THIS IS AN OPEN THREAD

Ahhhhh, much better. With the end of summer comes College Football! Sadly, I volunteered to work 4 in a row night shifts over the holiday weekend. That said, I will pretty much have every Saturday off for the season…this way I can see my girls cheer at the little-guys football games then come home and catch all the big-guy games. Why do I like college ball so much? Easy, almost none of these players are gonna make it into the NFL. They are out there for the love of the game and to get an education, after their last game they are done. Are there some bad eggs? sure. But mostly, these guys get their education and go get a real job after college.

Right, get on with it…SO here I sit on the deck, smoking a AJ Fernandez Cigar and watching a barn-burner of a game between Purdue and Northwestern, two excellent schools. It’s close in the 4th on Thursday night. Northwestern is driving late and eating clock with a 4 point lead. This year, the NCAA scheduled some important games in week #1 that will have playoff implications. The AP and the Coaches poll look pretty similar, it’s Alabama, Clemson, and Georgia or Ohio State or Wisconsin to round out the top 4. Again this year it’s Alabama’s title to lose.

#17 West Virginia at Tennessee 3:30 PM – The West BY GOD Virginia Moutaineers and the Tennessee Vols have never met. That’s unusual for two old and storied teams like that who are in relative geographic proximity. The ‘Neers are 9 point faves at Rocky Top ooops…at neutral site B of A Stadium in Charlotte. They beat the spread and the misery continues at Tennessee this year. Sorry, Rain.

#6 Washington at #9 Auburn 3:30 PM – The best team in the west travels to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in ‘Hotlanta. It’s Huskies versus War Eagles in this great week 1 game. W is the top ranked team in the Pac-12, Auburn is top 3 or 4 in the SEC. The PAC-12 has under-performed for years against the SEC and in combined bowl wins. To get some respect, W has to win this or the whole PAC-12 will suffer at bowl time. Auburn is a 2 point favorite and they beat that spread.

North Carolina at California 4:00 PM – The Tar-Heels are a 7 point goat on the road to the Berkley Bears. ACC speed meets PAC-12 mediocrity. NC beats the spread and just might pull an upset on the road. I fear Barbarian will be crying in her mocha double shot half fat latte again this year.

#14 Michigan at #12 Notre Dame 7:30 PM – This storied rivalry is usually reserved for a snowy day in November. All eye are on M’s coach, Jim Harbaugh. His program has been pretty bad for the past couple years. ND has an outside chance to make the playoffs if they run the table. They play a lot of quality opponents this year. This game is a toss-up at most betting houses. The Golden Domers win at home.

Incarnate Word at New Mexico 8:00 PM – There is no line on this game, besides, who would dare put money against Incarnate Word? You wanna bet against God? Nope, not me.

#8 Miami at #25 LSU – Sun, Sep 2, 7:30 PM ET – Here we go again, over-ranked Miami again this year…they imploded last year while being touted as the second coming of ‘the u’. They are a 3.5 favorite on the road at Tiger Stadium. LSU, please win this game. But, if I had to bet money, its Miami beating the spread.

#20 Virginia Tech at #19 Florida State – Mon, Sep 3, 8:00 PM ET – FSU is a 7 point favorite at home. They beat the spread.