College Football 2011: Power Ranking the Best Games of Opening Week
If you're like me, the countdown is already on until the fall and the start of college football.
I love baseball, but the first half of baseball is to just to help sustain me until the first weekend of September when teams kick off their seasons. Most of the games are glorified scrimmages, but there are some that definitely stand out, whether it's because of the caliber of teams or storylines.
I think no one will argue that the LSU-Oregon matchup on Sept.3 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is the absolute best game. But after that?
These caught my attention:
11. Colorado at Hawaii, Sept. 3, TBA
1 of 11
The Jon Embree era begins on the road for the Buffaloes against the Warriors.
Embree has ties back to the glory days of Bill McCartney and will be looking to restore Colorado's reputation as it enters its first year in the new Pac 12, which also gains Utah from the Mountain West.
I don't know if the Buffs can win this road game, but I expect them to at least be competitive.
10. Notre Dame Vs. South Florida, Sept. 3, TBA
2 of 11
Year two of the Brian Kelly era begins against Skip Holtz, whose father Lou, of course, was a Notre Dame legend.
Kelly put the foundation in place last year for the Fightin' Irish; now, can they make the same kind of leap that took place when Kelly was at Cincinnati?
9. Texas Vs. Rice, Sept. 3, TBA
3 of 11
Yes, this game should be a blowout, but the pressure's on for Longhorns coach Mack Brown and quarterback Garrett Gilbert.
It will also be the first game for Texas under new offensive and defensive coordinators.
Time to find out if last year was a fluke or a sign of a much bigger problem.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
8. Navy Vs. Delaware, Sept. 3, TBA
4 of 11
This actually could be fun to see a quality team like Navy face an FCS powerhouse.
The Midshipmen's rushing attack, which averaged 284.8 yards per game last season, will get to face a defense which was tops in the nation among FCS teams in scoring defense (11.5 points).
We've seen it plenty in the recent years: Get the right matchup and anything's possible. No one certainly predicted Jacksonville State to upset Ole Miss in Oxford.
7. Texas A&M Vs. SMU, Sept. 3, TBA
5 of 11
The Aggies finally returned to respectability last year. Now it's time to build off what they accomplished.
Ryan Tannehill and Cyrus Gray will return on offense, and the defense will have to replace Von Miller, a likely first round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Last year, Texas A&M was one of the great surprises in college football. Now, they're the defending Big 12 South champs (with Oklahoma and Oklahoma State). They can't fly under the radar against the Mustangs.
6. TCU at Baylor, Sept. 3, TBA
6 of 11
The Horned Frogs made history with last year's Rose Bowl victory and No. 2 ranking in the final polls, but I can almost guarantee you coach Gary Patterson is having an ulcer already and stressing about the fall.
That was then, he'd say. Different year, different team.
And this year's Frogs will have to go down to Waco and face Robert Griffin and a Bears team that would love to put them in their place.
5. South Carolina Vs. East Carolina, Sept. 3, TBA
7 of 11
Attention Gamecocks: If you disappear for this opener like you did last year's SEC Championship, you could get embarrassed. The Pirates averaged nearly 37 points per game last season, including four games with 40 points or more.
This will also mark the beginning of a likely Heisman campaign for Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore, one of the most talented and dynamic runners in the nation.
4. BYU at Ole Miss, Sept. 3, TBA
8 of 11
The Cougars and Rebels both had subpar seasons last year, but now the Rebels get a chance to avenge last year's season and their shocking loss to Jacksonville State against BYU.
It's hard to imagine Ole Miss suffering through another down year like last year, and another home opening loss would put the pressure on coach Houston Nutt.
3. Miami at Maryland, Sept. 5, 8 PM EST, ESPN
9 of 11
Two programs with two new head coaches.
The attention, of course, will be on the Hurricanes and new coach Al Golden, who was hired in the offseason from Temple. He'll have one huge plus with the return of quarterback Jacory Harris.
2. Boise State Vs. Georgia, Sept.3, TBA, Georgia
10 of 11
The Broncos head to Atlanta to take on one of college football's big boys, but it happens to be a Bulldogs team that is under immense pressure for a quick turnaround.
Georgia fans will be demanding Mark Richt's head if they don't beat Boise State.
But trying to shut down quarterback Kellen Moore won't be an easy task, no matter how talented Georgia's defense is. Moore will likely be in the top three among Heisman favorites, and a strong showing could boost his stock significantly.
1. Oregon Vs. LSU, Sept. 3, TBA, Arlington, Texas
11 of 11
The Mad Hatter vs. Chip Kelly.
An SEC power vs. last year's national runner-up.
Great offense vs. great defense.
LSU returns back to Cowboys Stadium, where it defeated Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl in January. This will be a top five matchup and will also give fans another chance to see Oregon's Darron Thomas and LaMichael James in the national spotlight.
It could also be the debut for LSU newcomer Zach Mettenberger, considered by many the nation's top JUCO quarterback last season. He is expected to compete for the starter's job with Jordan Jefferson. Last year, Mettenberger threw for 2,678 yards and 32 touchdowns and helped lead Butler (Kan.) Community College to an 11-1 record and spot in the JUCO National Championship.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
