Trent's Touchdown: Six Games to Watch in Week Two

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

So, we’re already one week in and the wacky world of college football is back in full swing.  Not only did one of the elite teams of college football lose to a team from the Mountain West, but the reigning Heisman Trophy winner is out for a couple of weeks due to a shoulder injury.  Of course, let’s forget for a moment I called that (the loss, not the injury). But more on this later, let’s get to the Touchdown.

1) No. 3 USC at No. 8 Ohio State—8:00 on ABC

As if there was any doubt that this would be the number one game of the week.  Anyone who actually has any thought that Ohio State can beat USC needs to watch the last week’s games.  You can make a case when a less talented team beats a more talented team that it was a case of matchups.  You can’t make that case in the Ohio State-Navy game.

USC is built to thrash any and all comers, even though I don’t think they can make it though the season unscathed.  They are able to compete with any team irrespective of conference.

With Ohio State, they are built to play in the Big Ten and that’s it.  They cannot match up with the top tier teams of the elite conferences.  Their main problem is Terrelle Pryor.  He is a poor man’s version of Tyrod Taylor, and I don’t want Taylor leading my team into a big showdown, so I would be downright scared with Pryor at the helm.

If this thing is close after one quarter, I’ll be shocked.  Let’s just hope it kills the chances of Ohio State to play in the National Championship Game, because I don’t need to see their flaws on display to the SEC team du jour.

2) Clemson at No. 15 Georgia Tech—7:30 on ESPN (Sep. 10)

After last week’s dismal performance by the ACC, I almost dropped this game down the list.  However, this is an early, critical ACC matchup.  With the FSU loss on Monday, a win could give Clemson an early one-game lead over their division foes.  Standing in their way is Georgia Tech.

Georgia Tech’s bread and butter is their running attack, led by star running back Jonathan Dwyer.  They also employ the scary triple option, which gives teams fits.  Clemson’s saving grace is that they have a very good run defense.

Clemson comes in with star running back C.J. Spiller, who is also extremely dangerous on kick returns.  GT needs to try and stop Spiller and put the ball in the hands of freshman QB Kyle Parker.  While Parker played well in the Middle Tennessee State game, his completion percentage was low and it is unclear on how the new kid will react under pressure situations.  I think GT wins, but Clemson keeps it close, losing yet another heartbreaker.

3) No. 18 Notre Dame at Michigan—3:30 on ABC

I didn’t think ND would make it out of the number six spot all year long.  However, after last week’s skillful performance, I have to give them props.  Last week gave ND fans hope that Jimmy Clausen has turned a corner and will become the QB that everyone was excited about when he arrived as a freshman.

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