ESPN College Football

Most Pac-12 teams will have new faces on hand this spring -- early-entry high school or JC players or transfers -- who are expected to provide immediate help, if not win starting jobs.

Here are seven we expect to make a mark in 2012 (feel free to comment on how you can't believe we left out so-and-so).

LB Brian Wagner, Arizona: Wagner was prolific tackler at Akron, collecting at least 100 stops in three years as a starter and earning All-MAC honors in two out of his three seasons with the Zips. He might not have top-flight Pac-12 speed, but the Wildcats are fairly desperate at linebacker.

QB Connor Wood, Colorado: Wood, a Texas transfer, was expected to win the job even before Nick Hirschman re-injured his foot. But with Hirschman out, it's Wood's offense -- at least for the spring. In the fall, Jordan Webb, a two-year starter at Kansas with two years of eligibility remaining, is expected to join the fray.

DE Arik Armstead, Oregon: The true freshman arrives in Eugene this spring after one of the more closely watched recruiting sagas on the West Coast. While more than a few folks believe the 6-foot-8, 280 pounder is a prototypical left OFFENSIVE tackle, he's going to at least start off on defense at Oregon. He's athletic enough to play end, and could immediately be in the picture to replace the departed Terrell Turner.

TE Caleb Smith, Oregon State: The Beavers use both a tight end and an H-back, and Smith, a touted recruit from Kentridge High School in Renton, Wash., looks like a good candidate to replace departed -- and productive -- H-back Joe Halahuni. He could challenge sophomore Connor Hamlett, the backup tight end in 2011, for the starting job.

DE Brandon Willis, UCLA: Willis' wanderlust has been almost comical -- he's transferred between UCLA and North Carolina twice -- but he was once a touted recruit and could compete for immediate playing time on an experienced but underachieving Bruins D-line.

RB Kelvin York, Utah: York, a 5-foot-11, 225-pound transfer out of Fullerton College, picked the Utes over a host of suitors. At the very least will be Robin to John White's Batman. It's also possible they could be 1A and 1B, almost splitting carries equally.

RB/WR Antavius Sims, Washington: Sims is a JC transfer who signed with the Huskies in 2011 but didn't qualify academically. He was expected to play cornerback, but has been shifted to offense so he can use his speed both as a runner and receiver.

Recruiting season ain't over until the last hat has been pulled from a grubby high school backpack. And there is hope in Tucson that the final name hasn't been inked on Rich Rodriguez's first recruiting class with Arizona. Specifically, hope that the Wildcats' new coach still has a shot at landing five-star athlete Davonte Neal.

Neal, from Chaparral High in Scottsdale, is the last player remaining on the 2012 ESPNU 150 list not to have committed to a team. He's reportedly going to make a decision next week. Among the schools still in the hunt for his services are Notre Dame, Arkansas, North Carolina and Arizona.

This could be a huge get for Rodriguez. Aside from the obvious on-field contributions that a wide receiver with 4.4 speed brings to a pass-happy offense, or a potential lock-down corner, it would go a long way in Rodriguez setting up stakes in his new home state.

New coaches love to come in and make promises -- that they are going to put up fences to keep top-flight athletes in and out-of-town poachers away. It's a cliche I hear all too often in Southern California, where it seems like you can pick up a four-star player next to the cereal aisle at Vons.

But nabbing a top-10 prospect like Neal would go a long way in winning the hearts and minds of a fanbase still sour after a 4-8 season.

Consider the signing of D.J. Foster at Arizona State. No new coach in the country entered his new digs with as much animosity in his wake as Todd Graham. But just a few weeks later, when one of the top prospects in the state spurns 15 other schools -- nine of them from within the conference -- and opts to stay at home, it's a big deal. Suddenly people start singing a different Graham tune. Graham promised to hit Phoenix and the surrounding areas hard. And he did. He goes from oath-breaker to promise-keeper. Now Graham looks like a guy that can get the job done.

The same can happen for Rodriguez. He's hired former Chaparral coach Charlie Ragle to be his in-state recruiting liaison and he's locked up a pair of Chaparral recruits already. If the Wildcats don't land Neal -- who some think is headed to Arkansas or Notre Dame -- it won't be the end of the world. The fact that Rodriguez is still in the hunt for the last remaining five-star is promising.

And he's already signed a pretty respectable class -- given the time crunch-- headlined by quarterback Javelle Allen. But if Rodriguez can reel in the 5-foot-10, broad-shouldered fish, it will alleviate concerns that his Big East/Big Ten ties are tough to overcome and that despite a shortened recruiting season, he can be a major player in Arizona recruiting.

It's been a revolving door on Tennessee's coaching staff ever since the season ended, and head coach Derek Dooley moved quickly to fill his latest opening.

The Vols announced on Thursday that Sam Pittman had been hired to coach the offensive line after Harry Hiestand bolted for the Notre Dame offensive line job.

Pittman was at North Carolina for the past five seasons and part of Butch Davis' original staff there in 2007. Just prior to the 2011 season, Pittman was promoted to associate head coach, replacing John Blake, who resigned one game into the 2010 season after being linked to NCAA allegations that triggered an investigation of the Tar Heels' football program. Pittman was named as one of the country's top 25 recruiters by ESPN.com in 2011. He was at Northern Illinois before joining Davis at North Carolina.

The Vols have seen five different assistant coaches to leave since the end of their 5-7 season. One of those, receivers coach Charlie Baggett, was not retained. Defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon left for the same jobs at Washington, while special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Eric Russell left to join Mike Leach's staff at Washington State.

Dooley is targeting Alabama linebackers coach Sal Sunseri and Navy defensive coordinator Buddy Green to replace Wilcox. Dooley has talked with both Sunseri and Green in the last two days. Dooley has offered the special teams coordinator's job, meanwhile, to San Diego Chargers assistant Rich Bisaccia, who just finished his first season as the Chargers' special teams coordinator. Bisaccia was previously the associate head coach and special teams coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dooley had already hired Jay Graham to coach the Vols' running backs. Graham, a former star running back at Tennessee, had been at South Carolina the past three seasons.

Breathe, USC fans, breathe.

In fact, I'd suggest you ignore what happened Tuesday with Ohio State and its slap on the wrist from the NCAA for a massive systemic breakdown and a coverup by head coach, Jim Tressel.

Yes, when you hold up the Ohio State case and the USC case, it's impossible not to conclude the Ohio State case was far more severe. It was, of course, without question. No informed, objective person believes differently.

But here's the thing: Being outraged will accomplish nothing. You will be unhappy and your team will still be docked 30 scholarships over the next three years for what one player secretly did while Ohio State will be down just nine scholarships over the same time period for the rule-breaking of five with full knowledge of their head coach. And your unhappiness will provide great joy to folks who don't like your team.

Adopting a placid pose — at least as best as you can — will be good practice for handling potentially more infuriation ahead. The NCAA also likely will give even worst upcoming cases — North Carolina and the University of Miami at Paul Dee — less severe penalties than it gave USC.

Why? Because the NCAA treated USC unfairly — everybody in college sports knows this — and it likely won't revisit such irrational harshness. In the end, the justification for such severe penalties, meted out in contrast to past precedent, was little more than "just because."

But the NCAA, an organization not endowed with a sense of self-awareness, failed to foresee when it curb-stomped USC that among the lawbreakers in college football, the Trojans were jaywalkers amid a mob of bank robbers. Ohio State's sanctions, in fact, represent a return to NCAA normalcy: Mostly toothless penalties that will have little effect on the program's prospects, other than a single-season bowl ban.

There we go again: Fretting the particulars and the injustice of it all.

The point is USC fans have been quite reasonably been shaking their fists at the heavens or, more accurately, the NCAA home office in Indianapolis for two years. That anger has accomplished nothing, other than emboldening taunts from opposing fans.

You know: Fans whose teams didn't finish 10-2 and ranked No. 5 in the nation.

And therein lies the ultimate revenge: Winning.

It's hard to imagine the next five years won't see a USC downturn. Losing 30 scholarships is a tough burden. Things could be particularly difficult in 2014 and 2015, when the true cumulative impact arrives. And it could be even more galling if Ohio State is back in the national title hunt those years. Maybe playing Miami in a Fiesta Bowl rematch!

But if the Trojans can somehow remain in the picture, perhaps playing in a Rose Bowl -- or two -- along the way that would be a heck of a panacea, wouldn't it?

It's a longshot, sure. But other than that, we've got nothing for you USC. Sorry.

Easy, now. Breathe, breathe. Happy place. Happy place.

Oh, no. That's exactly what we were trying to avoid.

Missouri Tigers (7-5) vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (7-5)

Dec. 26, 5:00 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Missouri take by Big 12 blogger David Ubben: Missouri is headed to the SEC next season, and went out quietly in Big 12 play. The Tigers roll with dual-threat quarterback James Franklin, but are still trying to find their offense after losing Henry Josey, the Big 12's leading rusher at the time, to a serious knee injury. He started the season No. 3 on the depth chart. It's been up to Kendial Lawrence and De'Vion Moore to pick up the slack.

The Tigers' defense had high hopes coming into the season, and it's been good after some early-season struggles, but perhaps not as good as expected. The defensive line hasn't dominated as most expected, but the Tigers played well enough to win four of their final five games to rescue a rough start against a brutal schedule. Mizzou may have the best five losses of any team in the country: Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Baylor, Oklahoma and Arizona State. Not a bad one in the bunch, and all four but Oklahoma State came on the road. Mizzou is better than its record suggests, and will get a chance to prove it in the postseason.

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North Carolina take by ACC blogger Heather Dinich: The entire season could have unraveled for UNC, considering former coach Butch Davis was fired just days before summer practices began, but interim coach Everett Withers kept the program on track for its fourth straight bowl appearance.

North Carolina has faced Missouri twice, losing both times, but has not played the Tigers since 1976. North Carolina started the season 5-1, but fizzled down the stretch against better competition. The Tar Heels lost four of their past six games, including a fifth-straight loss to rival NC State. Individually, though, it has been an impressive season for a few Tar Heels. Tailback Giovani Bernard rushed for a UNC freshman record 1,222 yards and became the first Tar Heel since 1997 to run for more than 1,000 yards.

Receiver Dwight Jones set a school record with 79 receptions and has 11 touchdown catches, which is just one shy of the single-season record. And quarterback Bryn Renner enters the bowl game tied for the school record with 23 touchdown passes. Defensively, Carolina is led by defensive end Quinton Coples and linebacker Zach Brown. Coples ranks fourth among active college players with 24 career sacks. Brown led the Tar Heels with 91 tackles, including 11.5 for losses and 5.5 sacks.

Before Notre Dame can get to its regular-season finale at Stanford, it has to get through the ACC.

The Irish's next three games are against Wake Forest, Maryland and Boston College. Two of the three are away from South Bend, but two of the three serve as Irish home games. (Confusing, we know.)

With the Irish 5-3 and set for confere ... er, ACC, play, Notre Dame blogger Matt Fortuna and ACC blogger Heather Dinich preview this week's matchup in Winston-Salem, along with the other two contests.

Matt Fortuna: Heather, first off, what do you make of this Wake Forest team? It is tough to judge from the Midwest -- it beats FSU, gets rocked by UNC and Virginia Tech. Also, the decision to make this a night game struck me as interesting. Are the folks down there treating this one like their biggest home game of the season?

Heather Dinich: Matt, there’s no question the Deacs are taking this one seriously, especially after such a poor performance against North Carolina. What to make of Wake Forest? This is a much, much better team than the one that finished 3-9 a year ago. They’re one win away from bowl eligibility and would like nothing more than to wrap that up this weekend against the Irish. Heading into this game, I thought Wake was overmatched, but now I think they’ll make it an interesting game. With both teams at 5-3, are they more alike than many thought they’d be? It’s hard to tell with such different schedules, but I think Notre Dame has the better win over Michigan State. Turnovers were a huge factor last week for the Deacs. Wake had turned it over just five times all season and then against UNC it had five turnovers. It was an uncharacteristic performance, to say the least. If the Deacs can take care of the ball and get the passing game going, they stand a chance. The bigger question to me is, are the next three weeks a foreshadowing of what’s to come with Notre Dame and the ACC? What are you hearing out of South Bend?

MF: Five turnovers in one game? No kidding, they really are alike. As for your question, Notre Dame will strive to remain independent in football at all costs. Right now I think the Irish are content to watch the dominoes fall in front of them until they are forced to make a move. If that time does come, however, I do think the ACC would be its best bet. For one, Notre Dame would be marginalized in the Big Ten, serving as just another regional power along with Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State and Penn State. In the ACC it can still expand its recruiting bases from as South as Florida to as North as New York and Boston. Mike Brey, the men's basketball coach, has stated his preference is to remain somewhere East if Notre Dame is forced to move. Also, it is pretty funny that, in addition to this slate of games, the Irish have already traveled to future ACC member Pitt this season, and they currently seem bound for the Champs Sports Bowl, where they would face another ACC school. That would be five out of 13 games this season against current or future ACC schools, for those keeping count at home. While we're at it, Heather, who do you think looks like Notre Dame's likely bowl opponent should it find itself in Orlando?

HD: Right now I’ve got Florida State heading to the Champs Sports Bowl, Matt, and it seems like the most likely scenario. That would be a great matchup of two traditional programs, but let’s stick with the ones we know right now. Heading into this season, I predicted the ACC would strike out against the Irish with an 0-3 record. I still don’t see BC winning at Notre Dame on Nov. 19, considering what a dreadful season it’s been for the Eagles, and if BC isn’t going to get the W, there’s no reason to think Maryland can, even though that game is a virtual home game for the Terps in FedEx Field in Landover, Md. Maryland can’t even fill its own stadium, though, let alone a pro venue, and the Terps just lost at home to Boston College. It’s been a rough first season for Randy Edsall. So, it looks like the Deacs are the ACC’s best hope at picking up a W against Notre Dame, at least from my perspective. What are you predicting the Irish do against the ACC in three games?

MF: I'm with you, Heather. I just cannot see Maryland or Boston College beating Notre Dame, making Wake the favorite among the ACC teams to do so. Even then, the Deacs are clearly overmatched and will have a tough time keeping up with the Irish on both sides of the ball. I circled this one as a potential upset when making second-half predictions a little more than three weeks ago, but Wake has done little since (its only win was over Duke ... by 1) to convince me it can pull off the victory. Who do you got?

HD: I’m sticking with my preseason prediction, Matt, and going with the Irish. I’ll leave the score for tomorrow’s predictions post, but I just don’t see Wake Forest beating Notre Dame’s offensive line or slowing down that running game. Notre Dame’s offense line averages 305.6 pounds. Wake Forest’s undersized D-line checks in at an average of 247.5. No wonder Jonas Gray is averaging 8 yards per carry, and the Irish didn’t allow one sack in October. And of course, they’ve got one of the top linebackers in the country in Manti Te’o. Wake Forest will correct a lot of the mistakes it made last week against North Carolina, but it will come up short in a close game. Since you’re the visitor to ACC country, though, I’ll give you the final word.

MF: Not sure if that qualifies as southern hospitality, but it is appreciated nonetheless. I expect Gray to have a huge game as well. He's a guy who had zero career touchdowns until Week 4 at Pitt. He has had eight since, including three this past Saturday. Brian Kelly's teams are built for November and December, as evidenced by his 21-6 mark in the regular season's final two months. I think Wake Forest has a chance to keep it close early, but it lacks the depth and size to hang with the Irish throughout the night.

Here are 10 things I’ll be watching in college football this weekend:

1. Can Wisconsin’s mammoth offensive line handle Michigan State’s aggressive defense?

The No. 6 Badgers have one of the country's biggest offensive lines, with their five starters averaging 322 pounds. The No. 16 Spartans' four starting defensive linemen have an average weight of 282 pounds, but they're very aggressive and exceptionally quick. Whichever team controls the line of scrimmage in Saturday night's game at Spartans Stadium figures to have a big advantage. MSU ranks No. 2 nationally in total defense (186.1 yards per game) and No. 8 in sacks (3.5 per game).

2. Is No. 25 Washington capable of knocking off No. 8 Stanford?

The Cardinal will play a ranked opponent for the first time this season in Saturday night’s game at Stanford Stadium. The Huskies are off to their first 3-0 start in Pac-12 play since 1997. Washington quarterback Keith Price has been spectacular, completing 69.4 percent of his passes for 1,466 yards with 21 touchdowns and four interceptions. Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is 5-1 against ranked opponents, and the Cardinal have won 15 games in a row, the longest winning streak in the country.

3. Will USC restore order against Notre Dame?

The Fighting Irish knocked off the Trojans 20-16 last season, ending USC’s eight-game winning streak in the series. USC quarterback Matt Barkley missed last year’s game against Notre Dame because of a sprained ankle. He’s coming off a so-so performance in USC’s 30-9 victory over Cal last week, completing 19 of 35 passes for a season-low 195 yards. Notre Dame’s secondary will be tested by receiver Robert Woods, who had only five catches for 36 yards against the Bears.

4. Does No. 20 Auburn have a chance at No. 1 LSU?

The Tigers will go into Saturday's game at Tiger Stadium with a new quarterback, after Auburn coach Gene Chizik benched Barrett Trotter in favor of sophomore Clint Moseley. Moseley, who is more of a running threat than Trotter, provided a spark in the second half of last week's 17-6 victory over Florida. Chizik can only hope Moseley performs better than the past two quarterbacks who faced LSU's defense: Florida freshman Jacoby Brissett and Tennessee's Matt Simms. LSU will probably stack the line of scrimmage to slow down Auburn's running attack, so Moseley will have to make some throws down the field.

5. Can Tennessee’s defense slow down Alabama’s Trent Richardson?

The Volunteers seem to be reeling and Saturday night's trip to No. 2 Alabama isn't good a remedy. The Volunteers rank No. 8 in the SEC in run defense, allowing 155.8 yards per game. Richardson has run for 100 yards or more in six straight games, matching Shaun Alexander's 12-year-old school record. Richardson had 183 yards and four touchdowns in last week's 52-7 rout of Ole Miss. If he reaches 100 yards before halftime, Alabama coach Nick Saban might sit him down in the second half to rest for the Tide's Nov. 5 showdown against LSU.

6. Does No. 4 Oklahoma State have anything to worry about at Missouri?

The Tigers have won 10 consecutive home games and they're coming off their best performance of the season. Missouri quarterback James Franklin had 289 passing yards and 84 rushing yards in last week's 52-17 rout of Iowa State. The Pokes have been spectacular on offense this season, but their defense is allowing 426.7 yards of offense per game. OSU will also have to slow down Missouri tailback Henry Josey, who ran for 100 yards or more in three of the past four games.

7. Where does No. 3 Oklahoma need to improve?

The Sooners haven't had problems beating Texas Tech or winning at home. OU has defeated the Red Raiders seven straight times and it has won 39 games in a row at home. But OU coach Bob Stoops would like to see his offense become more consistent in the red zone. The Sooners have scored only 19 touchdowns in 31 trips inside opponents' 20-yard line. OU settled for four short field goals in last week's 41-17 victory over Kansas.

8. How many points will No. 5 Boise State score against Air Force?

The Broncos are firing on all cylinders like never before, scoring 120 points and totaling more than 1,200 yards of offense in their past two games. Boise State had a school-record 742 yards of offense in last week’s 63-13 rout at Colorado State. Tailback Doug Martin ran for a career-high 200 yards, and quarterback Kellen Moore completed his first 18 passes. The Falcons are allowing 434.7 yards of offense -- 103rd in the country -- heading into Saturday’s game at Bronco Stadium.

9. Will No. 7 Clemson play better defense against North Carolina?

The Tigers’ dream season nearly came to a screeching halt last week, before they rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat Maryland 56-45 on the road. Clemson allowed 468 yards of offense against the Terps, including 291 rushing. The Tigers will have to do a better job against the Tar Heels, who have a pretty balanced offense. UNC quarterback Bryn Renner leads the ACC in completion percentage (75.3) and pass efficiency (174.1 rating). Tar Heels freshman Giovani Bernard has gained 100 rushing yards or more in five straight games.

10. Can Georgia Tech get its offense back on track?

The No. 22 Yellow Jackets gained a season-low 296 yards of offense in last week’s 24-21 loss at Virginia. Quarterback Tevin Washington had only two completions and two interceptions and has completed only 30.8 percent of his passes the past two games combined. Georgia Tech’s defense has surrendered 520 rushing yards in the past two games, and Miami quarterback Jacory Harris is coming off one of his best games, throwing for 267 yards with three touchdowns in last week’s 30-24 win at North Carolina.

1. The SEC presidents will decide which school to invite as the league’s 14th member. Athletic administrators, I am told, don’t want Missouri because of the travel to Columbia. For instance, it’s 1,000 miles from there to Gainesville, Fla. Add the remote nature of so many SEC campuses, and travel of non-revenue teams will incur a sharp increase in either time (commercial travel through Atlanta) or money ($30,000 charter flights).

2. If your Heisman tastes run toward the dual-threat quarterback a la Cam Newton (2010), then Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III may be your guy. You may know that Griffin has rushed 60 times for 280 yards and two touchdowns (sick), and that he ranks second in the nation in passing efficiency with a rating of 212.94 (sicker). Thanks to the ESPN Stats & Info geeks, you now know that on passes of 25 yards or more this season, Griffin has completed 12 of 16 for nine touchdowns (sickest).

3. If North Carolina hires Bubba Cunningham, it will be the best hire the university has made regarding football since it took Mack Brown away from Tulane in 1988. Cunningham cut his teeth in the athletic department of Notre Dame, his alma mater. As athletic director at Ball State in 2003, he hired Brady Hoke. At Tulsa in 2007, he hired Todd Graham. That’s good news for a North Carolina program without a permanent coach and about to be penalized by the NCAA.

Rutgers is only down 17-12 at halftime thanks to four turnovers, but there have been several missed opportunities.

Mark Harrison has dropped two passes that looked to be sure touchdowns. Mohamed Sanu also misjudged a ball in the end zone that would have been a touchdown. But they have converted two of the turnovers into touchdowns. Sanu made up for his drop with a beautiful one-handed grab in the end zone to cut the lead to 14-12. Rutgers went for the two-point conversion but missed. North Carolina tacked on a field goal for the halftime score.

So what does Rutgers need to do to win?

• Convert third-down opportunities. Rutgers converted on just 1 of 8 third downs in the first half.
• Try to get more of the run game going. Rutgers has eight yards on 12 carries for a paltry 0.7-yard per carry average. The offensive line has been getting manhandled both in the run game and the pass game. Chas Dodd has been constantly harassed and taken one big hit after another. UNC has been effective on blitzes, so perhaps Rutgers needs to make sure it always has an extra blocker in the backfield.
• More pressure on Tar Heels QB Bryn Renner. He already has thrown for 210 yards in the first half. Trying to get more pressure on him will help force him into more mistakes.

Rutgers is hanging with North Carolina thanks to three defensive turnovers. But Scarlet Knights fans are probably shaking their heads because Rutgers has only converted them into six points.

The first provided the best chance for a touchdown. After Duron Harmon returned an interception to the 2 in the first quarter, Rutgers made it to the goal line but was stuffed. Two throws and a run on the first three downs yielded no points. Rutgers went for it on fourth-and-goal, but DeAntwan Williams was stuffed.

David Rowe recovered two fumbles and Rutgers turned those into two field goals from San San Te. His second was from 50 yards out, tying a career high.

Turnovers are the biggest reason Rutgers is in the game, down 14-6 in the second quarter. Bryn Renner has started 11-of-13 for 189 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The two fumbles off completions certainly were not his fault. He basically has picked up where he left off last week and is threading passes to open receivers. The run defense had been doing a nice job until Giovani Bernard broke through several missed tackles to score on a 60-yard run. Until that dash, UNC had 3 total yards on the ground.

Meanwhile, the Rutgers offense has not been able to do much of anything against a UNC defensive front that has shut down the run and consistently harassed Chas Dodd. Mark Harrison has two critical drops that would have probably been touchdowns.

What you should be watching around the Big East in Week 2:

1. Undefeated again? The big story this week has been the way the league went 8-0 in Week 1. Can that be replicated in Week 2? There are some big challenges this week -- tough road games for Cincinnati, Rutgers and Connecticut. All three are underdogs, so the Big East is going to need some big-time upsets to remain perfect on the season.

2. Cincinnati pass D. One of the biggest problems for Cincinnati on defense last season was the way it played against the pass. Too many times the Bearcats allowed big plays and that ended up hurting them in a bunch of games. The Vols lost their top three receivers from a year ago, but had nice games from Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers last week. Tyler Bray went 17-of-24 passing for 293 yards and three touchdowns against Montana. The Vols had problems establishing the run last week, so they could try to take advantage of an area of concern by hitting some plays in the pass game.

3. Rutgers' line play. The challenge up front will be formidable for Rutgers in its game against North Carolina. Coach Greg Schiano said the North Carolina defensive front had personnel similar to what he had when he coached at Miami in 1999 and 2000. One of the players who will present some problems is defensive end Quinton Coples, listed No. 2 on Mel Kiper's Big Board for the 2012 NFL draft. At 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, he is a load to handle and will present challenges to an offensive line that had its share of struggles last season.

4. UConn's quarterback is ... Take your pick: Johnny McEntee, Scott McCummings or Michael Nebrich? If you said yes, then you are right! Coach Paul Pasqualoni says he will play all three until he sees a clear-cut starter. That might work against Fordham, but it will be interesting to see how well the plan works against FBS competition. Neither one of these players has ever played in a road game, so the challenge is on.

5. More offensive consistency. Plenty of teams struggled in this area in Week 1. West Virginia and Pitt have new offensive systems in place; USF and Syracuse clearly needed to shake off the rust; Louisville had four turnovers and shaky line play. The coaches from each team have said they want to see better execution from their units this week, so that certainly should be a priority.

6. Don't look ahead. Louisville, Pitt, Syracuse and West Virginia have tough games in Week 3, so each better beware of "look-ahead syndrome." Only Louisville plays an FBS opponent this week before playing Kentucky next week. Pitt goes to Iowa, Syracuse travels to USC and West Virginia goes on the road to Maryland on Sept. 17. So all three teams have got to use this week to get better and really focus before facing bigger tests.

7. Will Stein. The Louisville starting quarterback has a sprained ankle and was in a walking boot this week, but coach Charlie Strong says he is fine and will play. How effective will he be with the injured ankle? The Cardinals do plan on playing Teddy Bridgewater and Dominique Brown again and need to have much more consistent play out of this position this week.

8. USF letdown alert. It's only natural to have an emotional letdown in the week after a big win. The Bulls have to guard against that against Ball State, coming in with a big confidence lift after an upset victory over Indiana. Coach Skip Holtz knows his team has to build off its win against Notre Dame, and so do his players. They maintained a business-like approach after the game last week and have won big games before. But it's all about how you respond following those wins. No Big East team has ever lost to Ball State.

9. West Virginia offensive line. It appeared the Mountaineers had some struggles on the offensive line last week, failing to get the running game established and at times forcing Geno Smith out of the pocket. Coach Dana Holgorsen came to their defense last week, saying Marshall did a few things his team was not prepared to see. But you can bet they worked this week on trying to get more out of their line. The priority has to be keeping Smith out of harm's way.

10. Tino Sunseri. Will the Panthers try to get the passing game established early the way they did last week with some deep passes at the start of the game? They should, in order to help get a good rhythm going and help Sunseri get better.

I wish I could say I was as perfect as the Big East in Week 1. I called for a Notre Dame win, and USF proved me wrong. The Bulls had the biggest win on the slate, 23-20 over the Irish. What are the chances for another undefeated week for the Big East? I think it will be much tougher. But maybe I will be proven wrong again.

On to the picks.

FIU at Louisville, 7 p.m., Friday, ESPN. This is a danger game for the Cardinals, with the in-state rival Kentucky looming next week. FIU is not a patsy anymore and has a veteran team that has come close to pulling off some major upsets. But I think the Cardinals' defense will do just enough to slow down T.Y. Hilton and pull out a close one at home. Louisville 24, FIU 20.

Rutgers at North Carolina, 12:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPN3.The Scarlet Knights posted a 48-0 win in Week 1 against NC Central, but this is a vastly different team from North Carolina. The Tar Heels are going to give the Rutgers all they can handle up front. I am not sure the Scarlet Knights will have an answer for North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples, who had two sacks in the opener. North Carolina 27, Rutgers 17.

Maine at Pitt, 1 p.m., Saturday, ESPN3. The Panthers had a much better performance in the second half than they did in the first last week. Coach Todd Graham is going to be looking for better execution for the entire game, specifically from quarterback Tino Sunseri. Pitt 45, Maine 6.

Norfolk State at West Virginia, 1 p.m., ESPN3. West Virginia is just hoping to play a full four quarters this week after a weather-shortened win over Marshall. This will be a good opportunity to get the running game better established after a dismal performance in the opener. West Virginia 55, Norfolk State 7.

Cincinnati at Tennessee, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2. This is a huge game for the Bearcats, who would love nothing more than to get more eyes on them after going 4-8 last season. Winning on the road in a hostile environment would do the trick. Tennessee showed a few weaknesses last week, most notably its run game. But the Vols are probably going to try to pass on a Bearcats defense that needs to prove it is vastly better in that area. Cincinnati has good balance with Zach Collaros and Isaiah Pead, and its explosive offense should do just enough to get the upset win. Cincinnati 30, Tennessee 27.

Rhode Island at Syracuse, 4:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPN3. The Orange need to have more consistency out of their offense and defense after an uneven performance in Week 1. Playing an FCS opponent should help before they go on the road to play USC. Syracuse 40, Rhode Island 10.

Ball State at USF, 7 p.m., ESPN3.The Bulls have to beware of the let down factor, after getting a big win over Notre Dame and jumping into the AP Top 25. Ball State had an upset win over Indiana last week, and is now running more of an up-tempo spread offense, similar to what Notre Dame ran last week. But the Bulls are much more talented and should hold off the MAC challenge. USF 35, Ball State 14.

UConn at Vanderbilt, 7:30 p.m., ESPN3.This is a critical test for the three-headed quarterback system Connecticut plans to use. I have never been in favor of shifting quarterbacks in and out. Meanwhile, D.J. Shoemate is expected to return to the run game with Lyle McCombs. They could see lots of Chris Marve, one of the best tacklers in the SEC. Last year's game was a wild 40-21 win for UConn. I think this is going to be more low-scoring game, and Vanderbilt will do just enough to stop Connecticut on offense to win. Vanderbilt 20, Connecticut 17.

1. Finally, the ACC has found a way for the rest of us to differentiate the Atlantic Division from the Coastal. The latter may be the one with only four teams eligible to win the title. With the NCAA bearing down on North Carolina and Miami, it’s possible that Duke, Georgia Tech, Virginia and Virginia Tech will have a shorter path to the postseason. This may keep Hokies coach Frank Beamer, who has 240 career victories, around long enough to win 300.

2. For nearly three decades, Miami’s football swagger has been bigger than the school itself -- a small, private university without an on-campus stadium that can’t sell its tickets. In other words, the search for money is endless, which is how a con man like Nevin Shapiro can get his name on the players’ lounge. It’s simple -- his check cleared.

3. The more I look at Notre Dame, the more I believe the Irish will return to national relevance. They have 17 returning starters from a team that rallied to win its final four games. The systems that coach Brian Kelly installed last year are second nature. Four of Notre Dame’s six road opponents (including the first two, Michigan and Pittsburgh) have new head coaches. Their toughest opponents come to Notre Dame Stadium, at least until their showdown at Stanford on Thanksgiving Saturday. Circle that game -- in pencil, if you must.

1. It’s not hard to understand why North Carolina fired Butch Davis. It’s hard to understand why North Carolina fired Butch Davis now. Chancellor Holden Thorp said Wednesday he felt the scandal “has begun to chip away” at this university’s reputation.” Chancellor, that ship sailed when the news first came to light last year. All Thorp has done by waiting until the eve of August practice is throw the Tar Heels’ season into chaos.

2. Colorado first-year head coach Jon Embree played for his alma mater in the 1980s. Embree had accepted a job in television journalism in 1991 when his head coach, Bill McCartney, called with a volunteer coaching position. “He didn’t ask me. He told me,” Embree said. The very first day, Embree fell in love with the work. “At the end of the day,” Embree said, “Mac asked me, ‘What do you think?’ What I didn’t say to him is, ‘I want your job.’" Twenty years later, he has it.

3. Most of Oregon State’s injury news is good. Quarterback Ryan Katz, who suffered a broken wrist last December, has recovered. Tight end Joe Halahuni, who underwent shoulder surgery in May, should be ready by the opener, if not before. However, wide receiver James Rodgers, recovering from a severe knee injury suffered last October, remains a question. Beavers coach Mike Riley said Rodgers will get an update from his doctor next week. Full speed sounds as if it is some time off.