Watching the Dawgs win always makes for a better Saturday. Gunner was a lot of fun to watch, wasn’t he? A more seasoned (cynical) fan might have trouble enjoying a huge home opening victory like last week, when they remember that more orange and hated teams loom on the horizon. I immediately qualified our victory with a million unnecessary caveats. I know I shouldn’t, but I always do. You might, as well.
While it is tempting to look ahead to the knee/ankle-eater that is the field at Neyland Stadium,
there’s plenty of time for that anxiety coming up. There will be plenty of giants to slay this season, as with any year. But if the Dawgs continue to look as good as they did last week, I intend to enjoy each moment as it comes. That includes another Saturday this week at the best stadium in the best time slot. We’ve got another Saturday in Athens lined up this week, and I am stoked (always a little worried).
Here’s your Week 2 TV Preview
FRIDAY
James Madison at Louisville ESPN 6:00 pm CT
Football starts on Friday in week 2 as James Madison University heads to Louisville. The Cards’ transfer QB, Miller Moss, proved to be as advertised last week, and he’ll look to keep things going against the Dukes of James Madison. This is a great opportunity to see a lot of points scored, and likely some weird football stuff, too.
Eastern Washington at Boise State FOX Sports 1 8:00 pm CT
Boise State wore the wrong helmets last week. Let’s see if Maddux Madsen can wake up the Broncos’ offense. He’ll need to do better than the 5 yards per pass he averaged last week if they are going to create space for the ground game and any real offensive success.
SATURDAY
Iowa at 16 Iowa State FOX 11:00 am CT
The Hawkeyes travel to Ames to play for the coveted Cy-Hawk Trophy. Brought to you by the Iowa Corn Growers Association since 2011, the Cy-Hawk is the only rivalry trophy with a sponsor attached to it (so far). Historically, the visitor has a slight edge in this matchup, but with an early 2-0 winning streak, the Cyclones are well-positioned for back-to-back state championships. Typically, close scoring and always primed for some shenanigans, this one should be a lot of fun and a great game to have on while you get settled in for Georgia in the perfect time slot.
Austin Peay at 4 Georgia ESPN 2:30 pm CT
Athens was showing off last week. The beautiful weather, combined with a complete game from the Dawgs, made it easy to imagine how all the parts might come together this year. I am looking for a seat on an already crowded Stockton/Branch bandwagon, and the defense looked as mean as advertised. With Juan Gaston and Earnest Greene both question marks since last week’s injuries, we may see more rotation on the offensive line to take care of everyone before a tough road test next week. Let’s get everyone healthy and through this game without incident, please.
15 Michigan at 18 Oklahoma ABC 6:30 pm CT
Known football cheaters, the Michigan Wolverines will travel to Norman and face the Oklahoma Sooners (named after historical cheaters) in the biggest ranked matchup of the weekend. The Sooners did not cover themselves in glory upon their entrance to the SEC. However, with new talent and a 1-0 record, sites are set on a win in a game that will be referenced early and often in the inevitable “which insanely rich conference is better” discussions at every sports bar this season. We’ll find out just how much it means, and to whom, on Saturday evening.
Sam Houston at Hawaii Spectrum Sports 10:59 pm CT
This game doesn’t start until Sunday morning on the East Coast. You have my permission to skip church if you watch the whole thing.
