Top 25 capsules
Oregon vs. Georgia, 3:30 p.m. (ABC-10)
Line: Georgia by 161⁄2
Series: Georgia leads 1-0
What’s at stake: Georgia is looking to get started on another national championship season against the lone currently ranked team among its first 10 opponents. If the Bulldogs get by this one, the only other stiff test on their regular-season schedule would appear to be at No. 20 Kentucky in mid-november. Oregon’s Dan Lanning makes his head coaching debut against the team where he spent the past three years as codefensive coordinator.
Cincinnati at Arkansas, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Arkansas by 61⁄2
Series record: First meeting What’s at stake: The implications of this game loom large for both teams. A marquee road victory over a ranked SEC opponent would make an opening statement for Cincinnati. The Razorbacks, who play what many consider to be the toughest schedule in the country, would send a signal to the nation that their 2021 season was no fluke with a win. A loss for either team will likely result in dropping out of national rankings.
Utah at Florida, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Utah by 2½
Series: Florida leads 1-0
What’s at stake: Defending Pac-12 champion Utah opens with its highest preseason ranking (7) in school history. The Utes travel to Gainesville for the first time since 1977 and will try to hand Florida its first season-opening loss at home since 1989. The Gators own the NCAA’S longest active winning streak in home openers at 32. None of the previous victories came against ranked teams. The game also marks the debut of new Florida coach Billy Napier, who led Louisiana-lafayette to four consecutive Sun Belt Conference championship games before replacing fired Dan Mullen in November.
Notre Dame at Ohio State, 7:30 p.m. (ABC-10)
Line: Ohio State by 17 ⁄2 1
Series: Ohio State leads 4-2 What’s at stake: The Buckeyes have one of the most explosive offensive attacks in the nation. Coach Ryan Day is stressing a fast start. New Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles installed a new scheme and a salty attitude in the unit. Emotions will be running high for first-year Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman, who played linebacker at Ohio State in 2004-08 and coached at Cincinnati under Luke Fickell. There could also be some jitters for second-year Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner, who won the starting job in training camp. Notre Dame’s defensive line is its strength.