What To Watch?

by Peter Bean on Jul 26, 2006 3:59 PM CDT in Texas Longhorns Football

Let's say it's September 2nd and you're only allowed to watch one of the following games. Which would you choose, and why?

Yes, Miami-Florida State is on Monday night, but for the purposes of this little game, you can only select one of the above.

Me? I'm torn, as in reality I'll watch parts of each of these, without a doubt. But the Cal-Tennessee game looks intriguing. They're two teams with a lot of talent that I'm just not sure how to evaluate at this point. Based on intrigue alone, that's my choice as:

*I don't see USC-Arkansas being as competitive as some will hope.

*The Notre Dame and Georgia Tech matchup could be a potential trap for the Domers during some weeks, but not to start the season. The Irish will prevail.

*Miami and FSU is always a fun game, and... wait, no, last year's game was atrocious.

*Auburn should have no trouble with the Cougs at home.

What's your choice?

--PB--

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Tivo

Aside from that, and the fact that I'll be blitzed watching 'SC Arkansas at a gameday party (heh, helluva senior trip that is, especially when last year's seniors went to Hawaii...heh), I'd go with Cal/Tennessee. The Pac-10 vs SEC animosity is probably the greatest interconference rivalry, and both teams are stocked with talent.

I'd take a peak at Wazzu vs. Auburn just to see if the cougs can put up anything resembling a fight. They're supposed to be solid offensively, so a shootout isn't TOTALLY out of the question.

Fight On! Beat the Razorbacks!

by USCLink on Jul 26, 2006 4:02 PM CDT reply actions

GT vs. Notre Dame

I'm calling the "upset" now -- and I don't want to miss it.

FSU and Miami was terrible last year. It was the most unwatchable game of the season.

After that I'd say USC and Arkie, for the upset factor. I can't say I'll be rooting for the Hogs though.

I'm applying to Oxford and the Sorbonne. Harvard's my safety

by EYESofBEVO on Jul 26, 2006 4:16 PM CDT reply actions

Cal vs. Tennessee

Both teams have talent, and a lot of pre-season hype, but we saw where that went last year. The loser of this game is pretty much done for the year. And if the "other" UT loses, we could be seeing the beginning of the end (and well-deserved) for Fulmer.

Patience Restored

by patienthornsfan on Jul 26, 2006 4:21 PM CDT reply actions

Bears & Vols

-Miami / FSU is the most overrated game each year. Both teams are always ranked, but neither plays like it.

-Notre Dame / Georgia Tech has upset potential, which means a sloppy boring game.

-USC / Arkansas has a revenge factor, which will make for a closer score, but not a close game.

-Washington State / Auburn will play like Boise State / Georgia did last year. WSU just isn't ready for Auburn this early in the season.

which leaves:

-Cal / Tennessee, two evenly matched teams that both have something to prove heading into the season. Its a good Pac10/SEC matchup that pairs teams from the upper halves of their conferences. Beyond that grudge, its just a solid inter-sectional matchup between major programs, and if you don't watch (and give it ratings) the networks won't work to create more of them.

by kidomaha on Jul 26, 2006 4:30 PM CDT reply actions

i'd like to see

Cal at the Vols.

by burntorangenance on Jul 26, 2006 4:44 PM CDT reply actions

I'd take...

Cal v Tennessee just for the unusual pairing. Additionally, if both teams turn out to be pretty good, both will want to flaunt this intersectional win on their resume to pollsters and bowl committees.

I cannot figure out why in the name of all things good people keep mentioning the Auburn v. Washington St. game as "one to watch" other than the fact it's an SEC/PAC-10 contest. Unless Auburn just falls apart at the seams this year, they are going to mop the piss soaked bathroom floors of Jordan-Hare with the Cougars. Is WSU supposed to be so vastly improved from their 4-7 finish last year that they will be a serious threat to Auburn?

by nico @ Burnt Orange Nation on Jul 26, 2006 5:01 PM CDT reply actions

Those are my thoughts

but apparently, yes. Besides, its always fun to see what happens when the no defense conference (Pac-10) plays the no offense conference (SEC). You either have the really out of character shootout alla LSU vs. ASU, or the out of character defensive stuggle alla 'SC vs. Auburn 2k4.

Its fun to watch the talent you don't see perform very often forced to perform.

Fight On! Beat the Razorbacks!

by USCLink on Jul 26, 2006 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions

My weekend viewing schedule will consist of.....

Thursday night - San Diego State vs. UTEP or Northwestern vs. Miami (OH)...whichever is televised. I am especially excited to get a look at Jordan Palmer the week before he picks apart the Texas Tech defense.

Friday night - Nevada vs. Fresno State - WAC games are always exciting.

Saturday - 11 am -North Texas vs. Texas - Bloody Mary's and breakfast tacos for our 11 am game.

3:30 pm - Ohio State vs. Northern Illinois - The upset of the year. At the very least, Northern Illinois covers the spread.

8 pm - Georgia Tech v. Notre Dame - Should be a fun game to watch. Calvin Johnson will be giving the Notre Dame secondary fits all night. This game will easily be the best of the five games because it will stop the Notre Dame's lovefest with the media before it gets out of control. The Ramblin' Wreck "upsets" the domers...

by SuperHorn on Jul 26, 2006 5:34 PM CDT reply actions

Touche

I don't know why, but I love the Thursday night football game. I don't necessarily want the Horns to play that night, but it absolutely starts my weekend off right and over the years, the match-ups have gotten better and better. V-Tech is like a Thursday night regular now.

It's sort of become the de facto poker night for a lot of us and I really don't care who is playing as long as it's a reasonably close game.

One other note, I can't tell you how much I hate the fact that the Horns' first game starts at 11am. Forget the heat, forget the fact that UT usually plays like dog shit during the 1st half of all 11am games, it's the tailgating I'm going to miss most. Yeah, we'll still get up for bloodies, but I was going to do that even if the game started at 8pm. The first game is when you get to see all of your old friends again and catch up while putting away some serious beer. Now there just isn't time for it. Oh well, hopefully everyone wants to party after the game but it's never as good as before the game.

by 54b on Jul 26, 2006 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Just don't sleep the night before

That gives you more than enough time to put away a reasonable quantity of beer.

Fight On! Beat the Razorbacks!

by USCLink on Jul 26, 2006 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I too will be watching the UTEP game

So I can see the overhyped Jordan Palmer. Big game vs. defensive powerhouse Memphis last year.

by Red Blooded @ Burnt Orange Nation on Jul 26, 2006 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Palmer is really overhyped

and it really hurt to see that Memphis game last year. An interception and a fumble in that last 2 minutes and Memphis wins something like 28-23

by bamfor on Jul 27, 2006 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions

SC/Arkansas

First off, I'm disregarding GATech/ND, since that's my obvious hands-down pick.

Mainly I want to see the new-look Trojans, post-Leinart/White/Bush. I'm hoping it won't be a total runaway by SC, and if so then this was a crappy pick on my part.

by Jeff on Jul 26, 2006 9:00 PM CDT reply actions

Cal-Vols

I personally think the Cal/Tennessee game will be sick. 2 talented teams and I am curious to see how Cal's responds to the preseason hype. marshawn Lynch is a damn good back if you ask me. This might launch a Pac-10 battle if Cal can get their confidence up.

Eyes of Bevo, I am gonna remember that Notre Dame-GT prediction you made. Also Superhorn mentioned Jordan palmer from Utep. I am calling UTEP to have a great season, possibly a BCS party crasher. Palmer is hyped and rightfully so. He has got talent and so do the boys in West Texas. Look out for UTEP and I do think they will beat Texas TEch.

by joey @ Burnt Orange Nation on Jul 27, 2006 1:00 AM CDT reply actions

Confusion

If you really think "the boys in West Texas" "got talent" then why do you think UTEP will be good? Because half of UTEP comes from California, Arizona, and Florida. There's nearly as many non-Texans as there are Texans.

Jordan Palmer is from West... Lake Village, California.

Now, I'm scared of that game and I wouldn't look past UTEP for a moment. I'm hoping that Palmer is overrated, because if the hype is true he really could ruin Tech in El Paso. I don't think he did much last year to warrant enormous praise, but that's my opinion.

But West Texan UTEP is not. Texas Tech on the other hand...

by Red Blooded @ Burnt Orange Nation on Jul 27, 2006 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions

confusion

when i said the boys in west texas, I meant the players down at UTEP. Half come from Texas while the rest come from the states you mentioned. Sorry you got confused.

by joey @ Burnt Orange Nation on Jul 27, 2006 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Just making sure:)

Because the boys at Texas Tech play in West Texas and many of them are from West Texas.

But I hear what you're saying. A number of my Tech friends (and me for that matter) have expressed concern about this game. UTEP is definitely in a position to beat us, particularly because Texas Tech has a long history of dropping at least one game to a team they should beat. UTEP seems like the perfect candidate (at El Paso, offense as capable as anyone of going shot for shot with us, etc.)

I'll be watching UTEP anxiously.

by Red Blooded @ Burnt Orange Nation on Jul 27, 2006 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions

FSU-Miami

is my pick. The winner walks away talking about a title run. The loser's coach starts feeling the seat get a little warm.

PSUMike Hail to the Lion!

by PSUMike on Jul 27, 2006 9:34 AM CDT reply actions

Cal-Vols

Even though I'll be watching the SC-Arkansas game (I agree is won't be as competitive as some suggest), the Cal-UT game is the most interesting of the bunch.

Of course I'd also like to see the genius Charlie Wiess have his considerable ass handed to him by Tech.

by Rex Cramer on Jul 27, 2006 11:12 AM CDT reply actions

Cal @ Tennessee

But that's not suprising, right? :)

But even if I wasn't flying out to Knoxville two weeks after starting law school...

FSU-Miami is a classic matchup, but it's also gotten a little stale. We were all spoiled by the games between those two when they were always top 5 teams, pre- and post-season.
I love a Notre Dame loss more than Charlie Weis loves a bacon doughnut, but I can't help but feel guilty when actually watching the games: I really don't want to support the ND media machine. Plus, this is bound to be a sloppy game.
A payback upset is always fun to watch, but I just can't see it happening to the Trojans. USC is vulnerable, but Arkansas doesn't look to be the team to sting them in the opener.
WSU should be a lot better than last season's 4-7 finish, but this will be as lopsided a victory for Auburn as USC's over Arkansas.

So there you have it. You all should be looking for me on TV at Neyland. :D

by Calfan on Jul 27, 2006 11:13 AM CDT reply actions

I can't see it being THAT lopsided

I'm fairly certain there were only two games that came close in terms of BCS vs BCS blowouts...'SC vs. fUCLA, and UT vs. CU.

Any BCS vs. BCS games that I missed with a differential of greater than 40?

Fight On! Beat the Razorbacks!

by USCLink on Jul 27, 2006 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Didn't mean USC-Arkansas '05

I meant this year. Auburn will beat WSU as bad as USC will beat Arkansas the same day. There's some potential for upset, but I basically think USC and Auburn will control their respective games.

by Calfan on Jul 27, 2006 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions