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The first weekend of fall is upon us, and the college football season swings into full gear as conference play begins around the country. This week we look at a group of conference battles.
Many of us like to warm up for Sunday football by watching a little college action the day before. In some parts of the country there is starting to be a little chill in the air, which signals the start of some serious conference battles on the gridiron. Blogging The Boys is going to be with you every step of the way, helping you to find some of the best action from conferences around the country.
Tennessee @ #12 Georgia 12:00 Eastern ESPN
Tennessee and Georgia have been meeting on the gridiron since before the turn of the last century. Both schools are founding members of the Southeastern Conference, and they are among the three winningest teams in conference history. Since the SEC went to a two division format in 1992, the Bulldogs and Volunteers have combined to win the SEC East 10 times and on four occasions one of the schools has won the SEC Championship game. This year the game features two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum, as the Vols are in a full blown rebuild mode. Still this game is traditionally a close one. Last year's contest was decided in overtime. You can throw the record book out the window when UGA and UT get together, and I would not be shocked if this game ends up being closer than the 17 point spread that Vegas oddsmakers have on the contest.
#1 Florida State @ North Carolina State 3:30 PM ABC/ESPN2
The Noles are the top team in the nation and after surviving a week without Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, FSU looks poised to roll through the ACC as normal. That would lead you to think that this weekend's game with the Wolfpack will be a snoozefest, but this game is being played at Raleigh, NC. Five of the last seven times that FSU has visited that city, the Wolfpack has sent the nationally ranked Noles back to the Sunshine State with a loss. The last time was in 2012 when Jimbo Fisher and the #2 ranked Seminoles were handed a 17-16 loss in a game which featured many of the same NC State players who they will face on Saturday. Who's to say that it can't happen again this time around?
#16 Stanford @ Washington 4:00 PM FOX
Stanford comes into this game with a very stout defense. They've already shutout out two teams this season. They will travel to Washington to play a Huskies team that has put up big points on the scoreboard on their way to a 4-0 record. But the Huskies have been playing inferior competition, this will be a big test for them and a big game in the Pac 12 North.
Missouri @ #13 South Carolina 7:00 PM ESPN
South Carolina stumbled out of the gate, losing early to Texas A&M in a rout. Since then they have recovered, knocking off Georgia but they had to "survive" against Vanderbilt. But they are in control of the SEC East. Missouri was moving along on the year until they somehow lost to Indiana last week. They are trying to make a move in the East race and desperately need this game.
Illinois @ #21 Nebraska 9:00 PM Big Ten Network
Why include this game? Because Cowboys scouts will be in attendance, along with scouts from the 49ers and Patriots. Bucky Brooks from NFL.com explains who those teams will be looking at:
"It's all about Randy Gregory. Some scouts are calling him the most natural pass rusher to come around in some time. One told me Gregory reminds him of Aldon Smith. They'll want to see if he is as good as advertised."
October is just around the corner. Soon we will be seeing the power teams in the bigger conferences starting to square of with each other. That's what college football is all about, and around here we cannot wait for it to get started.
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