GAME NOTES: In what is considered by many to be the most intriguing matchup of college football's opening weekend, the ninth-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys play host to the 13th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia owns a 3-0 lead in the all-time series between the two teams, with the most recent meeting taking place in Athens in 2007.

By the end of the 2008 campaign, Georgia had compiled a 10-3 record that included a win over Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl. So while the season was certainly a success by most standards, coach Mark Richt expects to contend for the national title every season, so there was at least a touch of disappointment. Ten starters were lost, but that means more than half are back.

This season, Georgia will play three non-league games against teams from BCS conferences, becoming the first from the SEC to do so since the 12th game was added in 2006.

For the first time in program history, Oklahoma State is ranked in the top-10 in the AP preseason poll. The Cowboys are one of three Big 12 teams in the top-10 and one of five in the top-25. They jumped out to a 7-0 start last season before finishing a somewhat disappointing 9-4. But there is a wealth of talent back in place, including arguably the nation's most explosive offense, so expectations are sky high for coach Mike Gundy's club.

Oklahoma State has won its last 13 home openers, the longest streak in program history.

"When it comes to quarterback play, in my opinion, you need to have an accurate passer, you need to have a great decision maker, you need to have a young man who can handle the pressure of the job," says coach Richt. "Joe Cox really personifies all those characteristics." Cox is the man anointed to take over for Matthew Stafford, the top pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Cox doesn't have a big arm like Stafford, but he is smart and won't try to do too much.

Fortunately, Cox has one of the nation's elite receivers to throw to in A.J. Green, who will undoubtedly attract plenty of attention from Oklahoma State defenders in this one. As a freshman in '08, Green racked up 56 catches for 963 yards and eight touchdowns. This year's hot freshman is Marlon Brown, and he will benefit from the double coverage that Green commands.

The man chosen to replace the departed Knowshon Moreno at tailback is sophomore Richard Samuel, who was tremendously impressive in the offseason. "When other guys start to fatigue, he looks even faster," says Richt of Samuel. "He wants to play, he wants to block, he wants to get the job done."

Georgia yielded a respectable total of 312.0 total ypg last season, but the team did allow 24.5 ppg. If there is an obvious area that needs improvement, it would be in the points allowed department, and the 'Dawgs are capable of doing just that. They will certainly be tested by the explosive Cowboys in this opener.

In the defensive backfield, Reshad Jones is back at safety after contemplating a jump to the NFL. He finished second on the team with 76 tackles last season and intercepted five passes. Prince Miller is back at one corner and is a steady performer, although he didn't register a single pick in 2008. Rennie Curran is a stud linebacker who has a motor that never dies. He runs sideline to sideline, can cover receivers, blitz the quarterback and shed blockers. Curran posted a team-high 115 stops last year, including 10 TFLs, and he posted three sacks to go along with two forced fumbles.

The Oklahoma State offense is downright scary, largely because of the tremendous trio of QB Zac Robinson, RB Kendall Hunter and WR Dez Bryant. "Kendall Hunter is very good, says Gundy, heaping praise on the trio. "It's hard to get anybody in the country like him. Dez Bryant is special, tremendous strength, great hands, great leaping ability. Fearless. Great competitor." As for Robinson, "His ability to make a play running the football is tremendous. His durability, much bigger and stronger."

The Cowboys ranked in the top-10 nationally in three major offensive statistical categories last season -- scoring (40.8 ppg), rushing (245.5 ypg) and total offense (487.7 ypg). Seven starters are back in the fold, including Robinson, Bryant and Hunter. Robinson threw for more than 3,000 yards and 25 TDs in '08, while Bryant finished with 87 receptions for a Big 12-best 1,480 yards and 19 scores. Hunter was the team's workhorse out of the backfield, logging 1,555 yards and scoring 16 TDs.

Despite the Cowboys' overall success last year, the defense was rather suspect, particularly against the pass (267.7 ypg to rank 109th nationally; 15 sacks which ranked 107th). The return of six starters should help in terms of continuity, as will a revamped scheme that allows for better flow. The strength of the unit will be at linebacker as all three starters are back, including leading tackler Andre Sexton (100 stops).

The defensive line and secondary are the areas that Gundy will monitor closely against Georgia. Senior DT Derek Burton and senior CB Perrish Cox figure to be solid contributors right from this opener.

Gundy is quick to point out, "Defensively, we've acquired more speed, more athleticism, and leadership." We'll see how the talent translates.

Georgia gave up too many points last season, and stopping Oklahoma State will be a tall task. The Cowboys are so exciting that the program recently set a record for season ticket sales. Expect Robinson, Bryant and Hunter to live up to the hype right away, beating a strong SEC opponent to create some national buzz.