Tennessee vs. UCLA (9/1, 5 p.m., Pasadena, Calif., ESPN)
UCLA will host No. 18 Tennessee for a Southeastern Conference-Pacific-10 Conference showdown. Many believe the SEC is the powerhouse conference in college football, while others believe the PAC-10 is the best in the country. This will be a telling game for these two teams, seemingly in the middle of the pack in their respective conferences. Tennessee running back Arian Foster returns for his senior season after posting over 1,500 all-purpose yards and 14 TD’s last year. UCLA will be without starting QB Ben Olson (injured foot), giving redshirt junior Kevin Craft the nod.
Key Stat: Tennessee is 2-7-1 in games held in California after losing last year to Cal, 45-31.
USC vs. Virginia (8/30, 12:30 p.m., Charlottesville, Va., ABC)
The big news is that Mark Sanchez has been cleared to play for the No. 3 Trojans’ season opener against Virginia. Joe McKnight will take over for Chauncey Washington as the team’s primary backfield option after gaining 170 all-purpose yards and a TD in the Rose Bowl. Virginia will need to replace first-round draft choices Chris Long and Branden Albert on the defensive and offensive lines, respectively.
Key Stat: USC has had the Heisman Trophy awarded to a player in its program in three of the last four years.
Oklahoma State vs. Washington State (8/30, 12:30 p.m., Seattle, FSN)
Washington State implemented an up-tempo offense and new defensive scheme under first-year coach Paul Wulff, so expect a slow start for the Cougars. Senior WR Brandon Gibson will be a bright spot for Wazzu, returning after posting 1,180 receiving yards and 9 TDs last season. Oklahoma State QB Zac Robinson is a dual threat, being able to pass and run the football. However, can the team replace departed WR Adarius Bowman and RB Dantrell Savage?
Key Stat: Last year, Robinson had over 2,800 passing yards with 23 TDs and added 9 TDs on the ground with 847 yards.
Michigan State vs. California (8/30, 5 p.m., Berkeley, Calif., ABC)
Beaverton product Kevin Riley will be starting at QB this season for Cal over Nate Longshore. The big question for Cal is who will replace receivers DeSean Jackson and Lavelle Hawkins, both having departed for the NFL. Michigan State will also need to find answers at WR with Devin Thomas also leaving for the NFL. He was the only player on the roster with more than 300 yards receiving, posting 1,260 and 8 TDs.
Key Stat: Cal had twice as many sacks as its opponents last season.
Idaho vs. Arizona (8/30, 7 p.m., Tucson, Ariz.)
Arizona QB Willie Tuitama returns as the starter and looks to build on a successful junior season after posting an impressive stat-line (3,683-28-12). Making it easier, his No. 1 target and receiving stud Mike Thomas will look to lead the passing attack. At the other end, Idaho running back Deonte’ Jackson posted 1,175 yards and 7 TDs as a freshman. Look for the Vandals to build their offensive game plan around this rising star.
Key Stat: Arizona will have eight new starters.
Northern Arizona vs. Arizona State (8/30, 7 p.m., Tempe, Ariz., FSN AZ)
No.15 ASU’s Rudy Carpenter is set to begin his second season as the starter under Coach Dennis Erickson. DE Dexter Davis, the Sun Devils’ best defensive weapon, looks to build on the 16.5 sacks he has had in his two years of college. Northern Arizona has a solid running game led by Alex Henderson, but do not expect ASU to have much of a problem stopping the Lumberjacks and winning this game.
Key Stat: Arizona State has not lost to Northern Arizona since 1938, meeting on 11 occasions since then.