I am flipping between Oregon State at Cincinnati and the NFL season opener with the Saints at Indianapolis (I can officially start caring about the NFL now — I was lame and picked the Colts, but I think Brees has decent chance to beat Peyton). But I am anticipating another weekend of college football. Here are a few games I would like to watch, although I doubt my schedule will allow me to catch them all.
Oregon at Michigan: How will Carr, Henne, Hart, Manningham and company respond to their devastating loss in the season opener? I’m guessing the wounded Wolverines will be fighting mad, but if the Ducks did their homework on last week’s film, they can make it a game.
Notre Dame at Penn State: Will Clausen live up to his billing — especially in the ”white out” conditions of Happy Valley? How will Charlie generate offense? And what does JoePa have this year? I hope the defense that shut out Florida International is similarly successful this weekend. (I’m partial to good defense — maybe I have been more influenced by the Monsters of the Midway than I admit.) I have deep respect for Paterno, love that he is still competing, and hope his leg has fully recovered from that nasty break.
Virginia Tech at LSU: This one has the promise of being an exciting early season game. Both teams are ranked in the top ten. VT has the “healing from a tragedy” theme working for them, which LSU was able to use a couple years ago, thanks to Katrina. I expect a defensive battle.
Western Illinois at Illinois: As a loyal Illini fan, my most important question is what establishments near me carry the Big Ten Network? Other questions — is Juice better? Do we have defense besides Leman and Davis? And why can’t I remember where Leathernecks came from?
TCU at Texas: The only other top 25 game this week. Ok, Colt, show us what you’ve got.
