June 22, 2009

By Adam Caparell
NCAA.com

Over the summer, NCAA.com will look at the FBS schedule, highlighting the top matchups, the can't-miss games and the best storylines for each of the 15 weeks of the regular season. Check in every week to find out which games you simply have to see.

FBS Calendars: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11
Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 & 15

While it's only the third week of the regular season, and for the most part non-conference play continues to dominate, there are a pair of conference showdowns that stick out above the rest. Gainesville and Austin will play host to the two latest installments of heated rivalries in the SEC and Big 12, respectively, and most of the nation's attention will be focused on those two towns.

Week 3's Can't Miss Games

Thursday, Sept. 17 - Georgia Tech at Miami (Fla.)
The Yellow Jackets play in primetime for the second straight week, this time down in Land Shark Stadium. Tech rambled right over the Hurricanes in last year's meeting in Atlanta, 41-23, on a Thursday night. When it was all said and done, Miami had allowed 472 yards rushing, the second-highest total in the program's storied history. The Hurricanes are banking on the eight starters returning on defense not have a repeat performance.

Saturday, Sept. 19 - Florida State at BYU
Florida State travels west to Provo for the first time, playing in a game that should feature two Top 25 teams come kickoff. BYU will be two weeks removed from its opening weekend showdown with Oklahoma. The question is, how much the battle against the Sooners will take out of the Cougars? The Seminoles took the two previous meetings in the 1991 and 2000 Pigskin Classics.

Saturday, Sept. 19 - Utah at Oregon
Utah heads to Autzen Stadium, where the high-powered Ducks await in what will be a very interesting matchup between the Pac-10 and MWC. Utah might not be as stacked on offense as it was during last year's run to the Sugar Bowl, but never count out the Utes. Don't forget; Utah has more wins (15) since 2000 against BCS schools than any other non-BCS affiliated program.

Saturday, Sept. 19 - Tennessee at Florida
How can you forget all those barbs new Vols head coach Lane Kiffin directed toward Urban Meyer and the Gators this offseason? You can guarantee the defending BCS champs haven't forgotten and will be thoroughly motivated by the plethora of bulletin board material Tennessee provided. And considering how heated this rivalry is to begin with, the likely No. 1 team in the nation will be crawling out of its skin waiting for the first whistle to blow. Meyer is 4-0 vs. Tennessee. 

Saturday, Sept. 19 - Texas Tech at Texas
These two played 2008's game of the year. Other than a Longhorns fan, no one will soon forget Michael Crabtree's 28-yard game-winning TD reception from Graham Harrell with 1 second to go. The Red Raiders' 39-33 win essentially cost the Longhorns their shot the BCS Championship, despite Colt McCoy's heroic performance in the second half. McCoy will be around for this year's installment, but Crabtree and Harrell won't, as both teams open up Big 12 play in Austin. These two have played every year since 1960 and Texas owns the 42-15 edge in the series.

Other Games To Keep An Eye On

Saturday, Sept. 19 - East Carolina at North Carolina 
The Pirates will face their second straight BCS team after a date at West Virginia the week before. Will they have enough in the tank to knock off the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill? Remember ECU took out Virginia Tech and West Virginia on back-to-back weekends last fall.

Saturday, Sept. 19 - West Virginia at Auburn
The Mountaineers head down south to meet the Tigers in a return date after Auburn visited Morgantown last fall and struggled mightily to stop the WVU offense.

Saturday, Sept. 19 - Nebraska at Virginia Tech
The Huskers will have their hands full on the road against the Hokies and hostile Lane Stadium.