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The time has finally come. College football season is upon us. After an unofficial start to the season last weekend (which featured a surprisingly exciting matchup against Colorado State and Hawaii), things finally kick into full gear this weekend. And thankfully for Utah fans, the usual Thursday kick-off means you get all weekend to soak it all in, and with over 80 games being played between Thursday and next Monday, there’s plenty to soak in. Sound overwhelming? Fret not, here are the three games you shouldn’t miss from around the NCAA.
#14 Michigan vs #12 Notre Dame Saturday 5:30 PM MT - ABC
What better way to kick-off the season than two blue chip rivals duking it out on national TV? Michigan is looking to rebound after a slightly disappointing eight win season in 2017, while Notre Dame is trying to establish themselves as a playoff contender after three tough losses to Georgia, Miami and Stanford left them out of the conversation last year. Even better, this game should kick-off not long after Washington vs Auburn ends, which gives you back-to-back ranked matchups to enjoy; a rarity in week one, when most teams are scheduling cupcakes.
#8 Miami vs #25 LSU Sunday 5:30 PM MT - ABC
The fun doesn’t end on Saturday, as Miami and LSU face-off Sunday night for a top 25 matchup that up that Utah fans should keep an eye on. The Utes are currently in the “receiving votes category” in the AP and Coaches preseason polls, which means Ute faithful should be cheering for “the other U” to pull off a win against the Tigers of LSU. If Utah takes care of business against Weber State and Miami bumps off LSU (ESPN’s Matchup Predictor currently has the Hurricanes as a 65.7 favorite), it gives the Utes an easier path to enter the coveted top 25.
#20 Virginia Tech vs #19 FSU Monday 6:00 PM MT - ESPN
Whatever your Labor Day festivities may consist of, make sure you’re tuned to ESPN on Monday night while you do it because week one ends with an ACC battle that again, should help Utah find their way into the top 25. Virginia Tech travels to face Florida State in an early season conference game that will likely set the tone for Willie Taggart’s first year at FSU. Depending how this game goes, the losing team could see themselves on the outside looking in, inching the Utes even closer to a potential national ranking.