Nothing like opening the college football season with a five day buffet of college football.  It’s been a long offseason and it’s a long way to the National Championship game in Pasadena (assuming it's not burned to the ground) so let’s get started.  Everyone's undefeated and has a shot at finishing #1 ......until Thursday.

Thursday
6:00 South Carolina at NC State ESPiN
The old ball coach is taking his Cocks for an out of conference match against the Wolfpack. NC State was the worst team in the ACC atlantic conference last year and 3rd from the bottom of the ACC.  The Cocks had the same conf record but it was in the SEC.  I think SC's defense will be too much for the wolfpack even though the spaniard stinks it up at QB.
Reasons to watch: It’s the first game of substance of the year.
Pick: Vegas is picking NC State to win by 4.  I’ll take the Cocks and the points. 

9:15 #16 Oregon at #14 Boise State ESPiN
You’ve got to hand it to Oregon for scheduling their opener on the Smurf Turf.  I guess when your in conference schedule strength is that bad, you have to do something. 
Reason to watch:  Ok.  It’s late and you can’t watch it in HD because the blue turf will blind you, but other than that.  There’s a good chance for a blowout of the always overrated Pac 10.  You can also have fun by counting the number of times the announcers refer to the statue of liberty play against OU. 
Pick: Vegas is picking Boise State to win by 5.  I’m picking Boise State to cover at home on the smurf turf.  Over/under on references to OU or statue of liberty play - 23.  I'm taking the over.

Friday:
7:00 Tulsa at Tulane (Golden hurricanes vs Green Waves) ESPiN
You can either take the day off and make amends with your family for the neglect they will experience over the next four months or you can watch Tulsa at Tulane.
Reason to watch: because it’s the only football on.  Seriously.  That’s it.
Pick: Tulane is getting 14 points at home but who really cares?  On opening weekend take the home dog.

Saturday:
11:00 Navy at #6 Ohio State (ESPiN)
Navy’s triple option could give the Buckeyes some issues but it will end up being a double digit victory for Ohio state.  Terrelle Pryor is bigger and better.  His arm will get tested against the tough Navy rushing defense.
Reason to watch:  Ohio State is the flagship of the big 10, Navy plays tough. You’ll also see a cast of new skill players for Ohio State trying to step up and separate themselves.
Pick: Ohio State is giving 22 points.  I’ll take Navy to cover

2:30 #13 Georgia at #9 Oklahoma State ABC
Georgia comes into Stillwater in their rematch from the 2007 home opener where the Cowboys wilted in the 2nd half to lose 35-14.  OSU has had some bumps in the road recently.  Georgia has newbies at QB, RB and DB. 
Reason to watch:  To see which of these teams wilts under pressure and which one rises to the occasion.  Everyone remembers the last time a high flying Big 12 team played a stingy SEC defense. 
Pick: Vegas has Oklahoma State by 5.5.   Georgia's inexperience and playing at a maybe sold out rustoleum stadium have me taking the poks. 

6:00 #20 BYU at #3 Oklahoma ABC ESPiN
The grand opening of college football at Jerry World.  Make sure you duck your head when you walk in.  BYU's up tempo offense vs Bobby Jack's suspect secondary. 
Reason to watch:   With several key injuries, we'll see if BYU is recruiting out of the stands.  Also to see who emerges at linebacker for OU and what the revamped line looks like.  You can also count the number of references to Boise State and statue of liberty.  Vegas has the over/under set at 23 for that one. 
Pick: OU by 21 1/2 says Vegas.  I think OU covers that and more.

Sunday

6:00 Colorado State at Colorado FSN
I love this game.  This is one of those in state rivalries that gets you started every season. We'll see if Colorado comes out of the gate strong in a must win season for Hawkins.  We'll also get to see how hard it is to bench your son as starting QB. 
Pick:  Colorado is favored by 10.5  at home.  I'm taking Colorado State and the points. 

Monday

7:00 Miami at #18 Florida State ESPiN
Nothing like seeing two Florida teams beat down on each other.  Randy Shannon is on the hot seat at his alma mater and Bobby Bowden is good for a couple dadgums when he gets interviewed.  This is a really good out of the gate conference game to see who's leading the ACC after week 1.  
Pick:  Florida State is giving 6.  I wouldn't bet this line but I'll pick Miami to cover. 

These Florida State Fans don't agree.