Labor Day Weekend is always a great kickoff to the season, and it was filled with some high profile games. Colorado and Deion Sanders made quite a splash with a 45-42 win over TCU, which lost in the national championship game a year ago. North Carolina and Florida State chalked up big wins. It was not a good weekend for the SEC. The PAC-12 looks very strong. What a twist, as the once proud league disintegrates. Enjoy every Saturday.
1. Georgia – The Bulldogs broke in a new quarterback and placekicker in the season-opening 48-7 win over UT Martin. Georgia is riding an 18-game winning streak into Saturday afternoon’s meeting with Ball State. The Gamecocks loom.
2. Florida State – No doubt, the win of the week goes to the Seminoles. They dominated the second half in a 45-24 victory over LSU this past Sunday night in Orlando. Florida State, on a short week, hosts Southern Mississippi Saturday night.
3. Alabama – The Crimson Tide was cooking against Middle Tennessee, rolling to a 56-7 victory in Tuscaloosa. Now it’s time for the big showdown with Texas Saturday on the Captone. Last year’s game was a classic that Alabama pulled out.
4. Michigan – The Wolverines, with a lot of distractions, handled East Carolina 30-3 in the season opener. Michigan has high hopes this season, searching for another playoff berth, and then some. UNLV heads to the Big House this Saturday.
5. Notre Dame – The Fighting Irish made quick work of Tennessee State Saturday on the heels of an impressive victory over Navy in Dublin, Ireland. Sam Hartman has made a big difference. Saturday at N.C. State could be a tough test for Notre Dame.
6. Ohio State – The Buckeyes opened the season with a 23-3 Big Ten victory over the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington. Youngstown State comes to the Horseshoe this weekend in the Jim Tressel Bowl.
7. Utah – The Utes, without injured quarterback Cam Rising, took care of Florida 24-11 last Thursday night. Confidence is high in Salt Lake City. Kyle Whittingham is a top ten coach in the country. Utah has another tough one Saturday, playing Baylor in Waco.
8. Tennessee – The Volunteers smoked Virginia 49-13 in the season opener in Nashville at the Titans stadium. The Vols rushing attack was impressive with 287 yards and five touchdowns. Tennessee gets a tuneup with Austin Peay before heading to the Swamp.
9. Clemson – The Tigers played at Duke Monday night and kickoff came after this issue went to press. Clemson will host Charleston Southern Saturday.
10. Texas – The Longhorns handled Rice, quarterbacked by JT Daniels, 37-10 in the opener. The stage is set for the big showdown in Tuscaloosa. Texas nearly pulled off the upset last year. Both teams are hungry for that signature win.
11. Oregon State – The Beavers looked impressive this past Sunday in a 42-17 win at San Jose State. They play a physical style, which suits them well in a very talented PAC-12. Oregon State hosts UC-Davis Saturday night.
12. LSU – The Bayou Bengals fell to Florida State 45-24 in Orlando. LSU lost the game in the first half, though it led at intermission. Two empty red zone trips proved fatal. Grambling makes the short trip to Tiger Stadium Saturday.