Under The Radar: Week 1

The opening weekend of college football is here. Yes, there are some exciting match-ups at neutral sites in Atlanta (Alabama v. Clemson) and St. Louis (Illinois v. Missouri). And if any college football fans watched the Oregon State-Stanford match-up last night, you know what I am talking about. However, on a weekend in which viewers can get their fix for five straight evenings, it's more than the marquee games that have us here at Athlon fired up.

Each week, I will take a look at the most compelling match-ups from around the nation – the ones that are getting overlooked by the national media. Since Athlon is national, we will do our best NOT to overlook them. There will be no USC-Ohio State’s on this list. But for those football enthusiasts out there, each weekend is a smorgasbord of bubble screens and end-arounds, and this weekend, it starts on Friday night.

(All times Eastern)

Friday:

SMU @ Rice 8:00 pm (ESPN)

The June Jones era at SMU starts tonight and it should begin with a bang. It would not be a surprise to see these two teams combine for 100 points. Fantasy owners will certainly be tuned in, with as many as seven viable fantasy options playing in this contest. Rice has the talent and the offensive firepower to hang with anyone in the conference this year, but SMU is getting all the ink. Especially when Jones benched star quarterback Justin Willis for two freshmen: Bo Levi Mitchell and Braden Smith. Which one takes snaps for an offense that produced national NCAA records for passing touchdowns at Hawaii might be the biggest storyline of the game. Plus, who doesn’t want to sit at home on a Friday night and watch a high-scoring Conference USA affair?

Mustang to Watch: Anyone throwing the ball, QB
Owl to Watch: Chase Clement, QB
Line: Rice (-3)

Saturday:

Washington @ Oregon 10:00 pm (FSN Local)

Whichever team wins this game will be in a first-place tie with Stanford atop the Pac-10 conference. The Ducks bring one the most underrated defenses in the nation into this game. It includes what is possibly the best corner tandem in the nation with Jarius Byrd and Walter Thurmond. Not to mention an All-America caliber safety in Patrick Chung. How this secondary performs against Washington’s stud sophomore quarterback Jake Locker will go a long way towards determining the outcome of this game. On offense, starter Nate Costa re-injured his surgically reconstructed knee this week and will miss all of 2008. Justin Roper is completely capable of leading the Chip Kelly offense that is loaded with talent. It's also plenty fun to watch.

Huskies head coach Ty Willingham is entering a do-or-die season in Seattle. Boosters have already put a price on his head and will support his ouster if he struggles. Having the nation’s toughest schedule does not help. But there is optimism. A great recruiting class should find itself all over the field – especially on offense – and Tim Tebow of the West (Locker) will have a dominant impact on any game. The two main keys are how quickly the freshmen can get acclimated and whether or not the defense can stop anyone. If those two things happen quickly, Locker can beat anyone.

Husky to Watch: Chris Polk, SB (he has his own position on the roster: slotback)
Duck to Watch: LeGarrette Blount, RB
Line: Oregon (-13.5)

Sunday:

Kentucky @ Louisville 3:30 pm (ESPN)

This intrastate rivalry is a great way to link a long Saturday of football to the Labor Day holiday on Monday. Although a very heated rivalry, the two teams have only played 20 times, Kentucky winning 11. Both teams are entering very critical years for their respective programs. Another under-achieving 6-6 record from the Cardinals would put Steve Kragethorpe’s brief Louisville career into jeopardy in only his second season with the team. 

The Wildcats have never won three straight bowl games, but that quest begins here. Last season, Kentucky snapped a four-game UL winning streak with a thrilling 40-34 last minute victory and went on to have one its best seasons in years. Replacing its starting quarterback, running back, tight end and receivers will not be easy but coach Rich Brooks maintains strong optimism about 2008. A road victory over an arch in-state rival would be a major step in the right direction.

An interesting note: after playing most years up until 1924, 70 years went by before they finally started it up again in 1994.

Wildcat to Watch: Randall Cobb, QB/RB/WR
Cardinal to Watch: Hunter Cantwell, QB
Line: Louisville (-3.5)

Monday:

Fresno State @ Rutgers 4:00 pm (ESPN)

Yes, it may not be the biggest match-up of the night as the Vols travel to UCLA later on in the evening, but this game will be the perfect appetizer. How will the Rutgers offense fair without the school’s most productive offensive player ever in Ray Rice? Only time will tell if Kordell Young and Mason Robinson can carry the load. This is quarterback Mike Teel’s team, however, and his responsibility to maintain the momentum of the Scarlet Knights program. But it will not be easy, however, as Fresno State comes in as the higher ranked team.

The Bulldogs’ anyone, anytime, anywhere attitude – this game was actually decided on the golf course when Pat Hill and Greg Schiano agreed to match-up – has gotten Hill a few nice wins over the years but never an outright WAC title. They are the favorite in that conference this year and the Bulldogs need to be wary of looking ahead to the Wisconsin game. The home match with the Badgers is being called “the biggest weekend in Fresno State history” by their head coach.

Scarlet Knight to Watch: Courtney Greene, S
Bulldog to Watch: Tom Brandstater, QB
Line: Rutgers (-4.5)

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