Four Games to Watch Today

Week one featured a great slate of games, and week two is no different. There are four match ups between ranked foes, so we should hopefully begin see some separation between some of the top teams. There is also one Pac-12 Conference game with Stanford traveling to USC.

#13 Auburn at #3 Clemson 5:00 p.m. MT ESPN

The second game in this home-and-home series between the Tigers and the Tigers after Clemson won at Auburn last year. This will be the first real test this season for each of these top 15 teams. Each of these teams were seen as dark horses in their respective conferences with Alabama and Florida State seen as the favorites (two teams who played last week).

Who to root for and who will win

This game has no real bearing on Utah since the Utes do not face either of these teams. It should be a good game, and it could have implications later in the season for the College Football Playoff. A Clemson win would give the ACC their first win over the SEC in 2017, while an Auburn win would be disastrous for the ACC.

#5 Oklahoma at #2 Ohio State 5:30 p.m. MT ABC

The Sooners and Buckeyes played a big matchup in Norman, Okla. last season with the Buckeyes coming out victorious. That win was a big reason why Ohio State made the Playoff despite not winning the Big Ten. College GameDay broadcast live from Ohio State for this game. It is the second top five matchup this season. Baker Mayfield is a Heisman hopeful, and this will be one of the best chances for him to make his case. The Big XII missed the College Football Playoff last season because their teams lost games like this last year. Can the Sooners carry the banner for the Big XII in this one and win?

Who to root for and who will win

Again, this game has no real bearing on Utah, but it is a huge matchup, making it worth watching. Root for former Utah coach Urban Meyer and Ohio State. The Buckeyes have too much talent, and I do not see the Sooners going into Columbus, Ohio and winning this one.

#15 Georgia at #24 Notre Dame 5:30 p.m. MT NBC

The last of the three ranked non conference match ups today. Getting three great non conference games in week two after all of the great games is exciting. It shows the impact that the College Football Playoff has had on non conference scheduling. This will be Notre Dame’s chance to show the college football world they are back after going 4-8 last year. Georgia is the highest rated team in the SEC East. This could be a feather in their cap win for the Bulldogs. This is a game that will tell us a lot about each of these teams.

Who to root for and who will win

I am going to buck my root against the SEC trend and say cheer for Georgia. A Notre Dame loss could move Utah into the top 25 if the Utes take care of business against the Cougars. I am not buying that Notre Dame is back after finishing 4-8, and Georgia was my preseason pick to win the SEC East, so I think the Bulldogs get the win. There is one other team ranked in the 20-25 range facing a Power Five opponent with TCU traveling to Arkansas.

#14 Stanford at #6 USC 6:30 p.m. MT FOX

USC lost at Stanford last year and looked unimpressive for much of the game against Western Michigan last week, while Stanford destroyed Rice in week 0. USC quarterback Sam Darnold is a Heisman favorite, and this will be his first game to make a big statement. Stanford running back Bryce Love looked explosive in his first start replacing Christian McCaffrey.

Who to root for and who will win

USC is the favorite to win the Pac-12 South. A USC loss would be beneficial to Utah’s chances to win the Pac-12 South, so cheer for the Cardinal. Utah has to travel to USC later in the season, a place where they have not won since 1916. If the Utes cannot beat the Trojans, they need them to fall in two conference games at minimum to win the South, and this game is one of the best chances for the Trojans to fall. I picked Stanford to win this. USC looked soft up front, especially on defense, and I think Stanford can exploit that. Darnold looked less than impressive at times against WMU, and I think he will struggle to throw on Stanford’s great secondary.