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What to Watch: College Football Week One

Plenty of big time matchups to get the season started.

By Sayer Paige
Duke v Virginia Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images
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The waiting finally ends this weekend, as the first college football game day of the year gets underway on Saturday. As is often the case in the first week, the schedule is littered with enticing contests. Here’s what you can’t miss:

Richmond at Virginia:

That’s right folks, your Virginia Cavaliers, in what is obviously the marquee matchup of the weekend, open up play on Saturday against in-state rival Richmond at Scott Stadium. UVA is looking for some revenge after a disappointing loss, also at home, in 2016.

TV - ACC Network, 6:00 PM

#19 Virginia Tech Hokies at #20 Florida State Seminoles:

OK, so this one isn’t on Saturday - it’s on Monday night - but it is still a hugely important game, especially within the ACC. It would be an impressive win for the Hokies, who lost a ton of talent at the end of last season, if they can somehow get past the Seminoles in their opener.

TV - ESPN, 8:00 PM

NCAA Football: Camping World Bowl-Oklahoma State vs Virginia Tech
Head Coach Justin Fuente
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Louisville Cardinals vs. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide:

Alabama tends to dominate in the opening weekend, having never lost their first game under Head Coach Nick Saban. It will be interesting to see how a respectable ACC team fares against the Tide.

TV - ESPN, 8:00 PM

#14 Michigan Wolverines at #12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish:

The site of ESPN’s College GameDay, the Wolverines and Fighting Irish renew their forgotten rivalry in week one. This is an important game for both head coaches, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh and Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly, who both feel the pressure of programs that expect consistent runs at national championships.

TV - NBC, 7:30 PM

#6 Washington Huskies vs. #9 Auburn Tigers:

Both teams are looking to make a statement win early on in the season in what is the only top 10 matchup of the weekend. Washington, who returns probably the most prolific quarterback-running back combo in the country in Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin, will hope to outduel potential first round draft pick Jarrett Stidham and the Tigers.

TV - ABC, 3:30 PM

NCAA Football: Fiesta Bowl-Penn State vs Washington
Jake Browning
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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