By Dave Cooperman

If there is something more exciting than the start of a brand new football season, then I am yet to find it.  Sure, expectations for Syracuse are modest at best with even the most optimistic prognosticators suggesting a bowl game is still out of reach. But the opening weekend is more than just about Syracuse.

Between this Thursday night when the college football season gets started through the following Sunday when the NFL kicks off it will be all football all the time and that is just the way I like it.  For those who haven’t quite processed the fact that we are on the cusp of a new season, let’s offer up a Week 1 Primer so you can get your schedule in order.

Thursday Night:

Pittsburgh at Utah – Versus 8:30

If you don’t know what channel that is, you have a few days to find it.  Nobody ever knows how good Utah is so this could be a tricky spot for the Big East favorite.

Saturday Afternoon:

Miami, OH at Florida – ESPN 12:00

The upset potential here is low but you might want to tune in and count how many times the announcers still bring up Tim Tebow.

UConn at Michigan – ABC 3:30

Michigan stinks but this still feels like a credibility test for the Big East.  Go Blue.

Syracuse at Akron – 6:00

Unless you live within walking distance to the Carrier Dome you probably aren’t watching, but I guess you can follow along somewhere.

Saturday Night:

Oregon St. at TCU – ESPN 7:45

LSU at UNC- ABC 8:00

UNC went from possible BCS sleeper to a team staring down the barrel of NCAA infractions.  Butch Davis is to football what John Calipari is to hoops.

Monday Night:

Boise St. vs. Virginia Tech – ESPN 8:00 (Landover, MD)

Is it possible the biggest non-conference game of the year takes place on the Labor Day night?  It looks that way.  Boise St takes a step towards a national title with a win over top ten Tech.