Week 1 - Games to Keep an Eye On

So the new season is almost here. It has been some time since we saw Bama vs LSU in the rematch game. Glad to put that one behind us. SEC vs SEC is not the way it was intended. Diminished the regular season and proves that its harder to win SEC Championship than National Championship. All that aside, we've got a new season in front of us, and we have some tasty match ups for Week 1.



South Carolina at Vandy (Thursday 7:00 PM)

• This is the Thursday night ESPN College Football season opener
• I've been really impressed with the changes going on at Vanderbilt, expect them to continue to get better and steal recruits from the competition. Coach Franklin is the real deal, and I like his fire.
• In the end South Carolina has good QB and one of the best, if not the best tailback in the country with Marcus Lattimore.
• Gamecocks win this one but its a little closer than they like.
• And be sure to catch Coach Spurrier as he heads into the locker room, its just about the best part the game.

(Photo courtesy of ESPN)

Tennessee vs NC State (Friday 7:30 PM)

• This one is in the Georgia Dome
• Tennessee dropped Da'Rick Rogers this week and lost some offensive firepower, but also cut off some of the drama & distractions - hurts up front, but probably best in the long run
• I am not overly impressed with NC State. The running backs need to step up. 
•  I expect this one to be tight, but I like Tenn to pull away late and win by 7

Boise State at Michigan State (Friday 8:00 PM)

• Michigan State at home coming off a really good season last year, combined with Boise State loosing everyone essentially of consequence this year, has me going with The Spartans in this one
• Coach Dantonio is a class act.
• Sparty by 14

Notre Dame vs Navy (Saturday 9:00 AM)

• This is being played in Dublin, Ireland and you have to give them credit, as this is a pretty cool locale for a season opener
• East Coasters get to live like West Coasters and get some College Football for breakfast - finally!
• Coach Kelly is getting The Fighting Irish pointed in the right direction.
• Look for Notre Dame to run it up, respectfully. I like The Irish by 21.

Buffalo at Georgia (Saturday Noon)

• Aaron Murray has a lot to prove in many Dawg Fans' eyes. Can he win the tight games again highly ranked opponents?
• Luckily today is not the day he has to worry about that.
• Dawgs will get to showcase the new offensive line and trot out all the tailbacks to further define the RB rotation
• Dawgs Defense should be exemplary. Coach Gratham has been the man behind the Dawgs resurgence.
• I like Georgia in this to win by 5 TDs

(Photo courtesy of Danny Bishop)

Marshall at West Virginia (Saturday Noon)

• Marshall puts a lot of importance on this game. WVU not so much, but that's because they win these games.
• Expect the trend to continue here. Coming off the bowl thrashing against Clemson the last time we saw them, I highly expect West Virginia to make a statement game.
• I like WVU by 35

Southern Miss at Nebraska (Saturday 3:30 PM)

• Coach Pelini has Nebraska heading in the right direction
• Southern Miss has the ability to sneak up on people
• I don't think they'll beat Nebraska, but I do like them to cover
• I see Nebraska winning by 14 or so

Clemson vs Auburn (Saturday 7:00 PM)

• This is one of the better southern cross-conference rivalries out there
• No love is lost between these two programs and from Dabo's crying episode the last time they met (when Clemson won), I'm sure Chizik & company have not forget and hope to make Dabo cry with a different outcome this year.
• Look for Auburn to come out gunning and Clemson will struggle to keep up minus Sammy
• Auburn by 7

Michigan vs Alabama (Saturday 8:00 PM)

• This one is being played in Cowboy Stadium
• Many wonder if Alabama is overrated this year. They did lose a lot of talent to the NFL, but that seems like every year.
• Coach Saban is stacking up talent like no other
• I'm going with the Tide until I see different on the field
• Take The Crimson Tide. I like them winning by 17

Kentucky vs Louisville (Sunday 3:30 PM)

• As far as in-state rivalries go in college football, this one is pretty tame
• It is however the best game of the Sunday College Football action
• Can Joker turn this thing around? He is experiencing a post-Coach Brooks dip
• Look for Louisville to hold serve at home this year, but not cover
• I like Louisville by 10

Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (Monday 8:00 PM)

• Ahh the Labor Day ACC closer.
• You have to give props to Coach Beamer and Coach Foster. Those guys have held it together like no other.
• They face a good test on Monday night, but I like VA Tech in this one by a field goal