Clemson, Iowa face key games that decide futures
Clemson and Iowa face potential turning points less than a month into the football season.
The Tigers head to Florida State with a two-game losing streak. Another loss could lead to a long season, while a second straight win over the Seminoles puts them back in the Atlantic Coast Conference title hunt.
The Hawkeyes travel to Michigan having scored only 24 points in their last two games, including a startling 44-7 loss at Arizona State. A third straight win over the Wolverines in the Big Ten opener would ease concerns in Iowa City.
The latest matchup between Clemson coach Tommy Bowden and his father, Bobby, has a familiar feel.
Last year, the Tigers were slumping when Clemson went into Florida State and beat the Seminoles. It was the younger Bowden’s first victory in five tries against his dad’s team, and Clemson closed the season with three more victories.
Coming off a 27-6 loss to Texas A&M, the Tigers, who began the season ranked 15th, are in need of another turnaround.
The Seminoles rebounded from yet another loss to Miami by easily taking care of UAB last week.
The last time the Hawkeyes visited the Big House, they handed the Wolverines a 34-9 loss – Michigan’s worst home loss in 35 years.
| The lineup | Time | TV |
| No. 1 Southern Cal at Stanford | ||
| Pick: USC 42-10 | 4 p.m. | TBS |
| No. 5 Texas vs. Rice | ||
| Pick: UT 58-14 | 4 p.m. | FSN |
| No. 6 W. Virginia vs. J. Madison | ||
| Pick: WVU 47-13 | 1 p.m. | None |
| No. 8 Florida St. vs. Clemson | ||
| Pick: FSU 27-14 | 12:30 | None |
| No. 9 Auburn vs. The Citadel | ||
| Pick: AU 44-0 | 11:30 | None |
| No. 11 Tennessee vs. La. Tech | ||
| Pick: UT 40-10 | 4 p.m. | None |
| No. 12 Virginia vs. Syracuse | ||
| Pick: UV 47-14 | 12:30 | None |
| No. 13 LSU vs. Mississippi St. | ||
| Pick: LSU 45-10 | 9:30 | None |
| No. 14 Utah vs. Air Force | ||
| Pick: UU 36-13 | Noon | None |
| No. 15 Purdue at Illinois | ||
| Pick: PU 46-20 | 9 a.m. | None |
| No. 16 Florida vs. Kentucky | ||
| Pick: UF 39-7 | 8:30 . | ESPN2 |
| No. 18 Michigan vs. Iowa | ||
| Pick: UM 23-16 | 12:30 | None |
| No. 19 Minnesota vs. Northwestern | ||
| Pick: UM 40-21 | 6 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| No. 20 Wisconsin vs. Penn St. | ||
| Pick: PSU 18-17 | 2:45 | ESPN |
| No. 22 Arizona St. vs. Oregon St. | ||
| Pick: ASU 36-31 | 7 p.m. | FSN |
| No. 23 Maryland at Duke | ||
| Pick: UM 38-17 | 9 a.m. | None |
| No. 24 Louisville at North Carolina | ||
| Pick: UL 45-28 | 10:30 | None |