Posted by ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
Here's a list of 10 things to watch in college football on Saturday:
1. Can Virginia Tech slow down Miami?
All eyes will be on Hurricanes quarterback Jacory Harris, who has emerged as a Heisman Trophy candidate during Miami's surprising 2-0 start. But slowing down tailbacks Javarris James and Graig Cooper might be No. 11 Virginia Tech's top priority when it hosts the No. 9 Hurricanes on Saturday at Lane Stadium (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).
Virginia Tech's defense ranks 107th nationally against the run, allowing 200.3 rushing yards per game. Three running backs already have gained 100 yards or more against Bud Foster's defense, which hadn't happened since 2002. Under Foster, the Hokies ranked in the top seven nationally in total defense in each of the past five seasons. They have to play better to beat Miami.
2. Will Penn State avenge its devastating 2008 loss to Iowa?
The Hawkeyes dashed the Nittany Lions' BCS title hopes with a stunning 24-23 victory in Iowa City last season. Iowa won on backup kicker Daniel Murray's 31-yard field goal with one second left.
The teams play again Saturday in Happy Valley (ABC, 8 p.m. ET), and the No. 5 Nittany Lions undoubtedly will have revenge on their minds. Penn State has dominated three lesser opponents (Akron, Syracuse and Temple) but probably has had this game circled for a while.
The Hawkeyes won't have tailback Shonn Greene, who ran for 117 yards and two touchdowns against Penn State last season. Adam Robinson, a 5-foot-9 freshman, ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns in Iowa's past two games combined. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who threw an interception and lost a fumble against Penn State last season, will have to play well for Iowa to pull off an upset for the second season in a row.
3. Will Florida play better at Kentucky?
The No. 1 Gators still are battling the flu, and there seems to be a hangover from Saturday's 23-13 victory over Tennessee. Florida was supposed to steamroll the Volunteers, but its 10-point victory seemed to leave more questions than answers.
Who's going to replace departed receivers Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy? Who's going to run the ball other than quarterback Tim Tebow? Why did Tennessee run the football so effectively?
If nothing else, Florida will be looking for a more complete performance when it plays Kentucky on Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium (ESPN2, 6 p.m. ET). Kentucky typically has been Florida's best remedy for its woes. The Gators have beaten the Wildcats 22 times in a row, the second-longest winning streak by one team over another in the country. Florida won 63-5 in The Swamp last season.
4. Is Cal the best team in the Pac-10?
After USC's stunning 16-13 loss last week at Washington, the No. 6 Bears sure look like the team to beat in the Pac-10. We'll know a lot more about Cal after it plays Oregon on Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).
The Ducks, who are coming off a 31-24 upset of then-No. 18 Utah last week, are expected to wear retro uniforms -- including yellow helmets, like the ones they wore in the 1994 Rose Bowl. Ducks coach Chip Kelly is hoping for a throwback performance, too.
Cal has won four of the past five games in the series, after Oregon won seven in a row from 1994 through 2003. The past three games between the teams at Autzen Stadium were decided by a touchdown or less.
5. Will the Trojans bounce back?
The Trojans are circling the wagons after last week's loss to the Huskies, who had the country's longest losing streak at 15 games until posting back-to-back victories over Idaho and USC.
Freshman quarterback Matt Barkley, who missed the Washington game because of a bruised right shoulder, is expected to start Saturday night's game against Washington State. USC coach Pete Carroll wants to restore his team's confidence before it begins a brutal four-game stretch.
After playing the Cougars, the Trojans play at Cal on Oct. 3, at Notre Dame on Oct. 17, home against Oregon State on Oct. 24 and at Oregon on Oct. 31.
6. Can Ohio State stop Illinois' spread offense?
The Buckeyes bounced back from a disappointing 18-15 loss to USC by blasting Toledo 38-0 last week. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor had his most complete performance against the Rockets, running for 110 yards and one touchdown and passing for a career-high 262 yards and three scores.
The Buckeyes should be more confident entering Saturday's Big Ten opener against Illinois (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET). Ohio State's defense might be tested by the Illini, which stunned then-No. 1 OSU 28-21 in its last trip to the Horseshoe in 2007. Quarterback Juice Williams should be back from a strained quadriceps, but the Illini will have to run the ball well against a stingy Buckeye defense.
7. Can Houston do it again?
The No. 17 Cougars haven't played since their 45-35 upset at then-No. 5 Oklahoma State on Sept. 12. They'll play as a ranked team for the first time in 18 years when they host Texas Tech at Robertson Stadium on Saturday night (ESPN2, 9:15 ET).
The game figures to be a shootout between quarterbacks Case Keenum of Houston and Taylor Potts of Texas Tech. Keenum threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns in the upset of the Pokes; Potts completed a career-high 46 passes and threw for 420 yards in last week's 34-24 loss at No. 2 Texas.
8. Will TCU stay in the BCS hunt?
With BYU and Utah losing last week, Boise State, Houston and TCU seem to have the best chance at crashing the BCS party. The Horned Frogs have impressive victories over Virginia and FCS foe Texas State, but figure to get a stiffer test when they play Clemson at Death Valley on Saturday (ESPN360.com, 3:30 p.m. ET).
The No. 15 Horned Frogs ran for more than 200 yards in each of their first two games. Clemson's defense allowed 301 rushing yards in its 30-27 loss at Georgia Tech on Sept. 10, but played very well in a 25-7 victory over Boston College last week.
The Tigers will have to do a good job protecting quarterback Kyle Parker against TCU's ferocious defensive front.
9. Which teams are on upset alert?
Kansas has played very well against three lesser opponents, but might get a bigger challenge when Southern Miss travels to Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Golden Eagles have won eight games in a row, which is the second-longest winning streak in the country.
The No. 20 Jayhawks have also had their share of distractions this week: several football players were involved in on-campus fights with members of the school's basketball team and tailback Jake Sharp has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
Georgia's offense has been impressive in its last two games, scoring 93 points in SEC victories over South Carolina and Arkansas. But the No. 21 Bulldogs' defense has been porous, allowing 78 points in those games.
Arizona State travels to Sanford Stadium on Saturday night (ESPNU, 7 p.m. ET) after blowing out Idaho State 50-3 and Louisiana-Monroe 38-14. The Sun Devils have lost 27 of their last 30 games against ranked opponents and are 0-4 against SEC teams, including a 27-10 loss to Georgia in Tempe last season.
10. Can Washington win three in a row?
After losing 15 games in a row, the No. 24 Huskies probably have their heads in the clouds after consecutive victories, including last week's memorable upset of USC.
Saturday night's game against Stanford at Stanford Stadium won't be easy to win. The Cardinal have one of the country's best young quarterbacks in Andrew Luck, and running back Toby Gerhart is capable of helping Stanford control the clock.
Stanford has won three of the last four meetings, including a 35-28 victory in Seattle last season.
Here's a list of 10 things to watch in college football on Saturday:
1. Can Virginia Tech slow down Miami?
All eyes will be on Hurricanes quarterback Jacory Harris, who has emerged as a Heisman Trophy candidate during Miami's surprising 2-0 start. But slowing down tailbacks Javarris James and Graig Cooper might be No. 11 Virginia Tech's top priority when it hosts the No. 9 Hurricanes on Saturday at Lane Stadium (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).
Virginia Tech's defense ranks 107th nationally against the run, allowing 200.3 rushing yards per game. Three running backs already have gained 100 yards or more against Bud Foster's defense, which hadn't happened since 2002. Under Foster, the Hokies ranked in the top seven nationally in total defense in each of the past five seasons. They have to play better to beat Miami.
2. Will Penn State avenge its devastating 2008 loss to Iowa?
The Hawkeyes dashed the Nittany Lions' BCS title hopes with a stunning 24-23 victory in Iowa City last season. Iowa won on backup kicker Daniel Murray's 31-yard field goal with one second left.
The teams play again Saturday in Happy Valley (ABC, 8 p.m. ET), and the No. 5 Nittany Lions undoubtedly will have revenge on their minds. Penn State has dominated three lesser opponents (Akron, Syracuse and Temple) but probably has had this game circled for a while.
The Hawkeyes won't have tailback Shonn Greene, who ran for 117 yards and two touchdowns against Penn State last season. Adam Robinson, a 5-foot-9 freshman, ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns in Iowa's past two games combined. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who threw an interception and lost a fumble against Penn State last season, will have to play well for Iowa to pull off an upset for the second season in a row.
3. Will Florida play better at Kentucky?
The No. 1 Gators still are battling the flu, and there seems to be a hangover from Saturday's 23-13 victory over Tennessee. Florida was supposed to steamroll the Volunteers, but its 10-point victory seemed to leave more questions than answers.
Who's going to replace departed receivers Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy? Who's going to run the ball other than quarterback Tim Tebow? Why did Tennessee run the football so effectively?
If nothing else, Florida will be looking for a more complete performance when it plays Kentucky on Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium (ESPN2, 6 p.m. ET). Kentucky typically has been Florida's best remedy for its woes. The Gators have beaten the Wildcats 22 times in a row, the second-longest winning streak by one team over another in the country. Florida won 63-5 in The Swamp last season.
4. Is Cal the best team in the Pac-10?
After USC's stunning 16-13 loss last week at Washington, the No. 6 Bears sure look like the team to beat in the Pac-10. We'll know a lot more about Cal after it plays Oregon on Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).
The Ducks, who are coming off a 31-24 upset of then-No. 18 Utah last week, are expected to wear retro uniforms -- including yellow helmets, like the ones they wore in the 1994 Rose Bowl. Ducks coach Chip Kelly is hoping for a throwback performance, too.
Cal has won four of the past five games in the series, after Oregon won seven in a row from 1994 through 2003. The past three games between the teams at Autzen Stadium were decided by a touchdown or less.
5. Will the Trojans bounce back?
The Trojans are circling the wagons after last week's loss to the Huskies, who had the country's longest losing streak at 15 games until posting back-to-back victories over Idaho and USC.
Freshman quarterback Matt Barkley, who missed the Washington game because of a bruised right shoulder, is expected to start Saturday night's game against Washington State. USC coach Pete Carroll wants to restore his team's confidence before it begins a brutal four-game stretch.
After playing the Cougars, the Trojans play at Cal on Oct. 3, at Notre Dame on Oct. 17, home against Oregon State on Oct. 24 and at Oregon on Oct. 31.
6. Can Ohio State stop Illinois' spread offense?
The Buckeyes bounced back from a disappointing 18-15 loss to USC by blasting Toledo 38-0 last week. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor had his most complete performance against the Rockets, running for 110 yards and one touchdown and passing for a career-high 262 yards and three scores.
The Buckeyes should be more confident entering Saturday's Big Ten opener against Illinois (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET). Ohio State's defense might be tested by the Illini, which stunned then-No. 1 OSU 28-21 in its last trip to the Horseshoe in 2007. Quarterback Juice Williams should be back from a strained quadriceps, but the Illini will have to run the ball well against a stingy Buckeye defense.
7. Can Houston do it again?
The No. 17 Cougars haven't played since their 45-35 upset at then-No. 5 Oklahoma State on Sept. 12. They'll play as a ranked team for the first time in 18 years when they host Texas Tech at Robertson Stadium on Saturday night (ESPN2, 9:15 ET).
The game figures to be a shootout between quarterbacks Case Keenum of Houston and Taylor Potts of Texas Tech. Keenum threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns in the upset of the Pokes; Potts completed a career-high 46 passes and threw for 420 yards in last week's 34-24 loss at No. 2 Texas.
8. Will TCU stay in the BCS hunt?
With BYU and Utah losing last week, Boise State, Houston and TCU seem to have the best chance at crashing the BCS party. The Horned Frogs have impressive victories over Virginia and FCS foe Texas State, but figure to get a stiffer test when they play Clemson at Death Valley on Saturday (ESPN360.com, 3:30 p.m. ET).
The No. 15 Horned Frogs ran for more than 200 yards in each of their first two games. Clemson's defense allowed 301 rushing yards in its 30-27 loss at Georgia Tech on Sept. 10, but played very well in a 25-7 victory over Boston College last week.
The Tigers will have to do a good job protecting quarterback Kyle Parker against TCU's ferocious defensive front.
9. Which teams are on upset alert?
Kansas has played very well against three lesser opponents, but might get a bigger challenge when Southern Miss travels to Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Golden Eagles have won eight games in a row, which is the second-longest winning streak in the country.
The No. 20 Jayhawks have also had their share of distractions this week: several football players were involved in on-campus fights with members of the school's basketball team and tailback Jake Sharp has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
Georgia's offense has been impressive in its last two games, scoring 93 points in SEC victories over South Carolina and Arkansas. But the No. 21 Bulldogs' defense has been porous, allowing 78 points in those games.
Arizona State travels to Sanford Stadium on Saturday night (ESPNU, 7 p.m. ET) after blowing out Idaho State 50-3 and Louisiana-Monroe 38-14. The Sun Devils have lost 27 of their last 30 games against ranked opponents and are 0-4 against SEC teams, including a 27-10 loss to Georgia in Tempe last season.
10. Can Washington win three in a row?
After losing 15 games in a row, the No. 24 Huskies probably have their heads in the clouds after consecutive victories, including last week's memorable upset of USC.
Saturday night's game against Stanford at Stanford Stadium won't be easy to win. The Cardinal have one of the country's best young quarterbacks in Andrew Luck, and running back Toby Gerhart is capable of helping Stanford control the clock.
Stanford has won three of the last four meetings, including a 35-28 victory in Seattle last season.
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