Wilfredo Lee / AP

If his offensive line gives him time to throw, quarterback Jacory Harris has the ability to lead No. 12 Miami over No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday. An upset would help Hurricanes fans erase some bitter memory from seven years ago when the Buckeyes won the Feista Bowl in double overtime to deny Miami back-to-back national titles.

4. Hail To The Victors (Michigan at Notre Dame)
The sparks always fly when it’s a meeting of college football’s all-time leaders in winning percentage (Michigan .737, Notre Dame .734). Despite diminishing returns in recent seasons, it looks like the Wolverines and Fighting Irish are back on the upswing.

For the moment, the hot-seat talk has simmered for Coach Rich Rodriguez (9-16 at Michigan).

After two seasons of watching Rodriguez attempt to incorporate his offensive system into the Michigan culture — a square-peg, round-hole exercise, if ever there was one — we finally got a glimpse of the possibilities in the Wolverines’ victory against Connecticut last week.

Sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson produced a school-record 383 yards of total offense, including 29 rushes for 197 yards, the most ever by a Michigan quarterback. Robinson showed the speed (he was a state championship-contending sprinter in his home state of Florida) and instincts associated with the dual-threat quarterbacks Rodriguez routinely produced at his previous stops on the staffs of West Virginia, Clemson and Tulane.

Robinson, in truth, looked a lot like Pat White, the old West Virginia quarterback. That’s not good news for first-year Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly, who remembers well the nightmarish task of defending the Mountaineers from his days at Cincinnati.

“What makes a difference is a quarterback that has real athletic ability,’’ Kelly said. “You’re isolating a defensive end or a linebacker on a quarterback that’s not just a quarterback but a great athlete.’’

That’s quite a difference.

And it could be the difference between Michigan going from mediocrity to a legitimate Big Ten Conference contender.

5. The Head Ball Coach (Georgia at South Carolina)
Steve Spurrier is one game into his sixth season at South Carolina — and many people believe the Gamecocks are no closer to contending for an SEC title.

The records: 7-5, 8-5, 6-6, 7-6, 7-6.

And now: 1-0 with perhaps an opportunity to finally take that next step.

The Gamecocks were sharp in their season-opening 41-13 victory against Southern Miss. Not only did up-and-down junior quarterback Stephen Garcia display the type of consistency and mental tenacity that Spurrier craves, the Gamecocks also unveiled a pair of true freshmen who look excellent.

Rugged running back Marcus Lattimore and shifty all-purpose receiver Ace Sanders could be two of the SEC’s biggest additions.

Spurrier needs this victory badly. As the Gamecocks’ coach, he is 1-4 against Georgia (after going 11-1 against the Bulldogs during his Florida tenure).

South Carolina or Georgia?

Georgia or South Carolina?

The winner probably establishes itself as Florida’s chief challenger in the SEC East. In his former life, Spurrier was accustomed to contending for championships. By defeating Georgia, he could find himself back in that familiar role.

More news

AP

Slain UConn CB's family wants $5M

CFT: Stabbed to death following an altercation at a school-sponsored dance in October 2009, Jasper Howard‘s parents are seeking significant financial compensation for the parties they believe are at least partly responsible.

CFT: SEC's Slive no fan of plus-one playoff model

Headlines

• Label

Ex-QB Brian Johnson still directing Utes offense

CFT: Miami says it's 'committed to the ACC'

CFT: Clemson would listen to other conferences

CFT: Tennessee TE booted following felony arrest

CFT: Potential Cal starter kicked off team

Friends, fans mourn loss of Stewart

CFT: Ohio St. 'not facing any major ... violations'

CFT: Pitt FB suffers stroke, career likely over