Conferences in the Crosshairs: Eyes on USC, Clemson

Week One in the ACC left questions in Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and now in Tallahassee where the Florida State Seminoles lost quarterback Deondre Francois for the season to a torn patella injury.  The big question this week lies in Death Valley in Clemson, S.C. where two renowned groups of Tigers set up for a great battle.

Auburn at Clemson – This is a revenge game for Auburn as Clemson took a 19-13 win on the Plains last season in a highly winnable game for the hometown Tigers.  Both squads started out with tune-ups in Week One as Clemson blasted Kent State, 56-3, while Auburn rolled to a 41-7 win over Georgia Southern.  The two teams share another common trait as they broke in new quarterbacks, both of whom performed well, in Clemson’s Kelly Bryant and Jarrett Stidham of Auburn.  This comes down to the defensive fronts and who can make navigation toughest for the opposing quarterback.

Louisville at North Carolina – Lamar Jackson was on fire Saturday in defending his Heisman Trophy from a year ago.  He threw for 378 yards and two touchdowns, while running for 107 in a closer than expected 35-28 win over Purdue.  The Tar Heels were surprised in Chapel Hill by the Cal Bears, 35-30, in Justin Wilcox’s debut as the Bears’ head coach.  Much of this is going to depend on how well the Tar Heels can contain Jackson.  Cal quarterback Ross Bowers chewed up North Carolina’s pass defense as he completed 24 of 38 passes for 363 yards and four touchdowns.
Cardinals 38, Tar Heels (+8) 31.

Northwestern at Duke – The Blue Devils tuned up for Northwestern by rolling to a 60-7 win over North Carolina Central.  Duke scored on all seven first half drives and Bryon Fields returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown.  Northwestern pulled out a 31-20 win over a tough Nevada squad as quarterback Clayton Thorson scored a couple of late fourth quarter touchdowns.  Thorson and Duke quarterback Daniel Jones will be front row an center in this contest which could come down to whomever as the football last.
Blue Devils (+3) 41, Wildcats 37.

Wake Forest at Boston College – These two teams could be rated as sleepers if they weren’t in the ACC Atlantic with Clemson, Louisville and Florida State.  This one is all about the match-up and how well the Deacons can sustain against the physicality of the Eagles.  Wake’s John Wolford threw for three touchdowns and ran for one as the Demon Deacons dismantled Presbyterian, 51-7.  They also gave up 207 yards on the ground to the Blue Hose which favors John Hilliman and Thad Smith in the BC rushing attack.
Eagles (-2) 27, Demon Deacons 24.

Pitt at Penn State – This is another revenge game after the Panthers won at home against Penn State last season.  It’s going to need to be an opportunistic Pittsburgh defense which forces turnovers and takes care of field position if they are to win in Happy Valley.  Pitt defeated Youngstown State, 28-21, in overtime as the Penguins had over 200 more yards in total offense in the second half.  Look for Lions running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Marty McSorley to have big games as the 52-0 win over Akron allowed them to get their legs.
Nittany Lions (-20) 49, Panthers 17.

Indiana at Virginia – This is going to tell us where each of these teams stand.  Indiana led Ohio State for the entire first half and 21-20 midway through the third before the Buckeyes cranked out a 49-21 win.  Quarterback Richard Lagow looked very comfortable in leading the Hoosiers offense as he threw for 410 yards. The Cavaliers did not have a turnover for the first time in 43 games in Saturday’s win over William & Mary.  Quarterback Kurt Benkert was the story as he completed 26 of 39 passes for 262 yards with scoring tosses to Andre Levrone and Olamide Zaccheaus.

Cal threw everyone for a loop, going across the country and winning in Chapel Hill in the Tar Heels home opener.  USC had a tougher than expected time and what about Josh Rosen’s heroics in the Bruins’ thrilling come-from-behind win over Texas A&M?

Stanford at USC – Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 289 yards, but passed for no scores and had two interceptions against a determined Western Michigan team that was tied with the Trojans going into the fourth quarter of USC’s 49-31 win.  The Trojans must withstand that usual physical Cardinal team that uses a next man-up philosophy in finding the featured back. Running back Bryce Love is more than capable of piling up big numbers against anyone.
Trojans 28, Cardinal (+6 1/2) 24.

Nebraska at Oregon – Ducks’ running back Royce Freeman had the look of a Heisman Trophy candidate with 150 yards on the ground and four touchdowns against FCS opponent Southern Utah.  The talent steps up 100 percent as the Cornhuskers roll in after withstanding Arkansas State in a 43-36 nail-biter in Lincoln. Oregon senior running back Kani Benoit was a nice change up as well with 107 yards and three scores in the win over the Thunderbirds. Nebraska allowed 89 plays in Saturday’s game as Arkansas State quarterback Justice Hansen completed 46-of-68 passes for 415 yards.  Ducks’ quarterback Justin Herbert could have a huge passing day on Saturday for Oregon.
Ducks (-14) 44, Cornhuskers 27.

Hawaii at UCLA – “Chosen Rosen” rallied the UCLA Bruins from 34 points down to a 45-44 landmark win that over Texas A&M, which was the biggest comeback win in UCLA football history on Sunday night.  He finished 35-of-59 for 491 yards as he threw for 292 yards in the fourth quarter.  This weekend may have flipped the early Heisman race in this favor as his heroics will be relived for the entire season and for seasons to come.  Hawaii is 2-0 after closing out Western Carolina, 41-18, on Saturday behind 202 rushing yards and a score from Diocemy Saint Juste.
Bruins 41, Rainbow Warriors 20. (no line initially available)

Utah at BYU – The Holy War is back with vengeance as the Utes feature what looks to be a steadfast quarterback in Tyler Huntley who competed 71 percent of his passes, averaging seven yards per pass play, in the opening win over North Dakota.  Huntley complemented a 272-yard team rushing effort as 128 came from Zack Moss.  BYU was dominated in a 27-0 loss to LSU as the Cougars had nine possession and seven punts.  Utah is known to get after it on defense in the Kyle Whittingham era and Saturday night brings a little extra juice in the Beehive State.
Utes (+1 1/2) 27, Cougars 17.

Boise State at Washington State – A great late night game to cap a strong Week Two as the Cougars come off the shutout of Montana State, while Boise State was tested in its 24-13 win over Sun Belt contender Troy. Defensively, it was a great effort for the Broncos who held the athletic Trojans to 217 total yard,s while Brett Rypien made great decisions at quarterback in running his attack.  The Cougars feature more athletes, as well having the incomparable quarterback Luke Falk, who completed 33 of 39 passes for 311 yards as the Bobcats’ offense only moved into Washington State territory one time in 10 drives.
Cougars 33, Broncos (+9) 30.

San Diego State at Arizona State – The Sun Devils could be in for a real problem on Saturday night if they have the opportunity to close the game and cannot as in last Thursday’s 37-31 win over New Mexico State.  ASU led 37-13 early in the game before Tyler Rogers marched them to three scores with the last one on the last play of the game. San Diego State head coach Rocky Long’s running game was by committee in replacing Donnell Pumphrey in the Aztecs’ 38-17 win over UC Davis.  Kahale Warring led SDSU out of the backfield with 75 yards as 10 ball carriers figured in the Aztecs’ box score.  The Aztecs will take it to the Sun Devils with various weapons on offense to post the ‘W.’
Aztecs (+3) 34, Sun Devils 27.

Minnesota at Oregon State – P.J. Fleck opened his Minnesota career with a 17-7 win over Buffalo.  The Gophers will have to account for wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins, who had two late catches to propel the Beavers over Portland State, 35-32.
Beavers (-1) 26, Gophers 21.

Overall: 8-4
Vs. the Spread 4-8  — YIKES!!!