to pair with seniors Drew Morgan and Dominique Reed to form one of the top receiving groups in the SEC. Louisiana Tech at Arkansas, 4 p.m. Southern Illinois at Florida Atlantic, 6 p.m. Hampton at Old Dominion, 6 p.m. Alabama A&M at Middle Tennessee State, 7 p.m. SMU at North Texas, 7 p.m. Alabama State at UTSA, 7 p.m. Southern Miss at Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. New Mexico State at UTEP, 8 p.m. C-USA coaches like where they re at in same 13-team league IRVING, Texas Conference USA goes into a new season with no changes in its lineup of teams for the first time since The league has the same 13 teams that competed for the title last season, including defending champion Western Kentucky. There will be at least one change in 2017 with UAB s return after a two-season hiatus, and who knows what happens if there is another national shift of teams. The Big 12, a Power Five conference headquartered just around the corner from the C-USA office, is considering expansion of its 10-team league. We re not blind to the fact that that s kind of what has been a hot topic the last couple of years... and now it looks like it s going to pick back up, WKU coach Jeff Brohm said. If we take care of our business and try to be a contender every year in the league, eventually good things will happen, but we like exactly where we re at right now. Marshall coach Doc Holliday agrees, adding, I m not sure any of the other Group of Five is a better league than what we have right now. C-USA had 12 teams from , though some teams changed during that span. There were 14 teams in 2013 with a baker s dozen in 2014, and again last year when FBS newcomer Charlotte came in as UAB temporarily shut down its program. The favorites East Division: With a 5,000-yard passer last season, WKU averaged 50 points without losing a C-USA game. The Hilltoppers return all five starting offensive linemen, a record-setting receiver and a 1,000-yard rusher, but quarterback Brandon Doughty was a seventh-round NFL pick. WKU s toughest league games are on the road, at the other East favorites Middle Tennessee with its father-son coach-quarterback combo (Rick Stockstill is dean of C-USA coaches in his 11th season) and Marshall off three consecutive 10-win seasons and Louisiana Tech. West Division: Southern Miss was the most-improved FBS team last season, six wins better at 9-5 while winning the West and going to its first bowl game since Coach Todd Monken left for the NFL as offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, but USM s record-setting quarterback is back. Fourth-year Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz (13-3 in C-USA games the last two years) has created the kind of depth that could help the Bulldogs overcome the loss of running back Kenneth Dixon (26 total TDs) and their quarterback. Top players Southern Miss quarterback Nick Mullens. After 4,476 yards passing and 38 TDs last season, Mullens could emerge as a top NFL prospect as a senior. WKU receiver Taywan Taylor. A nice target for the Hilltoppers new quarterback after 86 catches for 1,467 yards and 17 TDs last season. Florida Athletic defensive end Trey Hendrickson. The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder, C-USA s sack leader, had more than one sack in five games. Louisiana Tech receiver Trent Taylor. Undersized at 5-8, he is big catching passes: 99 catches for 1,282 yards last year. Middle Tennessee quarterback Brent Stockstill. The lefty completed two-thirds of his passes (4,005 yards, 30 TDs, nine interceptions) as a freshman starting for his dad. New faces Marshall linebacker Davon Durant. A top junior college player who first went to Arizona State and got dismissed there, Durant could be a key player for a defense that lost seven starters. North Texas coach Seth Littrell. North Carolina s play-caller the past two seasons hopes to have the same kind of spread-out, high-scoring offense in his first head coaching job. Southern Miss coach Jay Hopson. Twice a Golden Eagles assistant in the past, Hopson was Alcorn State s coach the past four years. UTSA coach Frank Wilson. A first-time college coach after six seasons as LSU s recruiting coordinator. On the hot seat Ron Turner, FIU. The Panthers have gone from one to four to five wins under Turner. With a quarterback, running back and receiver among nine returning offensive starters, they need to be even better. Charlie Partridge, Florida Atlantic. After consecutive 3-9 seasons, the Owls have 15 returning starters from a team that lost four games by a touchdown or less. Brad Lambert, Charlotte. There are 19 fifth-year seniors who came as freshmen for the program s inception in 2012, a year before the first game. Could this be the last season as well for Lambert, after a 2-10 FBS debut last year. East Predictions West Middle Tennessee Southern Miss C-USA Champion AP PHOTOS In this Sept. 27, 2014, ile photo, Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen passes during warm ups before a game against Texas A&M. Middle Tennessee

16 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 16 INDEPENDENTS Army s Jeff Monken in year 3; likes the mix of his new team WEST POINT, N.Y. Army coach Jeff Monken is set to begin year three at the helm, which means half his roster includes players he has signed. Right now, he likes that mix. I think we re getting better as a program and better as a team, Monken said. We ve got a lot of guys that have played in games that find themselves in pretty important roles this year. We ve just got to perform, execute. Army finished last season 2-10, the finale against Navy a heartbreaking setback. It was the 14th straight defeat suffered in the series by the Black Knights, who came oh-so-close to ending the skid. Lost in the emotion of the moment was that Army quarterback Chris Carter was a freshman making only his second career start leading the complicated triple option. And he nearly led the Black Knights to victory against a heavily favored Navy team led by record-setting senior quarterback Keenan Reynolds. For a kid to not play in this offense in high school, learn the offense and the very next year he s starting in the Army-Navy game, that s a lot to ask, Army offensive coordinator Brent Davis said. It was a huge test. He really elevated his game. I think there s something there. Carter returns this season along with junior Ahmad Bradshaw, the starter in 2015 before injuries sent him to the sidelines. It s important that we start to show some improvement, Davis said. Guys that we recruited our first year... for what our vision of the offense is are working their way into the lineup. That s exciting. QB shuffle Running the option usually requires more than one quarterback to get the job done because of the punishment that goes with the position. Army seems to be set there. Bradshaw, a junior, sparkled at times (468 yards rushing with five touchdowns) when he wasn t ailing he missed four games and Carter has two big games (Rutgers was the other) under his belt. Prediction Army plays only one of its first five games at Michie Stadium Rice on Sept. 10 and hosts rival Air Force in November. The Black Knights also play Notre Dame in San Antonio in November before the annual season finale against Navy. With Lafayette and Morgan State of the FCS, and North Texas also at home and road games against Buffalo and Wake Forest, a total of five wins doesn t seem out of the question. BYU loaded at quarterback, though starter unclear New coach Kalani Sitake has one of those good problems at quarterback with two proven signal-callers fighting for the job. Sophomore Tanner Mangum stepped in months after returning from a church mission last season after Taysom Hill went down in the first game and went on to set school freshman records with 3,377 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. Hill, on the other hand, was in the Heisman conversation when he threw for 2,938 yards and rushed for 1,344 with 29 combined touchdowns in Injuries, however, have ended Hill s other three seasons. Hill will begin 2016 as the Cougars starting quarterback. Head coach Sitake made the announcement about the fifth-year senior after fall camp. Key games BYU enters the season with one of the toughest schedules in the country and every game is key for the independent program. Two losses essentially eliminate the Cougars from the College Football Playoff and leave them in the already-contracted Poinsettia Bowl. BYU has a chance to improve its lot with a New Year s Six bowl but likely needs to avoid having more than two losses. The Cougars play six Power 5 schools, including an opening stretch against Arizona, Utah, UCLA and West Virginia. Only UCLA is coming to Provo. BYU also has a challenging October with Michigan State, Mississippi State and Boise State. Prediction The Cougars tough schedule proves challenging enough to keep them nowhere near the College Football Playoff with a 6-6 finish. Notre Dame has worries other than starting quarterback SOUTH BEND, Ind. Who will be Notre Dame s starting quarterback isn t the biggest concern facing coach Brian Kelly. Kelly knows DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire can both play at a high level. That isn t necessarily the case elsewhere. The Irish have holes to fill at linebacker, along the offensive and defensive lines, at defensive back and at receiver. Most of those vying for starting positions don t have a lot of experience. It s a balance of some guys that have played a lot of football and have had success with some young players, Kelly said. The balance at times would make you leery, and at times is very exciting. Because there s a lot of talent on this football team. Enough balance, Kelly believes, to compete to be a playoff team. We don t have a conference championship. So everything that we work toward is to be one of those four teams, Kelly said. A key factor in that is expected to be quarterback play. Kelly said the competition between Kizer, the returning starter, and Zaire, who was the starter last season until breaking his right ankle in the second game, is close. Kelly has said he doesn t know when he will make a decision and hasn t ruled out using both players. He said both have looked sharp in practice and neither has an advantage. Kelly said coaches already know what each can do. So every day is not, All right, what did you see to decide about Malik, or, What did you see that s going to help you decide on Kizer? We already know about them, he said. It s really about focusing the offensive play calls and the offense we want to run through Malik and focusing the play calls we want to run through Kizer. That s really what we want to do right now. Key games The Irish open the season on the road at Texas on Sunday night, Sept. 4, but the Irish will likely be favored coming off their seasonopening 38-3 victory last season. The toughest games are expected to be at home against Michigan State on Sept. 17, against Stanford on Oct. 15 and at USC in the final regular-season game on Nov. 26. Prediction Kelly appears to have the Irish rolling, and this year s schedule doesn t appear to be as difficult as those in recent years: season in Phoenix area GLENDALE, Ariz. Arizona had Trophy contender after combining six teams from Power 5 schools, to endure one of the most difficult for over 4,200 yards and 29 touchdowns in He s been plagued that includes Utah, UCLA and including an opening stretch fall camps anywhere, trying to prepare for the season while mourning by injuries, though, including West Virginia after the Arizona the death of a teammate. a season-ending foot injury in game. But Saturday could feel Offensive lineman Zach BYU s first game of Tanner like a home game to the Cougars. Hemmila died early in camp, but Mangum stepped into Hill s shoes Arizona will be playing two hours he has constantly been on the last year and set freshman records from Tucson, but BYU fans had Wildcats minds as they prepare for with 3,377 passing yards and 23 bought more tickets to the game their fifth season under coach Rich touchdowns. Hill, who was awarded an extra year of eligibility on by early this week. Rodriguez. The next step is to play a game a medical exception, earned the Returning RBs for the first time since losing their starting job out of training camp, teammate and friend. That chance but the Cougars have a morethan-able backup if he should be Both schools will have their top comes Saturday night against BYU running backs to start the season. in Glendale and the Wildcats injured again. BYU s Jamal Williams returns can t wait. after taking a year off for personal reasons. The senior needs I m looking forward to being Arizona s QBs able to play, Wildcats receiver Trey 930 yards this season to break Griffey said. It s a big first game Rodriguez had his own decision Harvey Unga s career rushing for us. to make about his starting quarterback. Junior Anu Solomon and Wilson is back after missing four record of 3,455. Arizona s Nick Hemmila, a 22-year-old fifthyear senior, was found dead in his sophomore Brandon Dawkins are games with injuries last season apartment on Aug. 8 of unknown listed as co-starters on Arizona s after breaking Arizona s freshman causes. The Wildcats will honor depth chart and Rodriguez is unlikely to announce a starter until and 16 touchdowns in rushing record with 1,375 yards him throughout the season with stickers on their helmets and game time on Saturday. Solomon patches on the coaches hats. had a prolific freshman season, New defense Arizona also will hold a pre-game but was plagued by injuries last ceremony before Saturday s game season. Dawkins appeared in six and possibly another before its games last season, throwing for home opener against Grambling 301 yards and two touchdowns State on Sept. 10. with two interceptions against A few more things to look for rival Arizona State late in the when the Wildcats meet the season. Though Rodriguez knows Cougars at University of Phoenix who will start, holding off an announcement will make it tougher Stadium: for BYU to prepare for Arizona s offense. BYU s QBs Kalani Sitake had a difficult decision in his first season as BYU s head coach, having to pick between two prolific quarterbacks. Dual-threat senior Taysom Hill was once considered a Heisman Going it alone: UMass trying to survive as FBS independent Since Massachusetts moved to the Bowl Subdivision five years ago, the Minutemen have eight victories and 40 losses, have averaged less than the NCAA minimum attendance of 15,000 for their homes games and were essentially kicked out of a conference. Instead of giving up its major college football aspirations as some on the Amherst campus would prefer UMass is sticking it out and going it alone, becoming an FBS independent this season at a time when that has never been more challenging. Scheduling is harder. Bowls are tougher to access. Television exposure is more difficult to find. Revenue often has to come at the expense of wins. Even Notre Dame has given up some of its treasured independence for the stability of partial conference affiliation with the Atlantic Coast Conference. UMass athletic director Ryan Bamford knows having an independent football program is not a long-term solution. With the Big 12 looking at expansion, the trickle down could open up a spot in a conference for the Minutemen soon. Or not. Regardless, Bamford believes the lonely road is worth traveling to stay in college football s top tier. With a little bit of risk there s great opportunity and great reward there, Bamford said this spring. In the 1980s, independence was common in major college football. Penn State, Miami, Florida State, Syracuse, South Carolina, West Virginia and Pittsburgh were among the high-profile independent programs. As conferences became the power points in college football in the 1990s, negotiating television contracts and aligning with bowl games, schools GAME OF THE WEEK BYU vs. Arizona Arizona and BYU start the Tough start BYU has one of the nation s most difficult schedules in its first season under Sitake. The independent Cougars will play flocked to them for security. The money didn t hurt, either. Just three schools played as major college football independents last season: Notre Dame, Army and BYU, which is eager to join the Big 12. Notre Dame s $15 million per year TV deal with NBC protects the Fighting Irish, but money can t fix everything. When Notre Dame moved all its sports but football and hockey into the ACC, the deal also called for Notre Dame to play five games per season against ACC teams. It also gave the Irish access to ACC bowl games. UMass transitioned to the FBS in 2012 and went 2-22 in its first two seasons as a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference. In 2014, the MAC invoked a clause in its contract with UMass that gave the school two years to either join the conference as a full member or leave. Most UMass teams compete in the Atlantic 10 and a full move to the Midwest-centric MAC made little sense. The FBS transition has gone so poorly that members of the UMass faculty senate in April pushed for a vote on a nonbinding motion to urge the university to return to the FCS or drop football altogether. The vote failed. When Bamford took over at UMass in March 2015, the most pressing issue was the schedule. UMass had one home game scheduled for The NCAA minimum is five. We were 15 months away from playing and I m saying, Crap, how am I going to do this? Bamford said. Bamford was able to put together a six-game home schedule and six road games that will help compensate for the lost $850,000 MAC payout. UMass will receive $1.5 million to open the season at Florida, an additional Arizona will get its first chance to see if its changes on defense will make a difference. Rodriguez cleaned out his defensive staff during the offseason and brought in former Boise State defensive coordinator Marcel Yates. The Wildcats have ditched the defense former coordinator Jeff Casteel ran in favor of a more attacking style. The biggest concern will be size on the defensive line; three of Arizona s top six linemen weigh less than 250 pounds. The new defense will get a big test in the opener against BYU s prolific offense. $1.25 million to play at South Carolina and a combined $650,000 for trips to Hawaii and BYU. UMass also has a home game against Mississippi State to be played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, home of the NFL s Patriots. That game, along with a game at Gillette against Boston College, should help UMass reach the 15,000 minimum attendance it needs to hit this season after averaging 11,124 last season. Over three seasons, UMass average FBS attendance is 14,347. This season s schedule helps the bottom line for a program with an $8 million budget that includes about $5 million in student fees and state funds. It won t help the inexperienced team coming off a 3-9 season. We re overloaded some, there s no question about that, said UMass coach Mark Whipple, in the third year of his second stint at the school. There s reasons for that. I understand those reasons. Bamford and the UMass administration believe striving for potential gains in prestige and revenue that can come with FBS football is worth it. The football program simply needs to be good enough to get into a conference. The American Athletic Conference, with UConn and Temple, is the perfect spot for UMass. But with no recent football success, UMass is not necessarily a perfect match for the AAC if it loses members amid Big 12 expansion. If nothing else, UMass seems to have an athletic director who embraces the challenge. I m so competitive and I love the fact that people don t think we can get this thing going, Bamford said. That it drives me I ve never had anything drive me like it does.

17 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 17 MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE GAME OF THE WEEK Bowling Green vs. #6 Ohio State MAC power Bowling Green will try to shock Buckeyes COLUMBUS, Ohio Bowling Green will be a four-touchdown underdog coming into Ohio Stadium on Saturday, but new Falcons coach Mike Jinks said he welcomes the chance to shock the world. If Jinks squad can knock off the mighty Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium, it would be a monumental inaugural win for him as a college coach. A Texas Tech assistant for three seasons after a long career in Texas high school football, the 44-yearold Jinks took the helm at Bowling Green this season after Dino Babers was hired away by Syracuse. Returning fewer than half the starters from a team that went 10-4 and won the Mid-American Conference crown last year, the Falcons have their work cut out for them. They have new starters at quarterback and tailback, a rebuilt defensive line and must compensate for the loss of two of the three best receivers from last year. Anything can happen, right? I ve been an underdog my whole life, Jinks said. I kind of excel in those situations. So does Bowling Green, it seems. The Falcons shocked two Big 10 teams last season on the road, Maryland and Purdue, and stayed competitive against Tennessee in the season opener. In 2014, they beat Indiana at home. These are the games we ought to want to be in, Jinks said. These are the opportunities that don t come too often. There are 128 FBS schools in the country, and we re playing at probably one of the top five venues of all time. Not everybody gets those chances throughout a college career, so it s a trend that we hope to continue in years to come. Bowling Green will take home a guaranteed payout of $975,000 for the trip to Ohio Stadium. Some other things to know as the Falcons try to pull off the upset in Columbus: WHAT TO KNOW What s at stake Ohio State gets to test its 16 new starters in a tuneup game against the in-state Mid-American Conference opponent that won its conference last year. Having knocked off two Big Ten teams last year, the Falcons would like a good showing against the Buckeyes in the first game for new coach Mike Jinks. Key matchup Bowling Green s seasoned offensive line vs. Ohio State s retooled defensive Questions, questions, questions There may be as many questions about No. 6 ranked Ohio State as Bowling Green this season. The Buckeyes have the least experienced team in the nation, losing 16 starters from last year. They have new starters at tailback and wide receiver, and throughout the defense. I know what we re walking into, but you don t know what this 16 Ohio State team going to be, and you don t know what this 16 Bowling Green team is going to be, Jinks said. That s the exciting part of it. Don t discount the underdogs Ohio State players say they ve learned not to look past any team. The Buckeyes needed a pick-six from linebacker Darron Lee to bail out its struggling offense and AP PHOTOS Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett throws a pass against Notre Dame during the second half of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. In this Feb. 29 photo, new Bowling Green head coach Mike Jinks moves out of the way during the irst spring practice in Bowling Green, Ohio. Bowling Green will be a four-touchdown underdog coming into Ohio Stadium on Saturday, but Jinks said he welcomes the chance to shock the world. front. With three new starters and a lack of depth, the Buckeyes defensive line must overcome a BG line that is the most experienced in the country to get at QB James Knapke. Players to watch Bowling Green: RB Fred Coppet. He ll start after running for 825 yards and scoring five touchdowns in a backup role last year. Ohio State: H-back Curtis Samuel. One of the Buckeyes most experienced receivers also is expected line up as a tailback to help bolster the running game. Coaches would like him to touch the ball 10 to 15 times. squeak by MAC power Northern Illinois in what was intended to be a tune-up game early last season. Scrappy. Very, very scrappy, offensive guard Billy Price said of BG. NIU was a very good opponent. We expect the same thing. We cannot take an opponent lightly no matter what conference, whatever team it is. We re going in there respecting them just as much as we did Alabama or just as much as Oregon. Said linebacker Chris Worley: A team like Bowling Green, you can never overlook them. They re going to come here ready to play, and we know that. The team that plays the hardest will win. Shades of 2014? Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said this year s teams reminds him of the 2014 team in terms of starting so many talented but still untested players. That team ended up winning the national championship. (It s) very similar, he said. And I m real excited about them. I m trying to hold down the excitement because I really am. I can t wait to watch them to play. This has been a good camp. Good people to work with. The biggest unknown, he said, is how the young players will react to being in the stadium with 100,000 of their closest, noisiest friends. Barrett ready to roll Meyer said quarterback J.T. Barrett, who entered a training camp for the first time as the undisputed starting quarterback, is playing as well as he ever has. He s on top of his game, I m proud to say, Meyer said. He s a very good player, a very good leader. He s driving the car and he s never had that this time of year. The first time he got a start, he certainly wasn t driving the car. He was in the front seat somewhere, but he wasn t driving it. Now it s his, and he s really doing a nice job. Facts & figures Ohio State coach Urban Meyer began his head coaching career at Bowling Green in There will be lots of new faces on the field with Ohio State returning only six starters, and Bowling Green returning just Bowling Green has defeated three Big Ten teams in the past two years.... BG ranks fifth in total offense in the country over the past two seasons.... The Buckeyes are 32-1 all-time against current members of the MAC.... Ohio State is in home openers since 1890, including 36 of the last Meyer is 14-0 in season openers as a head coach. Ohio State by 28 Betting line THIS WEEK S SCHEDULE *All times Eastern Thursday Presbyterian at Central Michigan, 7 p.m. Friday Mississippi Valley State at Eastern Michigan, 6 p.m. Albany at Bufalo, 7 p.m. Ball State at Georgia State, 7 p.m. Toledo State at Arkansas State, 9 p.m. Saturday Western Michigan at Northwestern, Noon Bowling Green at Ohio State, Noon Miami (Ohio) at Iowa, 3:30 p.m. Kent State at Penn State, 3:30 p.m. Texas State at Ohio, 3:30 p.m. Virginia Military at Akron, 6:30 p.m. Northern Illinois at Wyoming, 10:30 p.m. WMU the latest team picked to challenge NIU in MAC West DETROIT For six straight seasons, Northern Illinois has played in the Mid-American Conference championship game. The Huskies haven t always won, but they ve always made it there, no matter how strong a challenge they ve faced from others in their division. This year it s Western Michigan that looks ready to provide the sternest test. The Broncos were overwhelming favorites to win the conference in the preseason media poll, although WMU coach P.J. Fleck was quick to steer attention back toward Northern Illinois. We have a team in the West that s won six straight championships and they don t get picked. You got to be kidding me. They ve won six straight, Fleck said. I don t understand that. Western Michigan went 8-5 last season and returns quarterback Zach Terrell and receiver Corey Davis. WMU lost only two conference games in 2015 against Northern Illinois and Bowling Green, the two teams who played for the MAC title. NIU has won the conference three times during its streak of six titlegame appearances. Bowling Green beat the Huskies for the championship last season and in In fact, Bowling Green is working on its own streak of three trips to the title game in Detroit. Western Michigan hasn t played in the MAC championship game since 2000 and hasn t won the conference since Fleck has been WMU s coach for three seasons, and the Broncos improved quickly after going 1-11 in East Ohio The favorites East: Bowling Green finished two points ahead of Ohio in the preseason poll, and the teams play at Ohio on Oct. 8. Bowling Green must replace star quarterback Matt Johnson, and its schedule also includes road games against Northern Illinois and Toledo. West: The key game in this division could come the same day as in the East. Western Michigan hosts Northern Illinois on Oct. 8. The Huskies reached the title game last year despite an injury to quarterback Drew Hare. Toledo and Central Michigan round out a foursome that actually finished tied for the division title last season. CMU plays WMU, NIU and Toledo in October, meaning the league race could take several turns before Halloween. Top players Shawun Lurry, DB, Northern Illinois. Third-team All-American had nine interceptions a season ago. Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan. Caught 90 passes for 1,436 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo. Rushed for 973 yards in only nine games in 2015 after running for 1,631 the previous season. Cooper Rush, QB, Central Michigan. Completed 66 percent of his passes last year for 3,848 yards with 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Austin Valdez, LB, Bowling Green. Had 144 tackles and two interceptions in Joel Bouagnon, RB, Northern Illinois. Rushed for 1,285 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. New faces Jason Candle, Toledo. Took over as coach of the Rockets after Matt Campbell went to Iowa State. Toledo was favored to unseat Northern Illinois in the West last year but couldn t do it. Mike Jinks, Bowling Green. The former Texas Tech assistant is now the coach of the defending MAC champions. Mike Neu, Ball State. The Cardinals are trying to bounce back from a 3-9 season, and they hired one of their former players as coach. Neu played quarterback at Ball State from On the hot seat Paul Haynes, Kent State. The Golden Flashes lost only one starter on offense, and this is the fourth season in charge for Haynes, who has gone 9-26 so far at Kent State. Predictions Western Michigan MAC Champion Western Michigan West

18 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 18 MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE THIS WEEK S SCHEDULE *All times Eastern Thursday Weber State at Utah State, 8 p.m. South Dakota at New Mexico, 9 p.m. Jackson State at UNLV, 10 p.m. Friday Colorado State at Colorado, 8 p.m. Cal Poly at Nevada 9:30 p.m. Saturday Hawaii at Michigan, Noon Boise State at Louisiana Lafayette, Noon Abilene Christian at Air Force, 2 p.m. San Jose State at Tulsa, 7 p.m. Fresno State at Nebraska, 8 p.m. New Hampshire at San Diego State, 8:30 p.m. Northern Illinois at Wyoming, 10:30 p.m. Boise State, San Diego State at top, but rest of MWC open Last year proved the Mountain West can be more than just Boise State and everyone else when it comes to the conference title race, as evidenced by San Diego State winning its first outright conference crown. On the national scene, it s still the Broncos and everyone else as the 2016 season begins. I know what we look like on paper, but we have no idea until we go play, Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said. As usual, Boise State is expected to be the class of the Mountain West headed into the 2016 season, a position of prominence the Broncos have held for most of the past decade. But there is a shift occurring. In fact, San Diego State was the unanimous preseason favorite to win the West Division, while Boise State earned 27 of the 29 first-place votes for the Mountain Division. So there are two clear favorites with the rest of the conference seemingly wide open and begging for an unexpected team perhaps New Mexico or San Jose State to rise up and challenge the Aztecs and Broncos. Everybody thinks that, through preseason hype, we re going to be pretty good, San Diego State coach Rocky Long said. I think we have a chance to be pretty good, too. It s just a matter of us having the right attitude and staying away from injuries and playing well when we have to play well. Mountain The favorites Mountain Division: Boise State is clearly the favorite of the Mountain Division thanks largely to an offense that features arguably the best quarterback in the conference (Brett Rypien), running back (Jeremy McNichols) and wide receiver (Thomas Sperbeck). But each of the past two years, Air Force has gotten the better of the Broncos. It s likely the division champion won t be decided until the Broncos visit Air Force in the regular-season finale. West Division: San Diego State is the class of the West Division. While running back Donnel Pumphrey gives the Aztecs a standout ball carrier who will help alleviate quarterback questions, it s San Diego State s defense that s the real star. The Aztecs allowed more than 17 points just once in the final 10 games of last season. If anyone challenges the Aztecs in the West Division, look to Nevada and its favorable schedule. Top players Brett Rypien, QB, Boise State. Was expected to redshirt but was forced to play as a freshman due to injuries. Became a star almost immediately, throwing for 3,353 yards and 20 touchdowns. Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State. A running back few know about, despite running for 1,653 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. Jeremy McNichols, RB, Boise State. The former wide receiver made the full-time transition to running back last year and rushed for 1,337 yards and 20 touchdowns. Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming. Little known because of Wyoming s 2-10 season, Hill topped 1,600 yards rushing. Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State. The Mountain West defensive player of the year in Kazee tied a school record with eight interceptions. New faces Nick Rolovich is the only newcomer to the coaching ranks in the Mountain West, taking over for Norm Chow at Hawaii. His task is significant; the Warriors have gone over the past four seasons and have seen the interest in the program dwindle significantly on the islands. And no team in the country faces more travel to start the season. Hawaii opens the season facing California in Australia before traveling to Michigan for the second game. On the hot seat Fresno State went 11-2 in Tim DeRuyter s second season in charge of the Bulldogs. Now entering his fifth season, the Bulldogs have gone 9-17 over the past two seasons and are picked to finished fourth in the West Division. Predictions Boise State San Diego State Mountain West Champion Boise State West WHAT TO KNOW What s at stake The Wolverines have high hopes in their second season under Jim Harbaugh with their best preseason ranking since being No. 5 in The Rainbows have nothing to lose and everything to gain in a second straight game 4,000-plus miles from campus. Key matchup Hawaii s running game vs. Michigan s defensive line. The Rainbows will have to run the ball a lot and well to stay competitive. They ran for 248 yards last week against Cal with four ball carriers averaging 5-plus yards GAME OF THE WEEK Hawaii vs. #7 Michigan Michigan trio of standouts returned for special season ANN ARBOR, Mich. Michigan s chances of having a special season improved when a trio of standouts chose to come back to college and put their dreams of playing in the NFL on hold. Cornerback Jourdan Lewis and tight end Jake Butt, second team All-Americans, and defensive tackle Chris Wormley all made the decision to help the Wolverines chase a desperately wanted Big Ten championship this season. The storied program has not won a conference title since 2004, its longest drought since failing to finish first in the Big Ten between 1950 and We could have opted out and made the money, Lewis said. But money wasn t important to us. It was our legacy. If they can help No. 7 Michigan start well in its opener at home against Hawaii and close strong enough to win the conference championship, it will go a long way toward making their careers memorable. The Wolverines moved a step toward respectability last year by winning 10 games in Jim Harbaugh s first season as coach, but they lost to rivals Ohio State and Michigan State to stunt any sort of celebration. We just got a little taste of what it s like, Butt said. I really wanted to come back and see what we could do this year because I really believe we can get something special done. The Wolverines open with five straight home games and have eight in all at the Big House. Tests, though, at Ohio State, Michigan State and Iowa may prove to be pivotal. We have a pretty tough road schedule, but I really think we can get it done, Wormley said. Here s are some things to watch when Michigan hosts the Rainbows (0-1) on Saturday: Well traveled Hawaii started the season in Australia, losing to Cal by 20 points, and went back to campus before making another long trek to Michigan. By the Rainbows get home, they will have traveled about 20,000 miles and been in airplanes for about 40 hours for just two games. If they start looking for excuses, they ll find them, Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich said. I hope they don t watch the news. We got to look at it as an opportunity and play a great team and a coach that is good for college football. It s the (Ferdinand) Magellan mindset. We re ready to explore the world. We got to embrace it. Jumpman Michael Jordan will be Michigan s AP PHOTO Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Diocemy Saint Juste, center, breaks a tackle by California Golden Bears Khari Vanderbilt second right, on his way to scoring a touchdown during the opening game of the college football season at Sydney s Olympic stadium in Sydney. per carry. That won t be easy to do against a deep and talented front, which includes highly touted freshman Rashan Gary. Michigan has six players with starting experience on its defensive line. Players to watch Hawaii: RB Diocemy Saint Juste. The redshirt junior started for the first time in his career last week. He had a 53-yard TD to help Hawaii pull into a 14-all tie late in the first half against Cal. Saint Juste finished with 14 carries for a career-high 118 yards. Michigan: QB Wilton Speight. The redshirt sophomore is expected to start, beating out Houston transfer John O Korn. Speight played in seven games last year and threw a game-winning TD at Minnesota after Jake Rudock was injured. honorary captain because the Wolverines are the first college or pro football team to wear the Jordan Brand. I m going to need to get a haircut, said Butt, who will be one of the captains to be alongside the former NBA superstar for the pregame coin flip. Facts & figures Both coaches played quarterback for the schools they re leading.... The Rainbows opened the season in Australia, losing to Cal, in Nick Rolovich s debut as their coach.... The Wolverines start the season with five straight home games and eight overall.... Hawaii was 0-8 in the Mountain West last season and 3-10 overall.... Michael Jordan will be Michigan s honorary captain because the Wolverines are first college or pro football team to wear Brand Jordan.... The Rainbows will fly about 20,000 miles round trip, putting them in airplanes for about 40 hours, for their first two games. Michigan by 40 Just joking Rolovich told reporters earlier in the week that Michigan denied a request to share its scrimmage video because the Rainbows have already played a game for them to be scouted. Later, the first-year coach and former Rainbows quarterback apologized and insisted he wasn t being serious when he said that. Secret snap Harbaugh refused to reveal who will start at quarterback, but he is expected to go with Wilton Speight ahead of Houston transfer John O Korn. Speight played in seven games last year and threw a game-winning TD at Minnesota after Jake Rudock was injured. No worries At least one Hawaii player doesn t sound the least bit intimidated about facing Michigan at the Big House. They re not national champions, Rainbows receiver Dylan Collie said. They re just another football team. That just makes this more fun. That s what you grow up thinking about. That s what you live for. That s why I play this game. I want to play in front of a lot of people. It will be a good time. Betting line AP PHOTO This Aug. 7 photo shows Michigan quarterbacks John O Korn (8) and Wilton Speight sitting for a photo in the locker room during the team s preseason media day at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.

19 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE 19 SUN BELT CONFERENCE GAME OF THE WEEK South Alabama vs. Mississippi State Mississippi State kicks off season hosting South Alabama THIS WEEK S SCHEDULE *All times Eastern Thursday Appalachian State at Tennessee, 7:30 p.m. Montana State at Idaho, 9 p.m. Friday Ball State at Georgia State, 7 p.m. STARKVILLE, Miss. Preseason camp wasn t kind to Mississippi State s veteran cornerbacks. In the span of a few days, the Bulldogs lost senior Tolando Cleveland to a torn ACL in his left knee and senior Cedric Jiles to a broken right arm. Cleveland is out for the season while Jiles is likely out at least half the year. That means some young players are going to get a bigger-than-expected opportunity in Mississippi State s season opener against South Alabama on Saturday. If Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen is concerned about the inexperience at cornerback, he hasn t shown it. There s the opportunity, and you need to take advantage of your opportunity, Mullen said. Guys work hard in our program. We like to play a lot of players. Junior Jamoral Graham is among those who Mississippi State needs to improve in a hurry. Graham came to Mississippi State as a receiver but converted to defense last season and made 21 tackles. Junior college transfer Lashard Durr is listed as the other starter at cornerback while redshirt freshman Chris Stamps and sophomore Chris Rayford are the primary backups. Senior defensive end A.J. Jefferson said the losses in the secondary make putting pressure on the quarterback even more important. If the quarterback has less time to throw, the cornerbacks don t have to defend for as long. At the end of the day it s going to make us better, Jefferson said. We re going to be out there trying harder and harder because in the back of our mind, we know there s a bunch of guys down in the secondary. I m sure all of them can hold their own, but we just want to make it as easy as we can for them. Some things to watch in Mississippi State s opener against South Alabama: MSU tries to find a QB Mullen said he ll use at least two quarterbacks in the season opener sophomore Nick Fitzgerald and junior Damian Williams. Fitzgerald was Dak Prescott s primary backup last season and completed 11 of 14 passes while Williams made one start in 2013 as a true freshman. Depending on how the game goes, the Bulldogs could also use redshirt freshman Nick Tiano. South Alabama debuts new QB Sophomore QB Dallas Davis is Vandals, Nov. 7, set to make his first career start for the Jaguars. Davis played in six games last season as the backup, completing 11 of 23 passes for 108 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Mullen s a veteran Mississippi State s coach Mullen is entering his eighth season with the Bulldogs, which makes him the third-longest tenured coach in the league behind LSU s Les Miles and Alabama s Nick Saban. Mullen has a record, including a mark in the SEC. He s led Mississippi State to six straight bowl games, including AP PHOTO VIA ICON SPORTSWIRE South Alabama Jaguars running back Xavier Johnson (28) runs against the Idaho four postseason wins. Jaguars need Johnson With a first-year quarterback taking the snaps, South Alabama will likely need a big game from running back Xavier Johnson to have a chance on Saturday. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound junior had 1,477 total yards last season, including 956 on the ground. The rubber match This is the third of a three-game series between the two schools. Mississippi State won in Starkville in 2012 and 35-3 in Mobile, Alabama, in Toledo at Arkansas State, 9 p.m. Saturday Boise State at Louisiana Lafayette, Noon South Alabama at Mississippi State, Noon Texas State at Ohio, 3:30 p.m. Savannah State at Georgia Southern, 6 p.m. Austin Peay at Troy, 6 p.m. Southern at Louisiana Monroe, 7 p.m. New Mexico State at UTEP, 8 p.m. Appalachian St., Arkansas St. look like Sun Belt s best NEW ORLEANS While Appalachian State will always be remembered for its stunning upset of Michigan in the Big House in 2007, the Mountaineers are setting a new standard now. Since moving to the Sun Belt Conference in 2014, Appalachian State has proved it was primed for a quick transition up to the NCAA s top-tier Football Bowl Subdivision. Last season, Scott Satterfield coached the Mountaineers to the first 11-win season in Sun Belt history, capped by a Camelia Bowl victory over Ohio. The two losses came against Clemson, the 2015 national runner-up, and Arkansas State, which won the Sun Belt by virtue of that victory. This season, conference coaches have picked Appalachian State as the preseason favorite, surprising no one especially not the Mountaineers. There are a lot of high expectations, but for us at Appalachian State we have always had high expectations, Satterfield said. When we first arrived (in the Sun Belt) a few years ago, there were questions as to whether or not we could compete in this league and compete at the FBS level. We have been able to answer those questions over the last year and a half. So our guys expect to win every game. That means the Mountaineers expect to win at Tennessee and also to beat what will arguably be the most prominent program to visit Appalachian State s Kidd Brewer Stadium, the Miami Hurricanes. Certainly, victories in either of those games raise the profile of the Sun Belt, which has enjoyed steady increases in bowl tie-ins (now up to five) and television revenues in recent seasons. But the 16-year-old league still has yet to see one of its members qualify for an elite New Year s Day bowl game. All our indicators are trending upward, Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson said recently. Why not 2016 becoming the year that the Sun Belt champion plays in Dallas (on) Jan. 2 in the Cotton Bowl? The favorites In addition to Appalachian State, defending champion Arkansas State could have a say in who wins the league. However, the Red Wolves lost their starting quarterback, making it tougher to project how effective their offense will be this season. We have never been picked to win the league, but we have found a way to win it in four out of the last five years, said third-year Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson, who is 13-3 in the league through his first wo seasons. However, the conference schedule doesn t match Arkansas State against Appalachian State. Georgia Southern, meanwhile, was picked to finish third in the preseason coaches poll, but is adjusting to a new coaching staff after Willie Fritz s departure for Tulane. Top players Appalachian State junior Taylor Lamb has been named preseason all-conference quarterback and could be one of the Sun Belt s most prolific players, given he ll be running a spread option offense. Last season, he passed for 2,387 yards and 31 TDs while rushing for 436 yards and five scores. The league also has a slew of productive running backs including Georgia Southern s Matt Breida, Appalachian State s Marcus Cox, Louisiana-Lafayette s Elijah McGuire and New Mexico State s Larry Rose III. On defense, Arkansas State lineman Ja Von Rolland-Jones is coming off a nine-sack season, while defensive backs Savion Brown of Louisiana-Lafayette and Cody Brown of Arkansas State were both among the league leaders in pass breakups and interceptions in New faces Anthony Jennings, who was LSU s starting quarterback in 2014, is a graduate transfer to Louisiana-Lafayette, meaning he could start immediately for a Ragin Cajuns squad looking to bounce back from a 2015 campaign that saw them post their first losing record in five years. Louisiana-Monroe has a new coach in Matt Viator, who has enjoyed a long run of success in the second-tier Football Championship Subdivision with McNeese State. Tyson Summers is Georgia Southern s third new coach in four seasons. Summers also is in his first season as a Division I coach after serving as Colorado State s defensive coordinator the past two seasons. He takes over an experience-laden squad that has gone 18-7 in its first two years at the FBS level. On the hot seat Idaho coach Paul Petrino, the brother of Louisville coach Bobby Petrino, is 6-29 in three seasons with the Vandals. New Mexico State coach Doug Martin is 7-29 in three seasons. Prediction Sun Belt Champion AP PHOTO At left, in an April 16, 2015, ile photo, Mississippi State White squad quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) attempts to pass against the Maroon squad during the second half of Mississippi State s spring game, in Starkville, Miss. At right, in the same game, Mississippi State White squad quarterback Damian Williams (11) throws a pass against the Maroon squad. Appalachian State

20 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE TEAM SCHEDULES AIR FORCE Sep. 3 Abilene Christian, 2 p.m. Sep. 10 Georgia St., 2 p.m. Sep. 24 at Utah St., TBA Oct. 1 Navy, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Wyoming, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 15 New Mexico, TBA Oct. 22 Hawaii, 2 p.m. Oct. 28 at Fresno St., 10:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Army, Noon Nov. 12 Colorado St., TBA Nov. 19 at San Jose St., 10:30 p.m. Nov. 25 Boise St., 3:30 p.m. BYU Sep. 3 Arizona, 10:30 p.m. Sep. 10 at Utah, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 17 UCLA, 10:15 p.m. Sep. 24 West Virginia, TBA Sep. 30 Toledo, 10:15 p.m. Oct. 8 at Michigan St., TBA Oct. 14 Mississippi St., 10:15 p.m. Oct. 20 at Boise St., 10:15 p.m. Nov. 5 at Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 12 S. Utah, 3 p.m. Nov. 19 UMass, TBA Nov. 26 Utah St., TBA CINCINNATI Sep. 1 UT Martin, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 at Purdue, Noon Sep. 15 Houston, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Miami (Ohio), TBA Oct. 1 South Florida, TBA Oct. 8 at UConn, 11:30 a.m. Oct. 22 East Carolina, TBA Oct. 29 at Temple, TBA Nov. 5 BYU, TBA Nov. 12 at UCF, TBA Nov. 18 Memphis, 8 p.m. Nov. 25 at Tulsa, TBA FLORIDA ST. Sep. 5 Mississippi, 8 p.m. Sep. 10 Charleston Southern, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Louisville, Noon Sep. 24 at South Florida, TBA Oct. 1 North Carolina, TBA Oct. 8 at Miami, TBA Oct. 15 Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 29 Clemson, TBA Nov. 5 at NC State, TBA Nov. 11 Boston College, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Syracuse, TBA Nov. 26 Florida, TBA INDIANA Sep. 1 at FIU, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Ball St., 4 p.m. Sep. 24 Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 1 Michigan St., 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at Ohio St., TBA Oct. 15 Nebraska 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Northwestern, Noon Oct. 29 Maryland, TBA Nov. 5 at Rutgers, TBA Nov. 12 Penn St., TBA Nov. 19 at Michigan, TBA Nov. 26 Purdue, TBA AKRON Sep. 3 VMI, 6:30 p.m. Sep. 10 at Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Marshall, Noon Sep. 24 Appalachian St., TBA Oct. 1 at Kent St., 3:30 p.m. Oct. 8 Miami (Ohio), 3 p.m. Oct. 15 W. Michigan, TBA Oct. 22 at Ball St., 3 p.m. Oct. 27 at Bufalo, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 Toledo, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 Bowling Green, 8 p.m. Nov. 22 at Ohio, 7 p.m. BALL ST. Sep. 2 Georgia St., TBA Sep. 10 at Indiana, 4 p.m. Sep. 17 E. Kentucky, 3 p.m. Sep. 24 at FAU, 6 p.m. Oct. 1 N. Illinois, TBA Oct. 8 at Cent. Michigan, 3 p.m. Oct. 15 at Bufalo, TBA Oct. 22 Akron, 3 p.m. Nov. 1 W. Michigan, 8 p.m. Nov. 8 E. Michigan, 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at Toledo, 7 p.m. Nov. 22 at Miami (Ohio), 7 p.m. CLEMSON Sep. 3 at Auburn, 9 p.m. Sep. 10 Troy, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 17 SC State, Noon Sep. 22 at Georgia Tech, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Louisville, TBA Oct. 7 at Boston College, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 NC State, TBA Oct. 29 at Florida St., TBA Nov. 5 Syracuse, TBA Nov. 12 Pittsburgh, TBA Nov. 19 at Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 26 South Carolina, TBA FRESNO ST. Sep. 3 at Nebraska, 8 p.m. Sep. 10 Sacramento St., 10 p.m. Sep. 17 at Toledo, 3 p.m. Sep. 24 Tulsa, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at UNLV, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Nevada, TBA Oct. 14 San Diego St., 10 p.m. Oct. 22 at Utah St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 28 Air Force, 10:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Colorado St., 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Hawaii, 7 p.m. Nov. 26 San Jose St., 3:30 p.m. IOWA Sep. 3 Miami (Ohio), 3:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Iowa St., 7:30 p.m. Sep. 17 N. Dakota St., Noon Sep. 24 at Rutgers, TBA Oct. 1 Northwestern, Noon Oct. 8 at Minnesota, TBA Oct. 15 at Purdue, Noon Oct. 22 Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 5 at Penn St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 Michigan, 8 p.m. Nov. 19 at Illinois, TBA Nov. 25 Nebraska, TBA ALABAMA Sep. 3 Southern Cal, 8 p.m. Sep. 10 W. Kentucky, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Mississippi, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Kent St., TBA Oct. 1 Kentucky, TBA Oct. 8 at Arkansas, TBA Oct. 15 at Tennessee, TBA Oct. 22 Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 5 at LSU, TBA Nov. 12 Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 19 Chattanooga, TBA Nov. 26 Auburn, TBA BAYLOR Sep. 3 Northwestern St., 7:30 p.m. Sep. 10 SMU, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Rice, 8 p.m. Sep. 24 Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 1 at Iowa St., TBA Oct. 15 Kansas, TBA Oct. 29 at Texas, TBA Nov. 5 TCU, TBA Nov. 12 at Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 19 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 25 Texas Tech, 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at West Virginia, TBA COLORADO Sep. 2 Colorado St., 8:05 p.m. Sep. 10 Idaho St., 5:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Michigan, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at Oregon, TBA Oct. 1 Oregon St., TBA Oct. 8 at Southern Cal, TBA Oct. 15 Arizona St., TBA Oct. 22 at Stanford, TBA Nov. 3 UCLA, 9 p.m. Nov. 12 at Arizona, TBA Nov. 19 Washington St., TBA Nov. 26 Utah, TBA GEORGIA Sep. 3 North Carolina, 5:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Nicholls, Noon Sep. 17 at Missouri, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at Mississippi, TBA Oct. 1 Tennessee, TBA Oct. 8 at South Carolina, TBA Oct. 15 Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 29 Florida, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Kentucky, TBA Nov. 12 Auburn, TBA Nov. 19 Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Nov. 26 Georgia Tech, TBA IOWA ST. Sep. 3 N. Iowa, 8 p.m. Sep. 10 at Iowa, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at TCU, Noon Sep. 24 San Jose St., Noon Oct. 1 Baylor, TBA Oct. 8 Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 15 at Texas, TBA Oct. 29 Kansas St., TBA Nov. 3 Oklahoma, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Kansas, TBA Nov. 19 Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 26 West Virginia, TBA APPALACHIAN ST. Sep. 1 at Tennessee, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Old Dominion, TBA Sep. 17 Miami, Noon Sep. 24 at Akron, TBA Oct. 1 Georgia St., TBA Oct. 12 at Louisiana-Lafayette, 8 p.m. Oct. 22 Idaho, TBA Oct. 27 at Georgia Southern, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Texas St., TBA Nov. 12 at Troy, TBA Nov. 19 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Nov. 26 at New Mexico St., 4 p.m. BOISE ST. Sep. 3 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Sep. 10 Washington St., 10:15 p.m. Sep. 24 at Oregon St., TBA Oct. 1 Utah St., TBA Oct. 7 at New Mexico, 9 p.m. Oct. 15 Colorado St., TBA Oct. 20 BYU, 10:15 p.m. Oct. 29 at Wyoming, 7 p.m. Nov. 4 San Jose St., 10:15 p.m. Nov. 12 at Hawaii, 7 p.m. Nov. 18 UNLV, 9 p.m. Nov. 25 at Air Force, 3:30 p.m. COLORADO ST. Sep. 2 Colorado, 8:05 p.m. Sep. 10 UTSA, 4 p.m. Sep. 17 N. Colorado, 4 p.m. Sep. 24 at Minnesota, TBA Oct. 1 Wyoming, TBA Oct. 8 Utah St., 10 p.m. Oct. 15 at Boise St., TBA Oct. 22 at UNLV, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Fresno St., 3:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Air Force, TBA Nov. 19 New Mexico, TBA Nov. 26 at San Diego St., 9 p.m. GEORGIA SOUTHERN Sep. 3 Savannah St., 6 p.m. Sep. 10 at South Alabama, TBA Sep. 17 Louisiana-Monroe, 6 p.m. Sep. 24 at W. Michigan, TBA Oct. 5 at Arkansas St., 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 22 at New Mexico St., 8 p.m. Oct. 27 Appalachian St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Mississippi, TBA Nov. 12 Louisiana-Lafayette, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Georgia St., TBA Dec. 3 Troy, 1 p.m. KANSAS Sep. 3 Rhode Island, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 Ohio, 2:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Memphis, Noon Sep. 29 at Texas Tech, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 TCU, TBA Oct. 15 at Baylor, TBA Oct. 22 Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 29 Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 5 at West Virginia, TBA Nov. 12 Iowa St., TBA Nov. 19 Texas, TBA Nov. 26 at Kansas St., TBA ARIZONA Sep. 3 BYU, 10:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Grambling St., 10:45 p.m. Sep. 17 Hawaii, 10:45 p.m. Sep. 24 Washington, TBA Oct. 1 at UCLA, TBA Oct. 8 at Utah, TBA Oct. 15 Southern Cal, TBA Oct. 29 Stanford, TBA Nov. 5 at Washington St., TBA Nov. 12 Colorado, TBA Nov. 19 at Oregon St., TBA Nov. 25 Arizona St., 9:30 p.m. BOSTON COLLEGE Sep. 3 Georgia Tech, 7:30 a.m. Sep. 10 at UMass, Noon Sep. 17 at Virginia Tech, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Wagner, TBA Oct. 1 Bufalo, TBA Oct. 7 Clemson, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Syracuse, TBA Oct. 29 at NC State, TBA Nov. 5 Louisville, TBA Nov. 11 at Florida St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 UConn, TBA Nov. 26 at Wake Forest, TBA DUKE Sep. 3 N.C. Central, 6 p.m. Sep. 10 Wake Forest, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Northwestern, 8 p.m. Sep. 24 at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Virginia, TBA Oct. 8 Army, TBA Oct. 14 at Louisville, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 5 Virginia Tech, TBA Nov. 10 North Carolina, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Pittsburgh, TBA Nov. 26 at Miami, TBA GEORGIA ST. Sep. 2 Ball St., TBA Sep. 10 at Air Force, 2 p.m. Sep. 17 at Wisconsin, Noon Oct. 1 at Appalachian St., TBA Oct. 8 Texas St., TBA Oct. 15 at Troy, TBA Oct. 22 UT-Martin, TBA Oct. 29 at South Alabama, TBA Nov. 3 Arkansas St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Nov. 19 Georgia Southern, TBA Dec. 3 at Idaho, TBA KANSAS ST. Sep. 2 at Stanford, 9 p.m. Sep. 17 FAU, 2:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Missouri St., 7:10 p.m. Oct. 1 at West Virginia, TBA Oct. 8 Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 15 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 22 Texas, TBA Oct. 29 Iowa St., TBA Nov. 5 Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 19 at Baylor, TBA Nov. 26 Kansas, TBA Dec. 3 at TCU, TBA ARIZONA ST. Sep. 3 N. Arizona, 10:45 p.m. Sep. 10 Texas Tech, 10 p.m. Sep. 16 at UTSA, 9:30 p.m. Sep. 24 California, TBA Oct. 1 at Southern Cal, TBA Oct. 8 UCLA, TBA Oct. 15 at Colorado, TBA Oct. 22 Washington St., TBA Oct. 29 at Oregon, TBA Nov. 10 Utah, 9:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Washington, TBA Nov. 25 at Arizona, 9:30 p.m. BOWLING GREEN Sep. 3 at Ohio St., Noon Sep. 10 North Dakota, 3 p.m. Sep. 17 Middle Tennessee, Noon Sep. 24 at Memphis, TBA Oct. 1 E. Michigan, 3 p.m. Oct. 8 at Ohio, 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at Toledo, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Miami (Ohio), TBA Nov. 1 at N. Illinois, 8 p.m. Nov. 9 at Akron, 8 p.m. Nov. 15 Kent St., TBA Nov. 25 Bufalo, TBA E. MICHIGAN Sep. 3 MVSU, 6 p.m. Sep. 10 at Missouri, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Sep. 23 Wyoming, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Bowling Green, 3 p.m. Oct. 8 Toledo, 3 p.m. Oct. 15 at Ohio, TBA Oct. 22 at W. Michigan, TBA Oct. 29 Miami (Ohio), TBA Nov. 8 at Ball St., 7 p.m. Nov. 16 N. Illinois, TBA Nov. 22 Cent. Michigan, 7 p.m. GEORGIA TECH Sep. 3 Boston College, 7:30 a.m. Sep. 10 Mercer, 3 p.m. Sep. 17 Vanderbilt, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 22 Clemson, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Miami, TBA Oct. 8 at Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 15 Georgia Southern, TBA Oct. 29 Duke, TBA Nov. 5 at North Carolina, TBA Nov. 12 at Virginia Tech, TBA Nov. 19 Virginia, TBA Nov. 26 at Georgia, TBA KENT ST. Sep. 3 at Penn St., 3:30 p.m. Sep. 10 NC A&T, 6 p.m. Sep. 17 Monmouth (NJ), 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at Alabama, TBA Oct. 1 Akron, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Bufalo, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Miami (Ohio), TBA Oct. 22 Ohio, TBA Oct. 29 at Cent. Michigan, TBA Nov. 8 W. Michigan, 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at Bowling Green, TBA Nov. 25 N. Illinois, TBA ARKANSAS Sep. 3 Louisiana Tech, 4 p.m. Sep. 10 at TCU, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 Texas St., 7:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 1 Alcorn St., TBA Oct. 8 Alabama, TBA Oct. 15 Mississippi, TBA Oct. 22 at Auburn, TBA Nov. 5 Florida, TBA Nov. 12 LSU, TBA Nov. 19 at Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 26 at Missouri, 2:30 p.m. ARKANSAS ST. Sep. 3 Toledo, 9 p.m. Sep. 10 at Auburn, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Utah St., 9 p.m. Sep. 24 Cent. Arkansas, TBA Oct. 5 Georgia Southern, 8 p.m. Oct. 15 South Alabama, TBA Oct. 29 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Nov. 3 Georgia St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 New Mexico St., TBA Nov. 17 at Troy, 9:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Dec. 3 at Texas St., 4 p.m. ARMY Sep. 2 at Temple, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 Rice, Noon Sep. 17 at UTEP, 7 p.m. Sep. 24 at Bufalo, TBA Oct. 8 at Duke, TBA Oct. 15 Lafayette, Noon Oct. 22 North Texas, Noon Oct. 29 at Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 5 Air Force, Noon Nov. 12 Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Morgan St., Noon Dec. 10 Navy, 3 p.m. AUBURN Sep. 3 Clemson, 9 p.m. Sep. 10 Arkansas St., 7:30 p.m. Sep. 17 Texas A&M, 7 p.m. Sep. 24 LSU, TBA Oct. 1 Louisiana-Monroe, TBA Oct. 8 at Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 22 Arkansas, TBA Oct. 29 at Mississippi, TBA Nov. 5 Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 12 at Georgia, TBA Nov. 19 Alabama A&M, TBA Nov. 26 at Alabama, TBA BUFFALO Sep. 2 Albany (NY), 7 p.m. Sep. 17 at Nevada, 9 p.m. Sep. 24 Army, TBA Oct. 1 at Boston College, TBA Oct. 8 Kent St., 3:30 p.m. Oct. 15 Ball St., TBA Oct. 22 at N. Illinois, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 27 Akron, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Ohio, 6 p.m. Nov. 12 Miami (Ohio), TBA Nov. 19 at W. Michigan, TBA Nov. 25 at Bowling Green, TBA CALIFORNIA Aug. 26 Hawaii, 10 p.m. Sep. 10 at San Diego St., 10:30 p.m. Sep. 17 Texas, 10:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at Arizona St., TBA Oct. 1 Utah, TBA Oct. 8 at Oregon St., TBA Oct. 21 Oregon, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Southern Cal, 10:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Washington, TBA Nov. 12 at Washington St., TBA Nov. 19 Stanford, TBA Nov. 26 UCLA, TBA CENT. MICHIGAN Sep. 1 Presbyterian, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 at Oklahoma St., Noon Sep. 17 UNLV, 3 p.m. Sep. 24 at Virginia, TBA Oct. 1 W. Michigan, TBA Oct. 8 Ball St., 3 p.m. Oct. 15 at N. Illinois, TBA Oct. 22 at Toledo, TBA Oct. 29 Kent St., TBA Nov. 4 at Miami (Ohio), 6 p.m. Nov. 15 Ohio, 6 p.m. Nov. 22 at E. Michigan, 7 p.m. CHARLOTTE Sep. 1 at Louisville, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 Elon, 6 p.m. Sep. 17 E. Michigan, 6 p.m. Sep. 24 at Temple, TBA Oct. 1 Old Dominion, 6 p.m. Oct. 8 at FAU, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 15 FIU, 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at Marshall, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Southern Miss., 3:30 p.m. Nov. 12 Rice, 2 p.m. Nov. 19 Middle Tennessee, 2 p.m. Nov. 26 at UTSA, 7 p.m. EAST CAROLINA Sep. 3 W. Carolina, 6 p.m. Sep. 10 NC State, Noon Sep. 17 at South Carolina, 4 p.m. Sep. 24 at Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 1 UCF, TBA Oct. 8 at South Florida, TBA Oct. 13 Navy, &:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Cincinnati, TBA Oct. 29 UConn, TBA Nov. 5 at Tulsa, TBA Nov. 12 SMU, TBA Nov. 26 at Temple, TBA FAU Sep. 3 S. Illinois, 6 p.m. Sep. 10 at Miami, 6 p.m. Sep. 17 at Kansas St., 2:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Ball St., 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at FIU, 7 p.m. Oct. 8 Charlotte, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Marshall, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 W. Kentucky, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Rice, TBA Nov. 12 UTEP, 6 p.m. Nov. 19 Old Dominion, 6 p.m. Nov. 26 at Middle Tennessee, 5:30 p.m. FIU Sep. 1 Indiana, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Maryland, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at UMass, 7 p.m. Sep. 24 UCF, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 FAU, 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at UTEP, 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Charlotte, 6 p.m. Oct. 22 Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at W. Kentucky, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Marshall, 7 p.m. Nov. 26 at Old Dominion, TBA FLORIDA Sep. 3 UMass, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 Kentucky, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 North Texas, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at Tennessee, TBA Oct. 1 at Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 8 LSU, TBA Oct. 15 Missouri, TBA Oct. 29 Georgia, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Arkansas, TBA Nov. 12 South Carolina, TBA Nov. 19 Presbyterian, TBA Nov. 26 at Florida St., TBA HAWAII Aug. 26 California, 10 p.m. Sep. 3 at Michigan, Noon Sep. 10 UT-Martin, 11:59 p.m. Sep. 17 at Arizona, 10:45 p.m. Oct. 1 Nevada, 11:59 p.m. Oct. 8 at San Jose St., 4:30 p.m. Oct. 15 UNLV, 11:59 p.m. Oct. 22 at Air Force, 2 p.m. Oct. 29 New Mexico, 11:59 p.m. Nov. 5 at San Diego St., 7 p.m. Nov. 12 Boise St., 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at Fresno St., 7 p.m. Nov. 26 UMass, 11 p.m. HOUSTON Sep. 3 Oklahoma, Noon Sep. 10 Lamar, Noon Sep. 15 at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at Texas St., 7 p.m. Sep. 29 UConn, 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at Navy, 3 p.m. Oct. 15 Tulsa, TBA Oct. 22 at SMU, TBA Oct. 29 UCF, TBA Nov. 12 Tulane, TBA Nov. 17 Louisville, 8 p.m. Nov. 25 at Memphis, TBA IDAHO Sep. 1 Montana St., 8 p.m. Sep. 10 at Washington, 5 p.m. Sep. 17 at Washington St., 2 p.m. Sep. 24 at UNLV, 9 p.m. Oct. 1 Troy, TBA Oct. 8 at Louisiana-Monroe, 7p.m. Oct. 15 New Mexico St., TBA Oct. 22 at Appalachian St., TBA Nov. 5 at Louisiana-Lafayette, TBA Nov. 12 at Texas St., 4 p.m. Nov. 26 South Alabama, TBA Dec. 3 Georgia St., TBA ILLINOIS Sep. 3 Murray St., 3:30 p.m. Sep. 10 North Carolina, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 17 W. Michigan, 4 p.m. Oct. 1 at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 8 Purdue, TBA Oct. 15 at Rutgers, Noon Oct. 22 at Michigan, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Minnesota,, Noon Nov. 5 Michigan St., TBA Nov. 12 at Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Iowa, TBA Nov. 26 at Northwestern, TBA KENTUCKY Sep. 3 Southern Miss., 7:30 p.m. Sep. 10 at Florida, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 New Mexico St., 4 p.m. Sep. 24 South Carolina, TBA Oct. 1 at Alabama, TBA Oct. 8 Vanderbilt, TBA Oct. 22 Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 29 at Missouri, TBA Nov. 5 Georgia, TBA Nov. 12 at Tennessee, TBA Nov. 19 Austin Peay, TBA Nov. 26 at Louisville, TBA LSU Sep. 3 Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Jacksonville St., 7:30 p.m. Sep. 17 Mississippi St., 7 p.m. Sep. 24 at Auburn, TBA Oct. 1 Missouri, TBA Oct. 8 at Florida, TBA Oct. 15 Southern Miss., TBA Oct. 22 Mississippi, TBA Nov. 5 Alabama, TBA Nov. 12 at Arkansas, TBA Nov. 24 at Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m. LOUISIANA TECH Sep. 3 at Arkansas, 4 p.m. Sep. 10 SC State, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 at Texas Tech, 7 p.m. Sep. 24 at Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 UTEP, 7 p.m. Oct. 6 W. Kentucky, 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at UMass, TBA Oct. 22 at FIU, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 Rice, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at North Texas, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12 UTSA, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at Southern Miss., TBA LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE Sep. 3 Boise St., TBA Sep. 10 McNeese St., TBA Sep. 17 South Alabama, TBA Sep. 24 at Tulane, TBA Oct. 1 at New Mexico St., 8 p.m. Oct. 12 Appalachian St., 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at Texas St., 7 p.m. Nov. 5 Idaho, TBA Nov. 12 at Georgia Southern, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Georgia, TBA Nov. 26 Arkansas St., TBA Dec. 3 at Louisiana-Monroe, 3 p.m.

21 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE TEAM SCHEDULES LOUISIANA-MONROE Sep. 3 Southern U., 7 p.m. Sep. 10 at Oklahoma, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 at Georgia Southern, 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at Auburn, TBA Oct. 8 Idaho, 7 p.m. Oct. 15 Texas St., 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at New Mexico, 9 p.m. Oct. 29 at Arkansas St., TBA Nov. 5 South Alabama, 5 p.m. Nov. 12 at Georgia St., TBA Nov. 19 at Appalachian St., TBA Dec. 3 Louisiana-Lafayette, 3 p.m. LOUISVILLE Sep. 1 Charlotte, 7 p.m. Sep. 9 at Syracuse, 8 p.m. Sep. 17 Florida St., Noon Sep. 24 at Marshall, 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Clemson, TBA Oct. 14 Duke, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 NC State, TBA Oct. 29 at Virginia, TBA Nov. 5 at Boston College, TBA Nov. 12 Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 17 at Houston, 8 p.m. Nov. 26 Kentucky, TBA MARSHALL Sep. 10 Morgan St., 6 p.m. Sep. 17 Akron, Noon Sep. 24 Louisville, 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 8 at North Texas, 7 p.m. Oct. 15 FAU, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 Charlotte, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Southern Miss., 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Old Dominion, 7 p.m. Nov. 12 Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at FIU, 7 p.m. Nov. 26 W. Kentucky, TBA MARYLAND Sep. 3 Howard, Noon Sep. 9 at FIU, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at UCF, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 Purdue, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Penn St., Noon Oct. 15 Minnesota, TBA Oct. 22 Michigan St., 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Indiana, TBA Nov. 5 at Michigan, TBA Nov. 12 Ohio St., TBA Nov. 19 at Nebraska, TBA Nov. 26 Rutgers, TBA MEMPHIS Sep. 3 SE Missouri, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 Kansas, Noon Sep. 24 Bowling Green, TBA Oct. 1 at Mississippi, TBA Oct. 6 Temple, 8 p.m. Oct. 14 at Tulane, 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at Navy, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Tulsa, TBA Nov. 5 at SMU, TBA Nov. 12 South Florida, TBA Nov. 18 at Cincinnati, 8 p.m. Nov. 25 Houston, TBA MIAMI Sep. 3 Florida A&M, 6 p.m. Sep. 10 FAU, 6 p.m. Sep. 17 at Appalachian St., Noon Oct. 1 at Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 8 Florida St., TBA Oct. 15 North Carolina, TBA Oct. 20 at Virginia Tech, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Pittsburgh, TBA Nov. 12 at Virginia, TBA Nov. 19 at NC State, TBA Nov. 26 Duke, TBA MIAMI (OHIO) Sep. 3 at Iowa, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 10 E. Illinois, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 W. Kentucky, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at Cincinnati, TBA Oct. 1 Ohio, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Akron, 3 p.m. Oct. 15 Kent St., TBA Oct. 22 at Bowling Green, TBA Oct. 29 at E. Michigan, TBA Nov. 4 Cent. Michigan, 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at Bufalo, TBA Nov. 22 Ball St., 7 p.m. MICHIGAN Sep. 3 Hawaii, Noon Sep. 10 UCF, Noon Sep. 17 Colorado, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Penn St., TBA Oct. 1 Wisconsin, TBA Oct. 8 at Rutgers, 8 p.m. Oct. 22 Illinois, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Michigan St., TBA Nov. 5 Maryland, TBA Nov. 12 at Iowa, 8 p.m. Nov. 19 Indiana, TBA Nov. 26 at Ohio St., TBA MICHIGAN ST. Sep. 2 Furman, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Wisconsin, TBA Oct. 1 at Indiana, 8 p.m. Oct. 8 BYU, TBA Oct. 15 Northwestern, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Maryland, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Michigan, TBA Nov. 5 at Illinois, TBA Nov. 12 Rutgers, TBA Nov. 19 Ohio St., TBA Nov. 26 at Penn St., TBA MIDDLE TENNESSEE Sep. 3 Alabama A&M, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 at Vanderbilt, 4 p.m. Sep. 17 at Bowling Green, Noon Sep. 24 Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at North Texas, 7 p.m. Oct. 15 W. Kentucky, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Missouri, TBA Oct. 29 at FIU, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 UTSA, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Marshall, 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at Charlotte, 2 p.m. Nov. 26 FAU, 5:30 p.m. MINNESOTA Sep. 1 Oregon St., 9 p.m. Sep. 10 Indiana St., Noon Sep. 24 Colorado St., TBA Oct. 1 at Penn St., TBA Oct. 8 Iowa, TBA Oct. 15 at Maryland, TBA Oct. 22 Rutgers, Noon Oct. 29 at Illinois, Noon Nov. 5 Purdue, TBA Nov. 12 at Nebraska, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Northwestern, TBA Nov. 26 at Wisconsin, TBA MISSISSIPPI Sep. 5 Florida St., 8 p.m. Sep. 10 Woford, 4 p.m. Sep. 17 Alabama, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Georgia, TBA Oct. 1 Memphis, TBA Oct. 15 at Arkansas, TBA Oct. 22 at LSU, TBA Oct. 29 Auburn, TBA Nov. 5 Georgia Southern, TBA Nov. 12 at Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 19 at Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 26 Mississippi St., TBA MISSISSIPPI ST. Sep. 3 South Alabama, Noon Sep. 10 South Carolina, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 at LSU, 7 p.m. Sep. 24 at UMass, TBA Oct. 8 Auburn, TBA Oct. 14 at BYU, 10:15 p.m. Oct. 22 at Kentucky, TBA Oct. 29 Samford, TBA Nov. 5 Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 12 at Alabama, TBA Nov. 19 Arkansas, TBA Nov. 26 at Mississippi, TBA MISSOURI Sep. 3 at West Virginia, Noon Sep. 10 E. Michigan, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 17 Georgia, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Delaware St., TBA Oct. 1 at LSU, TBA Oct. 15 at Florida, TBA Oct. 22 Middle Tennessee, TBA Oct. 29 Kentucky, TBA Nov. 5 at South Carolina, TBA Nov. 12 Vanderbilt, TBA Nov. 19 at Tennessee, TBA Nov. 26 Arkansas, 2:30 p.m. N. ILLINOIS Sep. 3 at Wyoming, 10:30 p.m. Sep. 10 at South Florida, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 San Diego St., 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 W. Illinois, TBA Oct. 1 at Ball St., TBA Oct. 8 at W. Michigan, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 Cent. Michigan, TBA Oct. 22 Bufalo, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 1 Bowling Green, 8 p.m. Nov. 9 Toledo, 8 p.m. Nov. 16 at E. Michigan, TBA Nov. 25 at Kent St., TBA NC STATE Sep. 1 William & Mary, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 10 at East Carolina, Noon Sep. 17 Old Dominion, 6 p.m. Oct. 1 Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 8 Notre Dame, TBA Oct. 15 at Clemson, TBA Oct. 22 at Louisville, TBA Oct. 29 Boston College, TBA Nov. 5 Florida St., TBA Nov. 12 at Syracuse, TBA Nov. 19 Miami, TBA Nov. 25 at North Carolina, TBA NAVY Sep. 3 Fordham, Noon Sep. 10 UConn, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Tulane, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at Air Force, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 8 Houston, 3 p.m. Oct. 13 at East Carolina, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Memphis, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at South Florida, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 Notre Dame, 11:30 a.m. Nov. 12 Tulsa, Noon Nov. 26 at SMU, TBA Dec. 10 Army, 3 p.m. NEBRASKA Sep. 3 Fresno St., 8 p.m. Sep. 10 Wyoming, 8 p.m. Sep. 17 Oregon, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at Northwestern, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Illinois, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Indiana, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Purdue, TBA Oct. 29 at Wisconsin, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Ohio St., 8 p.m. Nov. 12 Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Maryland, TBA Nov. 25 at Iowa, TBA NEVADA Sep. 2 Cal Poly, 9:30 p.m. Sep. 10 at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 Bufalo, 9 p.m. Sep. 24 at Purdue, TBA Oct. 1 at Hawaii, 11:59 p.m. Oct. 8 Fresno St., TBA Oct. 15 at San Jose St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Wyoming, TBA Nov. 5 at New Mexico, TBA Nov. 12 San Diego St., 10:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Utah St., TBA Nov. 26 at UNLV, TBA NEW MEXICO Sep. 3 South Dakota, 9 p.m. Sep. 10 at New Mexico St., 8 p.m. Sep. 17 at Rutgers, Noon Oct. 1 San Jose St., 4 p.m. Oct. 7 Boise St., 9 p.m. Oct. 15 Air Force, TBA Oct. 22 Louisiana-Monroe, 9 p.m. Oct. 29 at Hawaii, 11:59 p.m. Nov. 5 Nevada, TBA Nov. 12 at Utah St., TBA Nov. 19 at Colorado St., TBA Nov. 26 Wyoming, TBA NEW MEXICO ST. Sep. 3 at UTEP, 8 p.m. Sep. 10 New Mexico, 8 p.m. Sep. 17 at Kentucky, 4 p.m. Sep. 24 at Troy, TBA Oct. 1 Louisiana-Lafayette, 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Idaho, TBA Oct. 22 Georgia Southern, 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 12 at Arkansas St., TBA Nov. 19 Texas St., 4 p.m. Nov. 26 Appalachian St., 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at South Alabama, TBA NORTH CAROLINA Sep. 3 Georgia, 5:30 p.m. Sep. 10 at Illinois, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 17 James Madison, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 1 at Florida St., TBA Oct. 8 Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 15 at Miami, TBA Oct. 22 at Virginia, TBA Nov. 5 Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 10 at Duke, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 The Citadel, TBA Nov. 25 NC State, TBA NORTH TEXAS Sep. 3 SMU, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 Bethune Cookman, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 at Florida, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at Rice, TBA Oct. 1 Middle Tennessee, 7 p.m. Oct. 8 Marshall, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Army, Noon Oct. 29 at UTSA, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 Louisiana Tech, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at W. Kentucky, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Southern Miss., 5:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at UTEP, TBA NORTHWESTERN Sep. 3 W. Michigan, Noon Sep. 10 Illinois St., 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 Duke, 8 p.m. Sep. 24 Nebraska, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Iowa, Noon Oct. 15 at Michigan St., 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Indiana, Noon Oct. 29 at Ohio St., 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 12 at Purdue, TBA Nov. 19 at Minnesota, TBA Nov. 26 Illinois, TBA NOTRE DAME Sep. 4 at Texas, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Nevada, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 Michigan St., 7:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Duke, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Syracuse, TBA Oct. 8 at N.C. State, TBA Oct. 15 Stanford, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Miami, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Navy, 11:30 a.m. Nov. 12 Army, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Virginia Tech, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at Southern Cal, TBA OHIO Sep. 3 Texas St., 3:30 p.m. Sep. 10 at Kansas, 2:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Tennessee, Noon Sep. 24 Gardner-Webb, TBA Oct. 1 at Miami (Ohio), 2 p.m. Oct. 8 Bowling Green, 2 p.m. Oct. 15 E. Michigan, TBA Oct. 22 at Kent St., TBA Oct. 27 at Toledo, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 Bufalo, 6 p.m. Nov. 15 at Cent. Michigan, 6 p.m. Nov. 22 Akron, 7 p.m. OHIO ST. Sep. 3 Bowling Green, Noon Sep. 10 Tulsa, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Oklahoma, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Rutgers, Noon Oct. 8 Indiana, TBA Oct. 15 at Wisconsin, 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at Penn St., 8 p.m. Oct. 29 Northwestern, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Nebraska, 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at Maryland, TBA Nov. 19 at Michigan St., TBA Nov. 26 Michigan, TBA OKLAHOMA Sep. 3 at Houston, Noon Sep. 10 Louisiana-Monroe, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 Ohio St., 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at TCU, TBA Oct. 8 Texas, TBA Oct. 15 Kansas St., TBA Oct. 22 at Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 29 Kansas, TBA Nov. 3 at Iowa St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 Baylor, TBA Nov. 19 at West Virginia, TBA Dec. 3 Oklahoma St., TBA OKLAHOMA ST. Sep. 3 SE Louisiana, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Cent. Michigan, Noon Sep. 17 Pittsburgh, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at Baylor, TBA Oct. 1 Texas, TBA Oct. 8 Iowa St., TBA Oct. 22 at Kansas, TBA Oct. 29 West Virginia, TBA Nov. 5 at Kansas St., TBA Nov. 12 Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 19 at TCU, TBA Dec. 3 at Oklahoma, TBA OLD DOMINION Sep. 3 Hampton, 6 p.m. Sep. 10 at Appalachian St., 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at NC State, 6 p.m. Sep. 24 UTSA, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Charlotte, 6 p.m. Oct. 8 UMass, TBA Oct. 22 at W. Kentucky, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at UTEP, 8 p.m. Nov. 5 Marshall, 7 p.m. Nov. 12 Southern Miss., 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at FAU, 6 p.m. Nov. 26 FIU, TBA OREGON Sep. 3 UC Davis, 5 p.m. Sep. 10 Virginia, 10:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Colorado, TBA Oct. 1 at Washington St., TBA Oct. 8 Washington, TBA Oct. 21 at California, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Arizona St., TBA Nov. 5 at Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 12 Stanford, TBA Nov. 19 at Utah, TBA Nov. 26 at Oregon St., TBA OREGON ST. Sep. 1 at Minnesota, 9 p.m. Sep. 17 Idaho St., 5 p.m. Sep. 24 Boise St., TBA Oct. 1 at Colorado, TBA Oct. 8 California, TBA Oct. 15 Utah, TBA Oct. 22 at Washington, TBA Oct. 29 Washington St., TBA Nov. 5 at Stanford, TBA Nov. 12 at UCLA, TBA Nov. 19 Arizona, TBA Nov. 26 Oregon, TBA PENN ST. Sep. 3 Kent St., 3:30 p.m. Sep. 10 at Pittsburgh, Noon Sep. 17 Temple, Noon Sep. 24 at Michigan, TBA Oct. 1 Minnesota, TBA Oct. 8 Maryland, Noon Oct. 22 Ohio St., 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at Purdue, TBA Nov. 5 Iowa, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Indiana, TBA Nov. 19 at Rutgers, 8 p.m. Nov. 26 Michigan St., TBA PITTSBURGH Sep. 3 Villanova, 1:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Penn St., Noon Sep. 17 at Oklahoma St., 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at North Carolina, TBA Oct. 1 Marshall, TBA Oct. 8 Georgia Tech, TBA Oct. 15 at Virginia, TBA Oct. 27 Virginia Tech, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Miami, TBA Nov. 12 at Clemson, TBA Nov. 19 Duke, TBA Nov. 26 Syracuse, TBA PURDUE Sep. 3 E. Kentucky, Noon Sep. 10 Cincinnati, Noon Sep. 24 Nevada, TBA Oct. 1 at Maryland, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Illinois, TBA Oct. 15 Iowa, Noon Oct. 22 at Nebraska, TBA Oct. 29 Penn St., TBA Nov. 5 at Minnesota, TBA Nov. 12 Northwestern, TBA Nov. 19 Wisconsin, TBA Nov. 26 at Indiana, TBA RICE Sep. 1 at W. Kentucky, 8 p.m. Sep. 10 at Army, Noon Sep. 17 Baylor, 8 p.m. Sep. 24 North Texas, TBA Oct. 1 at Southern Miss., 7 p.m. Oct. 15 UTSA, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 Prairie View, TBA Oct. 29 at Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 FAU, TBA Nov. 12 at Charlotte, 2 p.m. Nov. 19 UTEP, TBA Nov. 26 at Stanford, TBA RUTGERS Sep. 3 at Washington, 2 p.m. Sep. 10 Howard, Noon Sep. 17 New Mexico, Noon Sep. 24 Iowa, TBA Oct. 1 at Ohio St., Noon Oct. 8 Michigan, 8 p.m. Oct. 15 Illinois, Noon Oct. 22 at Minnesota, Noon Nov. 5 Indiana, TBA Nov. 12 at Michigan St., TBA Nov. 19 Penn St., 8 p.m. Nov. 26 at Maryland, TBA SMU Sep. 3 at North Texas, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 at Baylor, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 Liberty, 7 p.m. Sep. 23 TCU, 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Temple, TBA Oct. 7 at Tulsa, 8 p.m. Oct. 22 Houston, TBA Oct. 29 at Tulane, TBA Nov. 5 Memphis, TBA Nov. 12 at East Carolina, TBA Nov. 19 South Florida, TBA Nov. 26 Navy, TBA SAN DIEGO ST. Sep. 3 New Hampshire, 8:30 p.m. Sep. 10 California, 10:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at N. Illinois, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at South Alabama, TBA Oct. 8 UNLV, TBA Oct. 14 at Fresno St., 10 p.m. Oct. 21 San Jose St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Utah St., 8 p.m. Nov. 5 Hawaii, 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Nevada, 10:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Wyoming, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 26 Colorado St., 9 p.m. SAN JOSE ST. Sep. 3 at Tulsa, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 Portland St., 4:30 p.m. Sep. 17 Utah, 10:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at Iowa St., Noon Oct. 1 at New Mexico, 4 p.m. Oct. 8 Hawaii, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 15 Nevada, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at San Diego St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 29 UNLV, 10:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Boise St., 10:15 p.m. Nov. 19 Air Force, 10:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at Fresno St., 3:30 p.m. SOUTH ALABAMA Sep. 3 at Mississippi St., Noon Sep. 10 Georgia Southern, TBA Sep. 17 LouisianaSep. 24 Nicholls, TBA Oct. 1 San Diego St., TBA Oct. 15 at Arkansas St., TBA Oct. 20 Troy, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 Georgia St., TBA Nov. 5 at Louisiana Nov. 19 at LSU, TBA Nov. 26 at Idaho, TBA Dec. 3 New Mexico St., TBA SOUTH CAROLINA Sep. 1 at Vanderbilt, 8 p.m. Sep. 10 at Mississippi St., 7 p.m. Sep. 17 East Carolina, 4 p.m. Sep. 24 at Kentucky, TBA Oct. 1 Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 8 Georgia, TBA Oct. 22 UMass, TBA Oct. 29 Tennessee, TBA Nov. 5 Missouri, TBA Nov. 12 at Florida, TBA Nov. 19 W. Carolina, TBA Nov. 26 at Clemson, TBA SOUTH FLORIDA Sep. 3 Towson, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 N. Illinois, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 at Syracuse, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Florida St., TBA Oct. 1 at Cincinnati, TBA Oct. 8 East Carolina, TBA Oct. 15 UConn, TBA Oct. 21 at Temple, 7 p.m. Oct. 28 Navy, 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Memphis, TBA Nov. 19 at SMU, TBA Nov. 26 UCF, TBA SOUTHERN CAL Sep. 3 Alabama, 8 p.m. Sep. 10 Utah St., 2 p.m. Sep. 17 at Stanford, 8 p.m. Sep. 23 at Utah, 9 p.m. Oct. 1 Arizona St., TBA Oct. 8 Colorado, TBA Oct. 15 at Arizona, TBA Oct. 27 California, 10:30 p.m. Nov. 5 Oregon, TBA Nov. 12 at Washington, TBA Nov. 19 at UCLA, TBA Nov. 26 Notre Dame, TBA SOUTHERN MISS. Sep. 3 at Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Savannah St., 7 p.m. Sep. 17 Troy, 7 p.m. Sep. 24 at UTEP, 8 p.m. Oct. 1 Rice, 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at UTSA, Noon Oct. 15 at LSU, TBA Oct. 29 Marshall, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 Charlotte, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Old Dominion, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at North Texas, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25 Louisiana Tech, TBA STANFORD Sep. 2 Kansas St., 9 p.m. Sep. 17 Southern Cal, 8 p.m. Sep. 24 at UCLA, TBA Sep. 30 at Washington, 9 p.m. Oct. 8 Washington St., TBA Oct. 15 at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Colorado, TBA Oct. 29 at Arizona, TBA Nov. 5 Oregon St., TBA Nov. 12 at Oregon, TBA Nov. 19 at California, TBA Nov. 26 Rice, TBA SYRACUSE Sep. 2 Colgate, 7 p.m. Sep. 9 Louisville, 8 p.m. Sep. 17 South Florida, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at UConn, TBA Oct. 1 Notre Dame, TBA Oct. 8 at Wake Forest, TBA Oct. 15 Virginia Tech, TBA Oct. 22 at Boston College, TBA Nov. 5 at Clemson, TBA Nov. 12 NC State, TBA Nov. 19 Florida St., TBA Nov. 26 at Pittsburgh, TBA TCU Sep. 3 S. Dakota St., 8 p.m. Sep. 10 Arkansas, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 Iowa St., Noon Sep. 23 at SMU, 8 p.m. Oct. 1 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 8 at Kansas, TBA Oct. 22 at West Virginia, TBA Oct. 29 Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 5 at Baylor, TBA Nov. 19 Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 25 at Texas, 3:30 p.m. Dec. 3 Kansas St., TBA TEMPLE Sep. 2 Army, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 Stony Brook, 1 p.m. Sep. 17 at Penn St., Noon Sep. 24 Charlotte, TBA Oct. 1 SMU, TBA Oct. 6 at Memphis, 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at UCF, TBA Oct. 21 South Florida, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 4 at UConn, 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at Tulane, TBA Nov. 26 East Carolina, TBA TENNESSEE Sep. 1 Appalachian St., 7:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Virginia Tech, 8 p.m. Sep. 17 Ohio, Noon Sep. 24 Florida, TBA Oct. 1 at Georgia, TBA Oct. 8 at Texas A&M, TBA Oct. 15 Alabama, TBA Oct. 29 at South Carolina, TBA Nov. 5 Tennessee Tech, TBA Nov. 12 Kentucky, TBA Nov. 19 Missouri, TBA Nov. 26 at Vanderbilt, TBA

22 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEKLY PAGE TEAM SCHEDULES TEXAS Sep. 4 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 10 UTEP, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 at California, 10:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Oklahoma St., TBA Oct. 8 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 15 Iowa St., TBA Oct. 22 at Kansas St., TBA Oct. 29 Baylor, TBA Nov. 5 at Texas Tech, TBA Nov. 12 West Virginia, TBA Nov. 19 at Kansas, TBA Nov. 25 TCU, 3:30 p.m. UCONN Sep. 1 Maine, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 at Navy, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 Virginia, 1:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Syracuse, TBA Sep. 29 at Houston, 8 p.m. Oct. 8 Cincinnati, 11:30 a.m. Oct. 15 at South Florida, TBA Oct. 22 UCF, TBA Oct. 29 at East Carolina, TBA Nov. 4 Temple, 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at Boston College, TBA Nov. 26 Tulane, TBA W. KENTUCKY Sep. 1 Rice, 8 p.m. Sep. 10 at Alabama, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Miami (Ohio), 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Vanderbilt, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Houston Baptist, 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at Louisiana Tech, 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Middle Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Old Dominion, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at FAU, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 5 FIU, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 12 North Texas, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at Marshall, TBA TEXAS A&M Sep. 3 UCLA, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Prairie View, Noon Sep. 17 at Auburn, 7 p.m. Sep. 24 Arkansas, TBA Oct. 1 at South Carolina, TBA Oct. 8 Tennessee, TBA Oct. 22 at Alabama, TBA Oct. 29 New Mexico St., TBA Nov. 5 at Mississippi St., TBA Nov. 12 Mississippi, TBA Nov. 19 UTSA, TBA Nov. 24 LSU, 7:30 p.m. UMASS Sep. 3 at Florida, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 Boston College, Noon Sep. 17 FIU, 7 p.m. Sep. 24 Mississippi St., TBA Oct. 1 Tulane, TBA Oct. 7 at Old Dominion, TBA Oct. 15 Louisiana Tech, TBA Oct. 22 at South Carolina, TBA Oct. 29 Wagner, TBA Nov. 12 at Troy, TBA Nov. 19 at BYU, TBA Nov. 26 at Hawaii, 11 p.m. W. MICHIGAN Sep. 3 at Northwestern, Noon Sep. 10 NC Central, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 at Illinois, 4 p.m. Sep. 24 Georgia Southern, TBA Oct. 1 at Cent. Michigan, TBA Oct. 8 N. Illinois, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Akron, TBA Oct. 22 E. Michigan, TBA Nov. 1 at Ball St., 8 p.m. Nov. 8 at Kent St., 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Bufalo, TBA Nov. 25 Toledo, TBA TEXAS ST. Sep. 3 at Ohio, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Arkansas, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Houston, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 Incarnate Word, 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Georgia St., TBA Oct. 15 at Louisiana Monroe, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 Louisiana-Lafayette, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Appalachian St., TBA Nov. 12 Idaho, 4 p.m. Nov. 19 at New Mexico St., 4 p.m. Nov. 26 Troy, 4 p.m. Dec. 3 Arkansas St., 4 p.m. UNLV Sep. 1 Jackson St., 10 p.m. Sep. 10 at UCLA, 8 p.m. Sep. 17 at Cent. Michigan, 3 p.m. Sep. 24 Idaho, 9 p.m. Oct. 1 Fresno St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at San Diego St. TBA Oct. 15 at Hawaii, 11:59 p.m. Oct. 22 Colorado St., 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at San Jose St., 10:30 p.m. Nov. 12 Wyoming, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Boise St., 9 p.m. Nov. 26 Nevada, TBA WAKE FOREST Sep. 1 Tulane, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 at Duke, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 Delaware, 6:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at Indiana TBA Oct. 1 at NC State, TBA Oct. 8 Syracuse, TBA Oct. 15 at Florida St., TBA Oct. 29 Army, TBA Nov. 5 Virginia, TBA Nov. 12 at Louisville, TBA Nov. 19 Clemson, TBA Nov. 26 Boston College, TBA TEXAS TECH Sep. 3 Stephen F Austin, 8 p.m. Sep. 10 at Arizona St., 10 p.m. Sep. 17 Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Sep. 29 Kansas, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at Kansas St., TBA Oct. 15 West Virginia, TBA Oct. 22 Oklahoma, TBA Oct. 29 at TCU, TBA Nov. 5 Texas, TBA Nov. 12 at Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 19 at Iowa St., TBA Nov. 25 Baylor, 6 p.m. UTEP Sep. 3 New Mexico St., 8 p.m. Sep. 10 at Texas, 7 p.m. Sep. 17 Army, 7 p.m. Sep. 24 Southern Miss, 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Louisiana Tech, 7 p.m. Oct. 8 FIU, 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at UTSA, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 Old Dominion, 8 p.m. Nov. 5 Houston Baptist, 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at FAU, 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at Rice, TBA Nov. 26 North Texas, TBA WASHINGTON Sep. 3 Rutgers, 2 p.m. Sep. 10 Idaho, 5 p.m. Sep. 17 Portland St., 8 p.m. Sep. 24 at Arizona, TBA Sep. 30 Stanford, 9 p.m. Oct. 8 at Oregon, TBA Oct. 22 Oregon St., TBA Oct. 29 at Utah, TBA Nov. 5 at California, TBA Nov. 12 Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 19 Arizona St., TBA Nov. 25 at Washington St., 3:30 p.m. AP PHOTO BY DAVID KADLUBOWSKI/THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC Alabama head coach Nick Saban and players celebrate after the NCAA college football playof championship game against Clemson, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. Alabama won TOLEDO Sep. 2 at Arkansas St., 9 p.m. Sep. 10 Maine 7 p.m. Sep. 17 Fresno St., 3 p.m. Sep. 30 at BYU, 10:15 p.m. Oct. 8 at E. Michigan, 3 p.m. Oct. 15 Bowling Green, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Cent. Michigan, TBA Oct. 27 Ohio, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Akron, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at N. Illinois, 8 p.m. Nov. 16 Ball St., TBA Nov. 25 at W. Michigan, TBA UTSA Sep. 3 Alabama St., 7 p.m. Sep. 10 at Colorado St., 4 p.m. Sep. 16 Arizona St., 9:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at Old Dominion, TBA Oct. 8 Southern Miss., Noon Oct. 15 at Rice, 7 p.m. Oct. 22 UTEP, 7 p.m. Oct. 29 North Texas, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Middle Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Louisiana Tech, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Texas A&M, TBA Nov. 26 Charlotte, 7 p.m. WASHINGTON ST. Sep. 3 E. Washington, 8 p.m. Sep. 10 at Boise St., 10:15 p.m. Sep. 17 Idaho, 2 p.m. Oct. 1 Oregon, TBA Oct. 8 at Stanford, TBA Oct. 15 UCLA, TBA Oct. 22 at Arizona St., TBA Oct. 29 at Oregon St., TBA Nov. 5 Arizona, TBA Nov. 12 California, TBA Nov. 19 at Colorado, TBA Nov. 25 Washington, 3:30 p.m. TROY Sep. 3 Austin Peay, TBA Sep. 10 at Clemson, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at Southern Miss., 7 p.m. Sep. 24 New Mexico St., TBA Oct. 1 at Idaho, TBA Oct. 15 Georgia St., TBA Oct. 20 at South Alabama, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 UMass, TBA Nov. 12 Appalachian St., TBA Nov. 17 Arkansas St., 9:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at Texas St., 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at Georgia Southern, 1 p.m. UTAH Sep. 1 S. Utah, 8 p.m. Sep. 10 BYU, 7:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at San Jose St., 10:30 p.m. Sep. 23 Southern Cal, 9 p.m. Oct. 1 at California, TBA Oct. 8 Arizona, TBA Oct. 15 at Oregon St., TBA Oct. 22 at UCLA, TBA Oct. 29 Washington, TBA Nov. 10 at Arizona St., 9:30 p.m. Nov. 19 Oregon, TBA Nov. 26 at Colorado, TBA WEST VIRGINIA Sep. 3 Missouri, Noon Sep. 10 Youngstown St., 2 p.m. Sep. 24 BYU, TBA Oct. 1 Kansas St., TBA Oct. 15 at Texas Tech, TBA Oct. 22 TCU, TBA Oct. 29 at Oklahoma St., TBA Nov. 5 Kansas, TBA Nov. 12 at Texas, TBA Nov. 19 Oklahoma, TBA Nov. 26 at Iowa St., TBA Dec. 3 Baylor, TBA TULANE Sep. 1 at Wake Forest, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 Southern, 8 p.m. Sep. 17 Navy, 7 p.m. Sep. 24 Louisiana-Lafayette, 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at UMass, TBA Oct. 7 at UCF, 8 p.m. Oct. 14 Memphis, 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at Tulsa, TBA Oct. 29 SMU, TBA Nov. 12 at Houston, TBA Nov. 19 Temple, TBA Nov. 26 at UConn, TBA UTAH ST. Sep. 1 Weber St., 8 p.m. Sep. 10 at Southern Cal, 2 p.m. Sep. 16 Arkansas St., 9 p.m. Sep. 24 Air Force, TBA Oct. 1 at Boise St., TBA Oct. 8 at Colorado St., 10 p.m. Oct. 22 Fresno St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 28 San Diego St., 8 p.m. Nov. 5 at Wyoming, TBA Nov. 12 New Mexico, TBA Nov. 19 at Nevada, TBA Nov. 26 at BYU, TBA WISCONSIN Sep. 3 LSU, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 10 Akron, 32:30 p.m. Sep. 17 Georgia St., Noon Sep. 24 at Michigan St., TBA Oct. 1 at Michigan, TBA Oct. 15 Ohio St., 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at Iowa, TBA Oct. 29 Nebraska, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Northwestern, TBA Nov. 12 Illinois, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Purdue, TBA Nov. 26 Minnesota, TBA AP PHOTO BY MICHAEL CHOW/THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC Alabama s Kenyan Drake, right, breaks away for a touchdown return against Clemson s Jayron Kearse (1) during the second half of the NCAA college football playof championship game, Jan. 11, 2016, in Glendale, Arizona. TULSA Sep. 3 San Jose St., 7 p.m. Sep. 10 at Ohio St., 3:30 p.m. Sep. 17 NC A&T, 2 p.m. Sep. 24 Fresno St., 10:30 p.m. Oct. 7 SMU, 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Houston, TBA Oct. 22 Tulane, TBA Oct. 29 at Memphis, TBA Nov. 5 East Carolina, TBA Nov. 12 at Navy, Noon Nov. 19 at UCF, TBA Nov. 25 Cincinnati, TBA VANDERBILT Sep. 1 South Carolina, 8 p.m. Sep. 10 Middle Tennessee, 4 p.m. Sep. 17 at Georgia Tech, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 24 at W. Kentucky, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 1 Florida, TBA Oct. 8 at Kentucky, TBA Oct. 15 at Georgia, TBA Oct. 22 Tennessee St., TBA Nov. 5 at Auburn, TBA Nov. 12 at Missouri, TBA Nov. 19 Mississippi, TBA Nov. 26 Tennessee, TBA WYOMING Sep. 3 N. Illinois, 10:30 p.m. Sep. 10 at Nebraska, Noon Sep. 17 UC Davis, 4 p.m. Sep. 23 at E. Michigan, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Colorado St., TBA Oct. 8 Air Force, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Nevada, TBA Oct. 29 Boise St., 7 p.m. Nov. 5 Utah St., TBA Nov. 12 at UNLV, 3 p.m. Nov. 19 San Diego St., 3:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at New Mexico, TBA UCF Sep. 3 SC State, 7 p.m. Sep. 10 at Michigan, Noon Sep. 17 Maryland, 7 p.m. Sep. 24 at FIU, 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at East Carolina, TBA Oct. 7 Tulane, 8 p.m. Oct. 15 Temple, TBA Oct. 22 at UConn, TBA Oct. 29 at Houston, TBA Nov. 12 Cincinnati, TBA Nov. 19 Tulsa, TBA Nov. 26 at South Florida, TBA VIRGINIA Sep. 3 Richmond, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 10 at Oregon, 10:30 p.m. Sep. 17 at UConn, 1:30 p.m. Sep. 24 Cent. Michigan, TBA Oct. 1 at Duke, TBA Oct. 15 Pittsburgh, TBA Oct. 22 North Carolina, TBA Oct. 29 Louisville, TBA Nov. 5 at Wake Forest, TBA Nov. 12 Miami, TBA Nov. 19 at Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 26 at Virginia Tech, TBA UCLA Sep. 3 at Texas A&M, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 10 UNLV, 8 p.m. Sep. 17 at BYU, 10:15 p.m. Sep. 24 Stanford, TBA Oct. 1 Arizona, TBA Oct. 8 at Arizona St., TBA Oct. 15 at Washington St., TBA Oct. 22 Utah, TBA Nov. 3 at Colorado 9 p.m. Nov. 12 Oregon St., TBA Nov. 19 Southern Cal, TBA Nov. 26 at California, TBA VIRGINIA TECH Sep. 3 Liberty, 12:30 p.m. Sep. 10 at Tennessee, 8 p.m. Sep. 17 Boston College, 3:30 p.m. Sep. 24 East Carolina, TBA Oct. 8 at North Carolina, TBA Oct. 15 at Syracuse, TBA Oct. 20 Miami, 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at Duke, TBA Nov. 12 Georgia Tech, TBA Nov. 19 at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. Nov. 26 Virginia, TBA AP PHOTO Michigan State s Aaron Burbridge, left, catches a pass for a touchdown against Air Force s Kalon Baker, Sept. 19, 2015, in East Lansing, Mich.