College Football Watching Guide (Week 1)
OK, for real this time.
I forget stuff all the time.
I’ve only been married to my beautiful college-football-loving wife for just over a month, but she now says before we go anywhere, as if by instinct: “Got your keys?”
And at least half the time, the answer is no. It’s become something of an in-joke. I turn around, grab them, and make a second attempt at heading out on whatever adventure we were planning.
Point is, if last Saturday was the beginning of the college football season, then I’d like to kindly ask if the season has its keys. It might want to check.
Sure, UMass got a win, and Vandy looked OK, but Notre Dame and USC both obliterated their opponents. Overall, there wasn’t much on offer, and you’d be forgiven for feeling a bit underwhelmed by the start of the season.
But don’t worry. This weekend, we kick things off and set off on our fall-long adventure for real. There’s big games with big stakes, and they aren’t just on Saturday.
Below I’ve previewed the very best games on TV this weekend and let you know where and when you can catch them.
If you missed last week’s article, check it out here. That’s where I’ve put the previews for this Thursday’s games. (Notable change: Cam Rising’s out at QB for Utah, making the Utes’ matchup against Florida suddenly VERY interesting.)
And while you’re at it, subscribe to get the Solid Slate in your inbox! It’ll help you plan your football watching every weekend. If you’re already subscribed, consider sharing the Solid Slate with a friend who loves this crazy sport as much as you do.
EARLY SLATE
Big Screen
Colorado at TCU
12:00pm/11:00am (FOX)
Hi, Coach Prime! The traveling circus that is the Buffs’ program visits future Big 12 rival TCU’s home turf to begin Deion’s FBS coaching career. Thing is, this is probably a rebuilding year for Colorado. They were good at absolutely nothing last year, racking up a 1-11 record. But over the offseason, Shedeur Sanders and about 44 other commits arrived. The offense will run an old Baylor-style spread attack and the defense added a boatload of transfer talent. It remains to be seen what the Buffs look like on the field, and this matchup is an excellent stress test for this remodeled fixer-upper.
The Horned Frogs made the National Championship last year, but now they have to replace a ton of talent on offense (the most in the nation), most notably gunslinger Max Duggan. Chandler Morris, who started last year, takes the reins and should have an adept group of receivers and inside-zone rushers to assist him, aided by new OC Kendal Briles. The defense also returns mostly intact, so there shouldn’t be much of a drop off in competitiveness for TCU.
Small Screen
Virginia at Tennessee
12:00pm/11:00am (ABC)
Literally no one thinks the Cavaliers will be any good this year. After a year of getting beaten to shreds, signal-caller Brennan Armstrong fled for NC State, leaving Tony Muskett (from noted FCS powerhouse Monmouth!) to take over an offense in absolute shambles, with tons of departing talent. The defense lost its top three starters too, so not a ton of bright spots in Charlottesville. Hanging with the Vols would be a good way to start their year, though.
It’s unclear as of now who’ll be running the offense for Tennessee – Joe Milton or superstar freshman Nico Iamaleava – but whoever it is will command a crazy fast tempo, pass-heavy attack that again promises to be devastating. The defense should be better with significant returning talent, especially in a secondary that needs to improve from last year. The Volunteer linebacker room is also hoping Aaron Beasley, the only remaining member from last year, steps up to lead.
Watch The Score
East Carolina at Michigan (12p/11a, Peacock)
MIDDLE SLATE
Big Screen
Boise State at Washington
3:30pm/2:30pm (ABC)
Last year the Huskies were on the verge of greatness, but lost tiebreakers and couldn’t make their conference title game. Kalen DeBoer’s offensive transformation continues its run this year though, and Heisman contender Michael Penix appears poised to improve on his already impressive resume, with a spectacular returning receiving corps. Washington has to improve at pass defense to round into a Playoff team, though, and they return a ton of veteran talent that should help them do so.
Meanwhile, the Broncos are dealing with questions and difficulties. They should have a devastating running attack led by George Holani, but new signal caller Taylen Green needs to figure out a passing game too. The defense needs to replace a ton of starters as well to put Idaho’s one true team back in the Mountain West championship hunt.
Small Screen
Ohio State at Indiana
3:30pm/2:30pm (CBS)
Everyone’s talking about Michigan this offseason, picking them to win it all. And yeah, Harbaugh’s guys aren’t slouches. But the Buckeyes are still the 800-pound gorilla in the Big Ten. Kyle McCord beat out Devin Brown to helm Ohio State as C.J. Stroud’s successor, and he’ll be fronted by an offensive line that needs to replace three of five starters. That could be the only question mark on the whole team. The offense returns skill-position talent across the board, and seven of ten All-Big Ten defenders are back on that side of the ball.
The Hoosiers are playing it coy about their starting signal-caller, with Tom Allen stating someone’s won the job between Brendan Sorsby or Tayven Jackson, but he’s not saying who until closer to game time. Regardless, the Indiana line needs to improve at pass protection and run blocking, and with a new OL coach and five returning players with experience, they might be able to. But while the defensive line looks great thanks to transfers, everything else on defense is in full-on rip-it-down-and-rebuild mode.
NIGHT SLATE
Big Screen
North Carolina at South Carolina
7:30pm/6:30pm (ABC)
This rivalry game should have a name. It doesn’t. That’s dumb, so I’m going to call it the “Call Us Carolina Clash.” Winner gets to be called “Real Carolina” for the next year. Mack Brown continues to do that thing he did at Texas and skate by with decent winning seasons while not developing Top 30 recruiting classes. Okay, that’s a touch unfair, but when are the Tar Heels going to make the leap to ACC champion? They sniffed it last year but lost to Clemson in the conference title game. Drake Maye’s back commanding the offense, but he needs to be protected better, and the receiver room needs to reload (though both tight ends are back). The defense is what really stunk in Chapel Hill last year, and it lost a ton of talent in the backfield. It remains to be seen if incoming, promising transfers will pick up the slack, but I have faith in coordinator Gene Chizik.
The Gamecocks return Spencer Rattler at QB, and it’s fully his team now. They had trouble protecting him last year and this year the line’s inexperienced, with reloads in progress at running back and tight end as well. The roster turnover continues and will hurt South Carolina on all fronts on defense, which already needed serious help. Rattler must take the whole team on his back, especially early in the year.
Small Screen
UTSA at Houston
7:00pm/6:00pm (FS1)
If you were expecting some Mountaineer/Nittany Lion action here, I don’t know what to tell you. This looks like the better game. Last year, finishing out their twelfth year of having a football program, the Roadrunners blew the doors off of Conference USA, taking home the title. They move up to the American this year, boasting a seasoned and balanced attack led by veteran Frank Harris in his seventh (!!) season with the program. If he gets more protection than last year, the offense should sing. The defense is fine, but not much improved from last year, and still needs to be a bit bigger to play with the big boys.
And here comes Houston, hoping to prove they belong among said big boys. The Cougs bring in Donovan Smith from Texas Tech to lead Dana Holgorsen’s dangerous attack. The running back room’s thin after Alton McCaskill went to play for Coach Prime, and the offensive line’s going through a complete overhaul. The defense, too, has nowhere to go but up – especially in the secondary. But they’re retooling at every position too. If they’re not careful, Houston could start their Big 12 career with an out-of-conference loss.
Watch The Score
West Virginia at Penn State (7:30p/6:30p, NBC)
South Alabama at Tulane (8p/7p, ESPNU)
LATE SLATE
Coastal Carolina at UCLA
10:30pm/9:30pm (ESPN)
The Chants are away from the teal field this week, out in LA for PAC-12 After Dark. The Solid Verbal’s made the repeated joke that Grayson McCall, Coastal’s QB, boasts a name better suited for a law firm. He’ll prosecute the opposition with an attack based on competence and ball control. The Chanticleer defense needs to keep the team in games though, and luckily its versatile linebackers look to be the unit’s early strength.
The Bruins lose exceptionally talented Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Zach Charbonnet on offense, meaning they need a new starting signal-caller and rusher. After an arduous camp battle against a fiery new recruit Dante Moore and Kent State transfer Collin Schlee, backup Ethan Garbers will handle things under center. In the backfield, TJ Harden and Keegan Jones look to share most of the carries, though another impact transfer, Carson Steele, could show up big as well. With the offense in transition after a great year, the defense needs to keep UCLA in games. The line’s solid and pressure-heavy, and the linebacking corps is back, but the secondary lost its top two backs.
SUNDAY
Oregon State at San Jose State
3:30pm/2:30pm (CBS)
Last year was spectacular for the Beavs. They finally reached 10 wins after five years of a Jonathan Smith-led program rehabilitation, and this year they hope to continue their success. DJ Uiagalelei, coming over from Clemson for another orange-forward team, hopes to rebuild his career after two disappointing seasons in a row. With that addition alone, Oregon State’s patched their worst offensive vulnerability. Yet who DJU will throw to remains an open question, as the wide receiver room is full of unproven talent. The defense has to replace six starters, mostly in the linebacking and secondary corps.
The Aztecs got kicked in the teeth last week by USC after putting together a competitive first half. Spectacularly efficient QB Chevan Cordeiro remains the most electric player for San Jose State, and the defense just hopes to keep Oregon State in front of them and force punts. If they can do that, a PAC-12 victory might not be out of the question.
LSU at Florida State
7:30pm/6:30pm (ABC)
STAKES. This game’s got ‘em. Brian Kelly’s Bayou Bengals looked sharp in last year’s conference championship game, though they just couldn’t outclass Georgia. After unleashing all their frustration on Purdue, LSU’s back, still led by electric talent Jayden Daniels who came back for one last ride in Baton Rouge. He’ll have a top-tier offensive line, a versatile stable of running backs, and a hungry group of young receivers to help him out. The defense was only aided by transfers, and should improve from last year’s already impressive mark.
Yep, the Tigahs could end the Noles’ Playoff hopes before they begin. But Florida State returns impressive talent of their own: a Heisman contender in Jordan Travis, a bruising offensive line, and impressive skill talent across the board. Not only that, but the Seminoles look better and more experienced on defense as well. This is a battle of heavyweights. Whatever you do, do not miss it.
MONDAY
Clemson at Duke
8:00pm/7:00pm (ESPN)
The chatter’s all Florida State in the ACC this offseason. People are overlooking Dabo’s squad. And he just signed TCU’s offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who gives Cade Klubnik a crazy spread system to play with. The Tigers just need receivers to step up, as they lack obvious playmakers out wide. The defense is focused on increased violence and confidence, banking on their experience for improvement (especially in the secondary).
Speaking of improving, Duke did last year in a variety of metrics, from game attendance and fan investment to tempo-fueled offensive production and takeaway-hungry defense. The offensive skill positions are fully intact for the Blue Devils, and Riley Leonard returns for year two of dual-threat hijinks. And while Duke’s replacing their top two defenders, they nabbed two more veteran transfer cornerbacks to help raise up a struggling pass defense. The Devils are poised to give ACC squads some serious headaches all year if they’re overlooked. Watch out, Clemson.