GEORGIA AT OKLAHOMA STATE
When: 3:30 p.m., ABC.
Broadcasters: Sean McDonough play-by-play, Matt Millen analyst.
Line: Oklahoma State by 5.5.
Why you should watch: Oklahoma State's No. 9 ranking in The AP poll is the highest preseason ranking in school history. Georgia knows something about preseason rankings: The Bulldogs were the preseason No. 1 last season before injuries helped derail their season. This is a statement game for both teams. This is the toughest non-conference game for any of the Big 12 South contenders, and an Oklahoma State win would show the Cowboys can be considered a national championship contender. Meanwhile, Georgia is looking for a rebound season defensively. If the Bulldogs can shut down the Cowboys' offense (eighth in the nation in rushing, sixth in total offense last season), Florida and the rest of the SEC should consider it a warning shot. This is the debut for former Detroit Lions general manager Matt Millen in the broadcast booth. Watch out: He might try to draft wide receivers Dez Bryant and A.J. Green on his way out of Stillwater.

BYU VS. OKLAHOMA
Where: Arlington, Texas.
When: 7 p.m., ESPN.
Broadcasters: Brad Nessler play-by-play, Todd Blackledge analyst.
Line: Oklahoma by 21.
Why you should watch: The last time Oklahoma opened the season against a Mountain West team (or any competent team, for that matter), the Sooners lost 17-10 in Norman to TCU in 2005. Oddsmakers don't seem to think that's likely to happen this season, though the Horned Frogs were about a three-touchdown underdog that season, too. BYU was sixth in the nation in passing last season, but QB Max Hall threw seven combined interceptions against the best two defenses he faced last season, Utah and TCU. Hall must play exceptionally well if BYU is to pull the upset. Four new starters on BYU's offensive line have to hold off Gerald McCoy, Jeremy Beal and Auston English and the rest of the Sooners' defensive linemen. OU's biggest question mark this season is its offensive line, which returns only one starter. But while BYU DE Jan Jorgensen holds the Mountain West's career sack record, the Cougars had just 22 sacks last season.

ALABAMA VS. VIRGINIA TECH
Where: Atlanta.
When: 8 p.m., ABC.
Broadcasters: Brent Musberger play-by-play, Kirk Herbstreit analyst.
Line: Alabama by 5.5.
Why you should watch: Think about the ramifications of last season's opener at the Georgia Dome. With a 34-10 win over preseason No. 9 Clemson, Alabama proved it was ready to enter the national championship picture ahead of schedule under Nick Saban. It also set the tone for Tommy Bowden's last season at Clemson. Don't expect similar shockwaves this season. Alabama isn't sneaking up on anyone this season as a title contender, and Frank Beamer isn't going anywhere regardless of the outcome of this game. Instead, the Hokies are the ones in position to make a statement. The Hokies' hopes are in the hands of QB Tyrod Taylor, now the unquestioned focal point of the offense following the season-ending injury to 1,000-yard rusher Darren Evans. Virginia Tech is 1-24 all-time against AP top-five teams.

CINCINNATI AT RUTGERS
When: 4 p.m., ESPN.
Broadcasters: Bob Wischusen play-by-play, Bob Griese analyst.
Line: Rutgers by 6.
Why you should watch: Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly isn't overly excited about opening his Big East title defense on the road against another conference contender. That's life in the Big East, a conference always clawing for national respect. The conference didn't have a team in the preseason AP or coaches' polls. A win would mark an important head start for teams who don't play another conference game until mid-October. The game will match strength against strength (Cincinnati's offense vs. Rutgers' defense) and question mark against question mark (Rutgers' offense vs. Cincinnati's defense).

MIAMI AT FLORIDA STATE
When: 8 p.m., ESPN.
Broadcasters: Brad Nessler play-by-play, Todd Blackledge analyst.
Line: Florida State by 3.5.
Why you should watch: No one could have guessed at the time, but airing the Miami-Florida State game on Labor Day from 2004-06 turned out to be a dud. The programs slid into mediocrity, and it showed on the field - Florida State won in '06 (13-10) and '05 (10-7), Miami in '04 (16-10 in overtime). Both programs feel they're about to make a move back to the top of the ACC. Better yet, the past two midseason games between the two have been high scoring and decided in the fourth quarter. The mystery is whether this season's edition will be a shootout or a defensive struggle. A win would be a major boost for Miami, whose next three games are against top-20 teams Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma.