I know there are other such guides around on the interwebs, but I thought I would put together a guide that was geared a bit more towards regional/conference/Oklahoma interests. Though not the best weekend of football ever, there are definitely some good matchups for week 1, and 5 straight days of college football.
Viewer's Guide Week 1
Thursday, August 30th
Thursday does not offer any ranked on ranked action - but there are at least a few games of interest simply because they are power 5 teams, and hey - real football.
UCF vs UCONN - 6 pm on ESPNU
This is the only Thursday game featuring an AP-ranked team in 21-ranked UCF. With UCF favored by 23.5 at the time of me writing this, I am not sure it will be a great matchup, but it will be interesting to see the new look fighting Josh Heupels post-Frost era.
OSU vs Missouri St. - 7 pm on FS1
OSU was ranked in the coaches poll, making them the only other team playing on Thursday ranked in either poll. I am not even seeing a line on this game - but it being a Big 12 game, it may be interesting to see what Gundy's new QB(s) look like.
Friday, August 31st
A couple of intriguing games on Friday night, but still no ranked on ranked action yet.
Stanford vs. San Diego State - 8 pm FS1
13th-ranked Stanford hosts SDSU in a late night Cali matchup. SDSU will be looking to re-load after losing Rashaad Penny (2200+ yards rushing last season), and Stanford will just be looking to do what it does every year - hang around and hope to survive the Pac 12 schedule. Stanford favored by 15 at home.
Colorado vs. Colorado State - 8:30 pm CBSSN
Though neither team is ranked or expected to be particularly good - this is a rivalry game that I used to watch quite a bit when the Buffs were in the Big 12. Colorado favored by 7.5, and figures to be the better team on paper, but in-state rivalries always find ways to surprise us.
Saturday, September 1st
Now we start getting into the meat.
OU vs FAU - 11 am - Fox
OU is playing. Lane Kiffin is coaching. Kyler Murray's first game as 'the guy' in OU's offense. Let's go!
Texas at Maryland - 11 am FS1
For those of us not in attendance in Norman - flip over to the other 11 am game featuring the 23rd ranked Longhorns and the Terrapins. After losing at home to Maryland last year, it is not a given that Texas will get away with a victory, but they are favored by 13.5 on the road.
Washington vs Auburn (Atlanta, GA) - 2:30 pm ABC
First ranked matchup of the 2018 season, and should be a good one. Technically a neutral site game, but obviously a short trip for Tiger fans. Auburn favored by 2.5, in a matchup that could have major playoff implications for either team.
West Virginia vs. Tennessee (Charlotte, NC) - 2:30 pm CBS
17th-ranked Mountaineers face off with Tennessee in a neutral site game in Charlotte. WVU favored by 9.5, but I think most WVU fans are hoping this one is a blowout statement win. Will Grier starts his heisman campaign, and WVU can't afford to come out of the gate with an L if it wants to be a contender for a CFP spot.
Michigan @ Notre Dame - 6:30 pm NBC
Another ranked matchup in what should be a very good game. ND favored by 1.0 as I write this, so Vegas is seeing this as a toss-up. Both teams are looking to make a statement, in another game with huge playoff implications.
Sunday, September 2nd
Miami vs LSU (Arlington, TX) - 6:30 pm ABC
A Labor Day Weekend Sunday treat - #8 Miami versus #25 LSU on a neutral site in Jerryworld. Can Miami show that last season wasn't a fluke? Is LSU improved from last season under Coach Raspy Wolf? Miami favored by 3, but I think the expectation is they take care of business in this one.
Monday, September 3rd
Virginia Tech @ Florida State - 7 pm ESPN
Another Labor Day weekend treat - a ranked ACC conference matchup for week 1. 20th-ranked VaTech travels to Tallahassee to face #19 FSU. FSU is favored by 7, but I know a lot of us will be rooting for the fighting Fuentes in this one. Should be a good matchup to end a great first week of football.
Viewer's Guide Week 1
Thursday, August 30th
Thursday does not offer any ranked on ranked action - but there are at least a few games of interest simply because they are power 5 teams, and hey - real football.
UCF vs UCONN - 6 pm on ESPNU
This is the only Thursday game featuring an AP-ranked team in 21-ranked UCF. With UCF favored by 23.5 at the time of me writing this, I am not sure it will be a great matchup, but it will be interesting to see the new look fighting Josh Heupels post-Frost era.
OSU vs Missouri St. - 7 pm on FS1
OSU was ranked in the coaches poll, making them the only other team playing on Thursday ranked in either poll. I am not even seeing a line on this game - but it being a Big 12 game, it may be interesting to see what Gundy's new QB(s) look like.
Friday, August 31st
A couple of intriguing games on Friday night, but still no ranked on ranked action yet.
Stanford vs. San Diego State - 8 pm FS1
13th-ranked Stanford hosts SDSU in a late night Cali matchup. SDSU will be looking to re-load after losing Rashaad Penny (2200+ yards rushing last season), and Stanford will just be looking to do what it does every year - hang around and hope to survive the Pac 12 schedule. Stanford favored by 15 at home.
Colorado vs. Colorado State - 8:30 pm CBSSN
Though neither team is ranked or expected to be particularly good - this is a rivalry game that I used to watch quite a bit when the Buffs were in the Big 12. Colorado favored by 7.5, and figures to be the better team on paper, but in-state rivalries always find ways to surprise us.
Saturday, September 1st
Now we start getting into the meat.
OU vs FAU - 11 am - Fox
OU is playing. Lane Kiffin is coaching. Kyler Murray's first game as 'the guy' in OU's offense. Let's go!
Texas at Maryland - 11 am FS1
For those of us not in attendance in Norman - flip over to the other 11 am game featuring the 23rd ranked Longhorns and the Terrapins. After losing at home to Maryland last year, it is not a given that Texas will get away with a victory, but they are favored by 13.5 on the road.
Washington vs Auburn (Atlanta, GA) - 2:30 pm ABC
First ranked matchup of the 2018 season, and should be a good one. Technically a neutral site game, but obviously a short trip for Tiger fans. Auburn favored by 2.5, in a matchup that could have major playoff implications for either team.
West Virginia vs. Tennessee (Charlotte, NC) - 2:30 pm CBS
17th-ranked Mountaineers face off with Tennessee in a neutral site game in Charlotte. WVU favored by 9.5, but I think most WVU fans are hoping this one is a blowout statement win. Will Grier starts his heisman campaign, and WVU can't afford to come out of the gate with an L if it wants to be a contender for a CFP spot.
Michigan @ Notre Dame - 6:30 pm NBC
Another ranked matchup in what should be a very good game. ND favored by 1.0 as I write this, so Vegas is seeing this as a toss-up. Both teams are looking to make a statement, in another game with huge playoff implications.
Sunday, September 2nd
Miami vs LSU (Arlington, TX) - 6:30 pm ABC
A Labor Day Weekend Sunday treat - #8 Miami versus #25 LSU on a neutral site in Jerryworld. Can Miami show that last season wasn't a fluke? Is LSU improved from last season under Coach Raspy Wolf? Miami favored by 3, but I think the expectation is they take care of business in this one.
Monday, September 3rd
Virginia Tech @ Florida State - 7 pm ESPN
Another Labor Day weekend treat - a ranked ACC conference matchup for week 1. 20th-ranked VaTech travels to Tallahassee to face #19 FSU. FSU is favored by 7, but I know a lot of us will be rooting for the fighting Fuentes in this one. Should be a good matchup to end a great first week of football.
