TOWSON (1-0) at WAKE FOREST (1-0)
BB&T Field, Winston-Salem, noon
Towson quarterback Tom Flacco (yes, the brother of Joe) rushed 13 times last week and passed for 245 yards in a 26-point romp over Morgan State…. Wake freshman Sam Hartman (Davidson Day) is at QB again, after his 378-yard passing performance against Tulane.
Ryan Field, Evanston, Ill., noon, ESPNU
Duke QB Daniel Jones (Charlotte Latin) will have his hands full with a Northwestern defense that had five sacks and three interceptions last week against Purdue. The Blue Devils beat Northwestern 41-17 a year ago, but the Wildcats have won their past three home meetings with Duke.
Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, 12:30 p.m., Fox Sports Carolinas
The visiting Panthers have two good receivers in Penny Hart and South Carolina transfer Christian Owens but are inexperienced and smaller than the Wolfpack…. Look for N. C. State to work on its ground game, which didn’t look sharp last week against James Madison.
Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, 3:30 p.m., WBTV
Bulldogs QB Jake Fromm and his crew of speedy receivers pose a big test for the Gamecocks’ defense. Look for South Carolina to try and get production from its crew of four tailbacks to control the ball and limit the impact of Georgia’s explosive offense.
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, 3:30 p.m., ESPNU
The Tar Heels threw four interceptions last week at California. East Carolina had three turnovers in its loss to FCS N. C. A&T. So avoiding errors is a key in this contest. Butler High’s Anthony Ratliff-Williams gives the Tar Heels the game’s most dangerous player.
Jerry Richardson Stadium, Charlotte, 6 p.m.
The winless Mountaineers against the unbeaten 49ers, right? Actually, this game – with a sellout crowd and some real buzz – features outstanding RBs in App State’s Jalin Moore (Crest High) and Charlotte’s Benny LeMay (Butler). App State’s speed hurt Penn State a week ago. Can the 49ers keep up?
Kyle Field, College Station, Texas, 7 p.m., ESPN
ESPN’s College Game Day will be there, along with 100,000 fans (Clemson’s first game before a crowd that big). One key to watch: the Aggies’ veteran offensive line against Clemson’s relentless defense. And how will Tigers freshman QB Trevor Lawrence fare in all this pressure?
Brooks Stadium, Conway, S. C., 7 p.m.
Quarterback A. J. Erdely completed 22 of 28 passes in UAB’s 52-0 rout of Savannah State last week…. The Chanticleers, who had trouble finding a starting QB last season, used two last week against South Carolina.
Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, 6 p.m.
Gardner-Webb was embarrassed 45-3 last year by the Aggies. The key to avoiding a repeat is how well the defense, with linebackers Corey Horne and Shai Thomas, can slow down the Aggies’ offense, led by QB Lamar Raynard.
Richardson Stadium, Davidson, 7 p.m.
Chowan QB Bryce Witt passed for 100 yards and rushed for 91 last week in a 49-26 loss at Campbell…. Davidson RB Wesley Dugger rushed for 118 yards last Saturday in the Wildcats’ 34-13 romp over Brevard.
Irwin Belk Stadium, Charlotte, 6 p.m.
On Benedict’s first play from scrimmage last week, QB Dominique Harris threw and interception that was returned for a TD. The Tigers had four turnovers in their 33-12 loss to Florida Tech…. The Golden Bulls, meanwhile, were sacked nine times and had only six first downs in a 36-0 loss to Wingate.
Steve Lyttle
charlotteobserver.com/sportspass
