Granted, oh great and wonderful college football fans, we were teased with 7 games last weekend in pre-week 1 action. It was a lot of fun, sure, but 130 games between now (yes, I’m watching the UAB Blazers play the Jacksonville St Gamecocks right now 0-0 8:12 in the first) and Labor Day. Can the real week 1 please raise your hand, right? Now, while the Gamecocks are an FCS school and UAB (Group of 5) should win, Jax St is not a gimme in this game. Sure, UAB should win but who knows? I’m just glad I can watch the game while sitting in my Columbus, Ohio (there’s a team here, right?) hotel and rambling about the greatest sport in the world (sorry soccer, baseball, Sumo wrestling, and caber tossing).
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Tomorrow the fun continues with a strong slate but I think the most important (who knows what’s really important yet, but I’m feeling it) are Ohio St at Minnesota (8:00 all times Eastern) and Boise St at UCF (7:00). The Buckeyes will be eyeing yet another Big 10 title and a trip to the playoffs again. The Golden Gophers are historically and up and down team capable of creating drama in the conference and maybe nationally, if it’s a good year. If it’s a down year…the game may be interesting for about a quarter. The fans will be ready. Neither the Broncos nor the Knights have received a lot of preseason recognition, and I get this game could have been scheduled years ago when both were nationally relevant, but it feels like the winner will have a huge head start on a push for, maybe, possibly, a ranking if they go 2-0. I guess we’ll see – maybe by then, the GCR will be publishable.
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On Friday, a smaller slate, but still entertaining presents itself led by 2 games because of completely different reasons. First, UNC at Virginia Tech (6:00). The Hokies aren’t what they used to be in the Beamer years, but they are a formidable team in the ACC. The Tar Heels are in the top 10 in the preseason polls so the pressure will be on them to start strong on the road. Blacksburg is not an easy place to steal a win and this should be a close one to the finish. If UNC wants to win the Coastal and challenge the presumed Atlantic winner, Clemson, they have to win this game. The other game I’m interested in seeing is South Dakota at Kansas (8:00). I know you are asking why in gridiron world I would think that. It’s because the Jayhawks have been, in a word, awful, for years and questionable coaching hires haven’t made things any better. Technically, ok in reality, they are a Power 5 team and have what I think is the largest chance to lose to an FCS school when the Coyotes, who play in the powerful Missouri Valley Conference, come to town. This probably is not the most difficult team on South Dakota’s schedule (they close with South Dakota St and at North Dakota St).
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The early Saturday games are plentiful and are highlighted by a couple really interesting games. Penn St at Wisconsin (12:00) makes me want to send some kudos to the Big 10 having not only some conference games week 1, but some key ones. Both teams are in the top 20 preseason rank and can’t afford an early season mistake (especially Penn St). I’m looking for a stereotypical Big 10 slugfest in this one. Similar to Boise St/UCF, I’m intrigued by Stanford and Kansas St (12:00) playing in Dallas. Neither team is ranked preseason, but both could get some national recognition as well as momentum by this neutral win. The loser gets to be thankful for being in the Pac 12/Big 12 – yes, that’s a dig to the overwhelming ACC/Big 10/SEC ownership of playoff spots – ok, Oklahoma could make it and MAYBE and undefeated Pac 12 team, but I wouldn’t place bets on that happening, but that’s a blog for another day.
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The midday slate offers a trio of what should be exciting games. First Alabama takes on Miami FL (3:30). The Tide will be the huge favorite and more than likely will be in a “new QB, same result” type scenario, but the Hurricanes need this game more, I think. They’ve lived through some disappointing years, and I’m wondering if this is the breakout season. Another important Big 10 conference matchup is Indiana at Iowa (3:30). Is the Hoosier magic still there or will the Hawkeyes shatter the dream early? This one is another that will either be a close game to the triple zeros or will just be sad in the second half – nothing in between. The third game I think will be more entertaining than some might think is the Sun Belt’s Louisiana traveling to Texas (4:00). Both are in the top 25 and the Ragin’ Cajuns surprised the college football world last year, where, along with Coastal Carolina, made the Sun Belt one of the most exciting conferences. For the 47 millionth (that may be slightly not exactly accurate), the Longhorns get preseason votes. They have to be right sooner (no pun intended) or later, right? This game will be the difference between Big 12 relevance and a barely make a bowl game season.
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After a few days of a lot of great games, Saturday night belongs to Georgia and Clemson (7:30) playing in Charlotte. Both are preseason top 5 and legitimate playoff contenders. Both have, shall we say, questionable schedules, for the most part, and probably will be favored the rest of the season so this is a hang your hat kind of game for both. The loser will have no room for error to reach the lofty goals they expect to reach.
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By the way, the Blazers just took at 7-0 lead late in the second quarter – tune in to ESPN if you aren’t there already.
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There are a few Sunday games mostly in the FCS, but Florida St is hosting Notre Dame (7:30) that wouldn’t make the list except it is the only FBS game. Jackson St and Florida A&M (3:00) are playing in the Denny’s Orange Blossom Classic (I did not make that up) and Grambling and Tennessee St play at 4:00.
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Labor Day closes the games in Atlanta where Louisville and Mississippi play in the Chick-fil-A game (8:00) which will be worth watching as a pair of teams with not much expected of them try to kickstart the season.
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As I close, there are 60 seconds to go in the half and Jacksonville St just stopped a drive following a beautiful punt block gave the Blazers a short field. They did get the field goal so it’s 10-0 as we move to the half. Have a great rest of your week. Thanks for reading, G
