Campus Confidential

BY MIKE ROSE

Yes, it's only the first week of the season, but trust me -- there are plenty of good games to keep an eye on.

Each week I'll highlight five that I think are noteworthy. So here we go with the five for Week 1:

Saturday, Aug. 30

Saturday features two very good games and a few others that will be interesting.

USC (No. 3 AP and No. 2 USA Today) at Virginia, 3:30 p.m.: I think USC's defense will take charge. With defensive tackle Fili Moala, linebackers Brian Cushing and Rey Maualuga, and free safety Travis Mays (who is built like a strong safety at 6-4 and 225), USC has stars on defense. But the Trojans should also do some good things on offense. Quarterback Mark Sanchez, who dislocated his left kneecap about three weeks ago, has made a quick recovery and has been cleared by doctors to play against the Cavaliers. Plus, running back Joe McKnight and wide receiver Vidal Hazelton are rising stars. Virginia won nine games last season, but lost a lot of talent. Still, the Cavaliers will be tough at home. In the end, USC has too much talent and gets a hard-earned, but fairly easy road win.

Utah at Michigan (No. 24 in USA Today), 3:30 p.m.: The Rich Rodriguez era begins at The Big House. I'm very curious to see Michigan play. The offense will be a lot more wide open than we're all accustomed to seeing. I don't think Michigan will really be clicking until mid-October. Utah has been predicted to have as high as nine or 10 wins. But I'm going with Michigan in a close one. No App State this year.

Alabama (No. 24 in AP) vs. Clemson (No. 9 in both polls) at Atlanta, 8 p.m.: Clemson has all of the pressure. The Tigers have the high national ranking, are the favorite to win the ACC, and probably the best backfield in the country (with running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller, and quarterback Cullen Harper). Historically, Clemson hasn't played too well when expectations are high. Alabama will be much improved in Nick Saban's second season and has star Julio Jones on offense. I'm going with Clemson in a close one, maybe 31-27.

Illinois (No. 20 in AP and No. 19 in USA Today) vs. Missouri (No. 6 AP and No. 7 USA Today) at St. Louis, 8:30 p.m.: Missouri won last year's opener 40-34. I really like the Tigers this year with quarterback Chase Daniel and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. Illinois can counter with quarterback Juice Williams and wide receiver Arrelious Benn. I think both defenses will be good this year. The one difference in this game is the absence of Rashard Mendenhall from the Illinois backfield. With Mendenhall gone, Williams will have to do more. Juice looks great one play and not so good the next. Missouri wins this one.

Monday, Sept. 1

Tennessee (No. 18 in both polls) at UCLA, 8 p.m.: First, Pat Cowan was named the starting quarterback, but tore his ACL. Now quarterback Ben Olson is out eight weeks with a broken foot. So Kevin Craft, who played some at San Diego State, will be running the offense for UCLA. But don't feel too bad for the Bruins. Rick Neuheisel is back in Los Angeles as the head coach. And Norm Chow is running the offense. UCLA will find a way to score points. On the other side, Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer is clearly on the hot seat this season, in a very tough SEC no less. Plus, Erik Ainge is gone to the NFL, replaced by new QB Jonathan Crompton. But I think the Vols come out strong in this one and win the opener. Tennessee by a field goal.