Six Games to Watch

No. 20 NOTRE DAME (1-0) at No. 3 MICHIGAN (1-0)

Kickoff: 9 a.m. Saturday.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: Michigan by 7.

Notre Dame update: It didn’t take long for Coach Charlie Weis to restore some luster to the Fighting Irish, who beat then-No. 23 Pittsburgh, 42-21, in the former New England Patriot offensive coordinator’s debut. Notre Dame looked like a pro team in racking up 35 first-half points.

Michigan update: The opportunistic Wolverine defense and special teams forced five turnovers in a 33-17 victory over Northern Illinois. Senior receiver Jason Avant was the offensive star, catching nine passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.

Story line: Weis could ascend to near-legendary status after only two games if he guides Notre Dame to a victory in hostile Michigan Stadium.

The pick: Notre Dame. Luck has nothing to do with it as the upstart Irish win their second consecutive stunner.

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No. 16 CALIFORNIA (1-0) at WASHINGTON (0-1)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: California by 9.

California update: Quarterbacks Joe Ayoob and Steve Levy struggled to replace injured starter Nate Longshore during the Golden Bears’ 41-3 victory over Sacramento State. Marshawn Lynch ran for 147 yards to help pick up the slack.

Washington update: Coach Tyrone Willingham’s first season could be a real downer if the Huskies continue to play the way they did in the fourth quarter against Air Force, when they squandered a 17-6 lead and lost, 20-17. Washington has lost seven in a row and 11 of 12.

Story line: This will be a good test to see how Washington matches up ... with Sacramento State.

The pick: California. Even without Longshore, who is out for at least three months, the Golden Bears are too formidable for the lowly Huskies.

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SOUTH CAROLINA (1-0) at No. 9 GEORGIA (1-0)

Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

TV: ESPN.

Line: Georgia by 18.

South Carolina update: It’s difficult to know how much credit to give the Gamecocks for their season-opening 24-15 victory over Central Florida, considering that it was the 16th consecutive defeat for the Golden Knights. Probably not much.

Georgia update: Senior quarterback D.J. Shockley accounted for six touchdowns -- five passing, one rushing -- in his first college start to lead the Bulldogs to an easier-than-expected 48-13 victory over then-No. 18 Boise State. Shockley would have had more than his 289 yards passing had there not been four dropped passes.

Story line: What has long been a lopsided series should hold more intrigue now that Steve Spurrier is coaching the Gamecocks.

The pick: Georgia. Spurrier falls short in his bid for an upset.

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No. 2 TEXAS (1-0) at No. 4 OHIO STATE (1-0)

Kickoff: 5 p.m. Saturday.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: Ohio State by 1.

Texas update: Eight players scored during the Longhorns’ 60-3 victory over Louisiana Lafayette. Quarterback Vince Young threw for three touchdowns, ran for another and completed 10 consecutive passes at one point.

Ohio State update: The Buckeyes led, 34-0, before surrendering two late touchdowns in their season-opening 34-14 victory over Miami (Ohio). Quarterback Justin Zwick completed 17 of 23 passes for 155 yards and running back Antonio Pittman rushed for 100 yards to lead a balanced attack.

Story line: Two storied teams that have combined for 1,553 victories in 115 years meet for the first time.

The pick: Ohio State. The Buckeyes will be tough to beat in front of what figures to be a record six-digit crowd at Ohio Stadium.

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No. 5 LOUISIANA STATE (0-0) at No. 15 ARIZONA STATE (1-0)

Kickoff: 5:45 p.m. Saturday.

TV: ESPN.

Line: Arizona State by 1.

LSU update: The Tigers have been occupied with matters more important than football in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell housed Fats Domino in his apartment for two days after the music legend was rescued from his New Orleans home.

Arizona State update: Freshman Keegan Herring set the school record for rushing in the first game of a career with 134 yards in the Sun Devils’ 63-16 victory over Temple. Six ballcarriers combined for 300 yards.

Story line: The Tigers finally get to play after their scheduled opener, Sept. 3 against North Texas, was postponed and this game was shifted from Baton Rouge, La., to Tempe, Ariz., because of Hurricane Katrina.

The pick: LSU. The Tigers put all the distractions behind them in Coach Les Miles’ debut.

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RICE (0-0) at UCLA (1-0)

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Saturday.

TV: FSN West 2.

Line: UCLA by 24.

Rice update: The run-oriented Owls expect to start only three seniors, the lowest total in the nation. Senior defensive end John Syptak, selected the Conference USA preseason defensive player of the year by the conference’s coaches, had eight sacks last season.

UCLA update: The Bruins exhibited an explosive offense in their opener behind playmakers Maurice Drew and Marcedes Lewis. The defense allowed 402 yards but made several big stops, including interceptions by Spencer Havner and Michael Norris.

Story line: Rice has never fared well in California, going 1-11-1. Make it 1-12-1.

The pick: UCLA. The Bruins should be 2-0 and only slight underdogs next weekend against Oklahoma.

-- Ben Bolch