It's here! We're finally into September, and it's time to take a look at the games to keep an eye on each week.
Over the last few years, opening weekend has gotten stretched further and further. Now, we have nearly a full slate of games crammed into Thursday evening. And this year, it's all a lead-in to possibly the most anticipated rematch of the year!
Thursday, September 3
6 PM
North Carolina vs. South Carolina, ESPN. One of those non-conference games that looks like it should happen more often, but has only occurred three times in the last 23 years, all of them taking place in the past 8.
8 PM
Western Kentucky at Vanderbilt, SEC Network. Vandy kicks off their season on a Thursday night SEC Network game for the second straight year. Hopefully they can avoid the embarrassment of last year's blowout. But, if there is one team that knows how to handle lower level SEC competition, it's WKU.
8:30 PM
Michigan at Utah, Fox Sports 1. The beginning of the Harbaugh era in Michigan actually starts against one of his former Pac-12 foes.
9 PM
TCU at Minnesota, ESPN. The main network certainly has one heck of a doubleheader for a Thursday night. A highly ranked team with a rare road non-conference game.
9:30 PM
Duke at Tulane, CBS Sports Network. Nothing overly special here, but I'll probably be flipping over from the other game to get a feel for how Duke is going to perform this year.
Friday, September 4
7 PM
Michigan State at Western Michigan, ESPNU. I think this is the directional Michigan team that VT played last year for Homecoming. I'll be taking a look because I'm always intrigued by Michigan State.
Baylor at SMU, ESPN. Sadly, this is probably the toughest non-conference opponent Baylor has, not just for this year but for many others. But still, I'm hoping for more of the high powered offense that we saw with RG3 and Bryce Petty under center.
10:15 PM
Washington at Boise State, ESPN. Another case of a coach going from mid-major to big time, and then coming back with his new team.
Saturday, September 5
Noon
Stanford at Northwestern, ESPN. This could be two evenly matched teams from two Power 5 conferences.
Richmond at Maryland, ESPNU. I'll always give FCS Richmond a look, and it's interesting to see them play an FBS team that's not in the ACC. Although I'm sure Maryland was when this game was scheduled.
3:30 PM
Louisville vs. Auburn, CBS. For the second year in a row, the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Game is in the 3:30 slot, and now on CBS for the first time. Still, this could be an interesting match up of teams who are expected to be somewhere in the middle to upper ranks of their divisions.
UVA at UCLA, Fox. I expected a butt whooping last year, but got a near upset. Maybe this year, UCLA can provide the score that we all expected last year.
7 PM
Arizona State vs. Texas A&M, ESPN. It's the Houston kickoff game.
7:30 PM
Texas at Notre Dame, NBC. You always gotta pay attention with Notre Dame plays at night.
8 PM
Wisconsin vs. Alabama, ABC. The Cowboy Classic at Jerryworld has now become the premiere kick off game apparently. For Alabama, this is exactly where they want to be following the Sugar Bowl. Oh wait, I guess they're eight months too late.
Sunday, September 6
3 PM
Purdue at Marshall, Fox Sports 1. Last year, Marshall was one of the potential Group of 5 breakthrough teams, while Purdue has been the doormat of the B1G for a while. There are worse ways to get used to football returning on Sundays.
Monday, September 7
8 PM
Ohio State at Virginia Tech, ESPN. Lane Stadium on Labor Day is a special place. Last time a game was played here on a Monday, it was the first overtime game in the history of the stadium. This year, the matchup happens to be the hottest ticket in that stadium, possibly ever. The defending national champions come into town, remembering the one loss they took at their own place a year ago. Meanwhile, the Hokies have the one thing they have lacked over the last three years - continuity. All of their scoring players from 2014 are returning this year, with more experience.
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