What to Watch this Weekend

Thursday Night

Appalachian State @ #9 Tennessee- SEC Network 7:30

South Carolina @ Vanderbilt- ESPNU 8:00

The first Thursday night of the season starts off with 2 SEC games.   Tennessee starts their most hyped season since Phillip Fulmer was the coach when they host 11 win App State on the SEC network.  While Tenessee is rightfully the clear favorite, they will not be able to sleep walk through this one.  Over on ESPNU, two of the cellar dellars in the SEC East square off.  Both teams will most likely need a win in this one in order to be bowl eligible by season end.

Friday Night

Kansas State @ #8 Stanford- FS1 9:00

Heisman hopeful Christian Mccaffrey takes the field for the first time as Stanford hosts Kansas State.  Last year, Stanford lost their opening game to Northwestern, as the were unable to get any offense going in a 16-6 loss, which most likely kept them out of the playoff.  If they come out of the gate slow, this is another loseable game. 

Saturday Morning

Georgia Tech VS Boston College (Ireland)- ESPN2 7:30

BC takes on Georgia Tech in Ireland for a rare Saturday morning start.  Both teams had very dissapointing season’s in 2015, and will be looking to right the ship to start the 2016 season.

Saturday Day

#3 Oklahoma @ #15 Houston (Reliant Stadium)- ABC 12:00

Missouri @ West Virginia- FS1 12:00

Hawaii @ #7 Michigan- ESPN 12:00

Oklahoma heads to Reliant Stadium to take on Houston.  Both of these teams are coming off very succesul seasons with Oklahoma making the playoff, and Houston winning the Peach Bowl.  Each team is lead by its star QB, Baker Mayfield for Oklahoma, and Greg Ward Jr. for Houston.  Look for Oklahoma runningback Samaje Perine to be the difference in this one.  Elsewhere, Missouri takes on West Virginia in a game featuring two teams who are dark hourse picks for their respective conferences.  Also, Michigan begins their season against Hawaii, who turned the ball 5 times in their opener against Cal.

Saturday Afternoon

#5 LSU VS Wisconsin (Lambeau Field)- ABC 3:30

#16 UCLA @ Texas A&M- CBS 3:30

#18 Georgia VS #22 North Carolina (Atlanta)- ESPN 5:30

College football heads to Lambeau Field as LSU heads to Wisconsin.  LSU is arguably the most talented team in college football but don’t rule of Wisconsin.  Wisconsin’s defense is strong enough to keep it close, but if LSU plays the way they are capable of playing, they should win this one.  Also, UCLA and QB Josh Rosen play at Texas A&M.  A&M had a lot of turmoil this offseason, but have Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight at QB, and an excellent defensive line.  The Chick-Fil-A kickoff game starts in the late afternoon.  Both UNC and UGA are led by their runningbacks, Elijah Hood and Nick Chubb respectivly. This is a tough test for new Georgia coach Kirby Smart, but they should have a strong home-field advatnage as this “nuetral-site” game is taking playing in state.

Saturday Night

#20 USC VS #1 Alabama (Dallas)- ABC 8:00

#2 Clemson @ Auburn- ESPN 9:00

The top 2 teams open this season on Saturday night. Alabama returns to Dallas to face USC, while Clemson heads to Auburn.  Alabama is undefeated in Kickoff games, but faces a tough test in USC.  The Trojans are led by All-American WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, while Alabama is breaking in a new QB for the third straight season.  Minewhile, in Auburn Deshaun Watson and defending ACC champs face a tough road test.  Auburn should be improved from last year, and have finally settled on a QB in Sean White.

Sunday Night

#10 Notre Dame @ Texas-ESPN 7:30

Notre Dame heads to Texas for a rare college football Sunday night gam.  Last year Texas was destroyed by Notre Dame in both teams opening game.  Texas lost multiple close games last season, and should be improved.  Notre Dame is once again a playoff contender.  Head Coach Brian Kelly made the unusual decision of not naming a starting QB, but instead saying Malik Zaire, and Deshone Kizer will both received snaps in this one.

Monday Night

#11 Ole Miss VS #4 Florida State (Orlando)- ESPN 8:00

Week 1 ends with a good one down in Orlando.  Florida State and Dalvin Cook start the season off as playoff hopefuls.  Ole Miss, lost aton of talent, but return staring QC Chad “Swag” Kelly.  Florida State on the other hand returns plenty, but will be starting Freshman QB Deondre Francois.  FSU will have a strong home field adantage.  While Francois is a top recruit, he shouldn’t have to be the star, as Cook is one of the best backs in the country.