Joey Johnston's College Football Sidelines

ONE TO WATCH

ILLINOIS VS. MISSOURI

ESPN; 8:30 p.m.

Yes, it's a big game.

This Border War, played on neutral turf at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, has hardly made a ripple on the national stage. Until now.

Illinois, under former Florida coach Ron Zook, made the Rose Bowl en route to a 9-4 finish last season. Missouri, 12-2 last season, was one victory from playing for the BCS national championship, but it was derailed by Oklahoma and settled for the Cotton Bowl.

Both teams have designs on a BCS bowl trip, and quarterback play provides that confidence. Illinois junior Juice Williams has matured into one of the Big Ten's best players. Missouri senior Chase Daniel was a Heisman Trophy finalist and is one of Tim Tebow's chief challengers this season.

Illinois-Missouri. Usually a terrific basketball game. Now, it's a darn good football game, too.

Joey Johnston

Can Clemson Finish?

The Clemson Tigers are solid favorites to reach Tampa for the ACC Championship Game and capture their first league crown in 17 years.

In fact, with an assortment of skill-position players such as QB Cullen Harper, RB James Davis and RB C.J. Spiller, the Tigers could become factors for the BCS national championship.

Which brings us to this season's Clemson slogan - "Finish The Job."

The job begins tonight against Alabama in a non-conference game at Atlanta's Georgia Dome.

If Clemson wins, expectations continue to soar. If Clemson loses, well, we've already seen this movie, right?

While keeping priorities on winning the ACC, Clemson coach Tommy Bowden realizes the importance of a strong start.

"The statistics are what they are," Bowden said. "Been here 10 years and haven't won a conference championship. Disappointed? Yes, I'm always disappointed when we don't. If you're a coach, until you win a championship and more, you're going to have to answer that type of question."

DejÀ Vu? LSU Hopes Not

Who can forget last season's opener - Appalachian State 34, Michigan 32 - that rocked the college football world?

Michigan, ranked No. 5 in the preseason, never recovered. Appalachian State rolled to its third straight Division I-AA national championship. Its caps and T-shirts became hot-selling items (especially in Columbus, Ohio).

Today, Appalachian State travels to that other national champion - the LSU Tigers, who won the BCS title. LSU is paying $750,000 to Appalachian State, but victory is not necessarily money in the bank, especially when the Tigers must find a way to defend the spread-option attack of QB Armanti Edwards.

"This team will come in here ready to kick your butt," LSU OT Ciron Black said. "They're not coming here just to put up a good fight. That's not their mentality, not after last year."

TRACKING THE NEW COACHES

Here are some key opening acts for new coaches at Division I-A schools:

SchoolCoachOpponentCommentMichiganRich RodriguezUtahRich-Rod needs fast start; Utes good enough for upsetNebraskaBo PeliniWestern MichiganLook for Nebraska to get back to being NebraskaOle MissHouston NuttMemphisRebels could very well be the SEC's surprise teamUCLARick NeuheiselTennesseeNorm Chow could do wonders for Bruins' offense Three Things To Ponder

•How will Ohio State deploy prized freshman QB Terrelle Pryor against Division I-AA Youngstown State? The Buckeyes might have a change-of-pace option, reminiscent of Tim Tebow (circa 2006).

•The ACC, which desperately needs to win some big games (1-9 in BCS bowl games, the only victory being Florida State's Sugar Bowl victory following the 1999 season), will take another hit if East Carolina upsets Virginia Tech (and it could happen).

•The Big 12 is back, maybe not to the SEC's level, but it's closing. No other league can match this quartet of quarterbacks - Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), Chase Daniel (Missouri), Graham Harrell (Texas Tech) and Todd Reesing (Kansas).

By The Numbers

Syracuse's record in its last 10 games against BCS conference opponents. The Orange travel to Northwestern today.

Georgia's record in season openers under Coach Mark Richt. The Bulldogs face Georgia Southern today.

Rushing yards Washington surrendered last season in a 55-31 loss to Oregon. Tonight, the Huskies travel to face the Ducks, looking to improve upon the 6-20 record against Pac-10 teams under Coach Tyrone Willingham.

JOEY JOHNSTON'S SIDELINES

ONE TO WATCH

TRACKING THE NEW COACHES