WEEK 2: FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

Western Michigan. With a big outing on national television against a Stanford team that has won three straight in the series, Darnold could get back atop the pack.

NUMBERS TO KNOW 6:

Utah’s winning streak against BYU in the Holy War rivalry, longest for the Utes in the series since the 1950s.

The last time Pitt won at Penn State. The Panthers and Nittany Lions series resumed last year after a 16-year hiatus, with Pitt winning a high-scoring game. The rivalry goes back to Happy Valley this week.

Alabama’s average winning score in its home opener during Nick Saban’s 10 years. None of those home openers have been against a Power Five opponent. They have almost always come in week two after playing a big neutral site game. This season’s likely punching bag for the top-ranked Tide is Fresno State, a 44-point underdog.

Yards passing needed by Washington State quarterback Luke Falk against Boise State to become the Cougars’ career leader, passing Connor Halliday’s record of 11,304

1988: 39-7: 101: OFF THE RADAR

Last week Baylor lost to Liberty, a fledgling program in the process of transitioning from FCS to FBS. Not a great start for coach Matt Rhule. It won’t get easier this week for the Bears in pursuit of victory No. 1 under the new regime. Texas-San Antonio, expected to contend in Conference USA, comes to Waco, Texas. Other Power Five teams that face tough tests from schools outside the Power Five. • Arizona hosts Houston. • Arizona State hosts San Diego State. • Illinois hosts Western Kentucky. • Mississippi State travels to Louisiana

HOT SEAT WATCH

Tech. Brian Kelly’s seat at Notre Dame is not nearly as hot as some Irish fans would like to believe. Still, he can’t afford for another season to go totally sideways, and a loss in week two at home to Georgia will only serve to rattle the antsy fan base. Beat the Bulldogs and suddenly things are looking up for the Irish.