Local capsules
Navy vs. Maryland
Where » M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
When » Monday, 4 p.m.
TV » ESPN
Radio » 980 AM
Compelling matchup between local teams trending in opposite directions. Navy, coming off its third 10-win season in history, is shooting for even more this year as senior QB and Heisman Trophy candidate Ricky Dobbs returns to run the triple option. Maryland, coming off its first 10-loss season in history, is playing to save the job of coach Ralph Friedgen. Junior QB Jamarr Robinson will run the offense, looking to spring junior WR Torrey Smith. Maryland won the last meeting 23-20 but trails in the series 14-6. The newly commissioned Crab Bowl Trophy goes to the winner.
No. 10 Virginia Tech vs. No. 3 Boise State
Where » FedEx Field
When » Monday, 8 p.m.
TV » ESPN
Radio » 106.7 FM
The first meeting between the schools gives the national-darling Broncos of the WAC an opportunity to prove themselves against the perennial powerhouse Hokies. Boise State QB Kellen Moore runs one of college football’s most potent offenses, an up-tempo attack that uses screen passes, trick plays and deception. Virginia Tech’s traditional strengths are defense and special teams, but the Hokies could have their most explosive offense since the Michael Vick years as they return QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Darren Evans and RB Ryan Williams. This has the chance to be a shootout.
Richmond at Virginia
Where » Scott Stadium, Charlottesville
When » Saturday, 6 p.m.
Radio » 570 AM
Virginia first-year coach Mike London faces the team he guided to the 2008 FCS Championship. London is trying to turn around a program that went 3-9 last year and has not won an opener since 2005. The Cavaliers opened 2009 with a humiliating loss to William & Mary, a team Richmond beat later in the year. To replace London, the Spiders tapped former Virginia assistant Latrell Scott, a 34-year-old who is the youngest head coach in Division I. QB Mark Verica, a starter in 2008 and a backup last year, is back in the huddle for Virginia. Richmond QB Aaron Corp is a transfer from USC.
Games to watch
No. 18 North Carolina vs. No. 21 LSU
Where » Georgia Dome, Atlanta
When » Saturday, 8 p.m.
TV » ABC
Amid rosy expectations on the field, things are unraveling off the field for UNC, the subject of an NCAA investigation into academic improprieties. One of the subjects, DT Marvin Austin (Ballou High), has been suspended by coach Butch Davis and likely has played his last college down. UNC will try to put those and other personnel issues aside in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game as sack-happy DE Robert Quinn zeroes in on Tigers QB Jordan Jefferson. Coming off a disappointing 9-4 season, the heat is on LSU coach Les Miles, who is 0-6 the last two years against Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.
No. 24 Oregon State vs. No. 6 TCU
Where » Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas
When » Saturday, 7:45 p.m.
TV » ESPN
Gary Patterson has built TCU into a national power with an innovative 4-2-5 defense, but this season he will look to his offense as QB Andy Dalton operates behind an experienced line and throws to a potent group of receivers, led by special teams standout Jeremy Kerley. Propelled by the Rodgers brothers, RB Jacquizz and WR James, Oregon State has reason for optimism. But a daunting September, which includes a date at Boise State, is a tough way to break in sophomore QB Ryan Katz.
UConn at Michigan
Where » Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor
When » Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
TV » ABC/ESPN2
After going 8-16 his first two years at Michigan, the pressure is on Rich Rodriguez, who faces a daunting opener. UConn is on the rise under Randy Edsall, going to bowl games in each of his three seasons. The Huskies could be even better than last year (9-3) as LB Lawrence Wilson (140 tackles) propels the defense. Michigan will decide between freshman Devin Gardner and sophomores Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier at QB. “It’s likely we’ll play more than one,” Rodriguez said.
