AROUND THE NATION
Games to watch Keep an eye on these matchups
NOTRE DAME VS. MICHIGAN
in a matchup of two of the most successful programs in college football history, look for the Fighting Irish to take care of business and beat the Wolverines. But it won't be easy in Michigan's Big House.
UCLA VS.
TENNESSEE
This game is as much about the coaches as it is about the players. Tennessee fans have high hopes for the program in Lane Kiffin's first season, while Rick Neuheisel is trying to guide UCLA to a big year.
TCU VS.
VIRGINIA
After an embarrassing loss at home to William & Mary, the Cavaliers hope to avoid an 0-2 start to their season. It will be tough to do against a solid TCU team that should contend for the Mountain West Conference crown.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BYU VS.
TULANE
Will BYU be focused for this game or will the Cougars have a letdown after last weekend's upset of Oklahoma? Tulane is coming off a loss to Tulsa but is looking to spring an upset in New Orleans.
Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor drops back to pass against Navy during the second quarter of its game last Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.
USC VS. OHIO STATE The Buckeyes look to avenge last year's loss to the Trojans
Ohio State was embarrassed at the Coliseum in last year's 35-3 loss to USC. The Trojans dominated the Buckeyes in nearly every facet of the game and knocked them out of national title contention. During last year's game, OSU coach Jim Tressel was still alternating between Todd Boeckman and
terrelle Pryor at quarterback. This is Pryor's team now. He has more experience than USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley and this should be key. If Barkley can handle a hostile crowd in Columbus, Ohio, look for the Trojans to come on top. If not, OSU could pull off the upset at home.
AP TOP 25
Team (First-place votes) Record Total Votes Prev. Rank
1. Florida (56) 1-0 1493 1
2. Texas (2) 1-0 1424 2
3. USC 1-0 1355 4
4. Alabama (2) 1-0 1331 5
5. Oklahoma State 1-0 1201 9
6. Mississippi 1-0 1095 8
7. Penn State 1-0 1082 9
8. Ohio State 1-0 985 6
9. Brigham Young 1-0 984 20
10. California 1-0 971 12
11. LSU 1-0 890 11
12. Boise State 1-0 882 14
13. Oklahoma 0-1 782 3
14. Virginia Tech 0-1 652 7
15. Georgia Tech 1-0 630 15
16. TCU 0-0 523 17
17. Utah 1-0 404 19
18. Notre Dame 1-0 383 23
19. North Carolina 1-0 338 21
20. Miami (FL) 1-0 315 NR
21. Georgia 0-1 294 13
22. Nebraska 1-0 266 24
23. Cincinnati 1-0 248 NR
24. Kansas 1-0 196 25
25. Missouri 1-0 126 NR
Others receiving votes: Oregon State 113, Michigan State 83, Pittsburgh 82, Texas Tech 53, Oregon 47, Clemson 40, Florida State 39, West Virginia 32, Tennessee 30, Iowa 24, Michigan 18, UCLA 18, Baylor 17, Boston College 14, Arizona 12, East Carolina 6, Air Force 4, Auburn 4, Colorado State 4, Arkansas 3, South Carolina 3, South Florida 1, Southern Miss 1, Tulsa 1, Houston 1.
The Wave's Top 25 Wave editor Scott Toland ranks the nation's best teams
1. Florida - Tebow and Co.
is still the nation's best team
after steamrolling Charleston
Southern 62-3.
6. California - The Golden Bears looked like a title contender in their 52-13 rout of Maryland.
2. Texas – The Longhorns won't be tested until the Red River Shootout in Dallas against archrival Oklahoma.
3. USC - The mighty Trojans didn't miss a beat with new quarterback Matt Barkley under center.
7. Boise State – The Broncos are already in the BCS discussion after knocking off Oregon last Thursday night.
4. Alabama - A solid win
11. BYU - The Cougars have a chance to go undefeated this season after upsetting Oklahoma.
against powerful Virginia Tech moves the Crimson Tide into the top five.
8. Oklahoma State - A big win at home against Georgia has the Cowboys off to a great start.
12. Oklahoma - These Sooners are a different team without Heisman winner Sam Bradford.
9. Penn State - A 31-7 win
13. Virginia Tech - The
5. Ohio State — Surely the Buckeyes are better than how they played against Navy on Saturday.
9. Penn State – A 31-7 win against a weak Akron squad didn't tell us much about the Nittany Lions.
13. Virginia Tech - The Hokies should still run the table and win the ACC crown this season.
16. TCU = The Horned Frogs open this week at Virginia after a good start for the MWC in Week 1.
10. Mississippi - Quarterback Jevan Snead and the Rebels are living up to all of the hype so far.
21. Nebraska - The Cornhuskers should be 2-0 when they face Virginia Tech next week in Blacksburg.
17. Georgia Tech - The
17. Georgia Tech - The Yellow Jackets will be tested against conference foe Clemson this Saturday.
14. LSU - The Tigers held on to win an ugly game against the Washington Huskies on Saturday.
22. Miami - The Hurricanes came up with a big win over in-state rival Florida State on Monday night.
18. Georgia - The Bulldogs
15. Utah - The Utes are still riding a 15-game winning streak and could keep it going for a while.
Georgia - The Bulldogs lost a tough game at Oklahoma State but they are still a top 20 team.
19. Kansas - Reeing and the Jayhawks looked impressive in their home cooer without Dezmon Briscoe.
23. Missouri - The Tigers jump into the top 25 after dominating a decent Illinois team in St. Louis.
20. Notre Dame - The Fight-
20. Notre Dame – The Fighting Irish looked as good as advertised in a 35-0 victory against Nevada.
24. North Carolina - Coach Butch Davis had his Tar Heels looking good in their 40-6 win against The Citadel.
25. Oregon State - Jacquizz Rodgers and the Beavers could surprise some teams in the Pacific-10.
THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 11,2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN