Week One College Football Viewing Guide

Jan 3, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban during practice for the 2013 BCS National Championship game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Barry University. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The kickoff to the 2013 college football season is mere days away from getting started. The offseason and preseason drama is over and it’s finally time to talk some football.

This week, Alabama and Virginia Tech kick off their seasons in Atlanta for the Chick-fil-a Kickoff. While that may be a big matchup, it’s certainly not the only game out there that is worth your attention. Week 1 used to be the warm-up week, but now, in the modern era of college football, it seems important to get the ball rolling with a big win over a formidable opponent.

Don’t know what to watch? BamaHammer has some suggestions for you for Week 1. (All Time Central)

Thursday, August 29th

South Carolina vs. North Carolina – 5:00pm on ESPN

You’d think this game would happen more often, considering the distance between the states, but this is only the second meeting between the Gamecocks and the Tar Heels since 1991. South Carolina recently began starting each season on a Thursday, and they have won 13 straight openers.

Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt – 8:15pm on ESPN

Last time Ole Miss opened the season with an SEC opponent was in 2003 against Vanderbilt; the Rebels took the victory 24-21. Vanderbilt is slowly and surely getting better and better, as this will be only their third time they will open a season with a bowl win. The Commodores beat Ole Miss 30-7 in their SEC opener in 2011, making it Vandy’s largest margin of victory since 1971.

USC vs. Hawaii – 10:00pm on CBS Sports Network

Watch this game only if you are really amped for some late night college football or if you’d like to see Lane Kiffin disappoint to open the season. That won’t be likely though, as the Trojans are 8-0 overall against the Warriors and also 12-2 away from LA in season openers. Still, who doesn’t like one more dose of football before bed?

Friday, August 30th

Texas Tech vs. Southern Methodist – 7:00pm on ESPN

Southern Methodist could make this game interesting, despite the Mustangs losing 14 straight in the series. Texas Tech has a new coach in Kilff Klingsbury, who is starting his head coaching career with the Red Raiders.

Saturday, August 31st

Morning Lineup

Purdue vs. Cincinnati – 11:00am on ESPNU

A nice Big 10/American matchup. These two teams have only met once in 2001, which resulted in a 19-14 victory for the Boilermakers. However, Purdue is 1-6 in road openers and has lost five straight openers by 7 points per game. If you want a game outside the SEC to watch in the morning, this could be one to keep an eye on.

Florida vs. Toledo – 11:21 am on SEC Network Affiliates

If you are really itching for some SEC football for kickoff, this will hold you over til the big games later in the day. Florida isn’t likely to disappoint however, as they have won 23 straight openers, all of which have been at home.

Texas A&M vs. Rice – 12:00pm on ESPN

The Aggies have not been without drama this offseason with their Heisman-winning QB Johnny Manziel still in the midst of an autograph scandal. Texas A&M has said he will play and Bama fans will want to watch to see if this is the same team as last year before the Crimson Tide face them on September 14th.

Afternoon Lineup

Penn State vs. Syracuse – 2:30pm on ABC/ESPN2 (varies on location, check local listings)

Penn State is in the second year of its postseason ban, but they finished a solid 8-4 last year. This is only the second game in 71 meetings where it’s being held in East Rutherford. It will be interesting to see how the team reacts to season with no hopes of a bowl.

Mississippi State vs. Oklahoma State – 2:30pm on ABC/ESPN2 (varies on location, check local listings)

Being played in Houston, the SEC’s mid-tier Bulldogs will take on a solid Oklahoma State squad returning 15 starters this year. Dan Mullen may need to pull a couple tricks to solidify a win against the Cowboys and start off the season well.

Alabama vs. Virginia Tech – 4:30pm on ESPN

The Crimson Tide and the Hokies faced off just four years ago in a 34-24 Alabama victory that eventually led to Alabama’s 13th title. The previous BCS National Champions are 14-0 in season openers with an average win of 45-13.

Evening Lineup

Auburn vs. Washington State – 6:00pm on ESPNU

New head coach Gus Malzahn will kick things off at home against the Washington State Cougars, who are going to be just under 2,000 miles away from home. The last two season openers for Auburn were won by a total of 7 points, but they have won the last seven openers at home.

Clemson vs. Georgia – 7:00pm on ABC

This is only the third time in nineteen years Georgia has opened the season on the road, but it did beat Clemson the last time the Bulldogs traveled in 2003. Clemson is 24-2 in season openers since 1987, but has lost five straight in the series against Georgia.

LSU vs. TCU – 8:00pm on ESPN

These teams haven’t met since 1968. LSU is no stranger to big season openers, with six of their last ten wins coming against BCS opponents, including Oregon and Arizona State. TCU, on the other hand, has won nine of the last 13 meetings against ranked opponents and is 13-4 against non-conference BCS schools.

Sunday, September 1st

Ohio vs. Louisville – 2:30pm on ESPN

The only reason to watch this is because of QB Teddy Bridgewater is playing this game. A solid player who led Louisville to a 11-2 season last year. He’s definitely a NFL prospect and a contender for the Heisman this year.

Colorado vs. Colorado State – 5:00pm on CBS Sports Network

The Rocky Mountain Showdown will be fun this year, and the Rams took a game from the Buffaloes last year. Colorado, historically speaking, is unbeaten after a loss (4-0). The Buffaloes haven’t dropped two straight games in this series since 1999 and 2000.

Monday, September 2nd

Florida State vs. Pittsburgh – 7:00pm on ESPN

How about some Labor Day football? Don’t mind if I do. Florida State may not have as much of the upper hand as you may think, as they have lost two of the last three road openers and have a 3-5 record against the Panthers. It’s Pitt’s first ACC game as a member of the conference.

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