The Carolinas – North and South – square off at 6 in Charlotte, N.C., both unranked, yes, but both capable of finishing ranked by season’s end. No. 2 TCU and its high-powered offense visit Minnesota at 9, signaling the first of several tilts featuring national-title contenders that, legitimately, could find themselves losers by the time Week 1 ends on Labor Day.
No. 3 Alabama and No. 1 Ohio State, yeah, we’re talking about you – the Tide taking on No. 20 Wisconsin in Jerry World Saturday night and the Buckeyes looking for revenge Monday night at Virginia Tech.
Umm, we’re also talking FCS power Villanova. Coming into the campaign ranked No. 4 at that level, the Wildcats visit Connecticut tonight in their annual season-opening quest to prove they are every bit the equal of any FBS opposition. That may be so, to a degree at least, but they won’t be garnering any accolades by merely handling the Huskies, who are viewed as nothing more than fodder for their American Athletic Conference foes.
If reigning FCS player of the year John Robertson and Co. are to get any credit, they will have to blow out UConn in this one. Those who have even just a passing interest in college football, or like the local ’Nova connection, would be wise to stop and watch what the Wildcats’ senior quarterback can do. He is a whirling dervish of determination and dynamic physical tools.
Oh yeah, the ’Cats also have the nation’s top returning defender, too, in linebacker Don Cherry.