College Football Kickoff '08: Top 10 Reasons to Park Yourself on the Couch

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. 

The perennially slow-starting Wolverines begin the season with an upstart Utah squad that is hungry for an upset.  Utah coach Kyle Whittingham will most definitely show his team the App St. upset from last season.  His spread-but-run-first offense and deep stable of formidable RB's are just the type of O the Wolverines can't stop.

Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina, in Charlotte. 

These two teams played an intense game last season.  The score was 10-7 until VT sealed the victory with a fourth quarter TD.  E. Carolina outrushed VT 142-33 as they shut down Brandon Ore.  Both teams return players at key positions, and it's at a neutral site.  This one should be good.

Michigan State at California. 

These teams finished last season with a bevy of losses (six each), but each team had their moments last season.  Both are looking to impress voters this year, since both teams feel they can compete in their respective conferences. 

Both teams return key starters on offense: QB Nate Longshore for Cal, and RB Javon Ringer for State.  This game is scheduled for prime-time viewing for a reason.  This might be the most underrated game of the whole weekend.

Hawai'i at Florida. 

Both teams love to score quick touchdowns.  Both teams couldn't care less about defending. 

For Hawai'i, though, that was 2007's M.O.  The new-look Warriors have a new coach and a new attitude.  A premium has been put on defensive tenacity, and incoming QB Inoke Funaki is mobile, athletic, tough and smart. 

This game could look more like a basketball scoreline once the fourth quarter rolls around.  However, Hawai'i will really have to play BIG to keep viewers watching that late into the game.

Appalachian State at LSU. 

Division I-A's champion meets Division I-AA's three time defending champ, as these two teams square off.  Maybe more intriguing on paper than in reality, this game looks tight if LSU isn't ready to start the season.  Without a proven QB under center and no Dorsey on D, there might be a reason to keep this game on deep into the fourth quarter.

Kentucky at Louisville (Aug. 31). 

Both teams faded down the stretch last year, and both are replacing high-profile QB's this season.  But make no mistake: these two teams are tough early in the season, and this is a bitter rivalry. 

Last year, Kentucky won the annual slugfest on a TD pass with 28 seconds left in regulation.  This is a must-watch game, even for a Sunday broadcast.

Tennessee at UCLA (Sept. 1). 

Anytime two teams steeped in tradition play a rare game against one another, the hype is warranted.  Add to that the fact that the two teams are on opposite coasts, and year long bragging rights come into play. 

Cal's win over Tennessee last year fueled Pac-10 pundits' arguments through 2007.  Every football fan in North America will be watching this one on Monday night.

I know where I will be from noon on August 30th through Monday night September 1st.  No family crisis or global event or religious epiphany will get me off my couch.  For now, try not to count the months, weeks, and days until kickoff; it will only make the time pass slower.