What a great fucking weekend it was for Texas - we finally mudholed a decent G5 the way we should, OU looked wonky, A&M, LSU, and FSU (twice!) all lost. Just gorgeous.
No Thursday slate so people can watch bland corporate NFL football product, so we start on Friday. I'm working off the Coaches' Poll since the AP isn't out yet.
Friday games
BYU @ SMU (7/6 ESPN2)
BYU fans can't wait to finally fire Sitake. SMU looked really bad in Reno. One of the most sedate home crowds in football. GET EXCITED FOR SOME P4 ACTION!
Duke @ Northwestern (9/8 FS1)
Nighttime action on Lake Michigan. Maalik and the Duke WRs did not look like they'd had much time to practice together against Elon. This will be a stiffer test. NWU won a disgusting 13-6 battle against Miami of Ohio last week. At least the stadium is pretty.
Saturday games
#3 Texas @ #9 Michigan (12/11 FOX)
Blueblood vs. blueblood at the Big House. Defending champion with the best helmets in college football hosting the wide-awake giant wearing the best uniform in college football. What more could you want?
Arkansas @ #17 Oklahoma State (12/11 ABC)
The Fightin' Gundies should blow arky out and get the Fire Pittman train another few miles down the track, but it's an early season OOC game and that is not always Gundy's style.
#16 Kansas State @ Tulane (12/11 ESPN)
Is K-State for real? Is Tulane the same without Fritz? For an undercard, this has some spice.
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Iowa State @ #21 Iowa (3:30/2:30 CBS)
El Assico is BACK. It's a bad tempered rivalry full of shitty football and Matt Campbell repeatedly shooting himself in the dick. Enjoy the hate while most of us are hopefully basking in sweet victory.
Cal @ Auburn (3:30/2:30 ESPN2)
Has Hugh Freeze fixed Auburn and Peyton Thorne (remember when Diego Pavia and NMSU beat him last year? That was awesome)? Or do we get to see a competent (well, kind of, they struggled with UC Davis) Cal start their round-the-world airmiles extravaganza with a win on the Plains?
South Carolina @ Kentucky (3:30/2:30 ABC) and Baylor @ Utah (3:30/2:30 FOX) should be embarrassing blowouts. Still, Baylor losing is always a great time.
A mid-slot kickoff to watch is Marshall @ VaTech (4:30/3:30 CW) to see if the Hokies will let Vandy (hey, it's Diego Pavia again) beat them twice.
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#23 NC State vs. #12 Tennessee @ Charlotte (7:30/6:30 ABC)
State looked like hammered dogshit against Western Carolina (the pride of Cullowhee, N.C.), but Doeren's teams have a history of starting slow and finishing 8-5. Still, Tennessee is going to smash them if McCall can't get on the same page as his wideouts and Jordan Waters doesn't learn how to block.
Colorado @ Nebraska (7:30/6:30 NBC)
Time for Matt Rhule to do what NDSU couldn't - overcome Travis Hunter winning the game all by himself.
#20 Kansas @ Illinois (7/6 FS1)
Basketball school fight! Liepold vs. Bielema is a fun coaching matchup.
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App State @ #22 Clemson (8/7 ACCN)
Massive hangover game potential for Dabo Swinney's crew of godly kids from good families.
Mississippi State @ Arizona State (10:30/9:30 ESPN)
It's Power 4 football, you'll be tired and drunk or a little hungover already, let the Mouse lull you to sleep.
Utah State @ #14 USC (11/10 BTN)
A hangover game for the opposite reason. Another feisty G5 from the mountains plays a P4 who had a big game last weekend at an 8pm local kick.