College Football Kickoff 2010- 18 Opening Night Games 10 Players To Watch

As I mindlessly wrote away the summer, filling my portfolio and resume' with stories of NCAA baseball and MLB All-Star games, I began to feel as if something was missing. Maybe it was because the Cleveland Indians cashed the season in as soon as it started or maybe it was the agents and players that couldn't keep their eyes off of each other. My mouth was dry and there was only one thing (or date) that could quench it, the thought of 90210... September 9th, 2010.

After month after month of scandal, speculation, and predictions, the official start of the college football season is here. We have been blessed by the football gods with 18 opening night games. While it is true that the majority of the games are nothing to take the day off of work for, after eight months of no college football even Towson at Indiana makes me get all jumpy and excited.Without further adieu, I give you 10 players to watch tonight.

10. Ted Stachitas QB Wake Forest- This Sophomore quarterback will be taking over for the winningest quarterback in school history. Luckily he gets to warm up against FCS Presbyterian.

9. Stephen Garcia QB South Carolina- While most of the FBS schools playing tonight are looking forward to warming up against smaller schools, South Carolina takes on Southern Miss. USM returns nine defensive starters. Keep an eye on how good (or bad) Garcia is for the first couple series. If he controls his attitude on the sideline and keeps his head focused on the game it could be a good sign. If not, another South Carolina 8-5 kind of year.

8. Austin Davis QB Southern Miss- He threw for over 3,000 yards his freshman year and was on the same track before missing the final eight games with torn foot ligaments. The South Carolina defense is stout but it should be fun to see what Davis can do.

7. Chad Spann RB Northern Illinois- A winnable game to open the season against Big 12 member Iowa State is exactly what this speedy back needs to let you know who he is. He rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and averaged over 12 yards per reception as well

6. Sealver Siliga DT Utah- Utah is missing a large chunk of it's defensive starters from last season. Siliga will be going up against an inexperienced Pitt offensive line and could have a fun season opener chasing down Pitt's new starter Tino Sunseri.

5. Tino Sunseri QB Pitt- As if replacing Bill Stull isn't enough of a challenge, Sunseri must do it on the road at Utah against a defense that sacked the quarterback 30 times last season. It will be a great test for the young guy, let's see if he passes it.

4. Matt Barclay QB USC- No post season, no problem. Barclay showed his maturity and leadership skills this summer when USC was close lined by the NCAA, gathering the team together with the "for each other" attitude. We can just call this one USC's bowl game, it is as close as they will get this year.

3. Jacory Harris QB Miami (FL)- Fast and furious doesn't begin to describe Harris. He is now entering his third season and has his most talented team around him. Although he is playing in a dust up game against Florida A&M, this is probably the game that gets his Heisman campaign in full swing.

2. Terrelle Pryor QB Ohio State- Last year he was the first Ohio State quarterback to lead the team in passing and rushing since WWII. This year he is the odds on favorite to win the Heisman. He must keep the momentum going from last season if he wants to hear his name called in January.

1. Dion Lewis RB Pitt- What is better that winning the Big East rookie of the year award? Winning the Big East Offensive Player of the Year Award in the same season. Lewis rushed for 1,800 yards as a true freshman and looks to be even better this season. He will be relied on heavily for Pitt against Utah and if he can get loose, it is beautiful to watch.

Time to celebrate the return of a long lost friend. Welcome back college football, you have been missed. Now, where is my remote?