Weekend Watch List: Georgia has a lot to lose against South Carolina

A wise coach -- making much less than $5 million per year -- once said the most improvement is made between Week 1 and Week 2.

If that's the case, these teams, coaches and players have the most at stake on Saturday:

Georgia

Tyler in Atlanta had it right, they must become the Desperation Dawgs against South Carolina. The loser is in a huge hole in the SEC East, essentially two games behind the winner. (Ties, of course, are broken by head-to-head results.) The Dawgs don't want to tempt fate for the second straight year -- losing to South Carolina and having to rally back to win the division. Georgia went through this in '11 when it led off by losing to consecutive ranked teams (Boise State and South Carolina). Tyler became a national celebrity this week when he cried after the Clemson loss, "Our whole season's gone." Not quite, but it's close.

Jadeveon Clowney

If South Carolina's much-dissected defensive end isn't properly motivated this week, something is really wrong. Last week against North Carolina he was tired, out of shape and sick. If Clowney isn't energized, fit and healthy against the Dawgs, NFL scouts won't be the only ones dissecting his game.

Michigan

I want to see Devin Gardner dominate a dominant Notre Dame defense. I want to see Greg Mattison's defense make Tommy Rees look like the 2011 version (19 turnovers) rather than the clean, polished version that beat Temple last week. I want to see Michigan win at Penn State, Michigan State, Northwestern and Iowa. I want to see Michigan beat Ohio State and go to the Big Ten title game -- and play Ohio State in the Big Ten title game the next week. By God, I want to see Michigan become Michigan again. I'm no fan boy. It's just that we're all better off as human beings when Michigan matters. The Wolverines stunk last year against Notre Dame and haven't so much as shared a Big Ten title since 2004. Is this a rant? Sure. Do I need a Xanax? Possibly. Does Brady Hoke need to step up and smack down ND for the good of humanity? Absolutely.

Louisville

Teddy Bridgewater is fantastic, the Cards could go undefeated. But you can already see a national discussion lining up against The 'Ville, which hosts Eastern Kentucky. Yes, the American Athletic Conference winner is guaranteed a BCS berth. Anything less than an undefeated season and the Cardinals could be in trouble. The combined record of its opponents after Week 1 is 1-7 against BCS competition. The only BCS win was Cincinnati over Purdue.

Johnny Footloose

Taking over/under bets on the first "cash money" gesture. Playing Sam Houston State, the scrutiny will be on how Johnny Scoreboard acts, not so much how he plays.

How long does it take before Johnny Football does this on Saturday? (USATSI)

Miami

The Canes are 1-10 vs. top 12 teams since late 2005. Stephen Morris 0-4 against ranked teams. Yeah, beating No. 12 Florida would restore some Miami credibility.

BYU and Texas

It's strange watching the Cougars with such a clunky offense. Offensive coordinator Robert Anae has promised a shake-up in the line after a putrid showing against Virginia. The Cougars ran 93 plays but averaged only 3.89 yards per snap. Quarterback Taysom Hill completed only 13 of 40. It's stranger watching Mack Brown defend himself because of another quarterback he didn't sign. An 0-2 start for BYU would be its first since 1995. Texas last visited Provo 25 years ago, losing by 41.

GP and CP

TCU's Gary Patterson and Boise's Chris Petersen have never each lost their opener in their combined 19 years as head coaches. Until last week. The former Mountain West rivals have never started 0-2. They won't -- or shouldn't -- with each playing FCS teams this week.

Bowling Green

One of the buried storylines from Week 1 was BG's shutout of Tulsa. It was the first zero for the Falcons over a legit FBS opponent since 2004. (BG shut out UMass last year in its first year of FBS membership.) Dave Clawson's "Clawfense" is humming again and revenge is in the air this week at Kent State. The Golden Flashes beat BG last year, keeping the Falcons from the MAC championship game.

Tennessee

There is little upside to hosting Western Kentucky. If the Vols cover the 13 1/2 points, no one notices. If Bobby Petrino beats his second straight SEC team with the Hilltoppers it may lead SportsCenter, Fox Sports 1 and CBS Sports Network's "Fast Football." By the way, Petrino has won 12 of his last 13 games against SEC opponents -- eight in a row against the SEC East. It would be in the Vols' best interest to win big with a trip to Oregon looming.

Willie Taggart

How would you like to be the South Florida coach right about now? The energetic, upcoming force of nature with the Stanford background, did everything right including being the subject of an offseason funny. In his debut last week, the Bulls gave up their most points ever at home to McNeese State. Now Taggart's bus drives to Michigan State. This could get ugly quickly.

Ejection reaction

Ten players were ejected last week due to the new adjustment in the targeting rule. Three were overturned after replay. At least one of those ejected was an offensive player, Alabama-Birmingham tight end Kennard Backman. See if you agree ...

Say goodbye to a great sellout streak

Virginia Tech's 15-year streak of 93 consecutive sellouts should end this week, according to AD Jim Weaver. It's a combination of several factors: Quality of opponent. (Western Carolina) The Hokies are coming off their worst season in 20 years (7-6 in 2012). Plus, the home schedule doesn't inspire one to separate cash from wallet. Going forward: Marshall, North Carolina, Duke, Pittsburgh and Maryland. ...

Arizona (at UNLV) has lost what could have potentially been a set of future starting linebackers to concussions. Rob Hankins, who would have been a junior in 2013, gave up the game a year ago. This week Rich Rodriguez revealed sophomores Dakota Conwell and C.J. Dozier -- his first two recruits a year ago -- retired from football due to multiple concussions. They will keep their scholarships. ... Iowa should end a losing streak that is tied for sixth-longest in the nation (seven games, tied for third-longest among BCS schools) by beating Missouri State. We think. ... Mack Brown can tie Woody Hayes for career victories by beating BYU. ... Oregon hasn't played this far east (at Virginia) since going to Army in 1970.