College Football 2012 ESPN TV Schedule: 10 Games Recruits Should Be Watching

ESPN has fully released its 2012 College Football TV coverage schedule for this upcoming season. And the folks in Bristol have some gems in-store this year.

As usual, I'm going to put a recruiting spin on this. For this read, I'm going to give you the top 10 games that recruits should be watching on the ESPN college football TV schedule this 2012 season.

Let's quickly run through it.

10. Wisconsin at Nebraska 9/29

The Badgers travel to Lincoln to face Big Red in a nationally televised Saturday night game. This is "big boy" football, folks.

Recruits in Big Ten should be watching this game to see how they will asked to play when they come into the conference.

If you're an OL or DL recruit, your eyes should be glued to the screen as this will be a technique and strength clinic in the trenches.

9. Boise State at Michigan State 8/31

Last year we saw Boise State beat Virginia Tech in week one and now comes another BCS challenge in 2012: the Spartans.

Boise State surely wants to expand its recruiting profile, evidenced by moving to the Big East. A nationally televised game on ESPN in the opening weekend of the season versus a very formidable opponent should help.

8. USC at Syracuse 9/8 in New Jersey

The Trojans already are excellent at recruiting nationally, but this game gives them a chance to be seen on the East Coast.

In early September, USC travels to New Jersey to play Syracuse at MetLife Stadium. It's a late afternoon game and will be on ABC.

So recruits who live on the East Coast, are interested in playing for USC, and want to see the Trojans play a game and not just highlights, should be watching this one. 

7. Texas vs. Oklahoma 10/13 in Dallas

Oh the Red River Rivalry, how great it is.

The Longhorns and Sooners will get it on once again in Dallas and this will affect recruiting. Oklahoma loves recruiting inside Texas, and a win will help motivate Lone Star State natives to continue coming to Norman.

Texas is a recruiting juggernaut and has something to prove this year. Recruits will be watching to see if the Longhorns are still slipping, or if they are on their way back to dominance. 

6. Notre Dame at Michigan State 9/15

Michigan State is on this list for a second time, but again it's due to who they're playing.

Whenever you're a program having a Saturday night game on ABC, it's a huge deal. Yet, when you're hosting Notre Dame, that just takes it to another level.

The Irish are trying to get back into the BCS and beating Michigan State in front of a national audience would be great. Also, recruits are going to be watching, and seeing a victory for the Golden Domers would serve as a boost for a recruiting run in the fall.

5. Florida State at Virginia Tech on Thursday 11/8

The Hokies do it big on Thursday night ESPN home games. However, I'm sure Blacksburg will be buzzing even more when Florida State comes to town.

The 'Noles have climbed back up the mountain to recruiting-juggernaut status and playing in national Thursday night game will give them a great display to recruits.

If I'm a recruit interested in FSU, I'm definitely watching this big road game to see how they look.

4. Ohio State at Penn State 10/27

We get two first-year head coaches in a night game on ESPN or ESPN2. The Buckeyes will trot out Urban Meyer, while PSU has Bill O'Brien.

Meyer has made his mark as a college coach, while O'Brien is an NFL man through-and-through. Ohio State fans wanted Meyer as coach. Penn State fans nearly rebelled when O'Brien got the job.

Both schools recruit in the same territory, and if you're a recruit in the Midwest, you're definitely watching this game to see what unfolds.

3. Clemson vs. Auburn 9/1 in Atlanta

This game will definitely feature a slew of young and promising talent.

Both Clemson and Auburn have had outstanding recruiting classes the past two or three years, so this game will be neat to watch to see prospects recently covered now playing.

If you're a recruit this is a must-see game.

You watch this game to see how soon you can get on the field, which young players are getting snaps and just to see how the recruiting process transpires from getting the letter to the offer to trip to signing to now playing.

Plus it was a great game last year.

2. Michigan at Ohio State 11/24

Perhaps the best rivalry game in the country, recruits definitely will be watching this game.

Even if you don't have interest in either school, just to see the spectacle that is the game of Michigan vs. Ohio State is a sight to see.

Then again, if you are actually interested in both schools then maybe you should use this game as a tie-breaker to decide who you should sign with.

1. Michigan vs. Alabama 9/1 in Arlington, Texas

The last, and perhaps biggest, game of opening Saturday will give us Michigan and Alabama in Jerry's World.

I'm sure both fan bases will pack the house and this will be an electric pre-game atmosphere.

Michigan has the No.1 recruiting class right now for 2013, Alabama had the No. 1 class last year. So clearly these are two big time recruiting powers and many uncommitted big time recruits are considering atleast one of these schools.

First game of the season. Championship aspirations for both teams. Amazing stadium. National TV. Big time recruits watching. No pressure right?

Edwin Weathersby has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena League. He spent a year evaluating prep prospects & writing specific recruiting and scouting content articles for Student Sports Football (now ESPN Rise-HS). A syndicated scout and writer, he's also contributed to WeAreSC.com, GatorBait.net and Diamonds in the Rough Inc., a College Football and NFL Draft magazine.