It's the opening weekend of college football, and while the first week is still rife with FBS teams fattening up on FCS opponents at home, more and more there are some really good matchups in week one.  Here are the ones that really have my attention.

OLE MISS (-10) VS. BOISE STATE--Thursday, 7pm ESPN--If you're a Cajuns fan, there's not much doubt this game is at the top of your list, too.  Playing at a neutral site in Atlanta, it's a meeting between two teams the Cajuns will play on back to back weeks in September.  Ole Miss has a three year starter at quarterback and that by itself makes them a favorite.  Boise State was an un-Boise-like 8-5 last year.  New head coach Bryan Harsin, who was at Arkansas State a year ago, is the Bronco's new head coach.  I've got a pretty good idea of how good Ole Miss will be this year.  This game will help me gauge the Broncos.

LSU (-5) VS. WISCONSIN--Saturday, 7pm, ESPN--Jennings or Harris?  Harris or Jennings?  LSU coach Les Miles says he knows who he is going to start but won't announce it until Thursday.  Reality is, both will play because one hasn't separated himself from the other.  And, that's the most intriguing thing about LSU.  How good will Leonard Fournette be right off the bat?  We'll start to get the questions answered against a Wisconsin team that has its own quarterback questions and a ton of experience to replace on the defensive side of the football.  I've been saying for two weeks I think LSU wins this game by two touchdowns.  We'll see right away if I've overestimated Les Miles' team...or underestimated the opponent.

UTSA AT HOUSTON (-11.5)  Friday, 8pm, ESPNU--Houston got off to a great start last year, but stumbled down the stretch and finished 8-5.  This year, they're one of the favorites in the AAC along with Cincinnati and UCF.  UTSA is favored, along with North Texas, in CUSA East.  I'm a little surprised at the line on this game, but should I be?  Houston hung 59 on the Roadrunners a year ago.  Is the AAC that good a league.  Or is CUSA West just that weak?

CLEMSON AT GEORGIA (-7.5)  Saturday, 4:30, ESPN--I love the fact there's a matchup of two nationally ranked teams from different 'Power 5" conferences to start the season.  Clemson is picked second in their division of the ACC, while Georgia is picked second in their division of the SEC.  Some think Mark Richt's team can challenge for the SEC title this year.  But don't they say that almost every year?  The Bulldogs really need an opening win like this one to make the skeptics think twice.

MIAMI (FL) AT LOUISVILLE (3.5)  Monday, 7pm, ESPN--Louisville has been awfully good the last few years.  But now they move to the ACC without Teddy Bridgewater.  They open against a good name in Miami, but are they a good team?  Many feel this could be Al Golden's best team, but will that be good enough this week?  The intriguing part for me is the return of Bobby Petrino.  My guess is the crowd goes wild.

 

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