Troy @ Bowling Green, Thursday, 7PM EST

Troy:   Levi Brown, DuJuan Harris, Jerrel Jernigan and Josh Jarboe.
Watch for…… WR Josh Jarboe.  If you are reading this you already know about the triplets (Brown, Harris and Jernigan).  Jarboe is a 5 star recruit (originally signed with OU).  Think DeAndre Brown.  Yes, he is that good!

Bowling Green:   Tyler Sheehan and Freddie Barnes.
Watch for……..The running game.  If the running game can at least be serviceable it will open up the passing game.  Sheehan will have to chuck it to keep up the pace.

Bottom line:   This what I call a under the radar shootout.  No one is talking about this one but this has the potential to be a wild one.  Troy will score and BGSU will have to pass to keep up.

Oregon @ Boise State, Thursday, 10:15 PM EST

Oregon:   Jeremiah Masoli, LeGarrette Blount and Ed Dickson.
Watch for…WR Jamere Holland and RB LaMichael James.  Prediction:  After Thursday night one or both of these burners will no longer be on the waiver wire. 

Boise State:   Kellen Moore, Austin Pettis and Titus Young.
Watch for….Avery and Harper.  If Coach P would just settle on one of these backs it would make our fantasy lives easier.  Both will play and split carries. 

Bottom line:   This should be fun.  How can this game not live up to expectations?  I expect lots of points, plenty of yards and big plays.  Do not miss this one.

Tulsa @ Tulane, Friday, 8:00 PM EST

Tulsa:   G.J Kinne, Charles Clay, Damaris Johnson,  Jamad Williams and Trae Johnson.
Watch for……Bower.  Kinne is getting the first team snaps and is projected to be the starter.  However, plan on Bower playing at least a series.

Tulane:    Andre Anderson, Kevin Moore and Jeremy Williams
Watch for……..Jeremy Williams.  Hurt most of last year.  With the attention on Anderson he could put up big numbers in this shootout.

Bottom line:   Contrast in styles but this still should be one of the highest scoring games of the weekend.  If you have anybody in this game start them and EXPECT big numbers.

Nevada @ Notre Dame, Saturday, 3:30 PM EST

Nevada:   Colin Kaepernick, Vai Taua and Chris Wellington
Watch for…….Luke Lippincott.  LL, as I like to call him,  is going to be doing a little bit of everything.  He is going to be like a H-back.  How many carries will he get a game is the big question?

Notre Dame:   Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, Michael Floyd and Kyle Rudolph.
Watch for…….Clausen.  Is this guy just going to channel Brady Quinn (last years Hawaii Bowl ) or be inconsistent every week?  I think Mr. Clausen is going to put up big numbers starting with the pack on Saturday.

Bottom line:   Skill position talent, high profile QB’s and Notre Dame Stadium.  The points will be a plenty.  Scoring 4 touchdowns in this one may not be enough to win it.

Missouri vs. Illinois in St. Louis, Saturday, 3:40 PM EST

Missouri:   Blaine Gabbert and Derrick Washington
Watch for…….Wide Receivers.  For Gabbert to be successful someone has to step up and become a go-to target.  Someone has to catch his passes - who will it be?

Illinois:   Juice Williams, Arrelious Benn and Jeff Cumberland.
Watch for……WR Jeff Cumberland.  With the attention on Williams and Benn, I think that Cumberland could be a good fill in week one.  Good red zone size and he will get his share of passes.

Bottom line:   The ole pigskin will be flying around the Ed Jones Dome.  It was a shootout last year and this year will be no different.

Rice @ UAB, Saturday, 4:00 PM EST

Rice:   John Thomas Shepherd, Nick Fanuzzi and Toren Dixon.
Watch for…..QB Situation.  Fanuzzi has won the job but………….Shepherd will get his snaps.  Week one is definitely “wait and see” with the Rice QB situation.  Lots of potential.

UAB:   Joe Webb and Frantrell Forrest
Watch for…WR Mario Wright and Mark Ferrell.  Webb is going to put up big numbers this year but somebody has to take the heat off of Forrest.  These 2 big wideouts will provide that release for Mr. Webb.

Bottom line:   Let’s see.  Two very bad defenses vs. two very good offenses.  I would not be surprised if the total points reaches 80 with Webb going over 350 total yds and 4 TDs. 

Buffalo @ UTEP, Saturday, 9:00 PM EST

Buffalo:   Brandon Thermilus and Naaman Roosevelt.
Watch for……..QB play.  Zach Maynard’s play will determine the success of Mr. T and Roosevelt.  He will need to make some plays in this one.

UTEP:   Trevor Vittatoe, Kris Adams and Jeff Moturi.
Watch for…….QB Vittatoe.  These are the types of games he must dominate.  He has the talent around him to be a top 10 fantasy QB.  I think 300 yds 3 td’s should be a good week one ceiling for Trevor.

Bottom line:   Starks out for the year makes this game lose a little fantasy luster.  The Sun Bowl is no stranger to shootouts and this one will not disappoint.