Two football helmets, one simple, the other busy in such an attractive way, rank among the best in college football.

Notre Dame football players wear golden domes to work. Michigan Wolverines sport winged maize and blue helmets that were brought to the school in 1938 by new coach Fritz Crisler, formerly of Princeton. He reasoned the winged design would make it easier for quarterbacks to pick out their receivers.

In ensuing decades, Michigan’s helmets came to symbolize physical football, a style that has served Michigan well through the years. The Wolverines were perennial powers.

Until now. Making history as the first Division I-AA school to upset a ranked 1-A team, Appalachian State spoiled the Wolverines’ opener, 34-32. In Week 2, Oregon bullied Michigan, 39-7.

Notre Dame, ring out a cheer for old Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish could use one. Georgia Tech blitzed the Irish, 33-3, in Week 1. Penn State took its licks, 31-10, in Week 2.

Fans at the Big House are booing Michigan and calling for 13th-year coach Lloyd Carr’s job. Carr’s Wolverines were 12-0 and co-national champions in 1997, his third season.

Charlie Weis, in his third season at Notre Dame, won’t win a national championship. He’s still considered a genius because it’s still safe to blame losses on predecessor Ty Willingham’s recruiting deficiencies.

At last check, Michigan was favored by 81â2 points. Three points worth of that is based on Michigan’s homefield advantage. In this case, though, with the climate being so stressful for Michigan, the best thing for the team might be heading out on the road, where it’s easier not to take it personally when booed.

Michigan and Notre Dame both will start a true freshman at quarterback. The Wolverines start Ryan Mallett (6 for 17, 49 yards, one pick, two sacks) because of an injury to Chad Henne. Jimmy Clausen, sacked seven times and picked off once so far, makes his second consecutive start.

Clausen put the heat on himself to succeed at Notre Dame more than a year ago. As a junior in high school, Clausen showed up at Notre Dame’s spring game in a limo and held a press conference there to announce his intention to attend Notre Dame. Hams sometimes do well in the spotlight, and a good deal of the nation will be rubber-necking this game to see which former powerhouse falls to 0-3.

This one smells like an upset: Notre Dame 21, Michigan 20.

Some of the games involving Big 12 schools:

Kansas 52, Toledo 21: The Rockets have injuries in the secondary and the Jayhawks have injuries in the pride department. The only treatment for KU’s ailments is a rout.

Missouri 52, Western Michigan 24: West Virginia put up 62 points on the preseason Mid-American Conference favorites and Indiana scored 37 points against them. Chase Daniel will abuse the Broncos.

Kansas State 38, Missouri State 10: Once again, Terry Allen doesn’t have enough talent to hang with K-State.

USC 34, Nebraska 24: With No. 2 LSU gaining in the polls, the Trojans won’t lack motivation.

Florida State 24, Colorado 17: The Seminoles’ uniforms are as cool as ever, the talent not quite what it used to be.

Iowa 38, Iowa State 7: It’s going to be a rough couple of years for the Cyclones.