I Love My Big TV

There are three games on the opening weekend schedule that we’ve chosen not to spend on, but they are worth a look nonetheless. They’re matchups that may show us in a couple of matchups how accurate the preseason evaluations are and in the other how much progress a new coach has made with a program in turmoil.

Oregon @ Boise St –5.0
Thursday, September 3 @ 9:15 on ESPN
Here’s a number puzzle. These teams have equal and opposite rankings. Boise St is #14 in one poll (AP) and #16 in the other (USA Today). Oregon is #16 in the AP and #14 in USA Today. By the way, Georgia Tech is in between them in both polls. The over/under is 63 ½ , so expect some fireworks. The opening line on this was 5 ½ , so the world is showing some confidence in the Ducks. Both teams have historically been very entertaining, so it should be worth staying up late to watch this one. You weren't going to get much done on Friday, anyway.

Western Michigan @ Michigan –11
Saturday, September 5 @ 2:30 on ABC
This is really, really interesting as a matchup. It remains to be seen just how entertaining the game will be. These two teams are ranked about evenly by the NY Times, a condition that would never have been foreseeable just a few years ago. Michigan is trying to stop the pain and bring back the glory, as players have transferred out of Ann Arbor like crazy since Rich Rodriguez arrived. Looks like it will be newbies for Blue throughout the offensive backfield. That’s challenging. They’ll operate behind an experienced and very talented O-line, so there will be opportunities. Western Michigan comes calling with a senior QB and veterans at the O-skill spots and across the defense. Michigan opened as a 12 point favorite and has been bet down to 11. The Big House stage is worth quite a bit to the home team, at least to start, but remember what little Appalachian State did here and the sound of 110,000 M-fans going silent. Oh, yeah, the second opponent for Michigan is Notre Dame…focus might be an issue for the Wolverines.

BYU @ Oklahoma –21 1/2
Saturday, September 5 @ 6:00 p.m. on ESPN
This is #20 @ #3. O/U is 68 ½ . BYU is VG, but OMG what a way to open their season, on the road at OK. This is must see TV as a coming attraction. If the line is totally accurate (probably not), we’re looking at a 45-23 game, advantage Sooners. If I were a betting man…