A brief look at this weekend’s top 25 football matchups:
No. 1 Alabama at Arkansas
The status of Razorbacks QB Tyler Wilson is still uncertain after he suffered a head injury in last weekend’s upset loss to Louisiana-Monroe, which dropped Arkansas from eighth to out of the rankings.
No. 2 Southern Cal at No. 21 Stanford
The Cardinal will need a strong performance from Josh Nunes, who passed for 275 yards and three TDs against Duke last weekend.
Idaho at No. 3 LSU
The Tigers have won their first two games by a combined score of 82-17. LSU opens Southeastern Conference play next weekend at Auburn.
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Tennessee Tech at No. 4 Oregon
The Ducks have scored at least 30 points in 15 straight games, and totaled 99 in two games this season. Tennessee Tech is 2-0 for the first time since 1989.
Wake Forest at No. 5 Florida State
Since a 35-30 loss to the Demon Deacons last season, the Seminoles have gone 9-1. Wake Forest has won four of the last six meetings.
Florida Atlantic at No. 7 Georgia
The return of suspended defensive starters Sanders Commings (defensive back) and Chase Vasser (linebacker) should help a Bulldogs defense that is allowing 359 yards per game.
UAB at No. 8 South Carolina
The Gamecocks’ Steve Spurrier is seeking to become the fourth active coach with 200 career wins.
James Madison vs. No. 9 West Virginia
Coming off a bye week, the Mountaineers take on a Dukes team that is expected to be without leading rusher Dae’Quan Scott (ankle) at FedEx Field.
No. 20 Notre Dame at No. 10 Michigan State
The Spartans have allowed two TDs this season, both on interception returns. The Irish will start sophomore Everett Golson at QB even though he was relieved last week by Tommy Rees.
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Furman at No. 11 Clemson
The Tigers welcome back star sophomore receiver Sammy Watkins from a two-game suspension.
California at No. 12 Ohio State
The Buckeyes may need to rely more on QB Braxton Miller with starting RB Carlos Hyde out with an MCL sprain.
No. 13 Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh
The Hokies put the nation’s longest road winning streak (13 games) on the line against their former Big East rival.
No. 14 Texas at Mississippi
The Rebels, under first-year coach Hugh Freeze, are averaging an SEC-best 551.5 yards per game.
North Texas at No. 15 Kansas State
The Wildcats have outscored their opponents, 103-22. The Mean Green amassed 352 yards on the ground last week vs. Texas Southern.
Kansas at No. 16 TCU
The Horned Frogs make their Big 12 debut against a Jayhawks team that has lost six straight to ranked opponents.
UMass at No. 17 Michigan
The Wolverines barely outgained Air Force (422-417) in a narrow home win last weekend.
No. 18 Florida at No. 23 Tennessee
Justin Hunter tied a Volunteers record with three TD receptions last weekend. The Gators haven’t allowed a passing TD this season.
North Carolina at No. 19 Louisville
The Cardinals’ Ted Bridgewater has completed 82 percent of his passes this year.
Houston at No. 22 UCLA
The Bruins are in the Top 25 for the first time in more than four years. Houston won last season’s matchup, 38-34.
South Carolina State at No. 24 Arizona
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With an uptempo attack, Rich Rodriguez’s Wildcats are averaging 562.5 yards per game.
No. 25 Brigham Young at Utah
The Utes must settle on a new starting QB: Jon Hays or Travis Wilson.