College Football: What to watch this weekend

No. 24 Alabama vs. No. 9 Clemson (in Atlanta)

If Clemson holds any hope of winning a national title, it must win this game at the Georgia Dome and hope that Nick Saban's Crimson Tide is good enough to help the Tigers' BCS ranking down the road. Saturday, WVEC, 8 p.m.

No. 17 Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina (in Charlotte)

The Pirates look to ambush a Hokies squad that lost a boatload of starters. Some expect a down year for Virginia Tech. Saturday, ESPN, noon.

No. 3 Southern Cal at Virginia

How often does a perennial college football power visit the Commonwealth? This game could be over at the half, and the Southern Cal fight song could get old in a hurry. But you've got to hand it to the Cavs for scheduling this one. Saturday, WVEC, 3:30 p.m.

No. 20 Illinois at No. 6 Missouri

Missouri's Chase Daniel threw for 4,306 yards and 33 TDs in '07. His Heisman Trophy campaign begins with this prime-timer. Saturday, ESPN, 8:30 p.m.

Hawaii at No. 5 Florida

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow gets his season started, but Virginia Beach's Percy Harvin will have to wait. Florida's mending wide receiver is expected to sit this one out. Saturday, WSKY, 12:30 p.m.

Appalachian St. at No. 7 LSU

Can lightning strike twice? Michigan fans, stinging after 2007's loss to the Mountaineers, might tune in hoping it does. Saturday, ESPN, 5 p.m.

No. 18 Tennessee at UCLA

UCLA took out an ad in the Los Angeles Times the other day announcing "The Football Monopoly in Los Angeles is Officially Over." Rick Neuheisel takes command as head coach and the whole school fawns. That's about all the motivation the visiting Volunteers need. Monday, ESPN, 8 p.m.

Washington at No. 21 Oregon

Do not adjust your TV set. That's really what the Oregon Ducks wear. We know, it's hard on the eyes. Saturday, CSN, 10:30 (joined in progress)

Other TV games

Today

Southern Methodist at Rice, ESPN, 8 p.m.

Saturday

Syracuse at Northwestern, ESPN2, noon

Bowling Green at No. 25 Pittsburgh, ESPNU, noon

Villanova at No. 8 West Virginia, MASN, 3:30 p.m.

Oklahoma St. at Washington St., CSN, 3:30 p.m.

TCU at New Mexico, VERSUS, 6 p.m.

Mississippi State at La. Tech, ESPN2, 6:45 p.m.

Sunday

Kentucky at Louisville, ESPN, 3:30 p.m.

Monday

Fresno State at Rutgers, ESPN, 4 p.m.

Other Top 25 games

Youngstown State at No. 2 Ohio State, noon

Akron at No. 13 Wisconsin, noon

Coastal Carolina at No. 22 Penn State, noon

Georgia Southern at No. 1 Georgia, 12:30 p.m.

Northern Iowa at No. 16 BYU, 6 p.m.

Chattanooga at No. 4 Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

Louisiana-Monroe at No. 10 Auburn, 7 p.m.

Florida Atlantic at No. 11 Texas, 7 p.m.

Eastern Washington at No. 12 Texas Tech, 7 p.m.

Florida International at No. 14 Kansas, 7 p.m.

Tenn.-Martin at No. 19 South Florida, 7 p.m.

Northern Arizona at No. 15 Arizona State, 10 p.m.