Change is the theme for the 2014 college football season, so with that in mind, I’m changing up the TV Guide structure, packaging games in groups to help you enjoy the best of the national landscape, follow all our fellow Ohio schools and conference foes, and/or scout our remaining schedule.
BUCKEYES
Ohio State @ Navy. Noon, CBS Sports Network.
This is the moment of truth. It might have been less stressful to open the season in the Shoe against an Ohio MAC or FCS opponent with Braxton’s injury casting a shadow of doubt over the season, but a road test against a tricky opponent will tell us more about our young QBs heading into a pivotal battle against Virginia Tech next week.
Note that the game is on CBS Sports Network, not regular CBS. This should be DirecTV 221, Dish 158, Time Warner 1322, U-Verse 1643 & Verizon FiOS 594. Check to make sure you get this channel now! (If anyone knows of corrections or additions to this list, leave them in the comments!)
UPCOMING OPPONENTS
(8/28)
Eastern Illinois @ Minnesota. 7:00p, Big Ten Network.
Rutgers @ Washington State. 10:00p, Fox Sports 1.
(8/29)
Jacksonville State @ Michigan State. 7:30p, Big Ten Network.
(8/30)
Penn State vs. UCF in Ireland. 8:30a, ESPN2.
Appalachian State @ Michigan. Noon, ESPN2.
It’s unlikely that we’ll see a repeat of the 2007 game, but we can dream, can’t we? Despite being a far worse team now than back then, App State does have one thing going for them: motivation. You think these kids don’t want to do the same thing their predecessors did? You think they haven’t been hearing all about how they won’t be able to? And let’s not forget: Michigan isn’t the team they were back then either.
Indiana State @ Indiana. Noon, ESPN News.
Youngstown State @ Illinois. Noon, Big Ten Network.
James Madison @ Maryland. 3:30p, Big Ten Network.
William & Mary @ Virginia Tech. 4:00p, ESPN News.
Ohio @ Kent State. 6:00p, ESPN3 (online).
Cincinnati: no game.
OTHER BIG TEN TEAMS
(8/30)
Northern Iowa @ Iowa. Noon, Big Ten Network.
Western Michigan @ Purdue. Noon, ESPNU.
California @ Northwestern. 3:30p, ABC/ESPN2.
Florida Atlantic @ Nebraska. 3:30p, Big Ten Network.
LSU vs. Wisconsin in Houston. 9:00p, ESPN.
This is the first chance for the Big Ten to make a big statement in 2014. Both teams had solid seasons last year, with only one blowout loss (LSU’s 21-point loss to Alabama) between them. Rumor is that the Badgers will give the athletic Tanner McEvoy the nod at QB over the more experienced (and more predictable) Joel Stave. You may remember McEvoy as a safety, the position he played most of last year after switching from wide receiver due to a wrist injury. Did I mention he’s athletic?
OTHER OHIO TEAMS
(8/28)
Howard @ Akron. 7:00p, ESPN3 (online).
(8/29)
Bowling Green @ Western Kentucky. 7:30p, CBS Sports Network.
(8/30)
Marshall @ Miami (Ohio). 3:30p, ESPN3 (online).
New Hampshire @ Toledo. 7:00p, ESPN3 (online).
OTHER TOP NATIONAL GAMES
(8/28)
Texas A&M @ South Carolina. 6:00p, SEC Network.
(8/30)
Alabama vs. West Virginia in Atlanta. 3:30p, ABC/ESPN2.
Clemson @ Georgia. 5:30p, ESPN.
Despite the departures of Tahj Boyd and Aaron Murray, this should still be an entertaining and competitive game. Georgia is probably the better team this year, but that’s what most people thought last year too.
Florida State vs. Oklahoma State in Arlington. 8:00p, ABC.
(9/1)
Miami (Florida) @ Louisville. 8:00p, ESPN.
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