By Tim Letcher
NCAAFootball.com
A pair of college football’s elite programs meet on Saturday when the 12th-ranked Miami Hurricanes visit Columbus to face the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.
Both teams won easily in their openers, Miami beating Florida A&M 45-0 and Ohio State downing Marshall 45-7.
This game will feature a pair of dynamic, athletic quarterbacks. Miami’s Jacory Harris was solid in the season opener, hitting on 12-of-15 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor was 17-of-25 passing for 247 yards and three scores in the win over Marshall.
This game could come down to which of these quarterbacks is able to make the most plays. Ohio State has the home field advantage at the Horseshoe, but Randy Shannon’s Hurricanes will not be intimidated.
This game airs at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN.
Other games to watch
No. 18 Penn State at No. 1 Alabama (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) – These two teams have not met since 1990, but they have met 13 times overall, with Alabama winning eight of those contests. As one would expect, Joe Paterno has been on the sidelines for all 13 of the matchups between the schools. Ironically, Penn State owns a 2-1 edge in the series in Tuscaloosa. Will Mark Ingram play? Will it matter? Those are questions left for Saturday.
No. 17 Florida State at No. 10 Oklahoma (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) – Jimbo Fisher’s Seminoles got off to a great start last weekend, thumping Samford in Tallahassee. The level of competition steps up this week, as the ‘Noles visit Oklahoma. Bob Stoops’ Sooners had a lackluster performance against Utah State, but the Sooners will be hyped for this game in Norman.
No. 22 Georgia at No. 24 South Carolina (12 p.m. ET, ESPN2) – The always-tough SEC East has its first showdown of the year as Mark Richt’s Bulldogs visit the Old Ball Coach and his Gamecocks. The Bulldogs’ Aaron Murray will try to hold his own against South Carolina’s Stephen Garcia.
No. 7 Oregon at Tennessee (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2) – The Ducks were simply dominant in week one, winning 72-0 over New Mexico. The Vols also had a big weekend, thumping Tennessee-Martin 50-0. Now, these two teams will meet in Knoxville. The Ducks must make the long trip, but they appear to have an advantage over Derek Dooley’s Vols in this one. Can Rocky Top pull off another upset?
Michigan at Notre Dame (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC) – Two of the true bluebloods of college football meet on Saturday in South Bend. Michigan was impressive in week one, downing Big East foe Connecticut. Notre Dame also posted a win, beating Purdue of the Big Ten. This is one of college football’s best rivalries, and the winner of this game could be headed to a big season. Will it be Denard Robinson or Dayne Crist coming up big for their team?
Five for the Heisman
1. Kellen Moore, Boise State – Moore didn’t have a huge game, numbers-wise, but he led the Broncos to a significant win over Virginia Tech. Moore was 23-of-38 passing for 215 yards and three touchdowns in the game. Boise State is off this weekend.
2. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State – Pryor was 17-of-25 passing for 247 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Marshall. This week, the competition steps up as the Buckeyes host Miami.
3. Case Keenum, Houston – Keenum got to rest quite a bit in a 68-28 win over Texas State. However, Keenum was able to hit on 17-of-22 passes for 274 yards and five touchdowns in the game. Houston hosts UTEP on Friday.
4. Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State – Hunter enters the list this week after a huge initial game of the 2010 season. The Cowboy running back carried 21 times for 257 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Washington State. Oklahoma State hosts Troy on Saturday.
5. Matt Barkley, USC – Barkley had a big opener for the Trojans, connecting on 18-of-23 passing for 257 yards and five touchdowns. USC welcomes Virginia on Saturday.
Wild Card – Mark Ingram, Alabama – The defending Heisman Trophy winner, despite his knee injury, could still have something to say about this race. It will be interesting to see if he is able to return this weekend against Penn State.
Division I FCS Headlines
No. 9 South Dakota State hits the road to face No. 16 Delaware.
No. 14 Northern Iowa hosts 21st-ranked North Dakota State on Saturday.
Division II Headlines
Top-ranked Grand Valley State hosts 11th-ranked Hillsdale.
No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth visits Upper Iowa on Saturday.
Division III Headlines
Mount Union hits the road, visiting Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Wesley is also on the road this week, travelling to Frostburg State.