Where » Heinz Field, Pittsburgh

TV/radio » ESPNU, 106.7 the Fan

The old Big East rivals, who will reunite in the ACC when Pitt joins the league in 2014, find themselves in different places in 2012. While Virginia Tech (2-0) is off to an uncharacteristic smooth start, Pitt (0-2) is in transition under rookie coach Paul Chryst, who lost his debut to Youngstown State. The Hokies have won 13 straight road games, the longest streak in the nation. The Panthers won the last meeting 31-28 in 2003, upsetting the fifth-ranked Hokies.

Connecticut at Maryland

When » Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

Where » Byrd Stadium

TV/radio » Fox 5, ESPN 980

The Terrapins (2-0) can exceed last year’s win total under Randy Edsall but will have to do it against the Huskies (1-1), who promise to be inspired against their former coach. More than 50 UConn players were recruited to Storrs by Edsall, who took over at Maryland in 2011. The defense of UConn, guided by former Terps assistant Don Brown, ranks first in the nation against the run (28.5 yards a game) and third in scoring defense (5.0 points a game).

Virginia at Georgia Tech

When » Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

Where » Bobby Dodd Stadium,

Atlanta

TV/radio » ESPNU, 570 AM

Virginia coach Mike London had to deal with plenty of questions the last two years about Al Groh, the former Virginia coach under whom he served and now is the defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech. Last year, London and the Cavaliers solved Groh’s deception in a 24-21 victory, which started the Yellow Jackets’ tailspin to a 2-5 finish after a 6-0 start. This year, the vastly improved defense of Georgia Tech (1-1) could have the speed to deal with the array of weapons Virginia (2-0) can bring.

James Madison vs. No. 9 West Virginia

When » Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Where » FedEx Field

The Mountaineers (1-0) went 3-0 in NFL stadiums last year, but this will be a different experience for James Madison (2-0). The Dukes of the FCS, however, pulled off a historic upset of Virginia Tech in 2010. JMU has outscored its foes 97-10, but Saint Francis (Pa.) and Alcorn State bear little resemblance to West Virginia, led by Heisman candidate Gino Smith, who ranks second in the nation in passing efficiency and throws to speedsters Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey.

Five games to watch

5 No. 14 Texas at Mississippi » After going 6-18 the last two years, Mississippi appears transformed under rookie coach Hugh Freeze and first-year quarterback Bo Wallace, a dual threat who ranks eighth in the nation in passing efficiency. With victories over Central Arkansas and UTEP, the Rebels still have something to prove. They haven’t started 3-0 since 1989. (Saturday, 9:15 p.m., ESPN)

4 No. 1 Alabama at Arkansas » A week ago, this would have been No. 1. But that was before Louisiana-Monroe pulled off a stunner in Fayetteville and knocked Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson out with a head injury (status uncertain). Arkansas still was talented enough to be ranked eighth in the preseason. Its last SEC home loss came against Alabama in 2010. (Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS)

3 No. 2 USC at No. 21 Stanford » USC finally gets a break from Andrew Luck, who led the Cardinal to three straight wins over the Trojans, the last two on the final play. Now it’s Stanford’s turn to deal with a Heisman front-runner in quarterback Matt Barkley. Dynamic USC wide receiver Robert Woods has 21 catches for 313 yards and four scores in the last two meetings. (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Fox)

2 No. 18 Florida at No. 23 Tennessee » It’s a big night in Rocky Top as “ESPN College Gameday” arrives. Volunteers quarterback Tyler Bray ranks fifth in the nation in passing efficiency. He guided Tennessee to a 2-0 start last year before a 33-23 loss in Gainesville in which Tennessee lost running back Rajion Neal with an ACL tear. Florida has beaten Tennessee seven straight years. (Saturday, 6 p.m., ESPN)

1 No. 20 Notre Dame at No. 10 Michigan State » Irish freshman quarterback Everett Golson will start, but experienced Tommy Rees will be ready against a Spartans defense that has yet to surrender a defensive touchdown. Michigan State’s Le’Veon Bell, who ranks sixth in the nation in rushing (140 ypg), can get some Heisman traction with a star turn here. (Saturday, 8 p.m., ABC)

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