In years past, College Football's opening weekend gave TV viewers virtually no reason to watch the games. Teams padded their schedules with what amounted to exhibition or tune up games—opportunities to blow out a small school that can't even afford to build a stadium.
The idea was that every team that planned to go to a bowl game would start the season off 1-0.
Then, all of a sudden, big TV contracts and huge pay days changed the face of College Football's first weekend of games. Miami and FSU moved their rivalry to opening weekend; Virginia Tech travelled to USC for a thriller. Other schools are now seriously considering that starting the season off with a bang can only do good things for their programs.
AD's, coaches, players, and fans are realizing that a big win in August can catapult their teams high into the polls, while a loss in the game won't destroy their seasons.
With all of this in mind, here are ten opening weekend games (in no particular order) that are must-see's, eight of which are being played Saturday, August 30th.
Send the kids to a weekend camp. Tell your spouse you have dysentery and have to stay on the couch. Duct tape the remote control to your hand. Coerce friends into delivering beverages and greasy food. This season, NCAA football is up in your face right from the get-go...
Clemson vs. Alabama, in Atlanta.
Both teams underachieved last season. Both teams have started fast in previous seasons. Both teams are drenched in southern football tradition.
The stage is set for a huge match up in the capital city of the old south. What else can you say about this great match up? At 8:00 pm on August 30th, conferences won't matter.
USC at Virginia.
Despite flopping in their season finale with VT and then again in their bowl game, the Cavaliers were a tough team last year. They shocked defending ACC champ Wake Forest and beat Georgia Tech. And who can forget the 48-0 paisting they put on the Hurricanes in UM's final game at the Orange Bowl?
The Trojans haven't played a regular season game this close to the Atlantic Ocean since '04. SC is the better team, but breaking in a new QB against the Virginia D (as well as replacing RB Chauncey Washington and TE Fred Davis) will make for a great game.
Missouri vs. Illinois, in St. Louis.
If these two teams have any of last year's magic left, this will be a thriller. Last year, the two squared off in each team's season opener and gave us a 40-34 laser light show.
Mizzou returns Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin, and as long as Coach Ron Zook has Juice Williams, and sophomore phenom Arrelious Benn, Illinois will be in every game.
Not to mention, the game is being played in a town that both states claim is theirs. Don't change that dial while this game is on. This game is a good old-fashioned feud.
Utah at Michigan.
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