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We hate to be quick to judge, but we have no choice this season.The first big Saturday of the college-football season - we'll call itSuper-Duper Saturday - is Sept. 5.

Perhaps never before has an early-season weekend featured as manybig games that figure to play a huge role in shaping the nationaltitle picture.

With schools' won-lost records even more important under therequirements of the Bowl Championship Series, one loss can bedevastating. At least the 10 Sporting News preseason Top 25 schoolsinvolved in Sept. 5 games will earn bonus points under the BCS systemfor schedule strength.

The best matchup of the first full Saturday will take place inMorgantown, W.Va., where Ohio State (Sporting News' No. 3) will faceWest Virginia (No. 9).

The Buckeyes' hopes are buoyed by the presence of a bevy oftalented skill-position players and a favorable schedule that hasPenn State, Michigan State and Michigan visiting the Shoe. But thistrip is the biggest hurdle in OSU's quest to win its first nationaltitle since 1968.

The key will be the Ohio State lines. How will a Buckeyeoffensive front that allowed 53 sacks last season hold up against aveteran Mountaineer line and pass-rushing specialist Gary Stills?And a developing Ohio State defensive wall needs to pressure WVUquarterback Marc Bulger and stop tailback Amos Zereoue.

If you can't be at Mountaineer Field, your next best option isSouth Bend, Ind., where Michigan (No. 6) opens defense of itsnational championship against Notre Dame (No. 16).

Although Brian Griese and Charles Woodson are gone, the Wolverinesremain loaded. Plus, they haven't lost at South Bend since 1990.

The Irish's shaky defensive line could get overrun by a veteranMichigan offensive line that will escort big back Anthony Thomas.Conversely, Jarious Jackson will make his first start at quarterbackfor the Irish and will be facing the best defense he'll see allseason.

Your next-best bet on Super-Duper Saturday will be going toSyracuse, where the Orangemen (No. 18) host Tennessee (No. 11).

This will be a battle of two of the most dynamic offenses in thenation. Yes, Peyton Manning is gone, but new Vol quarterback TeeMartin has a big arm and plenty of weapons to test a shaky Syracusesecondary and line. He can count on the 'Cuse trying to disrupt himwith blitzes.

But Tennessee has to watch for Syracuse quarterback DonovanMcNabb, who has great targets in Kevin Johnson and Quinton Spotwoodalong with terrific runners in Rob Konrad and Kyle McIntosh. Giventhat the Vols' linebacking corps is shaky, McNabb could have a bigday.

The next best Super-Duper Saturday game is such a big deal that itwas moved to an NFL venue.

Denver's Mile High Stadium will be the site of the Colorado State(No. 19)-Colorado (No. 23) game.

The emergence of CSU has made CU fans squirm, especiallyconsidering the Rams are coming off an 11-2 season and the Buffaloes'5-6 mark was their first losing record since 1984. A loss for CUwill intensify the scrutiny on Rick Neuheisel.

Colorado State hasn't beaten its neighbor to the south since 1986.If the Rams win their opener at Michigan State and beat the Buffs,they have a good chance to go unbeaten.

Finally, it's fitting Arizona State (No. 5) is hosting a big-timegame on Super-Duper Saturday, as the Sun Devils' home field is thesite of the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 4, the BCS title game.

ASU plays Washington (No. 25).

The matchup between a great ASU offense and formidable Huskydefense will be fun. But the contest will hinge on the battlebetween a Sun Devil defense with three junior-college linemen and aHusky offense that has questions at receiver and running back.

There are several other intriguing matchups that weekend.

One is Sept. 3, as Virginia (No. 15) travels to Auburn (No. 36) inwhat looks like a must-win game for the Tigers.

On the fifth, there's also BYU at Alabama, which needs a goodstart after a 4-7 debut under Mike DuBose, and Central Florida atLouisiana Tech, which will pit two of the nation's best quarterbacksin Daunte Culpepper and Tim Rattay.