FanNation

Well I love summer...BBQ, whitewater, Bocci, my pool, chicks in bikinis, ect.   But once the sun goes down, the dog days start getting to me and I go to bed dreaming about the start of the football season.  In order to help myself sleep, I decided to plan out my Fall around college football.  Here are the week 1 games that you MUST SEE, the ones you SHOULD SEE, and the ones that you might be tempted to see but you SHOULDN'T BOTHER.  I'll break down every weekend before the season starts, and even tell you what stations you'll find the games on.  Any oversights, please let me know.

Sat. Aug 30th  What an opening weekend!  I'll be ordering delivery and sipping beer all day long.  

MUST SEE

Alabama v Clemson    7:00 ABC   

This is the sort of non-conference game with BCS implications that define the first couple weeks.  Both these teams are hoping for statement years and 10 win seasons.

Illinois v. Missouri    7:30 ESPN

Two suprise teams in the BCS last year.   It will be interesting to see which team can keep on rolling.  Both teams lost some key players, but still have a very solid core from last year, so either team could repeat and end up back in a big time bowl.  This game will go a long way towards deciding this, and will be used as a measuring stick between the Big 10/Big 12 all year long. I originally had this game under SHOULD SEE TV, but on 2nd thought flipping between this and the Clemsen/Alabama game is going to be a blast. 

SHOULD SEE

Utah at Michigan     2:30 ESPN2       Between Utah's STRONG team this year, and Michigan's brand new offense  w/out a quarterback, this wouldn't even be much of an upset if Utah wins.

Michigan St. at Cal    7:00 ABC        This is a game that will be used to evaluate the Big 10/PAC 10 all season long. Both teams will finish between 3-6 in their conferences  

DON'T BOTHER

Hawaii at Florida    11:30 RAYCOM   Well, even if you do get this game, don't bother.  Hawaii lost all their weapons from last year, and showed they were outclassed anyway.  Blowout

USC at Virginia     2:30 ESPN2        Virginia had a great year in 07, but this is 08 and they have major           rebuilding to undergo.  This should be a 4 touchdown blowout 

App St. at LSU      4:00 ESPN    Lightning doesn't strike twice.  LSU will still be way too good even while breaking in a new quarterback.  If the upset happens, I'll give up Buffalo Wings for football season.