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College football week 2: 5 things to know

Posted at 11:41 AM, Sep 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-10 12:41:24-04

Week two of the college football season is quite a letdown after a loaded first weekend. Still, there are plenty of things to keep an eye on.

BEST GAME

Arkansas at No. 15 TCU. Not a lot from which to choose on the menu this week, but the Horned Frogs are considered a Big 12 contender and the Razorbacks aspire to push Alabama in the SEC West.

Neither team looked capable of those lofty goals last week. Arkansas had a one-point victory against Louisiana Tech and TCU got into a scorefest with FCS South Dakota State before pulling away in the fourth quarter. Maybe both were looking ahead?

The style matchup could provide some intrigue. Bret Bielema's Hogs, ideally, like to ground-and-pound. Gary Patterson's Frogs play fast and like to go deep.

Subplot: The SEC got knocked around a little in week one. This is its best shot this week to get some bragging rights back.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

11 — The second-longest winning streak in the country belongs to San Diego State. The Aztec's streak is also the second-longest in school history. They won 21 in a row under the great Don Coryell from 1968-70. San Diego State faces California on Saturday and the Aztecs are seven-point favorites against the Pac-12 team.

14 — Number of tackles for loss allowed by Auburn, most in the nation. The Tigers play coach Gus Malzahn's old team, Arkansas State. The Red Wolves had six tackles for loss in a loss to Toledo last week.

16 — Number of years it has been since Penn State and Pitt played. The Nittany Lions and Panthers renew a rivalry on Saturday in Pittsburgh that many Penn State supporters seem to view as more of a nuisance than an obligation.

16.7 — Average yards per pass attempt for Western Kentucky QB Mike White, best in the nation by more than three years. The Hilltoppers play No. 1 Alabama on Saturday.

OFF THE RADAR

New Mexico State hosts New Mexico in the 106th edition of the Rio Grande rivalry. The Lobos have won four straight after the Aggies had taken three straight. Overall, New Mexico holds a 70-31-5 lead.

COACH IN NEED OF A WIN

Kentucky's Mark Stoops started an important season with a deflating loss to Southern Mississippi last week. The Wildcats led by 25 in the first half and lost 44-35 at home. Now they visit Florida, trying to snap a 29-game losing streak to the Gators.

It is the longest current losing streak (or winning streak, depending on your perspective) in an uninterrupted series and the fourth longest such streak in major college football history.

Stoops has had three losing season at Kentucky so simply getting to six wins and bowl eligibility would be a step forward. It's going to be much tougher to get there now, though a $12 million buyout likely increases his security in Lexington.