BY MIKE ROSE
I gave my five games to watch yesterday. But he's a quick thumbnail of some other games worth mentioning as college football season starts tonight.
Thursday, Aug. 28
N.C. State at South Carolina, 8 p.m.: Is this the season that Steve Spurrier gets the Gamecocks into the land of SEC giants? South Carolina gets Georgia, LSU and Tennessee at home. So the schedule is favorable. The Gamecocks need a strong showing tonight to build momentum.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Virginia Tech at East Carolina, noon: Dangerous game for the 17th-ranked Hokies. East Carolina isn't backing down from any team, with West Virginia next. This has to be an upset alert, along with Utah at Michigan.
Hawaii at Florida, 12:30 p.m.: Hawaii couldn't handle Georgia seven months ago. Now they get Florida in "The Swamp." June Jones and Colt Brennen are gone. I'm always interested to see Hawaii play, but Florida should have an easy time.
Appalachian State at LSU, 5 p.m.: We all remember the scene of App State blocking that Michigan field-goal attempt and sealing the upset in The Big House last season. Can App State do it again, in Death Valley? Perhaps. If this game is close in the fourth quarter, watch out.
Michigan State at California, 8 p.m.: Which Michigan State team will show up? Better yet, which Cal team shows up? Cal was as high as No. 2 in the country last year before falling apart.
Sunday, Aug. 31
Rivalry games are always fun. Kentucky (minus Andre Woodson) visits Louisville (minus Brian Brohm) at 3:30 p.m. Colorado State goes to Colorado at 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 1
Fresno State at Rutgers, 4:30 p.m.: Yes, this game definitely has BCS implications. Fresno State could win 10 games this season. Rutgers won't fall too far after losing Ray Rice to the NFL.