Welcome to the first real college football Saturday of the season! (No, NDSU/Montana did not count even though NDSU lost and it's fans are sad.)
Like many opening weekends, there is a mixed bag when it comes to game quality. However, on the first weekend of the year all games should be celebrated (or at least tolerated) because COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS HERE! Thursday and Friday had some pretty good games, so I'm hoping Saturday, Sunday, and Monday can keep it up. To help you decide where you should devote your attention today, I'm going to break down games to watch and games to put down as "for commercial breaks only."
Let's start with the Big Ten:
B1G Games to Watch:
Iowa vs. Illinois State: They might lose to Illinois State. I'm sure they won't, but they could (they are playing an ISU after all). And if they do, you want to be watching. At the very least, keep an eye on Twitter for word that this game is going full HAM so that you can get to it quickly. 11am CT, BTN
Northwestern vs. (21) Stanford: Northwestern should lose this game (even INU thinks so), but it's easily the best B1G related early game in terms of opponent quality. 11am CT, ESPN
Penn State @ Temple: It's not one you should avoid... 2:30 CT, ESPN
Nebraska vs. BYU: Will Mike Reilly get off on the right foot? 2:30 CT, ABC
NOTE: I considered adding Illinois to this list because A) they play future MN opponent Kent State and B) after Hurricane Beckman postponed the game until Saturday I wondered what other issues could befall the Illini that might be enjoyable to watch. Then I remembered the game is only available on BTN2Go and I couldn't in good conscience recommend that.
B1G Games to Avoid:
Everything else. If it's not one of the teams listed above just run away. Unless you hear one of them is losing. Then come back to watch.
Best of the Non-B1G
Louisville at (6) Auburn: Watch Vern and Gary slobber over Auburn. 2:30pm CT, CBS
(15) Arizona State at Texas A&M: There is a limited number games featuring ranked teams playing Power 5 opponents. This is another one of them. 7:00pm CT, ESPN
Texas at (11) Notre Dame: Maybe Charlie Strong can knock Notre Dame down to 12th with a win? 6:30pm CT, NBC
Full Schedule
The times on this schedule are Eastern because it's late and I don't want to change them. You'll deal I'm sure.