Let's call this Blowout Week. Because it ain't gonna be pretty.
Weekly warmup: If you're looking for firepower, watch Thursday's USC-Oregon State game (8 p.m., ESPN). Still wondering how the Trojans got booted to the midweek prime time slot. For a more competitive game, see UConn at Louisville (7 p.m. Friday, ESPN2). And still waiting to see whether I'll be able to watch my Mustangs visit the Tulane Green Wave (7 p.m. Thursday, CBSC).
Top o' the morning: You who follow the ACC will want to check out North Carolina at Miami (11 a.m., ESPN2). Will the Canes continue with the fast-paced beatdown they put on Texas A&M? Are the Tar Heels finally rebuilding on the gridiron? My bet's on Miami here.
Cadets vs. the Corps: We have real soldiers against wannabe ones as Army visits Texas A&M (11:30 a.m., Versus). Two bad teams, two storied histories. I'm still waiting for the Bottom of the Barrel Bowl between perennial losers Army and SMU.
Ham sandwich time: Hurricane Ike put off the inevitable, but the butcher's bill comes due this weekend as Arkansas visits Texas (2:30 p.m., ABC). Looking at the pig sooey schedule, I'm left wondering whether they'll win another game this year.
SEC smackdown: The Crimson Tide face their toughest challenge yet, visiting Georgia (6:45 p.m., ESPN). Both teams begin to run the gauntlet of their conference schedules. Look for some major shuffling of the Top 10 after this matchup.
The rest:
Maryland at Clemson (11 a.m., ESPN Gameplan): Another Terp win could throw the ACC Atlantic into turmoil, while finally sealing the deal on the Tigers' bowl prospects.
Colorado at Florida State (2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN): The Buffs toughed one out last week at home. The Seminoles are looking for offense.
Fresno State at UCLA (2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN): To quote Ted Kim, "Hats off to Fresno State. They play anyone, anywhere and at any time." This week, it's off to Pasadena.
Purdue at Notre Dame (2:30 p.m., NBC): Who limps worse? Charlie Weis or his team?
Tennessee at Auburn (2:30 p.m., CBS): See the Vols get destroyed for the second week in a row.
TCU at Oklahoma (6 p.m., FSN): Sooners have Frogs as an amuse bouche before a four-course meal of Bear, Longhorn, Jayhawk and Wildcat.
Mississippi State at LSU (6:30 p.m., ESPN2): Game of the year! Dogs at Tigers! Oh, wait. Wrong Bulldogs. This is the team that managed a safety against Auburn.
Virginia Tech at Nebraska (7 p.m., ABC/ESPN Gameplan): Nebraska's rebuilding. Not sure what, exactly, the Hokies are doing this year.
Illinois at Penn State (7 p.m., ABC/ESPN Gameplan): JoePa extends his all-time win lead over Bobby B.
Stanford at Washington (9 p.m., FSN): Ty Willingham seals his fate with a loss to the Cardinal. Ian changes the channel when Saturday Night Live comes on.
What's not on that should be:
Got nothing really compelling this week. There's Arkansas State-Memphis (1 p.m.), if you want to hope for a strong Sun Belt team against a weakening C-USA team. New Mexico-New Mexico State (7 p.m.) for an unbalanced in-state rivalry. North Texas-Rice (4 p.m., KTXA -- Dallas market only) for a middle-road Sun Belt team against a middle-road C-USA team. Rhode Island-Boston College (noon, ESPN 360) to see Ted's team take on a patsy.
Showing posts with label weekend schedule. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weekend schedule. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
On the tube: Early Week 4 edition
Gonna be a bit of a busy week ahead, so here's a preview a couple days early. If you have weekend plans, fear not: There's not much worth watching on.
Best warmup: Catch a couple of former one-hit wonders as Kansas State visits Louisville (7 p.m. Wednesday, ESPN2). A close second is West Virginia at Colorado (7:30 p.m. Thursday, ESPN). The only reason I don't list that one as the mid-week game to watch is that it's going to be ugly yet again for the Big East.
How many times can I write Carolina in one paragraph?: The only team with "Carolina" in its name that NC State doesn't face this year is Western Carolina University. They've already been shut out and blown out by South Carolina, and the Wolfpack visits North Carolina on Nov. 22. This week? An 11 a.m. game hosting East Carolina (ESPN). Can the C-USA powerhouse pull out another win? To steal a little Crystal Ball thunder, I'm guessing this one goes to NC State...East Carolina drops in the polls but barely remains in the Top 25.
Get your West Coast fix: Apparently the Pac 10 is taking the week off, because Arizona at UCLA (2 p.m., FSN) is the only nationally televised game (add: during the day) out of the conference. How many bye weeks, exactly, does USC have? (Um. Duh. See below for the other one. But we should be getting more out of this conference, no?)
Yet another beating: For some reason, it doesn't get old watching BYU tear up the field. This week's victim is a visiting Wyoming (2 p.m., The Mountain).
Top game of the week: I know, I know -- I have an unhealthy obsession with the SEC. But LSU at Auburn (6:45 p.m., ESPN) is really truly going to be the most entertaining game all week long. And because I always love an underdog, War Eagle!
The rest:
Baylor at UConn (7 p.m. Friday, ESPN2): Sorry, Bears, not a chance.
Iowa at Pitt (11 a.m., ESPN2): Just filling airtime.
Alabama at Arkansas (11:30 a.m., ESPN Gameplan): Get your morning bacon.
Central Florida at BC (noon, ESPNU): C-USA takes this one over the hopeless ACC.
Florida at Tennessee (2:30 p.m., CBS): Tim Tebow singlehandedly destroys the Vols.
Notre Dame at Michigan State (2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN): Charlie Weis' ligaments are the biggest story here
VaTech at North Carolina (2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN): A win for the ACC!
Rice at Texas (6 p.m., FSN): I feel sorry for the Owls.
Georgia at Arizona State (7 p.m., ABC): Jake gets to watch his team play. Sorry, man.
What's not on that should be:
Last week was the C-USA bias, and this week my SEC leanings come out. I know that Florida's a big draw, but if I were CBS, I'd be begging the conference to move Vanderbilt-Ole Miss game (6 p.m.) to the 2:30 slot and show this one instead. It's been a long, long time since Vandy played decent football, and I'd much rather watch two middle-ground teams face off than see a Gator blowout. But what do I know?
Best warmup: Catch a couple of former one-hit wonders as Kansas State visits Louisville (7 p.m. Wednesday, ESPN2). A close second is West Virginia at Colorado (7:30 p.m. Thursday, ESPN). The only reason I don't list that one as the mid-week game to watch is that it's going to be ugly yet again for the Big East.
How many times can I write Carolina in one paragraph?: The only team with "Carolina" in its name that NC State doesn't face this year is Western Carolina University. They've already been shut out and blown out by South Carolina, and the Wolfpack visits North Carolina on Nov. 22. This week? An 11 a.m. game hosting East Carolina (ESPN). Can the C-USA powerhouse pull out another win? To steal a little Crystal Ball thunder, I'm guessing this one goes to NC State...East Carolina drops in the polls but barely remains in the Top 25.
Get your West Coast fix: Apparently the Pac 10 is taking the week off, because Arizona at UCLA (2 p.m., FSN) is the only nationally televised game (add: during the day) out of the conference. How many bye weeks, exactly, does USC have? (Um. Duh. See below for the other one. But we should be getting more out of this conference, no?)
Yet another beating: For some reason, it doesn't get old watching BYU tear up the field. This week's victim is a visiting Wyoming (2 p.m., The Mountain).
Top game of the week: I know, I know -- I have an unhealthy obsession with the SEC. But LSU at Auburn (6:45 p.m., ESPN) is really truly going to be the most entertaining game all week long. And because I always love an underdog, War Eagle!
The rest:
Baylor at UConn (7 p.m. Friday, ESPN2): Sorry, Bears, not a chance.
Iowa at Pitt (11 a.m., ESPN2): Just filling airtime.
Alabama at Arkansas (11:30 a.m., ESPN Gameplan): Get your morning bacon.
Central Florida at BC (noon, ESPNU): C-USA takes this one over the hopeless ACC.
Florida at Tennessee (2:30 p.m., CBS): Tim Tebow singlehandedly destroys the Vols.
Notre Dame at Michigan State (2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN): Charlie Weis' ligaments are the biggest story here
VaTech at North Carolina (2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN): A win for the ACC!
Rice at Texas (6 p.m., FSN): I feel sorry for the Owls.
Georgia at Arizona State (7 p.m., ABC): Jake gets to watch his team play. Sorry, man.
What's not on that should be:
Last week was the C-USA bias, and this week my SEC leanings come out. I know that Florida's a big draw, but if I were CBS, I'd be begging the conference to move Vanderbilt-Ole Miss game (6 p.m.) to the 2:30 slot and show this one instead. It's been a long, long time since Vandy played decent football, and I'd much rather watch two middle-ground teams face off than see a Gator blowout. But what do I know?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
On the tube: Week 3
I'll be listening more than watching this weekend -- will be in the kitchen most of the day Saturday pulling a dinner party together. (I know, I know...a man of many talents.) But it's a really, really intriguing week ahead. Seriously.
Best warmup of the bunch: Friday night's game, Kansas at South Florida. (7 p.m., ESPN2) Most definitely the toughest game in the Jayhawks' nonconference schedule. (They're 2-0 after killing Florida International and LaTech.) If Kansas wins this one, I'll stop grumbling every time I think about them. But don't worry: All talk of Kansas will be done after Oct. 18, after a potentially tough home game against Colorado and a sure loss at Oklahoma.
In-state rivalry of the week: It's a morning game, but Iowa State at Iowa could be interesting for a quarter or two as you finish your third cup of coffee. As long as you have the Big 10 network. Just hoping ESPN2 can be convinced to drop the lameness that will be Florida Atlantic-Michigan State.
Stormy weather: Hurricane Ike could affect Arkansas at Texas. (2:30 p.m., ABC) Which, of course, is great news for the Hogs -- anything that keeps them from getting destroyed by the Horns on network TV is a blessing.
Don't penalize me, bro: Late-game goofing off cost Washington last week. The Bruins eked one out against Tennessee in Week 1. Brigham Young is holding on to its BCS hopes by a thread. But it's questionable whether the Cougars can go 2-0 against the Pac 10 as UCLA heads to BYU (2:30 p.m., Versus).
Kill them off, already: Ohio State is to the BCS what zombies are to B-movies. They rise in power through the season, eating weaklings for breakfast. Somebody finally knocks them off, but they somehow manage to come back from the polling dead to end up in the final scene of the season. Before, of course, some heroic SEC team slaughters the Buckeyes. But....OSU visits USC (7 p.m., ABC), so I'll be raising a glass to the Trojans as they hopefully end the Big Ten's chances at another title game appearance.
The rest:
NC State at Clemson (11 a.m., ESPN Gameplan): First, the good news. An ACC team is guaranteed a win. Now the bad: An ACC team is guaranteed another loss.
Washington State at Baylor (11:30 a.m., FSN): Two bad teams don't make for a good game.
Georgia at South Carolina (2:30 p.m., CBS): Because the SEC is just fun.
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN/ESPN Gameplan): Once again, the ACC definitely gets a "W."
Michigan at Notre Dame (2:30 p.m. NBC): Tune in during ABC/Fox/ESPN commercial breaks to see two teams in the act of rebuilding.
Penn State at Syracuse (2:30 p.m., ABC): Just gonna be ugly.
SMU at Texas Tech (6 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest): Why, exactly, is this being televised? Oh, yeah -- because we could see some serious demolition of all kinds of offensive records. The pain, the pain...
Oklahoma at Washington (6:45 p.m., ESPN): This is more the Sooners against the Pac 10 officiating crew than anything.
Wisconsin at Fresno State (9:30 p.m., ESPN2): The Bulldogs are the toughest opponent the No. 10 Badgers have faced so far. Could be worthy of staying up late.
Finally, a new feature: What's not on that should be.
This week, my Conference USA bias comes out, but I nominate East Carolina at Tulane, at 2 p.m. The Pirates blew out West Virginia last weekend, but everybody (including Ted) is waiting to see which C-USA team will dash BCS hopes in Skip Holtz Land. Could be the Green Wave. (A more likely candidate, though, is Central Florida on Nov. 2.)
Best warmup of the bunch: Friday night's game, Kansas at South Florida. (7 p.m., ESPN2) Most definitely the toughest game in the Jayhawks' nonconference schedule. (They're 2-0 after killing Florida International and LaTech.) If Kansas wins this one, I'll stop grumbling every time I think about them. But don't worry: All talk of Kansas will be done after Oct. 18, after a potentially tough home game against Colorado and a sure loss at Oklahoma.
In-state rivalry of the week: It's a morning game, but Iowa State at Iowa could be interesting for a quarter or two as you finish your third cup of coffee. As long as you have the Big 10 network. Just hoping ESPN2 can be convinced to drop the lameness that will be Florida Atlantic-Michigan State.
Stormy weather: Hurricane Ike could affect Arkansas at Texas. (2:30 p.m., ABC) Which, of course, is great news for the Hogs -- anything that keeps them from getting destroyed by the Horns on network TV is a blessing.
Don't penalize me, bro: Late-game goofing off cost Washington last week. The Bruins eked one out against Tennessee in Week 1. Brigham Young is holding on to its BCS hopes by a thread. But it's questionable whether the Cougars can go 2-0 against the Pac 10 as UCLA heads to BYU (2:30 p.m., Versus).
Kill them off, already: Ohio State is to the BCS what zombies are to B-movies. They rise in power through the season, eating weaklings for breakfast. Somebody finally knocks them off, but they somehow manage to come back from the polling dead to end up in the final scene of the season. Before, of course, some heroic SEC team slaughters the Buckeyes. But....OSU visits USC (7 p.m., ABC), so I'll be raising a glass to the Trojans as they hopefully end the Big Ten's chances at another title game appearance.
The rest:
NC State at Clemson (11 a.m., ESPN Gameplan): First, the good news. An ACC team is guaranteed a win. Now the bad: An ACC team is guaranteed another loss.
Washington State at Baylor (11:30 a.m., FSN): Two bad teams don't make for a good game.
Georgia at South Carolina (2:30 p.m., CBS): Because the SEC is just fun.
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN/ESPN Gameplan): Once again, the ACC definitely gets a "W."
Michigan at Notre Dame (2:30 p.m. NBC): Tune in during ABC/Fox/ESPN commercial breaks to see two teams in the act of rebuilding.
Penn State at Syracuse (2:30 p.m., ABC): Just gonna be ugly.
SMU at Texas Tech (6 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest): Why, exactly, is this being televised? Oh, yeah -- because we could see some serious demolition of all kinds of offensive records. The pain, the pain...
Oklahoma at Washington (6:45 p.m., ESPN): This is more the Sooners against the Pac 10 officiating crew than anything.
Wisconsin at Fresno State (9:30 p.m., ESPN2): The Bulldogs are the toughest opponent the No. 10 Badgers have faced so far. Could be worthy of staying up late.
Finally, a new feature: What's not on that should be.
This week, my Conference USA bias comes out, but I nominate East Carolina at Tulane, at 2 p.m. The Pirates blew out West Virginia last weekend, but everybody (including Ted) is waiting to see which C-USA team will dash BCS hopes in Skip Holtz Land. Could be the Green Wave. (A more likely candidate, though, is Central Florida on Nov. 2.)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
On the tube: Sept. 6 edition
The weekend warmup includes South Carolina at Vandy on Thursday (yawn), and Navy at Ball State on Friday (yawn). Watch that Navy game if you're a fan of the triple option. (Yawn.)
Saturday morning at the Kim house: Ted's bound to be putting that ESPN Gameplan to use, as Georgia Tech heads to Boston College. Again with the option.
Possible dark horse? My day really won't get started until the early-afternoon BYU-Washington game. You've heard it before, but Brigham Young is going to be a team to watch. Some stumbles against I-AA Northern Iowa last week, but the boys from Utah will get it together. If the Mountain West has a chance to break into the BCS, it'll be with BYU.
Listen closely: East Carolina seems to be doing its best to improve the Conference USA strength of schedule -- a win this past weekend over Virginia Tech helps, and then there's Saturday's matchup against West Virginia. Quirky note on this game: It's at East Carolina, so keep your ears open for the stadium background noise. The pirate cannon will be firing, and to rev up the crowd, the announcer dude lets out a big "Arrrrrrrrgggg!" every now and then. The ESPN crew is going to be in stitches.
Because you'd be dumb to miss it: Miami-Florida. Duh.
No need for that Ambien: Texas at UTEP at 9:15 instead. Yet another early-season dud.
Other games on deck:
--Mizzou hosts Southeast Missouri State. Way to challenge Kansas for the cushiest schedule in the Big 12, guys.
--Rice at Memphis. The Owls play an actual, real football team this week.
Saturday morning at the Kim house: Ted's bound to be putting that ESPN Gameplan to use, as Georgia Tech heads to Boston College. Again with the option.
Possible dark horse? My day really won't get started until the early-afternoon BYU-Washington game. You've heard it before, but Brigham Young is going to be a team to watch. Some stumbles against I-AA Northern Iowa last week, but the boys from Utah will get it together. If the Mountain West has a chance to break into the BCS, it'll be with BYU.
Listen closely: East Carolina seems to be doing its best to improve the Conference USA strength of schedule -- a win this past weekend over Virginia Tech helps, and then there's Saturday's matchup against West Virginia. Quirky note on this game: It's at East Carolina, so keep your ears open for the stadium background noise. The pirate cannon will be firing, and to rev up the crowd, the announcer dude lets out a big "Arrrrrrrrgggg!" every now and then. The ESPN crew is going to be in stitches.
Because you'd be dumb to miss it: Miami-Florida. Duh.
No need for that Ambien: Texas at UTEP at 9:15 instead. Yet another early-season dud.
Other games on deck:
--Mizzou hosts Southeast Missouri State. Way to challenge Kansas for the cushiest schedule in the Big 12, guys.
--Rice at Memphis. The Owls play an actual, real football team this week.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
College Football Week One. What are you watching?
A quick guide to college football on television this week:
For full details on each game, visit this excellent LSU fan site.
Games not to be missed: Illinois vs Missouri, Appalachian State at LSU
I'll watch a half: Wake Forest at Baylor (Thurs), Utah at Michigan, USC at Virginia, Alabama vs Clemson, Fresno State at Rutgers (Mon)
Part of my channel surfing rotation: Michigan State at California, North Carolina State at South Carolina (Thurs), Kentucky at Louisville (Sun), Tennessee at UCLA (Mon), SMU at Rice (Fri)
I'll check the box score: Washington at Oregon, Hawaii at Florida
Interesting only to me: Ohio at Wyoming, Boston College vs Kent State
Game that interests no one: South Dakota State (the Jackrabbits, in case you're wondering) at Iowa State (Thurs)
For full details on each game, visit this excellent LSU fan site.
Games not to be missed: Illinois vs Missouri, Appalachian State at LSU
I'll watch a half: Wake Forest at Baylor (Thurs), Utah at Michigan, USC at Virginia, Alabama vs Clemson, Fresno State at Rutgers (Mon)
Part of my channel surfing rotation: Michigan State at California, North Carolina State at South Carolina (Thurs), Kentucky at Louisville (Sun), Tennessee at UCLA (Mon), SMU at Rice (Fri)
I'll check the box score: Washington at Oregon, Hawaii at Florida
Interesting only to me: Ohio at Wyoming, Boston College vs Kent State
Game that interests no one: South Dakota State (the Jackrabbits, in case you're wondering) at Iowa State (Thurs)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
On the tube
Chomping at the bit here to get this season started. But there's been time for me, between watching Michael Phelps swim for gold medals, to come up with an early list of games I will (and will not) be watching. Oh, August 28, will you ever get here?
Note: All times Central.
I'm naming Wake Forest at Baylor (7 p.m., FSN) the highlight of D-I opening night, though Oregon State-Stanford (8 p.m., ESPN2) has a smidge of upset potential. (Remember USC last year.) Against Wake, we'll be able to see what Art Briles has managed to do with the Bears over the summer.
And the next night, I'm going to beg Ted to let us come over and watch the SMU-Rice (7 p.m., ESPN) game in HD. Full disclosure: I'm a total SMU homer. But, as we all know, June Cometh. (More thoughts on SMU and a C-USA rundown will be comething over the next week or so. Hopefully Jones will have a QB chosen by then.)
That Saturday morning, if you've got ESPN Gameplan, you can see what happens when June leaveth, as Hawaii visits Florida (11:30 a.m.). Thinking it'll be pretty much a repeat of the Sugar Bowl, when neither June nor Colt Brennan could keep up against Georgia. With neither a superstar coach nor a superstar QB, I'm afraid the Warriors are headed back to mediocrity.
The others:
East Carolina-VaTech (11 a.m., ESPN): Because it's fun to watch C-USA play real teams.
USC-Virginia (2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2): Duh.
Appalachian State-LSU (4 p.m., ESPN): An App State upset couldn't happen two years in a row, could it?
Illinois-Missouri (7:30 p.m., ESPN): Illini play the biggest hoax on two legs.
Washington-Oregon (9 p.m., FSN): Satisfy that Pac 10 craving.
Note: All times Central.
I'm naming Wake Forest at Baylor (7 p.m., FSN) the highlight of D-I opening night, though Oregon State-Stanford (8 p.m., ESPN2) has a smidge of upset potential. (Remember USC last year.) Against Wake, we'll be able to see what Art Briles has managed to do with the Bears over the summer.
And the next night, I'm going to beg Ted to let us come over and watch the SMU-Rice (7 p.m., ESPN) game in HD. Full disclosure: I'm a total SMU homer. But, as we all know, June Cometh. (More thoughts on SMU and a C-USA rundown will be comething over the next week or so. Hopefully Jones will have a QB chosen by then.)
That Saturday morning, if you've got ESPN Gameplan, you can see what happens when June leaveth, as Hawaii visits Florida (11:30 a.m.). Thinking it'll be pretty much a repeat of the Sugar Bowl, when neither June nor Colt Brennan could keep up against Georgia. With neither a superstar coach nor a superstar QB, I'm afraid the Warriors are headed back to mediocrity.
The others:
East Carolina-VaTech (11 a.m., ESPN): Because it's fun to watch C-USA play real teams.
USC-Virginia (2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2): Duh.
Appalachian State-LSU (4 p.m., ESPN): An App State upset couldn't happen two years in a row, could it?
Illinois-Missouri (7:30 p.m., ESPN): Illini play the biggest hoax on two legs.
Washington-Oregon (9 p.m., FSN): Satisfy that Pac 10 craving.
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