College Football 2010: Must Watch Games of the First Week (with Video)

College football is right around the corner.

Just a week away from the first games, it is time to start looking at the story lines of week one. 

FSU's first game in decades without Bobby Bowden?

USC's first game under sanctions, and with new coach Lane Kiffin?

Those are just two of the games that do not make the top five of the first week. 

But, don't worry, there are some good ones.

5. Washington Vs. BYU

Jake Locker highlights

This is a must-win game for both teams.

Washington is trying to prove it is a program on the rise, while BYU is trying to prove its program is not on the decline.

The winner of this game has a chance to enter the top 25.

The Huskies return 19 starters from last year, and have a Heisman candidate at quarterback in Jake Locker.

Expectations are high for the Huskies despite losing seven games in the 2009 season. A loss in the first game would deal a great blow to their hopes for a successful season.

The Cougars, on the other hand, find themselves surprisingly left out of the top 25.

Surprising because they finished the 2009 season ranked 12th in the nation and won their final two games, both against ranked teams.

However, the key departures of quarterback Max Hall and running back Harvey Unga have created an air of uncertainty for their offense.

After the first week it should be obvious which of these teams is ready to compete in 2010.

4. No. 15 Pittsburgh Vs. No. 24 Utah

Dion Lewis highlights his explosiveness

If you like shootouts, then be sure to tune into this game.

This game features two high-powered offenses, who both have little to offer on the defensive side. 

Pittsburgh was a shocking top 15 team, especially considered the departure of its senior quarterback in 2009. 

Much of the ranking falls squarely on the expectations of running back Dion Lewis, who could be a surprise Heisman candidate in 2010. As a true freshman last year, Lewis racked up nearly 2,000 total yards and accounted for 18 touchdowns. 

Utah's offense also relies heavily on the run and senior Eddie Wide who earned All-Mountain-West honors as a junior last season.

No matter the outcome, this one promises to be an exciting one. 

3. No. 16 LSU Vs. No. 18 North Carolina

Of all the games that occur in the first week, these two teams may be the most evenly matched.

Adding to the parity even more is that this is a neutral-site game to be played in the Georgia Dome.

Frankly, this game is a must win for LSU.

LSU has fallen out of the ranks of the elite with last year's disappointing season, and an opening-week loss to North Carolina could possibly drop them from the top 25.

With that SEC schedule, it would be a hard road for LSU to find its way back. 

UNC returns the majority of its team, which surprised in 2009 by winning eight games. UNC boasts a strong defensive unit, but its offense must improve in 2010 to maintain its top 25 status.

The LSU Tigers have the upper hand going into this game. They boast superior talent all around, but in 2009 this team floundered.

It is time for LSU to sink or swim, and UNC is the perfect team to test them.

2. No. 22 Oregon State Vs. No. 7 TCU

Oregon State travels to Texas in the first week of the season to take on a solid TCU team.

Last year, TCU cruised its way to a BCS bowl, only to lose to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. And to think, they were only one Texas second away from playing for the BCS Championship (see Big 12 Championship).

TCU's loss to Boise State led many to question whether it was overrated. During the season, the Horned Frogs only beat two ranked teams (Utah and BYU, both Mountain West foes).

TCU should have no problem on offense as it returns its main starters, but on defense it lost two All Americans.

In 2010, TCU is out to prove it was no fluke, but Oregon Sate has the opportunity to put TCU's regular-season winning streak to an end early. 

Despite Oregon State entering the season with a new quarterback, Ryan Katz replaces Sean Canfield who was an All-Pac-10 first teamer, expectations are high.

Part of that is due to potential Heisman candidate Jacquizz Rodgers returning at running back, and an intimidating defense.

A win here could make Oregon State the new power in the Pac-10, as USC's reputation is in shambles and former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli will be making his first start thousands of miles away.

1. No. 5 Boise State Vs. No. 6 Virginia Tech

Kellen Moore

Two top-ten teams face off in the first week, and there is no reason to miss this game.

ESPN has decided to bring you this game on Monday night, well after the rest of the games of the first week have been decided.

And this one should be exciting.

Boise State brings a powerful offense that returns its star in Kellen Moore. 

Boise State decided to amp up its schedule for the 2010 season, and it's already paid off. Its rankings to begin 2010 are the highest ever.

A win against Virginia Tech would only cement that status, but a loss could drop Boise State a historic amount in the polls. 

Last year, Boise only played two ranked teams; it played Oregon to open the season and TCU to end it. 

Boise has proven that it can dominate the WAC, and the only thing in the way of playing for the national championship this year are games against Tech and Oregon State.

So can Tech win?

The Hokies have the talent to do it, now it just comes down to execution.

College football needs a win from Tech, because as much as everyone loved Boise as the underdog, no one wants to see it playing for the national championship.