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Historically the first week of the college football season is filled with boring tune-up games from the powerhouses. Take tomorrow’s matchups between Idaho at USC, Youngstown State at Ohio State and Arkansas State at Texas. BOR-ING!
However here are three games that should be quite compelling to watch.
UCLA at Stanford. This is probably most compelling for local reasons, but I really want to see how UCLA’s offense operates. From all accounts the offense has been horrible during spring practice and training camp. It will be interesting to see how they deal with the changes in cellar-dwelling Stanford who won only one game last season. Stanford has a coaching staff headed by former NFL quarterback and University of San Diego head coach Jim Harbaugh who is a lightning bolt of sorts. (FSN West 12:30 pm)
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame. Last season the Yellow Jackets gave the Fighting Irish a lot of problems. This season I see more of the same with one notable exception: the Irish don’t have receiver Jeff Samardzija or quarterback Brady Quinn. As heralded as head coach Charlie Weis has been, watch him struggle a lot this season. (NBC 12:30 pm)
Tennessee at California. Last season the Vols manhandled the Bears 35-18 in Knoxville. The Bears were in flux at the quarterback spot using Joseph Ayoob and Nate Longshore. This season Volunteer QB Erik Ainge comes into the game with a broken thumb, and the Bears look to be just as loaded as ever. I really want to see California to win because I really hate the SEC. (ABC 5:00 pm)
As with any other season, the question on everyone's mind is, "How will the BCS screw things up this season?" My prediction is there will be five undefeated teams at year's end: USC, LSU, Michigan, West Virginia and Hawaii. This season will be quite a doozy. So get settled in your barcalounger and enjoy this upcoming season.
With that out of the way here's something for you to chew on: the LAist Resident Homo Jocko Top 15 rankings.
1. USC
2. LSU
3. Michigan
4. West Virginia
5. Texas
6. Wisconsin
7. Florida
8. Louisville
9. Virginia Tech
10. Ohio State
11. California
12. Rutgers
13. Auburn
14. Georgia
15. Tennessee
Let the arguments ensue.
AP file photo of Ben Olson by Danny Moloshok
