Three sneaky suspicions about Week 2 of the college football season:

1. Michigan will put some hurt on Central Michigan. Lloyd Carr is not the type of coach who runs up points on feeble opponents to impress poll voters, but I get the impression he doesn't forgive and forget easily, either. That's why I have no doubt the Wolverines will beat CMU by at least four touchdowns. Carr's confidant and offensive coordinator, Mike DeBord, spent four seasons pacing the sidelines in Mount Pleasant before he was fired in 2003. The firing was justified - DeBord went 12-34 overall and won just 22 percent of his MAC games - but that doesn't mean it sits well with those closest to DeBord. With Notre Dame up next, Michigan has a lot of offensive wrinkles to iron out (wink, wink) and DeBord's play calling will get it done.

2. Javon Ringer will rush for 140 yards for MSU. Ringer had an average opening game against Idaho. He carried 16 times for 70 yards (just 4.4 a pop) and scored one touchdown on a goal-line option play. EMU got torched through the air last week, but the Eagles have one of the worst run defenses in the MAC (198.7 ypg allowed last year) and MSU will exploit it Saturday. Expect Ringer to break a couple long runs, and MSU to save the bulk of its passing playbook for next week's huge game at Pitt.

3. Big Ten teams will split their two showcase games Saturday with Ohio State winning at Texas and Penn State losing at Notre Dame. OSU has the most to gain with a strong performance. The Buckeyes can justify their No. 1 ranking, avenge last year's home defeat to the Longhorns, and Troy Smith can establish himself as the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy with a good day. It'll happen against a Texas defense still reeling from the loss of cornerback Tarell Brown. Buckeyes 24, Longhorns 17. Notre Dame will make amends for its shoddy performance last week against a Georgia Tech team that is better than people think. The Irish, still winning with defense, take a no-frills 26-14 decision.