Collegiate Times

With a 1-1 record, Duke will have a tall task containing the defending national champions’ prolific offense, led by quarterback Greg McElroy, wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Mark Ingram. Ingram is last year’s Heisman winner and will be making his season debut following offseason knee surgery.

Alabama already has 1,000 yards of total offense on the season, while the Duke defense has given up 81 points to its opponents.  

This could be a long day for the Blue Devils.

Predicted winner: Alabama

3:30 P.M., BYU at FLORIDA STATE, ESPNU

Following Saturday’s blowout loss to Oklahoma, Florida State will look to rebound against Brigham Young.

FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher saw his defense give up 487 total yards of offense to the Sooners. Although BYU’s offense is not nearly as complex as Oklahoma’s, FSU will still have its hands full.

The Seminoles will be facing a duo of quarterbacks in junior Riley Nelson and freshman Jake Heaps. Nelson and Heaps will be playing alternating series in a more situational offense.

Predicted winner: FSU

7 P.M., CLEMSON at No. 16 AUBURN, ESPN

Thanks to a cushioned opening schedule with games against North Texas and Presbyterian, Clemson has its offense firing on all cylinders. These two schools provided tune-up games for the Tigers before they take on rival Auburn.

Clemson is just outside the top-25 in the major polls, most likely because of its soft schedule.

However, the game is so highly anticipated that ESPN’s College GameDay will do its show from Auburn on Saturday.

Auburn, on the other hand, could be a legitimate threat to the Alabama Crimson tide for the SEC title. The Tigers will have to show it starting with its first test against Clemson.

Prediction winner: Auburn

11:15 P.M., WAKE FOREST at No. 19 STANFORD, ESPN2

After a wild win over Duke last weekend, Wake Forest will look to continue its success against Stanford.

The teams have identical 2-0 records.

Wake Forest could play the role of spoiler to the Cardinal this week, but the Demon Deacons would have to do so with a new starting quarterback, freshman Tanner Price.

Price was forced into action last week against Duke following an injury to Ted Stachitas.

Meanwhile, Stanford shut out UCLA last week, 35-0.

Because of Price’s inexperience, and other contributing factors such as traveling to the West Coast, the Stanford offense will likely be too much for the Demon Deacons to handle.

Predicted winner: Stanford

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A version of this article appeared in the Sep 17 issue of the Collegiate Times.