- Messages
- 19,127
- Reaction score
- 11,072
FOOTBALL IS BACK... AGAIN.
After a week zero that featured a surprisingly entertaining Nebraska/Illinois tilt, and then zero other competitive games, it's time for the a full slate of games to see what we get.
We've got FIVE straight days of action to start the year, beginning tonight and running through Monday night, and there are all kinds of interesting matchups. #10 UNC has to deal with VT and Enter Sandman on Friday night; Juggernaut Bama is in action against The U in a neutral site clash; Clemson and Georgia meet for a huge matchup that is going to cause big time overreaction regardless of the final score; the Irish begin the reload against FSU as a Sunday night affair; Louisville and Ole Miss cap the holiday weekend on Monday night with a surprisingly intriguing matchup.
I'll start with the official "IE WATCH PARTY CHART(S)," then follow with some tidbits on games of note below for the sake of formatting.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
- Boise State @ UCF would have had Group-of-Five fans drooling a couple of years ago, but the hype has kind of dwindled on both... or is that just me?
- East Carolina vs Appalachian State is an interesting matchup. ECU should be good on offense, and App State is always tough
- Ohio State's new QB opens on the road. Does this feel like a PJ Fleck Row-the-Boat Upset Special??
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
- Top-10 UNC and Sam Howell have to deal with Lane Stadium and Enter Sandman to start the season... upset alert???
- MSU and Northwestern should be interesting; MSU in year two under Mel Tucker, while Northwestern has to replace a lot of production from a team that went 7-2 last year
- Colorado State is on FCS Upset Alert right out of the gate
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 - EARLY GAMES
- If Oklahoma wants to live up to the national-championship caliber hype that's building, they need to make a statement against a Tulane team that wasn't bad last year
- Oklahoma was supposed to play on campus AT Tulane... but Ida had other plans
- Penn State, ranked in the top-20 based purely on potential, looks to begin their rebound at Camp Randall against Wiscy. Scout the future Irish opponent!
- It's never too early to hate-watch a game, rooting for WMU to pull the upset against Harbaugh. Let's get that dumpster fire lit early!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 - AFTERNOON GAMES
- Nick Saban's offense has to replace a lot of production, and has to open against defensive coach Manny Diaz. Does The U have a chance to keep it close into the 4th?
- Go Bearcats (scout the future Irish opponent!)
- Indiana comes into the season with a top-20 ranking and some actual hype. Let's see if they can pick up where they left off, opening in a really tough place to play for B1G teams
- Louisiana is lead by Levi Lewis, who is a VERY good QB (though he regressed a bit last year). Texas has Sark-related hype, but maybe an upset alert here?
- Starkel (SJSU) vs Slovis (USC) in what could be a legit Cali shootout. Does USC have the horses on defense to slow SJSU down and control the game?
I'll add the late games and Sunday/Monday in a bit.
After a week zero that featured a surprisingly entertaining Nebraska/Illinois tilt, and then zero other competitive games, it's time for the a full slate of games to see what we get.
We've got FIVE straight days of action to start the year, beginning tonight and running through Monday night, and there are all kinds of interesting matchups. #10 UNC has to deal with VT and Enter Sandman on Friday night; Juggernaut Bama is in action against The U in a neutral site clash; Clemson and Georgia meet for a huge matchup that is going to cause big time overreaction regardless of the final score; the Irish begin the reload against FSU as a Sunday night affair; Louisville and Ole Miss cap the holiday weekend on Monday night with a surprisingly intriguing matchup.
I'll start with the official "IE WATCH PARTY CHART(S)," then follow with some tidbits on games of note below for the sake of formatting.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
| 7:00PM | Boise State @ UCF | ESPN |
| 7:30PM | East Carolina vs Appalachian State | ESPNU |
| 8:00PM | #4 Ohio State @ Minnesota | FOX |
- Boise State @ UCF would have had Group-of-Five fans drooling a couple of years ago, but the hype has kind of dwindled on both... or is that just me?
- East Carolina vs Appalachian State is an interesting matchup. ECU should be good on offense, and App State is always tough
- Ohio State's new QB opens on the road. Does this feel like a PJ Fleck Row-the-Boat Upset Special??
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
| 6:00PM | #10 UNC @ VT | ESPN |
| 9:00PM | MSU @ Northwestern | ESPN |
| 9:00PM | South Dakota State @ Colorado State | FS1 |
- Top-10 UNC and Sam Howell have to deal with Lane Stadium and Enter Sandman to start the season... upset alert???
- MSU and Northwestern should be interesting; MSU in year two under Mel Tucker, while Northwestern has to replace a lot of production from a team that went 7-2 last year
- Colorado State is on FCS Upset Alert right out of the gate
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 - EARLY GAMES
| 12:00PM | #2 Oklahoma @ Tulane | ABC |
| 12:00PM | #19 PSU @ #12 Wiscy | FOX |
| 12:00PM | WMU @ Michigan | ESPN |
- If Oklahoma wants to live up to the national-championship caliber hype that's building, they need to make a statement against a Tulane team that wasn't bad last year
- Oklahoma was supposed to play on campus AT Tulane... but Ida had other plans
- Penn State, ranked in the top-20 based purely on potential, looks to begin their rebound at Camp Randall against Wiscy. Scout the future Irish opponent!
- It's never too early to hate-watch a game, rooting for WMU to pull the upset against Harbaugh. Let's get that dumpster fire lit early!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 - AFTERNOON GAMES
| 3:30PM | #1 Alabama vs #14 Miami (FL) | ABC |
| 3:30PM | Miami (OH) @ #8 Cincinnati | ESPN+ |
| 3:30PM | #17 Indiana @ #18 Iowa | BTN |
| 4:30PM | #23 Louisiana @ #21 Texas | FOX |
| 5:00PM | San Jose State @ #15 USC | PAC12 |
- Nick Saban's offense has to replace a lot of production, and has to open against defensive coach Manny Diaz. Does The U have a chance to keep it close into the 4th?
- Go Bearcats (scout the future Irish opponent!)
- Indiana comes into the season with a top-20 ranking and some actual hype. Let's see if they can pick up where they left off, opening in a really tough place to play for B1G teams
- Louisiana is lead by Levi Lewis, who is a VERY good QB (though he regressed a bit last year). Texas has Sark-related hype, but maybe an upset alert here?
- Starkel (SJSU) vs Slovis (USC) in what could be a legit Cali shootout. Does USC have the horses on defense to slow SJSU down and control the game?
I'll add the late games and Sunday/Monday in a bit.
Last edited:
