College Football 2012: The Top 10 Week 1 Games Recruits Will Be Watching

The 2012 college football season starts this Thursday. That sounds so good that I'm going to say it again, people: College football starts this Thursday, and we will have football all weekend. So, this Labor Day weekend is going to be spectacular!

Recruits are fans of college football too, and of course they will be watching their fair share of games. From commits wanting to see how their future coaches and teammates look in Week 1 to uncommitted recruits wanting to see who's looking good early in the season, recruits will be watching a ton of games this weekend.

For this read, I'm going to give you the top 10 games they will be keen to see in Week 1.

10. Arkansas State at Oregon, 10:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN

Well, Arkansas State has a new coach in Gus Malzahn, and he has a great offensive background and...screw it, I can't take it anymore: Recruits will be watching this game because of Oregon.

First, everyone wants to know what uniforms the Ducks will be wearing, because that is always a weekly mystery. Second, Oregon's offense is very fun to watch due to the tempo and play speed it operates with.

Several uncommitted recruits, like Ricky Seals-Jones, James Quick, Tahaan Goodman and Alvin Kamara, could be watching.

9. Bowling Green at Florida, 3:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN

Florida has an excellent recruiting class this year, and I'm sure many (if not all) of those great commits will want to see how the Swamp is rockin' on opening day.

Will Muschamp has yet to really settle on a starting QB, but Florida is looking to get back on top of the SEC this year. Laremy Tunsil, Stacy Coley, Laquon Treadwell and Marcell Harris likely will be checking to see how the Gators look this week.

8. Ohio at Penn State, 12 p.m. EDT on ESPN

While we may not watch this whole game, I think a lot of us are interested to see the start of this one. Penn State is going to be full of emotion at the start of this game, and it will be neat to see the players get a chance to hit the field.

Recruits probably are not too high on going to Penn State right now, but I think they'll still be interested to see the start of the game.

7. Boise State at Michigan State, Friday, 8 p.m. EDT on ESPN

Boise State is not a recruiting power, and Michigan State is behind Michigan and Ohio State in 2013 recruiting. But these are still two solid football teams that will face each other on Friday night.

Seeing two well-coached teams that play good football has to interest recruits, even if many of them are overlooking both schools. DT Montravius Adams could be watching this game and keeping his eye on the Spartans.

Plus, it's going to be interesting to see how BSU looks without Kellen Moore.

6. Texas A&M at Louisiana Tech, Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EDT on ESPNU

The Kevin Sumlin era of Aggie football opens up this Thursday, and I know a lot of people want to see the Aggies play.

First, Sumlin and Kliff Kingsbury run a high-octane spread offense that is wide open. Second, the Aggies are now in the SEC, and many people have questions about whether or not that was the best move for them to make.

So this game will be watched by many people around the country, including recruits like Ricky Seals-Jones, Derrick Griffin and Torii Hunter Jr.

5. Miami (OH) at Ohio State, 12 p.m. EDT on the Big Ten Network

Ohio State may not be going bowling this year, but it still is one of the most intriguing teams in the country. Urban Meyer has brought his way of doing things to Columbus, and everyone will be interested to see how much he's made his mark on the Buckeyes this Saturday.

Jalin Marshall, Eli Woodard, Vonn Bell and Robert Foster are just a few recruits to name who likely could be watching this game.

4. Tennessee vs. NC State, Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT on ESPNU

There is a growing feeling that Tennessee coach Derek Dooley's seat is getting a bit hot these days. Whether it should be or not is another question, but many people feel that it is.

It is imperative that Dooley and his football team get off to a great start this year, or Knoxville will be as impatient as a spoiled and bratty child. With this game being on Friday, it is sure to get some good ratings, and recruits like Vonn Bell and Derrick Henry could be watching.

3. South Carolina at Vanderbilt, Thursday, 7 p.m. EDT on ESPN

South Carolina has recruited very well over the past several years, and Vanderbilt is an upstart program. Combine that with the fact that this is the prime-time Thursday night game that features two SEC teams going against each other in Week 1, and you have a well-watched game.

2. Clemson vs. Auburn, 7 p.m. EDT on ESPN in Atlanta

This should be another game that features great young talent, speed and fireworks. I'm very pumped up for this one, and many recruits are too.

Robert Nkemdiche, Carl Lawson, Reuben Foster, Dee Liner, Montravius Adams, Greg Bryant, Vonn Bell and Derrick Green are big names that could be watching this game.

Atlanta will be buzzin' for this one.

1. Michigan vs. Alabama, 8 p.m. EDT on ABC in Arlington, Texas

Michigan was a surprise team last year and wants to prove it was not a 2011 fluke. Alabama wants to defend its national championship.

Something's gotta give here, people, and this will be a dandy of a game. I'll go as far to say that this is the most important game of the weekend, and of course, recruits will be watching.

These are two programs that are recruiting juggernauts right now and that currently have top-five classes for 2013. A cornucopia of high-profile recruits will be watching this one.

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 and 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.