College Football: What to watch for the weekend of September 1, 2018
Saturday, September 1
Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream: TBA, ESPN2
WNBA Semifinals – Game 4 – If necessary
No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Oregon State Beavers: 12:00 p.m., ABC
A month ago, this wasn’t a game anyone cared about. The Beavers were awful in 2017, the program was in shambles. But now it’s Ohio State who is reeling following a lengthy investigation culminating with the three-game suspension of Urban Meyer.
What is the immediate fallout of that suspension? Has the team been too distracted? Are there players who are giving up on the program? We’ll begin to find out this Saturday. The Buckeyes should win in a landslide. If the game is close, it might be time fore Ohio State and their fans to panic.
No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners vs. Florida Atlantic Owls: 12:00 p.m., Fox
This shouldn’t be an interesting game, but Lane Kiffin has an ability to make anything interesting.
Maryland Terrapins vs. No. 23 Texas Longhorns: 12:00 p.m., Fox Sports 1
The Terms upset the Horns last year. Texas is looking for revenge this year. Expect this to be one of the more entertaining games of the day. Probably the best game of its time slot.
Ole Miss Rebels @ Texas Tech Red Raiders: 12:00 p.m., ESPN, NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
SEC football starts at noon Saturday with Ole Miss and Texas Tech meeting in Houston’s NRG Stadium. Neither team is anything special, but together they have the ability to entertain an audience.
No. 3Georgia Bulldogs vs. Austin Peay Governors: 3:30 p.m., ESPN
The 2018 Georgia football season is finally here. The most intriguing aspect of this game is the debuts of Justin Fields, James Cook, Demetris Robertson and Tyson Campbell. Usually, I wouldn’t suggest you watch any other game, but…
No. 6 Washington Huskies @ No. 9 Auburn Tigers: 3:30 p.m., ABC, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
The Tigers return to Mercedes Benz Stadium where they lost twice last year. Washington is traveling 3,000-plus miles to make sure Auburn’s losing streak increases two three games. This is the first game between top-25 teams this season.
No. 17 West Virginia Mountaineers @ Tennessee Volunteers: 3:30 p.m., CBS, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Who’s bright idea was it to have both of these games take place during the Georgia game? Anyways, the Jeremy Pruitt era at Tennessee begins at 3:30. This game will give us a good idea of how the first year will go.
Atlanta Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates: 7:10 p.m., Fox Sports South
No. 12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. No. 14 Michigan Wolverines: 7:30 p.m., NBC
Michigan can justify their no. 14 ranking with a good performance at Notre Dame. But an Irish blowout could be the beginning of the end of the Jim Harbaugh era In Ann Arbor. The Wolverines won’t tolerate another sub-10-win season. Especially with Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State and Wisconsin being perennial playoff contenders.
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide @ Louisville Cardinals: 8:00 p.m., ABC, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida.
Remember 2016 Heisman winner Lamar Jackson? He’s not in college anymore. The Cardinals have a new starting quarterback, and his first game against the defending National Champions. It’s all up from here.
Hawaii Warriors vs. Navy Midshipmen: 11:00 p.m., CBS Sports Network
The run and shoot offense is back in Hawaii and it produced wonderful results against Colorado State this past weekend. But how will it fare against Navy? This is likely the biggest clash of offensive styles in football; Hawaii’s run and shoot versus Navy’s flexbone triple option.