#20 Iowa leads Iowa State 28-3 after 3 quarters in Ames

#20 Iowa has brought all three phases of the game to Ames today. Will they close it out in the final 15 minutes? We will have to see.

Iowa appears to have the parts of the Top 20 team, but they need quarterback play to pick up. QB Ricky Stanzi has left some plays on the field this afternoon.

peace

Who to root for on Saturday in College Football ... Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan, Purdue, etc.

#15 Georgia Tech (2-0, 1-0) on Thursday, Toledo (1-1) on Friday finished with wins (our picks)

Here's a breakdown of Saturday, September 12th

(Printable TV Schedule w/ DirecTV channels)

(Cidsports ratings after Week 1)

• Central Michigan at Michigan State, 11:00 a.m., ESPN2 (HD)
• Duke at Army, 11:00 a.m., CBSC (HD)
• Eastern Michigan at Northwestern, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Fresno State at Wisconsin, 11:00 a.m., ESPN (HD)
• #20 Iowa at Iowa State, 11:00 a.m., FSN (HD)
• North Carolina at Connecticut, 11:00 a.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Pittsburgh at Buffalo, 11:00 a.m., SNY / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Stanford at Wake Forest, 11:00 a.m., ESPN-GP *2 / Raycom (HD) *3
• Syracuse at #7 Penn State, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Western Michigan at Indiana, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Troy at #1 Florida, 11:21 a.m., ESPN-GP / SEC Network *4
• Arkansas State at #21 Nebraska, 1:00 p.m., FSN PPV
• #9 BYU at Tulane, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2 (HD)
• Houston at #8 Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m., FSN (HD) (upset alert, really?)
• Howard at Rutgers, 2:30 p.m., SNY / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Idaho at Washington, 2:30 p.m., FSNW / FCS Pacific (cable)
• Louisiana Tech at Navy, 2:30 p.m., CBSC (HD),
• #23 Notre Dame at Michigan, 2:30 p.m., ABC (HD)
• #17 TCU at Virginia, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• #2 Texas at Wyoming, 2:30 p.m., Versus (HD)
• UCLA at Tennessee, 3:00 p.m., ESPN (HD)
• Eastern Washington at #10 California, 4:30 p.m., CSCA
• Air Force at Minnesota, 6:00 p.m., BTN (HD) (the Falcons could ruin Gopher new home opener)
• Bowling Green at Missouri, 6:00 p.m., FSN PPV
• Florida International at #4 Alabama, 6:00 p.m., ESPN-GP *2 / PPV
• Hawaii at Washington State, 6:00 p.m., FSNW / Oceanic PPV
• Idaho State at #19 Oklahoma, 6:00 p.m., FSN PPV (OU could have used this last week)
• Illinois State at Illinois, 6:00 p.m., BTN (HD)
• Memphis at Middle Tennessee, 6:00 p.m., ESPN-GP *2 / CSS
• Mississippi State at Auburn, 6:00 p.m., (FS MW / S / SW / SUN) (HD) / ESPN-GP *2
• South Carolina at # 16 Georgia, 6:00 p.m., ESPN2 (HD) (I'm thinking points here)
• South Florida at Western Kentucky, 6:30 p.m., SNY / ESPN-GP *2 / (ERTV) (cable)
• Vanderbilt at #6 LSU, 6:00 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Kansas at UTEP, 6:30 p.m., CBSC (HD)
• Southeast Missouri State at Cincinnati, 6:30 p.m., FSOH / FSCN
• Western Illinois at Northern Illinois, 6:30 p.m., CSNC / ESPN-GP *2
• Miami Ohio at #11 Boise State, 7:00 p.m., ESPN-GP / KTVB (cable)
• Tulsa at New Mexico, 7:00 p.m., Mtn.
• #3 USC at #5 Ohio State, 7:00 p.m., ESPN (HD)
• Purdue at Oregon, 9:15 p.m., FSN (HD) (alternate channels if needed)
• # 13 Utah at San Jose State, 9:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• #22 Oregon State at UNLV, 10:00 p.m., CBSC (HD)
  Games that haven't been scheduled for nationally available networks so far.
• Central Florida at Southern Miss, 6:00 p.m.
• East Carolina at #24 West Virginia, 2:30 p.m., ESPN 360
• Jacksonville State at Florida State, 5:00 p.m., ESPN 360
• James Madison at Maryland, 5:00 p.m., ESPN 360
• Kansas State at Louisiana-Lafayette, 6:00 p.m., ESPN 360 (upset alert?)
• Kent State at Boston College, 1:00 p.m., ESPN 360
• Marshall at #14 Virginia Tech, 12:30 p.m., ESPN 360
• Morgan State at Akron, 1:00 p.m.
• Murray State at North Carolina State, 5:00 p.m.
• New Hampshire at Ball State, 6:00 p.m.
• Northern Arizona at Arizona, 9:00 p.m.
• Ohio at North Texas, 6:00 p.m., KTXA
• Prairie View A&M at New Mexico State, 7:00 p.m.
• Rice at Texas Tech, 6:00 p.m.
• SMU at UAB, 3:00 p.m.
• South Dakota at Northern Iowa, 4:00 p.m., Panther Sports Network (UNI Ugly game win)
• Southern Utah at San Diego State, 7:30 p.m.
• Texas-Southern at Louisiana-Monroe, 6:00 p.m.
• Weber State at Colorado State, 4:00 p.m.

Enjoy a great Week 2 in College Football! By the way #25

#25 Clemson (1-1, 0-1) has already lost in Week 2, so look for some new members in our Top 25 on Sunday!

peace

Can #20 Iowa get first win at Iowa State, since the '03 season?

The kickoff of the Iowa (1-0) @ Iowa State (1-0) game is at 11 am on FSN.

The Hawkeyes, our #20 team, lead the series basically 2 out of every 3. But, since '98, the series has become very competitive, with the visiting team losing five straight in the Cy-Hawk Series. Iowa last won in Ames in '03, while Iowa State pulled off a big victory at Kinnick in '02. The Hawkeyes have held the Cyclones without a touchdown in 10 quarters.

Iowa beat Northern Iowa 17-16 fueled by dramatic back to back field goal blocks in Week 1. While Iowa State won Paul Rhoades opener at the helm of the Cyclones, with a sound 34-17 win in Ames over UNI's fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference team, North Dakota State.

Cidsports Pick:

#20 Iowa 24

Iowa State 23

• Iowa picks up first win since '03, when QB Nathan Chandler lead the Hawkeyes to victory ... does QB Ricky Stanzi = Chandler in this game and solid '09 season?
• Look for Iowa TEs Tony Moaki and Allen Reisner to play a big role
• Special teams will be important in a rivalry game: Iowa has a solid punter in Ryan Donahue
• Turnovers - since we are picking Iowa they must win the turnover battle
• ISU has talent, but not enough of it in Year 1 for Coach Paul Rhoads, who was a good hire for the Cyclones
• Iowa's O-Line and D-Line step up in this cliffhanger in Ames
  

peace

It's a Big Day for the Big Ten ... at least that is what those Nationally suggest!

By the way, Toledo pounds Colorado 54-38 on Friday night. Purdue, from the Big Ten, opened the '09 season with a respectable win over Toledo. Of course, neither game was a surprise.

Where does the Big Ten stand right now nationally? Well, the Sagarin ratings has the Big Ten just behind the ACC at #5 nationally. The ACC saw two programs in Week 1 fall to FCS programs. Like last year, will we see the ACC get more love than deserved? The top program, Virginia Tech, lost to Alabama in Week 1.

The Big Ten finished Week 1 with a 10-1 record. Missouri spanked Illinois in the Big Ten's only loss in Week 1.

Here's Cidsports Week 1 ratings for the Big Ten:

1. Ohio State (1-0) - The Buckeyes, like the USC Trojans (1-0), have won a share or outright conference title, since '05. While the Buckeyes have taken a hit nationally, since they lost back to back BCS Championships in '06 and '07, this is still the #1 program in the Big Ten and team to beat in '09. This week, it's The Game of the Year for the Big Ten: USC @ Ohio State in prime time on ESPN.


2. Penn State (1-0) - Just how good will the Nittany Lions be in '09? The Akron game is in the books, with Syracuse (0-1) next up in Happy Valley, followed by Temple in Week 3. Not since '02, will the Big Ten opener, have interesting pattern for the Nittany Lions, with four straight home games to open the season. For the fun of it, let's hope the results are similar!


3. Michigan State (1-0) - The Spartans won the '09 opener over a FCS team. In the preseason, the Spartans were picked to finish in the Top 3 in the Big Ten. Are the going to contend in '09 for the Big Ten title. With a new QB and RB, it far too early to project the Spartans ready and able, but Coach Dantonio is earning respect entering his third season in East Lansing and host Central Michigan (0-1) in Week 2.


4. Iowa (1-0) - A win is a win. Unlike Michigan in '07, vs. FCS Appalachian State, the Hawkeyes won in Week 1 lead by back to back blocked FGs in a span of 7 seconds to out last 17-16 in a win over Northern Iowa (0-1), one of the Top 5 FCS programs right now. The Cy-Hawk series is up in Week 2 as the Hawkeyes travel to Ames to face Iowa State (1-0), under first year coach Paul Rhoades. The Hawkeyes have not given up a touchdown to ISU in 10 quarters and are looking for their first win in Ames, since the '03 game.


5. Michigan (1-0) - The Wolverines (3-9 in '08) got back to winning football in Week 1, with a win over Western Michigan and their first win in an opener, since the '06 season. It's a big rivalry game in Week 2 as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-0) head to Ann Arbor today. Coach Rich Rodriquez vs. Coach Charlie Weis in the Big House should be a good one.


6. Northwestern (1-0) - The Wildcats opened the '09 season with a sound victory over the FCS opponent, Towson. The Wildcats face Eastern Michigan (0-1) in Week 2 in Evanston, in a game that should be all purple.


7. Illinois (0-1) - The Fighting Illini have more questions than answers at this point, after an ugly loss vs. Missouri in Week 1. Illinois will attempt to get the kinks out vs. a FCS opponent in Week 2, when Illinois State (0-1) comes to town. In '03, the Redbirds played in Champaign, with the Illini winning 49-22. The Fighting Illini have a bye week next week, then open the Big Ten slate in Columbus in Week 4.


8. Wisconsin (1-0) - The Badgers opened the '09 season with a 28-20 win vs. Northern Illinois in Madison. Week 2 will be a much bigger test for the Badgers with Fresno State (1-0) coming to town. Junior Scott Tolzien is the new QB in '09 unseating returning starter, senior Dustin Sherer, with the opening game start. If the Badgers can get the quarterback play that was missing in '08, the Badgers should continue to improve in the Big Ten.


9. Minnesota (1-0) - The Golden Gophers pulled off the OT win @ Syracuse in Week 1. The new offense passed it's first test. Though, Week 2 will be a huge test in the debut of the new on-campus stadium for Minnesota. Air Force (1-0) @ Minnesota should be a good prime time test for the Golden Gophers, who are breaking in a new offense and their fourth DC in four years.


10. Purdue (1-0) - Coach Danny Hope opened his first season in West Lafayette in winning fashion with a solid win over Toledo in Week 1. The Boilermakers have a strong test in Week 2 @ Oregon (0-1), who disgraced the Ducks program to a degree in the opening game loss at Boise State in the season opener on opening day.


11. Indiana (1-0) - The Hoosiers introduced the "pistol offense" under third year coach Bill Lynch with a win over an FCS opponent, Eastern Kentucky. The Hoosiers host Western Michigan (0-1) in Bloomington in Week 2 in a bigger test.

It will be a tough set of tests for the Big Ten with games @ Iowa State and @ Oregon. But, the biggest tests will be home match ups in Columbus and Ann Arbor. The Nation is watching or are they really, other than the USC and Notre Dame showcases?

peace

A couple College Football games before Saturday's action

Our #25 Clemson Tigers travel to Our #15 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Thursday to square off in a big ACC showdown. You can tune into ESPN at 6:30 pm Central Time to catch the action. Our pick: Georgia Tech in this one.

On Friday:

unranked Colorado @ unranked Toledo on ESPN at 8 pm CDT.

Both games are in HD, if you are asking.

This week's action in College Football.

Thursday night at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids, Washington High School will work to get back on track with their winning ways, as they host Prairie in football. #1 City High of Iowa City gave the Warriors a smack down last Friday night.

peace

Week 1: Our Top 25 College Football teams

The kickoff of the 2009 College Football arrived over the past Labor Day weekend, as Week One is now in the books. Who surprised and who fell down after Week 1?

"College Football is an imperfect sport" - Mack Brown, Texas head coach.
Brown also commented about the close of the Iowa-UNI game on ESPNU today.

Look for some interesting games in Week 2 of the College Football season.

1. Florida (1-0) LW 1 - The Gators, the defending BCS champions, opened '09 by rocking Charleston Southern (0-1) 62-3 in Gainsville. Next up: The Gators host the Sun Belt's top program, as the Troy Trojans (0-1) play the Gators again ('07, UF won 59-31). Another tune up until next week's SEC opener in Gainsville?


2. Texas (1-0) LW 2 - The Longhorns kicked off the '09 season with a 59-20 win over Louisiana-Monroe (0-1) from the Sun Belt. The Longhorns hit the road @ the Wyoming Cowboys (1-0) for Week 2. Is Colt McCoy ready to make a bid as the Heisman guy for '09?


3. USC (1-0) LW 3 - The Trojans kicked off at home beating San Jose State (0-1) by 56-3 with first year QB Matt Barkley getting the start. Next up: the Trojans travel to the Horseshoe to face the #5 Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0) to defend last year's 35-3 home victory. How will the true freshman Barkley handle his first road test in '09?


4. Alabama (1-0) LW 4 - The Crimson Tide repeat an outstanding start for the '09 season in Atlanta with 34-24 win over then #7 Virginia Tech (0-1). The Tide open at home in Week 2 hosting a Sun Belt program, in Florida International Panthers (0-0), who were idle Week 1, after last year's 5-7 record. Coach Nick Saban has never had back to back double digit win seasons. Will it happen in '09?


5. Ohio State (1-0) LW 6 - The Buckeyes opened the '09 season in the Horseshoe holding off Navy (0-1) 31-27. It doesn't get any easier, as the Buckeyes host #3 USC Trojans in the Horseshoe in the biggest game of the '09 season to date. It was tough going for the Buckeyes at USC in '08 ...


6. LSU (1-0) LW 8 - The Tigers survive the Pacific Northwest trip @ Washington 31-23. Next up: the Tigers open in the SEC at home vs. the Vanderbilt Commodores (1-0), who haven't met, since '05, where LSU won 34-6 in Nashville.


7. Penn State (1-0) LW 9 - The Nittany Lions opened in Happy Valley with a 31-7 win over the Akron Zips. Next up: the Nittany Lions host the Syracuse Orange (0-1), who are coming off a tough OT loss vs. the Minnesota Gophers in the Carrier Dome. PSU won last year @ Syracuse 55-13 and open '09 with four straight in Happy Valley!


8. Oklahoma State (1-0) LW 10 - The Cowboys won the home opener over then #13 Georgia 24-10 to pick up a solid victory to start the '09 season. Next up: the Cowboys host a solid C-USA program in the Houston Cougars (1-0).


9. Brigham Young (1-0) LW 22 - After defeating then #5 Oklahoma (0-1) 14-13 in Dallas, we are moving the Cougars to the #9 spot that they finished the final AP Poll last year. The Cougars have to turn around and head to New Orleans to play @ the Tulane Green Wave (0-1, 0-1 C-USA)


10. California (1-0) LW 12 - The Golden Bears opened the '09 season at home vs. Maryland with a 52-13 win. The Golden Bears host the Eastern Washington Eagles (1-0), a FCS foe, in Week 2.


11. Boise State (1-0) LW 11 - The Broncos past the first real test in the '09 season with a Thursday night opening win at home over then #16 Oregon Ducks (0-1) 19-8. Next up: The Broncos continue their OOC schedule by hosting the Miami-OH RedHawks (0-1).


12. Mississippi (1-0) LW 14 - The Rebels went on the road in the season opener @ Memphis (0-1) to pick up a solid 45-14 victory over their border rival to go 47-10-2 in the series. The Rebels will take the week off to get ready for Week 3 game vs. Southeastern Lousiana Lions (1-0), a FCS foe.


13. Utah (1-0) LW 19 - The Utes picked up from last year's success defeating in-state rival Utah State (0-1) 35-17 on Thursday night. Next up: The Utes hit the road @ the San Jose State Spartans (0-1), who face back to back Top 25 teams.


14. Virginia Tech (0-1) LW 7 - The Hokies couldn't hold on vs. Alabama in Atlanta in Week 1, losing to #4 Alabama (1-0) 24-34. Next up: the Hokies head home to Blacksburg in Week 2 to host the Marshall Thundering Herd (1-0), for the first time, since '05, when the Hokies won 41-14.


15. Georgia Tech (1-0) LW 15 - The Yellow Jackets opened the '09 season with a 37-17 win over FCS foe, Jacksonville State (0-1). Next up: the Yellow Jackets face the #25 Clemson Tigers (1-0) on Thursday night at home in the ACC opener. The Yellow Jackets won on the road last year over the Tigers 21-17.


16. Georgia (0-1) LW 13 - The Bulldogs fall @ then #10 Oklahoma State 10-24 to lose the season opener. Next up: the Bulldogs return to Athens to open SEC play vs. the South Carolina Gamecocks (1-o) in the SEC East. Georgia won last year, but lost at home in '07 12-16 the Gamecocks in Week 2.


17. TCU (0-0) LW 17 - The Horned Frogs were idle Week 1. They travel to the Virginia Cavaliers (0-1), who are licking their wounds from a Week 1 loss to a FCS program, to open the '09 season in Week 2.


18. Miami - FL (1-0, 1-0 ACC Coastal) LW NR - The Hurricanes squeeze out a victory @ then #18 Florida State (0-1, 0-1 ACC Atlantic) 38-34 as the Seminoles pass in the end zone goes incomplete as time elapses. The Hurricanes will be idle Week 2 as they get ready to host the #15 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1-0) on Thursday, September 17 in Week 3 to continue ACC play.


19. Oklahoma (0-1) LW 5 - Yes, we are dropping the Sooners downward, after the Week 1 loss to then #22 BYU (0-1) in Dallas. They will miss QB Sam Bradford for 2-4 weeks, due to the shoulder injury he sustained in the 1st half. The Sooners will open at home Week 2 vs. Idaho State Bengals (0-1), a FCS foe.


20. Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0) LW 20 - Why should the Hawkeyes remain in the Top 20, after a near loss to FCS foe, the University of Northern Iowa (0-1)? Well, the final score was 17-16 and a win. The key in Week 1 is finding a way to win, especially in games you should. UNI is a solid FCS program looking to get back to the FCS Championship finals again. Next up: the Hawkeyes face in-state rival the Iowa State Cyclones (1-0).


21. Nebraska (1-0) LW 22 - The Cornhuskers opened the '09 season at home vs. Florida Atlantic (0-1) with a 49-3 win for coach Bo Pelini as he enters Year 2 in Lincoln. Next up: another Sun Belt opponent arrives in Lincoln, as the Arkansas State Red Wolves (1-0) arrive to face the Cornhuskers.


22. Oregon State (1-0) LW 23 - The Beavers beat FCS foe, Portland State, 34-7 to open the '09 season. Next up: the Beavers hit the road @ the UNLV Rebels (1-0).


23. Notre Dame (1-0) LW NR - The Fighting Irish picked up a solid win to open the '09 season in South Bend beating a WAC program, Nevada (0-1) 35-0. Next up: the Fighting Irish head up to Ann Arbor to face the Michigan Wolverines (1-0) in a classic showdown between two long-term OOC rivals


24. West Virginia (1-0) LW 24 - The Mountaineers opened '09 with a win over the Liberty Flames (0-1) by the score of 33-20 in Year 2 under coach Bill Stewart. Next up: the Mountaineers will host the East Carolina Pirates (1-0) this time in a rematch of last year's 3-24 loss.


25. Clemson (1-0) LW 25 - The Tigers won the '09 opener vs. Middle Tennessee State (0-1)37-14 to stay in our Top 25. Next up: a huge ACC opener @ #15 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, who has won the past two meetings in this conference series.
    

Teams to Watch in Week 2: North Carolina, Cincinnati, Kansas and Missouri who are currently ranked in Top 25 AP and/or Coaches' Polls.

Exiting our Top 25 Week 1: Oregon Ducks (0-1) LW 16 (L, 8-19 @ then #11 Boise State). Florida State (0-1, 0-1 ACC Coastal) LW 18 (L, 34-38 vs. Miami-FL).

FCS wins over FBS Week 1: William & Mary (1-0) 26-14 @ Virginia (0-1), while Richmond (1-0) 24-16 @ Duke (0-1).

peace

Iowa opens '09 season today vs. UNI; while other teams square off in season opener

Let's face facts, when FBS programs open the season with FCS programs, FBS teams usually win. Of course, defense, turnovers and special teams typically play the biggest roles in season openers. Teams typically improve the most between game 1 and game 2 of the season.

Iowa has big questions at running back with the departure of Shonn Greene to the NFL and the injury of Jewel Hampton for the '09 season. Next man in: Paki O'Meara from Cedar Rapids Washington. The former all-state football player in high school is now #1 on the Iowa depth chart.

Look for Iowa to win today: Iowa 40, UNI 11

In other games today: (our picks or favorites in bold)

• Akron at Penn State, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Appalachian State at East Carolina, 11:00 a.m., MASN / WITN (cable)
• Kentucky vs. Miami Ohio (Cincinnati), 11:00 a.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Liberty at West Virginia, 11:00 a.m., SNY / ALT / ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable)
• Minnesota at Syracuse, 11:00 a.m., ESPN2 (HD)
• Montana State at Michigan State, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Navy at Ohio State, 11:00 a.m., ESPN (HD)
• Northern Iowa at Iowa, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Toledo at Purdue, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Towson at Northwestern, 11:00 a.m., BTN (HD)
• Western Kentucky at Tennessee, 11:21 a.m., ESPN-GP (no blackouts?) / SEC Network *4 (HD),
• Portland State at Oregon State, 1:30 p.m., FSNW (HD) / FCS Pacific (cable)
• Baylor at Wake Forest, 2:30 p.m., ABC *1 / ESPN-GP *2
• Georgia at Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m., (ABC *1 or ESPN2 *7) (HD?) / ESPN-GP *2
• Illinois vs. Missouri (St. Louis), 2:30 p.m., ESPN (HD)
• Jackson State at Mississippi State, 2:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Nevada at Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m., NBC (HD),
• San Jose State at USC, 2:30 p.m., FSN (HD) / FCS Atlantic (cable)
• Western Michigan at Michigan, 2:30 p.m., (ESPN2 *7 or ABC *1) (HD)
• Stanford at Washington State, 5:00 p.m., FSNW (HD) / FCS Pacific (cable)
• BYU vs. Oklahoma (Arlington), 6:00 p.m., ESPN (HD)
• Charleston Southern at Florida, 6:00 p.m., (FSS / FSSW / SUN) (HD) *6 / ESPN-GP *2
• Florida Atlantic at Nebraska, 6:00 p.m., FSN PPV
• Louisiana-Monroe at Texas, 6:00 p.m., FSN PPV
• Louisiana Tech at Auburn, 6:00 p.m., ESPNU (HD)
• Missouri State at Arkansas, 6:00 p.m., ESPN-GP *2 / PPV (AR & MO cable)
• Northern Colorado at Kansas, 6:00 p.m., FCS Central (cable) / DirecTV - 617
• Northern Illinois at Wisconsin, 6:00 p.m., BTN (HD)
• Wofford at South Florida, 6:00 p.m., SNY / ESPN-GP *2 / BHSN (cable)
• Indiana State at Louisville, 6:30 p.m., ESPN-GP / (WHAS) (cable)
• San Diego State at UCLA, 6:30 p.m., FSW (HD) / FCS Atlantic (cable)
• Western Carolina at Vanderbilt, 6:30 p.m., ESPN-GP (no blackout?) / CSN (B/C/E) / CSS
• Alabama vs. Virginia Tech (Atlanta), 7:00 p.m., ABC (HD)
• Idaho at New Mexico State, 7:00 p.m., ALT / ESPN-GP / Aggie Vision / GVN
• Buffalo at UTEP, 8:00 p.m., CBSC (HD)
• Idaho State at Arizona State, 9:00 p.m., FSAZ (HD) / FCS Pacific (cable)
• Maryland at California, 9:00 p.m.,ESPN2 (HD)
• LSU at Washington, 9:30 p.m., ESPN (HD)
• Alcorn State at Southern Miss, 6:00 p.m.
• Army at Eastern Michigan, 6:00 p.m.
• Central Michigan at Arizona, 9:00 p.m.
• Connecticut at Ohio, 6:00 p.m., ESPN 360
• Jacksonville State at Georgia Tech, 12:00 p.m., ESPN 360
• Middle Tennessee at Clemson, 5:00 p.m., ESPN 360
• Mississippi Valley State at Arkansas State, 6:00 p.m.
• New Mexico at Texas A&M, 6:00 p.m.
• Nicholls State at Air Force, 1:00 p.m.
• North Dakota at Texas Tech, 6:00 p.m.
• Northeastern at Boston College, 1:00 p.m. ESPN 360
• Northwestern State at Houston, 6:00 p.m.
• Rice at UAB, 3:00 p.m., CSS
• Richmond at Duke, 6:00 p.m.
• Sacramento State at UNLV, 9:00 p.m.
• Samford at Central Florida, 5:00 p.m., BHSN
• Southern at Louisiana-Lafayette, 6:00 p.m.,
• Southern Illinois at Marshall, 3:30 p.m.
• Stephen F. Austin at SMU, 7:00 p.m.,TWC Metro Sports
• The Citadel at North Carolina, 5:00 p.m., ESPN 360
• UC Davis at Fresno State, 9:00 p.m.
• UMass at Kansas State, 6:00 p.m.
• Weber State at Wyoming, 2:00 p.m.
• William and Mary at Virginia, 5:00 p.m., ESPN 360
• Youngstown State at Pittsburgh, 12:00 p.m.
  

Not many Top 25 match ups to kick off the '09 season. Three huge games open the season with Georgia @ Oklahoma State, Alabama vs. Virgina Tech and BYU vs. Oklahoma. It should be an outstanding '09 season.

Look for parity in the Big Ten Conference with a good chance that several teams: Ohio State, Penn State, Illinois and Iowa all in the mix for the top honors. Michigan and Michigan State should be an interesting battle in '09. Northwestern and Wisconsin look to move up or in the Wildcats situation, relevant in the bowl mix. Minnesota launches a new era with their new outdoor stadium, while a new coach brings Hope to Purdue and IU tries to stay out of the cellar.

peace