Virginia at UCLA, 3:30pmET, FOX
The Cavaliers travel across country to meet top 15 ranked UCLA in the Rose Bowl. Virginia hand delivered this game to the Bruins as UCLA scored 3 defensive TD's (2 picks and 1 fumble recovery returned) at Scott Sisson Stadium to open the 2014 season. UCLA won 28-20, though Virginia outgained UCLA and Jon Tenuta's French defense pretty much shut down UCLA's offense. This year though, Tenuta has lost a lot of big time defenders who are in NFL camps right now. I think UCLA's offense will do much better this time around and I'm not sold on Virginia's QB situation. Tough opener and it doesn't get any easier for the French as they host Notre Dame in Week 2. Should be a good game to watch though...at least for the first half. Hopefully Virginia keeps this close and earns some respect for the ACC in the process (as this is picked to be the last place team in the ACC Coastal).
Louisville vs Auburn, 3:30pmET, CBS, at Georgia Dome
Another big ACC-SEC opening weekend matchup. Auburn will be the prohibitive favorite here. While the Tiger fans will likely be out in droves, I never underestimate the traveling band of Cards fans who normally follow their team really well. Auburn is a 2 TD favorite here. We'll see if Petrino's bunch (as he returns to the Ga Dome) can keep it close. I'm not counting on it, but in Week 1 you never know. Another good game to watch on the first Saturday of the season.
Bethune-Cookman at Miami, 6pmET, ESPN-3
If you are watching this game, you must have money on it. Miami travels to Florida Atlantic for a Friday night game in Week 2. Starters should be resting in the 2nd half.
Troy at NC State, 6pmET, ESPN-3
Watch out, Wolfpack! Troy is a dangerous team. Just like you likely should have lost at home in your opener to Georgia Southern last year (GSU loses fumble on the 1 yard line avoiding an GSU score which was the difference ultimately), you better be ready. Yes, Troy went 3-9 last year. But, they have a solid HC in Larry Blakeney. Some are predicting the Pack could be the darkhorse in the Atlantic and ACC. Everything is set up for NCSU to have a breakout year. At QB they are solid with Jacoby Brissett. Can they stop anybody? The Pack finished off 2014 winning 4 of their last 5 including a dominant 35-7 win at Chapel Hole over their arch rivals in the season finale followed by a meaningless exhibition game win over Central Florida 34-27 in St. Pete, Florida.
Texas State at Florida State, 8pmET, ESPNews
Dennis Franchione (remember that guy?) leads the TSU Bobcats who went 7-5 last year and 5-3 in the crap Sun Belt. FSU has a bevy of new faces breaking in here. After several years of very strong OOC schedules for the Noles, this is the first of 3 weak OOC opponents they'll play before ending against the Gators. If you are watching this game instead of Bama vs Wisconsin or Texas at Notre Dame, you must have money on this game I can only imagine.
(Monday, Sep. 6) Ohio State at Virginia Tech, 8pmET, ESPN
The most anticipated home game perhaps in Hokie history. The place will be rocking for sure. VPI&SU should have yet again a solid defense. And, when you have that, you can be in any game...including this one. The question is can the Hokies offense score? I am skeptical. I remain skeptical about Brewer at QB regardless of all the preseason hype claiming the Hokies will be much improved offensively. The guy just makes a lot of boneheaded throws and decisions. Maybe that changes during his last year, but if I were a Hokie fan I wouldn't hold my breath. The Hokies need to establish a running game and take pressure off their QB. Easier said than done against what should be a stout Bucks D. I think this game will be close. The Hokies and Beamer pull off a lot of close games at home late. Hopefully the Hokies will survive the first half and ride the momentum of their home crowd. The entire nation will be rooting for VPI&SU pretty much. Could be a massive opportunity for the ACC as well. Go Hokies! Duplicate last year against the Buckeyes.
The Cavaliers travel across country to meet top 15 ranked UCLA in the Rose Bowl. Virginia hand delivered this game to the Bruins as UCLA scored 3 defensive TD's (2 picks and 1 fumble recovery returned) at Scott Sisson Stadium to open the 2014 season. UCLA won 28-20, though Virginia outgained UCLA and Jon Tenuta's French defense pretty much shut down UCLA's offense. This year though, Tenuta has lost a lot of big time defenders who are in NFL camps right now. I think UCLA's offense will do much better this time around and I'm not sold on Virginia's QB situation. Tough opener and it doesn't get any easier for the French as they host Notre Dame in Week 2. Should be a good game to watch though...at least for the first half. Hopefully Virginia keeps this close and earns some respect for the ACC in the process (as this is picked to be the last place team in the ACC Coastal).
Louisville vs Auburn, 3:30pmET, CBS, at Georgia Dome
Another big ACC-SEC opening weekend matchup. Auburn will be the prohibitive favorite here. While the Tiger fans will likely be out in droves, I never underestimate the traveling band of Cards fans who normally follow their team really well. Auburn is a 2 TD favorite here. We'll see if Petrino's bunch (as he returns to the Ga Dome) can keep it close. I'm not counting on it, but in Week 1 you never know. Another good game to watch on the first Saturday of the season.
Bethune-Cookman at Miami, 6pmET, ESPN-3
If you are watching this game, you must have money on it. Miami travels to Florida Atlantic for a Friday night game in Week 2. Starters should be resting in the 2nd half.
Troy at NC State, 6pmET, ESPN-3
Watch out, Wolfpack! Troy is a dangerous team. Just like you likely should have lost at home in your opener to Georgia Southern last year (GSU loses fumble on the 1 yard line avoiding an GSU score which was the difference ultimately), you better be ready. Yes, Troy went 3-9 last year. But, they have a solid HC in Larry Blakeney. Some are predicting the Pack could be the darkhorse in the Atlantic and ACC. Everything is set up for NCSU to have a breakout year. At QB they are solid with Jacoby Brissett. Can they stop anybody? The Pack finished off 2014 winning 4 of their last 5 including a dominant 35-7 win at Chapel Hole over their arch rivals in the season finale followed by a meaningless exhibition game win over Central Florida 34-27 in St. Pete, Florida.
Texas State at Florida State, 8pmET, ESPNews
Dennis Franchione (remember that guy?) leads the TSU Bobcats who went 7-5 last year and 5-3 in the crap Sun Belt. FSU has a bevy of new faces breaking in here. After several years of very strong OOC schedules for the Noles, this is the first of 3 weak OOC opponents they'll play before ending against the Gators. If you are watching this game instead of Bama vs Wisconsin or Texas at Notre Dame, you must have money on this game I can only imagine.
(Monday, Sep. 6) Ohio State at Virginia Tech, 8pmET, ESPN
The most anticipated home game perhaps in Hokie history. The place will be rocking for sure. VPI&SU should have yet again a solid defense. And, when you have that, you can be in any game...including this one. The question is can the Hokies offense score? I am skeptical. I remain skeptical about Brewer at QB regardless of all the preseason hype claiming the Hokies will be much improved offensively. The guy just makes a lot of boneheaded throws and decisions. Maybe that changes during his last year, but if I were a Hokie fan I wouldn't hold my breath. The Hokies need to establish a running game and take pressure off their QB. Easier said than done against what should be a stout Bucks D. I think this game will be close. The Hokies and Beamer pull off a lot of close games at home late. Hopefully the Hokies will survive the first half and ride the momentum of their home crowd. The entire nation will be rooting for VPI&SU pretty much. Could be a massive opportunity for the ACC as well. Go Hokies! Duplicate last year against the Buckeyes.
