College Football 2011: Power Ranking the Top 25 Games of the Opening Weekend

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Really, one more month (and change) until the 2011 college football season begins? Ugh!

OK, let's try that again—we're going to go all glass half-full this time.

Only 36 more days until Murray State and Louisville kick off the season at 6:00 p.m. Sept. 1.

But is that really the best game of the opening weekend?

Not even close.

Now let's take a look at the best 25 games of the opening weekend.

25. Army at Northern Illinois

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Time: 7:00 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: ESPN3

Last year's regular-season Mid-American Conference champ Northern Illinois is under new leadership after an 11-win season.

Army is led by quarterback Trent Steelman, and the Black Knights are on an uptick.

The overall talent level is nothing like an SEC game (heck, it's not even an ACC game), but both teams are expected to have strong seasons, so this is a great chance to see what each one is bringing to the table.

24. Troy at Clemson

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Time: 3:30 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: ESPN3

Expectations are low for Clemson this fall. When that happens, it seems the Tigers usually rally for a surprise season.

It's a chance to see Tajh Boyd start at quarterback for Clemson, while running back Andre Ellington is primed for a big season.

Troy is a serious contender in the Sun Belt after going 8-5 last season. Larry Blakeney is one of the nation's better coaches, and he could be the difference in an upset at Death Valley.

23. UNLV at Wisconsin

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Time: 8:00 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 1

TV: ESPN

If you are a Wisconsin fan, this is a great way to start off the 2011 season.

UNLV should be improved under second-year coach Bobby Hauck, but not enough to challenge a top-tier program like the Badgers'.

This is also the type of game Wisconsin needs to get new quarterback Russell Wilson settled in as the starter.

22. Miami (Ohio) at Missouri

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Time: Noon (EDT)

Date: Sept. 2

TV: Unknown

Maybe this game doesn't seem like a chart-topper, but Miami won the Mid-American Conference Championship game last year and is considered a contender again.

Miami has two top-notch quarterbacks (Zac Dysert and Austin Boucher), and that should help first-year coach Don Treadwell.

Missouri has one of the Big 12's best offenses, even with a new quarterback. If the Tigers really believe they can compete for a league title, this is a good opportunity to see how good they just might be.

21. Fresno State at California

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Time: 7:00 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: Unknown

California coach Jeff Tedford's job is probably safe, but the trend in Berkeley is not positive.

The Bears won just five games last season, and the talent level at Cal doesn't offer much hope this fall.

Fresno State is the favorite to win the watered-down WAC, and running back Robbie Rouse could have a big day against Cal.

This could also be one of a few victories by non-BCS programs over a BCS team.

20. Colorado at Hawaii

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Time: 10:15 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: ESPN2

When the Pac-10 (now Pac-12) made it clear it was looking to expand, Hawaii made it known they were very interested.

Of course the Pac-12 didn't even send the Warriors a rejection letter, so Hawaii wants to prove something against one of their newest members.

Colorado is coming off a dismal season that included the firing of Dan Hawkins, and alumnus Jon Embree is now running the show in Boulder.

This is a tough first game for the Buffaloes, as the trip to the islands is never easy.

19. Kent State at Alabama

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Time: TBA

Date: Sept. 3

TV: Unknown

Alabama is a top-five program, and that's probably enough to make this a worthwhile game to consider in the first week.

Let's face it, Kent State is nothing to get too excited about.

This could also be the start of Trent Richardson's run toward a Heisman.

18. Western Michigan at Michigan

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Time: 3:30 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: ABC

As bad as Michigan has played the past three seasons, it's hard to ask anyone to get fired up about watching the Wolverines play.

Even Michigan fans are hedging their bets.

But it's the start of the Brady Hoke era, and you just never know when Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson is going to make one of his jaw-dropping plays.

So if you can, tune in to the game.

17. Mississippi State at Memphis

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Time: 8:00 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 1

TV: Unknown

You have to like an SEC team that's willing to go on the road to a place like Memphis.

The Tigers are horrible, and Mississippi State should win by at least 34 points, but give Dan Mullen and his team credit for making the trip.

It will also be fun to watch Vick Ballard run crazy.

16. Rice at Texas

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Time: 7:00 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: Longhorn Network

After a drop-off from 13 wins to five last year, expectations are tempered at Texas.

Of course, Mack Brown's team has said all the right things coming into this season, so maybe 2011 will be a typical Texas season.

Texas beat Rice 34-17 last year, and now they get to play the Owls in the first game on the Longhorn Network.

15. Florida Atlantic at Florida

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Time: 7:00 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: Unknown

It is the debut of Will Muschamp at Florida, and it's also a chance to see how Gator Nation responds to not having Urban Meyer on the sidelines.

Besides, who doesn't want to see how Florida's offense responds to Charlie Weis?

Florida's opener can't be worse than last year's sloppy win over Miami (Ohio).

FAU probably won't put up much of a fight, but that whole debut thing makes this one fun.

14. Utah State at Auburn

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Time: Noon (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: ESPN2

The crowd at Jordan-Hare Stadium should be electric, as this is the first time they have gotten to cheer on the defending BCS champs.

The Tigers won't have Cam Newton, but this is the season that Michael Dyer breaks out for Gene Chizik.

It's hard to get excited about Utah State, but someone has to play Auburn in the opener.

13. Minnesota at USC

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Time: 3:30 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: ABC

When the Big Ten and Pac-12 get together, it's usually in the Rose Bowl in January.

Even if it's a regular-season game, there's usually a lot on the line.

However, Minnesota is one of the worst teams in the Big Ten, and USC isn't even eligible to win the Pac-12.

It still may be worth seeing what the addition of Jerry Kill as coach means for Minnesota, and watching USC quarterback Matt Barkley is always entertaining.

12. SMU at Texas A&M

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Time: 7:30 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: Unknown

Texas A&M was one of the feel-good stories of 2010.

With Mike Sherman on the hot seat, the Aggies rallied behind quarterback Ryan Tannehill and went 9-3 before losing big to LSU in the Cotton Bowl.

The Aggies have the potential to win the Big 12, and a solid non-conference opener is a good way to go.

SMU is led by quarterback Kyle Padron as the Mustangs look to reach the Conference USA Championship game and get to their third-straight bowl game.

11. Marshall at West Virginia

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Time: 3:30 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 4

TV: ESPN

Hey, they have a sponsor for this game (Friends of Coal Bowl), so it has to be important.

This game features two of the nation's best defensive ends in West Virginia's Bruce Irvin and Marshall's Vinny Curry.

Every WVU fan is anxiously awaiting the debut of Dana Holgorsen's offense, especially after watching the unimaginative play calling of Jeff Mullen.

Marshall coach Doc Holliday was so close to the biggest win in school history when the Herd had the Mountaineers on the ropes. Now he'll try to pull it off in Morgantown.

10. Tulsa at Oklahoma

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Time: 8:00 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: Unknown

Here we go, a little unknown in-state rivalry.

Maybe someone needs to tell Oklahoma as well.

While the Sooners should roll to a win, Tulsa has some offensive firepower that could make this one interesting.

In the end, though, the OU defense is just too tough.

9. East Carolina vs. South Carolina

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Time: TBA

Date: Sept. 3

TV: Unknown

South Carolina is looking for a primer before getting into the tougher part of their schedule.

Of course, since this game is being played in Charlotte, Steve Spurrier can use this as a recruiting opportunity as well.

The Gamecocks should win easily as the Pirates' talent level has dropped off a bit.

But East Carolina has always been a tough opponent for many BCS programs, so the potential is always there for an upset.

8. Akron at Ohio State

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Time: Noon (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: ESPN

No Jim Tressel. No Terrelle Pryor. No problem.

Here's your chance to see the Luke Fickell era begin and see who he will go with at quarterback.

Will it be the veteran Joe Bauserman or freshman Braxton Miller?

That's why you want to watch this game.

Anything about Akron? Not so much.

7. UCLA at Houston

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Time: 3:30 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: Unknown

Houston's season fell apart last year after quarterback Case Keenum tore up his knee in a loss to UCLA.

Now Keenum is back for his sixth season (thanks to the NCAA), and he gets a shot at putting that nightmare game behind him.

UCLA has some talent, especially on defense, but something just hasn't clicked for the Bruins since Rick Neuheisel arrived.

Is this finally the season?

We'll know more after this game.

6. Brigham Young at Ole Miss

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Time: 4:45 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: ESPN

If this is the season Jake Heaps breaks out and becomes a star quarterback, then we should start watching from the first game.

BYU is playing their first season as an Independent since joining the Western Athletic Conference in 1962. The Cougars are challenging themselves with an SEC opponent, but Ole Miss was pitiful last year and may not be much better this year.

5. South Florida at Notre Dame

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Time: 3:30 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: NBC

There's a buzz around the Notre Dame program this fall.

Some experts believe the Irish could actually go undefeated this fall, while others are just excited to see what Notre Dame does in Brian Kelly's second season.

Taking on South Florida in the opener is actually a bigger challenge than many might think.

The Bulls are athletic, have a dual-threat quarterback in B.J. Daniels and Notre Dame has struggled with guys like this in the past.

Plus, it's sort of cool to see Lou Holtz's son coach in South Bend for the opposition.

4. Miami at Maryland

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Time: 8:00 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 5

TV: ESPN

With first-year head coaches on both sidelines, this ACC opener will set the tone right away for these teams.

Randy Edsall's Maryland team returns a lot of talent from last year's 9-4 squad. Since this game is being played at College Park, the Terrapins should be favored.

However, Miami is also looking for a spark under new coach Al Golden, who worked miracles with Temple.

The Hurricanes may be carrying too much baggage from the Randy Shannon era to turn it around this year, but watching to see who Jacory Harris is going to throw the ball to should be fun.

3. TCU at Baylor

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Time: 8:00 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 2

TV: ESPN

TCU is coming off a perfect 13-0 season that included an exciting Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin. One of the Horned Frogs' victories last year was a 45-10 whipping of Baylor in Fort Worth.

Robert Griffin III and the Bears want a little revenge as TCU comes to Waco for a Friday night game.

Gary Patterson's defense should be a strength again this year, but the Horned Frogs are going to learn how difficult it will be not having Andy Dalton at quarterback any longer.

2. Boise State vs. Georgia

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Time: 8:00 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: ESPN

Not bad for the second-best game of the first week.

Boise State is once again out to prove it can hang with any team in the country.

Last year Chris Petersen's team played Virginia Tech at a neutral site and won, so the Broncos will try to repeat that performance against Georgia in Atlanta.

On the other side, Mark Richt is trying to save his job. He needs an upset of Boise State to get things going the right direction.

This game does pit two of the nation's best quarterbacks in Boise's Kellen Moore and Georgia's Aaron Murray.

1. LSU vs. Oregon

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Time: 8:00 p.m. (EDT)

Date: Sept. 3

TV: ABC

If you can only watch one game all weekend, you don't want to miss Oregon and LSU traveling to Cowboys Stadium to play in front of more than 100,000.

Both teams have BCS dreams, but it could all end with one loss in the first game of the season.

Oregon comes in with an explosive offense, and they will try to find some holes in one of the SEC's best defenses.

If LSU's offense is clicking, this could be an exciting game.