Week 1 Preview

• Upset of the Week

Tennessee over California: Okay so it's not a major upset, but the Vols are a 4-point underdog and look for them to pick up a huge road win to start the season.

• Lock of the Week
  

Oregon over Houston: Houston may have high hopes after a bowl appearance last season, but look for Oregon to take care of business and set the tone for another strong year in the PAC-10.

• Best Game on TV
  

Florida State at Clemson: While this matchup may not have the national appeal of the FSU-Miami rivalry which previously occupied the primetime Labor Day timeslot, this will be a huge showdown to start the ACC season. Both talented teams desperately need to avoid a 0-1 start to the year, and the atmosphere in Death Valley should be spectacular.

• Best Game Not on TV

Central Florida at NC State: As the Tom O'Brien era begins at the Raleigh fairgrounds, the 10-point favorite will have their hands full as George O'Leary returns to ACC country.

• Should be the Best Atmosphere
  

LSU at Mississippi State: While this may not actually be the best atmosphere or best game of the week, it will seem like it. After waiting almost eight months for college football, this will be our first real taste of it. There's nothing like it!

• "Why is This Game on TV?"

New Mexico at UTEP Sept. 1 10 pm CSTV: Ugghhhh...

• Biggest Blowout

Oklahoma over North Texas: Ouch!

• Game With Biggest Bowl Implications
  

TIE: Wake Forest at Boston College & Florida State at Clemson: It won't take long for the ACC Atlantic Division race to shape up. All four of these teams figure to compete for the division title and possibly a trip to a BCS bowl.

• Best Unusual Matchup
  

Georgia Tech at Notre Dame: This rematch from last year should be fun to watch. Both teams are sort of difficult to predict for the upcoming season, and it's always cool to watch a Notre Dame home game (even if you hate them).

• Game With Best Storylines
  

Florida State at Clemson: FSU has rebuilt their coaching staff and many people expect a miracle from them from day one. The national media once again has placed Tommy Bowden on the "hot seat" while he may have his most talented team yet. Can FSU make the rest of the ACC afraid of them again? Will Clemson break out the all purple uniforms again. It's the Labor Day primetime game. And oh yeah, it's Bowden Bowl 9.

• Best Rumor of the Week
  

Arkansas will hire Dan Reeves as Athletic Director. Here's a link:

http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php?topic=148946.0

• Team That Needs A Win The Most
  

Virginia Tech: The newly-dubbed "America's Team" better not fall flat on their face against East Carolina. The Hokie fans are expecting a magical season, the nation is watching, and if the team forgets they have a real game to play, the visiting Pirates may be good enough to spoil the ceremony.



Staying at home this weekend?
Here's what to watch:
all times Eastern
***= don't miss this one

Thursday
7:00-8:00 Tulsa at Louisiana Monroe ESPN2
***8:00-12:00 LSU at Mississippi State ESPN

Friday
7:30-8:00 Navy at Temple ESPNU
8:00-12:00 Washington at Syracuse

Saturday
***10:00-12:00 College Gameday ESPN
12:00-3:30 East Carolina at Virginia Tech ESPN
Marshall at Miami ESPNU
***3:30-7:00 Georgia Tech at Notre Dame NBC
Wake Forest at Boston College ABC regional
Washington State at Wisconsin ABC regional
7:00-8:00 Oklahoma State at Georgia ESPN2
North Texas at Oklahoma FSN
***8:00-10:30 Tennessee at California ABC
Kansas State at Auburn
Oklahoma State at Georgia ESPN2
***10:30-12:00 Tennessee at California ABC
Kansas State at Auburn ESPN

Monday
4:00-8:00 Texas Tech at SMU ESPN
***8:00-12:00 Florida State at Clemson ESPN




Traveling This Weekend?
Here's what to record:
all times Eastern

Saturday
10:00-12:00 College Gameday ESPN
3:30-7:30 Georgia Tech at Notre Dame NBC
8:00-12:00 Tennessee at California ABC

Monday
8:00-12:00 Florida State at Clemson ESPN