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

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.

This week will be the first real test for Clausen against a fairly competent team in a very hostile environment.  While I don’t think Michigan will win the Big Ten, they will be able to compete and live to play the spoiler, while giving their young QB experience.

I really don’t think that Michigan can run with ND.  They might be able to keep it close through a half, but adrenaline will only get you so far.  Michigan needs a full game of consistent play; I just think they are too young to do it against a team like ND.

4) South Carolina at No. 21 Georgia—7:00 on ESPN2

This was kind of a weird one for me to pick.  On one hand, it is a classic, early season SEC throwdown.  On the other, both teams stunk up the joint last week.  However, since this game is usually a close, hard fought game, it gets the nod.

Last week, both teams played well defensively, but looked lost on offense, something fans might find strange. However, both teams are still trying to find their offensive rhythm using two QB’s with limited game experience. It is basically going to come down to the team that makes the least amount of errors on offense.

I have to think it’s Georgia, because they are at home and I think they can beat some of the lower echelon team’s in the SEC. If you saw the NC State/South Carolina game, I think SC counts as that right now.

5) No. 9 BYU at Tulane—3:30 on ESPN2

What’s that smell in the air?  Oh yeah, it’s the smell of a trap game.  Listen, I don’t care about all the talk, I really don’t think BYU is taking Tulane seriously.

And you know, that’s all right.  Good teams can get away with that.  However, great teams never deal with it.  They just came off a stunning victory against Oklahoma and have their first home game against FSU next week; it is easy to overlook Tulane.

Unfortunately for Tulane, unless they poison Max Hall, they really don’t have a chance in this one.  Their offense is pitiful, and the BYU defense mixed schemes and pressured an overwhelmed Oklahoma offense all game last week.  I think this one is over early.

6) Idaho State at No. 13 Oklahoma—7:00 on local channels

This one is for all the Oklahoma fans who want to torture themselves.  See that guy out there who looks like he’s going to pee his pants?  That’s your quarterback for the next couple of weeks.  Enjoy.

Extra Point:

7) Even without the BYU upset and the Bradford injury, week one was wacky.  However, are you really shocked by anything that happens in college football now?  I mean, when I woke up and found out that Blount pulled a Ron Artest after the Boise State/Oregon game, I wasn’t shocked by it, but tried to figure out how many games he would get suspended for.

When Jimmy Clausen decided to channel Brady Quinn’s Notre Dame ghost, I didn’t really bat an eyelash.  The ACC proves (yet again) that they are an inferior conference, I felt more justified than anything.  But this just proves it, that anything that can happen, will happen.  We just have to sit back and enjoy the ride.