College Football: 5 Can't-Miss Opening Games for the 2012 Season

Take a step back from the 2012 BCS games, and let us fast forward to the 2012 college football season. I will be breaking down the best teams of the season very soon, but how about the top games to kick off the 2012 season?

There are five games that I already have my eyes on that should tell us how sensational of a season we can expect. A few of the teams will be non-automatic BCS teams, whereas there will always be a few heavyweight and prestigious teams in vital games.

Well, enough of this banter and let us now talk and get excited for the five opening games in the 2012 season.

Boise State at Michigan State (8/31)

Yes, Friday night football will be back, and this time it is Sparty and Mark D’Antonio against the Broncos and Chris Petersen.

Many will question next year’s Boise State team without Kellen Moore, but the same can be said about Michigan State without Kirk Cousins. D.J. Harper and Edwin Baker/Le’Veon Bell will be a great battle of backs.

However, the true matchup to watch for will be the battle of quarterbacks. The development of Andrew Maxwell of Sparty and Grant Hedrick of Boise will give us a winner.

Early Lean: Broncos by 3

Tennessee vs. NC State at Georgia Dome (9/1)

The Vols and Pack will play in a springboard game that could be just what the doctor ordered. If Tennessee can find a way to keep Tyler Bray clean in the pocket, he can exploit a talent secondary led by David Amerson. Mike Glennon was on fire to close the season in 2011, so look for a ton of points in this one.

Early Lean: Pack by 6

Navy vs. Notre Dame at Aviva Stadium (Dublin, Ireland, 9/1)

Maybe Navy will not even go bowling next season (it should), but the Irish will be better and where this game is played makes everything.

The game is played at Dublin, Ireland where many fans of Irish faithful have wanted to return to since 1996. It was Notre Dame defeating Navy 54-27 in front of close to 38,000 (give or take a few thousand more) fans .

It will also be interesting to see who Brian Kelly starts at quarterback in a season where he will have a ton of pressure on him. Another four- or five-loss season, and the Irish will be wondering if they can ever return to national glory.

Early Lean: Irish by 20 

Clemson vs. Auburn at Georgia Dome (9/1)

A battle of Tigers will be on the field in a highly ranked contest. Auburn will be somewhere in the low 20s and Clemson is a near mortal lock to be ranked in the top 10.

Tajh Boyd and Sammy Watkins will play pitch and catch like they are going up against high school teams next season. They were unstoppable in the early parts of the season until they hit their freshman and sophomore walls.

With an improved defense from both squads, look for early Heisman talk on Dyer and Watkins if they go bonkers.

Early Lean: Clemson by 7

Michigan vs. Alabama at Dallas Cowboys Stadium (9/1)

Alabama’s defense may not be great like we have seen it the last two times it appeared in BCS national championship games, but it will still rank among the best in the SEC (and country). The Tide will be tested by Denard Robinson and a talented supporting cast. We will officially find out how much Brady Hoke has improved these Wolverines in his soon-to-be second year.

Early Lean: Wolverines by 1