The last time these two teams met was in 2006 a 30-14 win for Alabama. Duke did lead 14-10 mid-3Q before the Tide scored 20 unanswered pts. Bama HC Saban and Duke HC Cutcliff are familiar with one another as they faced each other 5 times when Cutcliff was the Ole Miss HC. (Saban 4-1). This will be Alabama’s first true non-conf away game since 2003 and the Tide are not used to playing in front of small crowds as this will be the first time in 3 years (Vandy ’07) that they will play in front of less than 40,000. Heisman trophy winner Ingram has sat out the last two weeks but the Tide have the best back-up RB in the country in Richardson and he has 210 (6.6) and 3 TD’s already. Alabama is off a big win over Penn St 24-3 (409-283 yd edge) and do have Arkansas and Florida on deck. Meanwhile Duke is off a tough loss to Wake Forest where the Blue Devils set the school record for most pts in a loss (48). Their potent offense has avg 515 ypg so far and are led by QB Sean Renfree who has 708 (71%) and a 6-3 ratio. This week Duke will be very hard pressed to approach the 400 yd mark as my Computer projects Bama to have a 536-354 yd edge. While Alabama has held its first two foes to just 3 ppg, I think Duke is capable of putting some points on the board but in the end the Tide’s offense is too strong.

Even though the Broncos did not play last week, many feel that they suffered a blow as their marquee win over Virginia Tech on Labor Day night looks a little less significant with the Hokies losing to FCS James Madison. The Broncos not only have to win all of their games but win them big each and every week if they want to keep their top 3 ranking. This week they get a Wyoming team that has given them trouble in the past as the last time these two met here in ’06, Boise only won 17-10 and were outgained 251-246. It will be interesting to see how the Broncos adjust to the elevation as War Memorial Stadium sits 7,220 feet above sea level which is the highest in the country. QB Kellen Moore continued with his great decision-making in the opener with 215 yds and a 3-0 ratio (39-3 ratio LY). Meanwhile Wyoming QB Austyn Carta-Samuels is avg 240 ypg (75%) with a 3-1 ratio and the Pokes are coming off a loss to Texas which was played just five days after their teammate Ruben Narcisse was killed. Boise is coming off a bye but has a huge home game against Oregon St on deck and the crowd in Laramie will be fired up for this one. Look for the Pokes to hang around into the 3Q before the Broncos pull away late.

Oregon is coming off a 35 pt road win vs Tennessee last week but it was closer than the final indicated. The Ducks did benefit from a 1hr lightning delay when they were trailing 6-0 and even trailed 13-3 at one point before scoring 45 unanswered pts. QB Deron Thomas who I projected to win the starting job in the magazine is avg 210 pass ypg (55.6%) with a 4-1 ratio and the Ducks welcomed the return of RB LaMichael James last week 134 (8.4) and a spectacular TD run. This week they welcome Portland St who went 2-9 last year while playing in the Big Sky conference. The Ducks are 12-0-1 vs current Big Sky conference teams including 3-0 vs the Vikings as they last met in ’06 a 55-12 win for the Ducks. The Ducks did hang 72 earlier this year on New Mexico but I think they will be a little more forgiving on an in-state school.

These two have met only once with OU winning 44-3 on the road in '01. Last week the Sooners were impressive with a 47-17 win over the Noles (10 of FSU pts in garbage time). QB Landry Jones put up 321 1H pass yds, the 2nd most in OU history and is avg 298 (62%) with a 6-2 ratio. Air Force pulled off its first win over BYU since 2003, 35-14 outgaining the Cougs 477-309 with 409 of their yds on the ground last week. QB Tim Jefferson has thrown for 247 yds (48%) with a 3-1 ratio while adding 97 rush (5.7, 3 TD). OU clearly has the athletes on defense to disrupt the wishbone and the Sooners will win impressively for the second week in a row.

Wisconsin struggled last week vs San Jose St and could have been looking ahead to this match-up vs an Arizona St team that his off B2B wins over FCS schools. UW RB Clay did top the 100 yd mark again but QB Tolzien struggled with a couple of int. They will be going up against an underrated ASU defense which ranks #23 in my rankings and I'll call for the Sun Devils to keep it closer than expected.

In my magazine, I called this South Carolina team to easily be Spurrier's best edition yet and they have lived up to that billing with 2 impressive victories already. True Frosh RB Marcus Lattimore (PS#1) has given the Gamecock offense some much needed balance and QB Garcia has avoided the costly mistakes that plagued him in past seasons. This week they get FCS Furman and while I expect SC to be a little flat coming off the big win vs Georgia, I'm sure Spurrier has mentioned the the Va Tech loss to James Madison LW as motivation and the Gamecocks will continue to roll along.

After 2 games, Michigan QB Denard Robinson may be the frontrunner for the Heisman with two  a Michigan total yardage record in both games. He leads the NCAA in rushing with 455 yds (8.0) and 3 TD’s and has completed 69.4% of his passes for 430 yds and a 2-0 ratio. This week HC Rodriguez may want to limit Robinson’s carries as they face FCS Massachusetts. The Minutemen who rank #14 in our power poll are 2-0 including a big 27-23 win over William & Mary in the opener. The are led QB Kyle Havens who is avg 258 ypg (64.5%) with a 3-0 ratio and there will be opportunity for him to make some plays against a UM defense that allowed 381 pass yds last week vs a ND team that played without its starting QB for most of the 1H. Robinson will get his yds as my computer calls for 562 total yds for the Wolverines and they shouldn't make another mistake of overlooking a solid FCS foe like they did with Appalachian St in '07.

I actually thought Penn St played better last week vs Alabama than what the 24-3 final indicated as a 4-1 TO deficit was the key. 3 times Penn St drove deep into Alabama territory and each time they committed a TO. This week true frosh QB Bolden is back in a familiar spot at home as they take on a Kent St that was very competitive last week in a 26-13 loss to BC. Lions RB Royster has just 72 yds (3.6) this year and I expect him and the rest of the Lion offense to get back on track here.