Eddie Timanus

USA TODAY Sports

The Front Seven does the division.

1. West: With a precious SEC road win secured on opening day, No. 7 Texas A&M takes on its first divisional opponent, heading up to the Metroplex to meet Arkansas. The Razorbacks, clearly improved but already once beaten in the division thanks to their early date with Auburn, are in need of a statement win. They could get it if they can get their potent running game established quickly. The TB threesome of Alex Collins, Jonathan Williams and Korliss Marshall all have breakaway potential. WR Keon Hatcher is another big-play weapon, but QB Brandon Allen might have a harder time utilizing him.

The strength of the Aggies' defense is its pass rush, led by standout freshman DE Myles Garrett. Arkansas is going to have to find ways to bring pressure as well to slow A&M QB Kenny Hill and his vast array of receiving options. WRs Josh Reynolds and Ricky Seals-Jones are the most frequent end-zone finders, but Malcome Kennedy has the hands that move the chains. The Razorbacks average two sacks a game, but LB Martrell Spaight and his secondary must minimize A&M's big gainers.

2. East: Not many people associated with No. 15 South Carolina, from the Head Ball Coach on down, were happy with last week's performance at Vanderbilt. But the Gamecocks did come away with a win, something their opponent this week can't say. On the plus side for defending SEC East champion Missouri, the Tigers' loss to Indiana didn't count in the conference standings, but they'll need to play better to win in the other Columbia. South Carolina QB Dylan Thompson has for the most part been part of the solution, making good use of WRs Nick Jones and Pharoh Cooper.

The Gamecocks might have more success with their ground balance this week with Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds exploiting a Tigers' defense that sprung so many leaks last week. Mizzou LB Michael Scherer is usually a sure tackler, but he'll need a push in front of him. But Tigers' QB Maty Mauk could also be in for a big day against the South Carolina front that is still struggling to mount much of a rush. Unfortunately, Mauk will be without WR Darius White (groin), so even more will be asked of Bud Sasser in the passing game.

3. North: No. 14 Stanford finds itself playing catchup in the Pac-12 North thanks to its puzzling home loss to Southern California. The Cardinal take to the road for a divisional showdown against Washington, which is unbeaten but still trying to get both platoons to play well in the same game. Stanford QB Kevin Hogan and WR Ty Montgomery can produce points at any time, but the Cardinal's curious lack of continuity along the front line has led to similar troubles in the TB rotation. If Hogan has to drop back too often, he'll be subjected to the relentless heat that Washington DE Danny Shelton can bring.

Huskies' QB Cyler Miles has been hot and cold, though he has thus far not been picked off this season. The ground support has also been spotty for Washington, and TBs Lavon Coleman and Dwayne Washington might have trouble finding holes against Stanford LBs A.J. Tarpley and Blake Martinez.

4. Crossover: Speaking of Southern California , the No. 22 Trojans were last seen losing a puzzler of their own at Boston College. But they've had a week to regroup and now look to keep their Pac-12 slate clean as they host Oregon State . The Beavers, unbeaten but mostly untested, hope to duplicate USC's accomplishment of a cross-divisional victory on the road.

Trojans' QB Cody Kessler has done his job, completing 71% of his throws with no picks, and giving WR Nelson Agholor opportunities to show his speed. Hoping to limit that threat this week will be Oregon State CB Steven Nelson. The good news for the USC defense in the BC aftermath is the Beavers aren't constructed for the same power run game. But RBs Terron Ward and Storm Woods might find room to roam anyway if QB Sean Mannion gets comfortable early. Looking to make sure he doesn't will be Trojans' DE Leonard Williams, whose troublesome ankle likely benefited from the bye week.

5. Atlantic: No.1 Florida State more than likely took an unbreakable grip on the ACC Atlantic by eking out the win against Clemson. But strange things have been known to happen when the Seminoles visit North Carolina State. The Wolfpack, too, have found ways to keep their record unblemished. But they will now have to contend with QB Jameis Winston', who will undoubtedly play like he has a point to prove. The Seminoles would have struggled to control Clemson's defensive line regardless, but Winston's quicker trigger was missed. WR Rashad Greene can probably expect more touches in Raleigh. TB Karlos Williams, who covered the 25 overtime yards in only two carries, would like to find a rhythm earlier.

But waiting to challenge the Seminoles is Wolfpack QB Jacoby Brissett, whose collegiate career began at Florida. After a shaky start to the season, he's grown more comfortable with the system that makes extensive use of RBs Shadrach Thornton and Matt Dayes.

6. Coastal: It might sound trite, but the "Duke is no fluke" catchphrase has become a rallying cry for the No. 23 Blue Devils, who despite being the defending Coastal champs had to win their first four games in convincing fashion to finally get a number before their name. They'll convince more skeptics and established themselves as the division favorites once again if they can pass their first league test on the road at Miami (Fla.).

The Hurricanes could still figure in the race but can't afford a second conference setback. Miami's hopes for a confidence boost at Nebraska last week came up short as freshman QB Brad Kaaya continued to struggle with decisions under duress. LB David Helton and the underappreciated Blue Devils' defense will look to keep him off balance and keep Hurricanes' TB Duke Johnson contained. Duke QB Anthony Boone is playing like the veteran he is. While WR Jamison Crowder gets most of the attention downfield, Boone is keeping WRs Max McCaffrey and Issac Blakeney involved as well. They'll give LB Denzel Perryman and the 'Canes' back seven a lot of concerns.

7. Central? OK, so neither the Big Ten nor the American has a Central Division, but No. 20 Ohio State and Cincinnati will be getting a lot of positive vibes from their respective league offices as they square off in Columbus. The Bearcats hope to join fellow AAC member East Carolina in knocking off a ranked Power Five squad, but the Buckeyes would rather not provide another signature moment for a non-conference visitor. Buckeyes' freshman QB J.T. Barrett and his offensive teammates ironed out some kinks against Kent State after the Virginia Tech setback.

But the bigger concern for OSU might be the defensive secondary that will have to deal with Bearcats' QB Gunner Kiel. He made enough plays with the help of WRs Mekale McKay and Shaq Washington to overcome an overall flat outing last week against Miami (Ohio). Chalk it up to the Bearcats looking ahead on the calendar; expect a more focused effort in the Shoe.