This week's Coaching Forecast includes some heavy hitters in the industry -- some will see more precipitation than others.
Let's get to it.
Brady Hoke, Michigan: Partly cloudy, storms possible, 40 percent chance of sun
No matter how ugly, the 31-0 loss to Notre Dame won't derail Michigan's season. But here's the next immediate challenge: The Wolverines finish non-conference play on Sept. 20 against Utah, which leads the country with 21 tackles for a loss. If Michigan can't handle the Utes' front, it will enter Big Ten play with two losses while Penn State and Michigan State loom in October.
Mark Helfrich, Oregon: Sunshine and patchy clouds
The clouds are left over from Chip Kelly, who'd be hard for anyone to replace. But Helfrich is 13-2 in his first 15 games with wins over Michigan State, UCLA, Texas and Tennessee. Stanford next? Perhaps last week's win over the Spartans will shed the Ducks' mental block when facing physical-at-the-line teams.
Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech: Partly sunny and breezy
And to think the buzz was Virginia Tech would be ready for the jump back to national relevance in 2015, not this year. If the Ohio State win is any evidence, the Hokies are prepared to play up. Winning in The Shoe was one of Frank Beamer's greatest victories. The upcoming schedule is favorable, too -- no FSU/Clemson/Louisville and Miami at home.
Mike Leach, Washington State: A morning shower
With non-conference losses to Rutgers and Nevada, Leach is staring at 1-3 after Oregon comes to town Sept. 20. Time for some of that Air Raid magic because the Pac-12 schedule isn't getting any easier for Leach, who's looking for his first winning season in Pullman.
SEVEN-GAME FORECAST
Brian Kelly, Notre Dame: Sunny, with a chance of rain
The chance of rain persists because of the academic investigation involving five players. There's a chance that gets worse before it gets better since so many questions remain.
On the field, Kelly's outlook is sunny. No reason why the Irish shouldn't be 4-0 before playing Stanford on Oct. 4. The 2014 version of Everett Golson dwarfs the 2012 version so far.
Kelly must pilot turbulent air in October that could scrub the romanticism off the Irish's solid start to 2014. Not that Notre Dame can't win these games -- well, all but FSU seem winnable. But to Kelly's credit, 2013 was considered a down year and he found a way to beat Michigan State, Arizona State and USC last sesaon. Don't expect an Irish implosion next month.
>> More prognostication? Week 3 Expert Picks
