O AROUND THE NATION
Games to watch Keep an eye on these matchups
NEVADA VS.
NOTRE DAME
Many Notre Dame fans hope this is the year that the Fighting Irish will return to past glory, or at least to another BCS bowl. Expect Nevada to give Notre Dame an early challenge in South Bend, Ind.
MARYLAND VS. Cal CALIFORNIA
Many analysts think California running back Jahvid Best is the best tailback in the nation. The Terps should keep it close in the first half, but expect the Golden Bears to pull away in the third quarter.
LSU VS.
WASHINGTON
Washington was the worst team in a BCS conference last year. After a sub-par year for perennial powerhouse LSU, expect the Tigers to come out firing on all cylinders. This one could get ugly.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MIAMI VS. FLORIDA STATE
A lot has changed in Florida in the past decade. A guy named Tebow showed up in Gainesville and now the Gators rule the state. But this game still means a lot. Anything can happen in this rivalry.
Coach Frank Beamer and Virginia Tech face a tough test at home this weekend. The Hokies face Alabama at 7 p.m. Saturday on ABC.
ALABAMAVS.VIRGINIATECHVT
Week one's best game features clash of styles and standout defenses
The first Top 10 matchup of the year is intriguing. Alabama lost its final two games last season after starting 12-0, and Virginia Tech finished on a high note by winning the Orange Bowl. The Hokies are widely considered to be the favorite in the ACC, while the Crimson Tide is replacing Its
starting quarterback and other key players. Virginia Tech is known for its great special teams, but Alabama's star receiver Julio Jones will be the difference. It should be a low-scoring game, but look for the Tide to pull it out at the end. Nick Saban flat out knows how to win football games.
AP TOP 25
Team (First place votes) Record Total Vote
1. Florida (58) 0-0 1,498
2. Texas (2) 0-0 1,424
3. Oklahoma 0-0 1,370
4. USC 0-0 1,313
5. Alabama 0-0 1,156
6. Ohio State 0-0 1,113
7. Virginia Tech 0-0 1,054
8. Mississippi 0-0 1,047
9. Oklahoma State 0-0 989
9. Penn State 0-0 989
11. LSU 0-0 914
12. California 0-0 746
13. Georgia 0-0 714
14. Boise State 0-0 659
15. Georgia Tech 0-0 593
16. Oregon 0-0 587
17. TCU 0-0 521
18. Florida State 0-0 307
19. Utah 0-0 289
20. Brigham Young 0-0 267
21. North Carolina 0-0 261
22. Iowa 0-0 229
23. Notre Dame 0-0 225
24. Nebraska 0-0 207
25. Kansas 0-0 134
Others Receiving Votes:
Oregon State 122, Illinois 105, Pittsburgh
103, Michigan State 100, Rutgers 83, Texas
Tech 76, West Virginia 57, Cincinnati 44,
Clemson 42, Miami (FL) 40, East Carolina 30,
Tennessee 15, Arizona 13, North Carolina
State 10, Boston College 9, Central Michigan
A, Buburn 12, UCLA 7, Northwestern 5, South
Florida 3, Southern Miss 3, Vanderbilt 3,
Missouri 3, South Carolina 2, Nevada 1,
Arkansas 1, Houston 1, Troy 1, Tulsa 1
The Wave's Top 25 Wave editor Scott Toland ranks the nation's best teams
1. Florida — Tim Tebow and the defending national champs are No. 1 until someone knocks them off.
2. Texas — The Longhorns are still playing with something to prove after getting snubbed by the BCS last year.
3. Oklahoma —The Sooners
will likely get the chance to move up to No. 2 if they can knock off Texas on Oct. 17.
6. Virginia Tech — If the
6. Virginia Tech — it the Hokies can get a win against Alabama, look for them to run the table in the ACC.
4. USC — Pete Carroll doesn't rebuild, he reholds. Count on the Trojans to win an eighth conference title in a row.
5. Ohio State — This team
7. Alabama—The Crimson
Tide is rebuilding after losing several key players, but should still finish in the top 10.
belongs to Terrelle Pryor now. Look for him to lead the Buckeyes back to the Rose Bowl.
8. Penn State — The Nittany
9. California — Is Jahvid Best
Lions will not be challenged until Ohio State goes to Happy Valley on Nov.7.
11. Oklahoma State — One
of the nation's most talented teams is likely the third best team in its own division.
12. Mississippi - Quarter
10. Boise State — If the
9. California — is sandy best for real? If so, things could be looking rosy for the Golden Bears.
back Jevan Snead prepares to guide the Rebels to the SEC title game to face Florida.
13. LSU — Never count out Les Miles and the LSU. The Tigers are always a threat to win the national title.
10. Boise State — If the Broncos pull off a win against Oregon, then they could create more BCS controversy.
14. Oregon — The Ducks
16. BYU — With home games against Oklahoma and Florida State, BYU could make some noise early in the season.
hope to finally break through against USC in the wild Pac-10. This could be their year.
OREGON
15. Georgia- After losing
17. Utah — if the Otes can play as well as they did in last year's Sugar Bowl, they should be in the BCS discussion.
17. Utah — If the Utes can
15. Georgia — After losing their two best players to the NFL, the Bulldogs face a brutal schedule in the SEC.
21. Nebraska — Don't expect a weak Huskers defense this year. Bo Pelini is leading Big Red in the direction.
18. TCU — One of the most consistent teams in the nation hopes this is the year it rules the Mountain West.
19. Georgia Tech — The
22. Florida State — These
Seminoles aren't one of Bowden's best teams, but they will improve a lot this year.
yellow Jackets are the only challengers to Virginia Tech for the conference crown.
23.Notre Dame — The Irish
couldn't do anything right against USC last year. This year's game should tell a lot.
24. North Carolina — The
20. Kansas — This might be the Jayhawks' best chance to win the North. Can the Nebraska game get any bigger?
Tar Heels are on the upswing after last year's 8-4 season and a bowl appearance.
25. Oregon State — Any
25. Oregon State — Any team that knocked off the USC Trojans last year deserves to be in the Top 25.
THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 4,2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN