2011 NCAA Football: 6 Coaching Matchups We Can't Wait to See

With an offseason full of conference realignment, it was easy to overlook the tremendous amount of coaching changes that occurred in top programs nationally.

And it's hard to recall a September with more unique, interesting and important games than the upcoming 2011 will offer.

The coaching tornado, combined with these early season, non-traditional games has us thinking about the most intriguing coaching matchups of 2011.

While we don't get a Jim Tressel vs. Pete Carrol probationers matchup, there are plenty of others to look forward to.

Let's have a look...

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Les Miles and Chip Kelly

What a great matchup on Sept. 3. It’s rare the national championship picture is on display in week 1.

Yet here we are with grass-eating, ear-steaming, Les Miles and his Bayou Boys hosting Chip Kelly and his fast-break-on-turf offense.

It’s another showcase for great offense versus great defense in what could be a classic battle.

Question of the game: Will Miles conjure up another bizarre way to win a game he should have lost?

Bronco Mendenhall and Mack Brown

Sept. 10 ought to be a great week. Arizona is at Oklahoma State. Missouri is at ASU. Bama is at Penn State.

But a very interesting coaching matchup will take place in Austin, Texas, where the BYU Cougars will rumble with the Longhorns.

There are more similarities here than you may know.

Both programs are coming off disappointing seasons. Both have new OCs and DCs. Both have their own TV networks. Both have work to do in 2011.

Question of the game: How many times will Bronco Mendenhall have to explain the BYU Honor Code to reporters before the game?

Nick Saban and Joe Paterno

Another of the stellar matchups in week 2 is Penn State and Alabama. And there’s a ton of contrast in these two heads.

Nick Saban is the slick, ego-maniacal genius recruiter who is also a well-known feather-ruffler.

Joe Paterno is the opposite of slick. He’s a somewhat clumsy, unassuming crotchety old guy.

Grumpy Old Man versus Self-Made Man Who Loves His Creator. Should be fun.

Question of the game: Will Nick Saban's top-paid player earn more this season than JoePa did his first two decades coaching?

Chris Peterson and Gary Patterson

What a great rivalry TCU and Boise State has become in the past five seasons. Sadly, this is its swan song, as TCU is headed to the Big East and BSU is headed into obscurity with an awful TV deal and a worse conference.

But the Nov. 12 showdown between these schools could be an epic crescendo. Both coaches are very, very good. And both schools are very, very lucky their head honchos have given up bigger opportunities to stay.

But this battle of the perennial BCS-busters in Boise favors the Broncos, who return everyone, and face a TCU team rebuilding.

Either way, you have to love watching two well-coached underdogs on blue turf.

Question of the game: How high will Patterson hike his pants by the fourth quarter?

Lane Kiffin and Dennis Erickson

On Sept. 24, the Trojans meet the Devils.

This coaching matchup is interesting because of the contrasts in the coaches.

Dennis Erickson has a resume a mile long, a good ASU team this season, and nothing to prove as a college football coach.

Lane Kiffin is the worst great coach of all time. Ignoring his NFL bust, Kiffin is just 15-11 as a college coach and has yet to prove he can coach a great team.

Expectations are high for both coaches and schools, and this game serves as the first big test for each.

Question of the game: How many smarmy Kiffin looks will ABC catch on camera by halftime?

Joe Paterno and Bo Pelini

Joe Paterno is really old. He was born BEFORE the Great Depression, for crying out loud.

But it’s possible Bo Pelini is just as old-fashioned when it comes to football philosophy.

If you asked them, I’m willing to bet both coaches would prefer this game be played with no forward passes. Just line up the hogs and fight in the trenches. Let the best defense win.

But in its inaugural year in the Big 10 (embarrassing division names and all) Pelini may not have many more matchups with a JoePa-led PSU team.

So enjoy these two throwbacks while you can. Even if it is a 9-6 final.

Question of the game: Did JoePa play the old dude in the Disney movie Up?