A weekend guide to college football


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USC’s archrival Notre Dame faces Navy in Dublin, in the Emerald Isle Classic on Saturday. Former Trojan running back Amir Carlisle, who transferred to the program last January and is eligible to play immediately after his hardship waiver was approved, will not play in the game due to injury. The Fighting Irish will also be without their 2011 starter Tommy Rees, who pled guilty to misdemeanor charges in the summer.

Northwestern at Syracuse 9 a.m., ESPN 2

Former USC wide receiver Kyle Prater, who transferred to Northwestern in January, makes his debut for the Wildcats on Saturday. Prater had one catch for the Trojans in 2011 after being a five-star recruit coming out if high school in Illinois.

Cal vs. nevada 12 p.m., pac-12 networks

A year after playing at AT&T Park in San Francisco, the Golden Bears kick off their season against Nevada at a revamped Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. In the teams’ last meeting in 2010, the Wolf Pack toppled Cal with relative ease, 52-31.

Alabama vs. Michigan 5 p.m., ABC

The defending BCS national champion Crimson Tide will take on Michigan, which is coming off of an 11-2 season, in the Cowboys Stadium Classic in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday. Star quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Denard Robinson returns for the Wolverines, while the Tide break in several new starters on both sides of the ball.

Arkansas State at Oregon 7:30 p.m, ESPN

Although it was upset by the Trojans last November at home, Oregon has won the last three Pac-12 titles and is expected to challenge for conference supremacy yet again. Redshirt freshman Marcus Mariotta will make his first career start for the Ducks at Autzen Stadium in their season opener.