College Game Day's Gonna Be A Doozy

As far as opening days go in college football, Saturday should be terrific.

"I don't think there's any bigger game around the country than Michigan-Notre Dame," Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr said. "I understand the national scrutiny and understand what it means to both teams."

The other four games matching Top 25 teams are not high on Carr's priority list. Neither is the fact the results of those games will give fans a starting point on the Road to Tempe, where the Fiesta Bowl Jan. 4 should be for the national title.

At South Bend, a pair of new quarterbacks -- Tom Brady for No. 5 Michigan and Jarious Jackson for No. 22 Notre Dame -- have visions of directing their team to victory in what could turn out to be a season-defining game.

Ohio State takes its first preseason No. 1 ranking in 18 years to Morgantown, W.Va., where the Buckeyes -- and hopefully linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer -- face No. 11 West Virginia, led by Heisman hopeful Amos Zereoue.

At the Carrier Dome, the orange-clad fans singing "Rocky Top" will be pulling for visiting No. 10 Tennessee and new quarterback Tee Martin to beat No. 17 Syracuse, which will have even more orange-clad fans rooting for Donovan McNabb and teammates.

Arizona State, ranked No. 8, might not even have to leave home for the postseason if it can beat No. 18 Washington at Sun Devil Stadium, home of the Fiesta Bowl, and Joe Paterno goes for win No. 299 when No. 13 Penn State entertains No. 21 Southern Mississippi.

In other Top 25 games Saturday, it's The Citadel at No. 3 Florida, Alabama-Birmingham at No. 4 Nebraska, Idiana State at No. 6 Kansas State, Miami, Ohio at No. 12 North Carolina, No. 15 Colorado State vs. Colorado at Denver, Kent at No. 19 Georgia, No. 20 Wisconsin at San Diego State, and No. 23 Michigan State at Oregon.

Irish coach Bob Davie is just happy his team finally is opening the season after a summer of lawsuits and NCAA investigations.

"We feel good about some things," Davie said. "We feel we are a little better than last year. But you only find out when you go take that test, and the first test we have is a big test because it's Michigan."

Only seven times in 108 seasons has Ohio State opened on the road -- the last in 1975. Which explains why coach John Cooper longs for the patsy teams like No. 3 Florida, No. 4 Nebraska and No. 6 Kansas State meet Saturday.

"I'd play an easy non-conference game at home, like Nebraska has been doing for years and years and years," Cooper said. "They come back this week (after a 56-27 victory over Louisiana Tech) with another tough one: Alabama-Birmingham. And how about Florida? They've got The Citadel."

Ohio State coach John Cooper isn't too thrilled about opening the season on the road against West Virginia. 'I'd play an easy non-conference game at home, like Nebraska has been doing for years and years and years,' he said. (AP)

Zereoue, meanwhile, says the Buckeyes better be ready.

"To me, Ohio State seems like a cocky and confident team," Zereoue said. "Last year, they had a tough time against Wyoming and we're not Wyoming. If they don't play like the No. 1 team, there could be a surprise ..."

For Tennessee, Peyton Manning is gone and Martin is in, but he does have most of last year's starters back, including running back Jamal Lewis.

"You get to see where your team is when you open with a good opponent," Vols coach Phillip Fulmer said of the matchup between SEC and Big East champs. "It's something you can build on in the recruiting process. You get a jump-start nationally if you can beat a team like Syracuse."

In addition to McNabb's passing and running, the wide receiver-return duo of Kevin Johnson and Quinton Spotwood will pose big problems for the Volunteers.

At Tempe, Arizona State coach Bruce Snyder has nearly everyone back on offense, starting with quarterback Ryan Kealy and tailback J.R. Redmond. Snyder doesn't like playing such a big game so early.

"I think I speak for all the coaches in the conference, maybe the country, and that is we prefer not to do what we're doing," Snyder said. "We would like to shake out some of the bugs, but that's the way it is."

The Huskies will be tough, with Brock Huard back at quarterback.

Washington coach Jim Lambright said.

Paterno still won't declare his starting quarterback, saying only that Rashard Casey and Kevin Thompson will both play.

"I don't have to make that decision until Saturday morning," Paterno said.

The Eagles, though, could care less. They'll go with Lee Roberts (2,248 yards, 16 TDs) and hope they can put pressure on whoever Paterno uses.

Another game of note includes the first neutral-field matchup between Colorado and Colorado State. The game is at Mile High Stadium, and if the Rams (1-0) win this annual battle, coach Sonny Lubick's squad may have its toughest games behind them.

Also, Heisman hopeful Tim Couch and Kentucky open the season at Louisville, the first time the Wildcats will be in Derby town in more than 80 years.

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