Q: Besides the coaches squaring off in the Notre Dame-Michigan game, and maybe Jim Tressel to silence Ohio State skeptics, which coach could really use a win the most this weekend?
— Alex from Birmingham, Ala.
A: You already provided the two prime examples, so I’ll give you three more, Alex.

Al Groh, Virginia: It’s a tall order. Virginia plays host to TCU — and any team is severely challenged to move the ball against that Horned Frogs defense. But the Cavaliers just lost a home against William & Mary. Two road games (Southern Miss, North Carolina) await. The season already is at a crucial juncture.

Lane Kiffin, Tennessee: The Volunteers are 1-0 after a no-sweat opening-weekend victory against Western Kentucky. Now UCLA visits Neyland Stadium, and that opponent represented the beginning of the end for Phil Fulmer. If Tennessee wins, the Vols are 2-0 heading to Florida, primed for a noisy week of chatter and an opportunity filled with massive upside. If Tennessee loses, it’s a home defeat and an unraveling feeling.

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Chip Kelly, Oregon: The first-year head coach can’t afford to start 0-2. And he probably won’t. But the loss at Boise State — and the season-long suspension of running back LeGarrette Blount — already has the Ducks reeling. Purdue comes to Autzen Stadium. Although the Boilermakers aren’t expected to contend in the Big Ten, Oregon was pressed in defeating Purdue 32-26 in overtime last season.

Q: If I’m the Florida Gators, am I feeling better or worse about my repeat possibilities? Did the “game’’ against Charleston Southern show anything important? More importantly, is the gap between Florida and the other title hopefuls probably greater or less than originally believed?
— Drew from Medford, Ore.
A: I don’t think anything has really changed, Drew. The Florida Gators are on top, and everyone else is chasing. Don’t read anything into the performance against Charleston Southern. Predictably, it was a mismatch all the way. We won’t really learn anything about Florida until Sept. 19, when Tennessee visits Gainesville.

You will not hear the word “repeat’’ uttered from the lips of coach Urban Meyer (or any of his players, if he can help it). Heck, you won’t even hear the words “we’re trying to go undefeated’’ (even though it’s an obvious goal of quarterback Tim Tebow and the other veterans to achieve something unprecedented in Gators history). Meyer talks about reaching Atlanta, site of the SEC championship game, and nothing more.

No problem with that, by the way.

Georgia is predictably down a bit. Tennessee is building up. South Carolina (still) isn’t ready. Kentucky and Vanderbilt aren’t factors. So there you go.

The question: Who will await in Atlanta? For my money, it’s going to be Alabama again. The Crimson Tide will get better and better with new quarterback Greg McElroy and a lineup chock full of talent on both sides of the ball.

Nationally, I’m still looking for Texas to meet Florida in the BCS Championship Game at Pasadena, Calif. The Longhorns’ chances of winning the Big 12 probably rose over the weekend when Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford went down (although it’s now looking likely that Bradford may return for the Oct. 17 game in Dallas).

Anything can happen, of course. Still, I’d be shocked if Florida DIDN’T reach the SEC championship game as an unbeaten team. The Oct. 10 trip to LSU will be difficult. But I’m sensing more of a speed-bump than real threat.

Q: What was the most underappreciated performance in the first week? I really liked how Missouri looked against Illinois.
— Henry Delray from Oceanside, Calif.
A: You picked a great example, Henry. The perfect example, in fact.

Missouri-Illinois flew a bit under the radar because neither team is in the Top 25. Missouri lost most of its highly touted offensive firepower with the departure of quarterback Chase Daniel and receiver Jeremy Maclin. Illinois was gearing to make a pre-Big Ten statement, showing that last season’s unraveling was an anomaly and the Illini were ready for a return to top-flight status.

So what happened?

Missouri 37, Illinois 9.

Daniel has gone, but make no mistake, the Tigers have a quarterback. He is sophomore Blaine Gabbert, a 6-foot-5, 240-pounder who looks like the real deal (or as close as you can come after just one game, anyway).

I think the pundits — myself included — may have placed too much emphasis on what Missouri lost. Some attention should have been paid to what Missouri had returning. Nobody is going to jump up and grab the Big 12 North title by the throat, that’s for sure. Missouri could be a factor and the season-opening thumping of Illinois just put everyone on notice.