We finally made it, lads (and lasses). College Football has finally arrived once again through the inexorable arrow of time. Week Zero rarely has viewing treats but there are a couple of decent games today.
Let’s take a look, shall we? Here’s your schedule (all times Central, as always gratuitously borrowed from CFB Grid).
Game of the Day: Farmageddon, of course. Live from Eire. This is a very good rivalry game, and this year the stakes are particularly high since it’s an early season elimination round
among the Big 12’s four main contenders (alongside Texas Tech and Arizona State). Neither team can rush the passer, they’re both awful on the road, both teams return dynamic offenses, and while KSU’s wideouts won’t wow you, ISU lost their two best to the NFL. (Filth degenerates will also be pleased to know there are some definite trends here that militate in favor of the Cyclones at +3.5).
Under The Radar:
Stanford @ Hawaii. Do they suck? Why, yes; yes, they do. But they’re also sucking in opposite directions — the Warriors finally could have a decent team again after years of wondering in the wilderness after Graham burned the program to the ground. And the Trees have fired absolutely everyone associated with their football-like product put on the field since David shaw also burned every to the ground. They could improve, but for now, it’s a far worse team in a far worse place than Hawaii. Games on the Island often get nutty, and the Warriors play out of their mind at home. Is that enough to mitigate the talent advantage of a terrible ACC team?
Don’t Sleep On:
Incarnate Word @ Nicholls State. Last year was the first time these Southland foes have not played a very close game since UIW joined the league. But it was in Texas. At Nicholls, the usually overmatched Colonels have made these games nailbiters, usually riding a stout defense. That looks to be the formula again this year, despite how ridiculously good the Incarnate Word offense is, and what an incubator that program has become for FBS coaches over the last decade. If it turns into a dud, switch over to UC Davis vs. Mercer in Montgomery, for almost identical reasons. Surely one of them has to be fun.
Unwatchable Filth:
Tarleton State is a preseason Top 10 FCS team (and an FCS Quarterfinalist last season) with one of the best offenses you’ll see. They also happen to return an (almost) 3000 yard QB and both starting WRs, to go along with a Payton Award (FCS Heisman) favorite in the backfield. Portland State won three games last year, allows 7 YPC, and has an offense that finished -12 in turnover margin. This is going to be a slaughter, even with TSU hitting the road.
Have a great day, and enjoy football — it’s here at last.
