Preparing for Week 1 of the college fantasy football season is a bit like herding cats.  Reliable injury information is tough to come by.  Position battles rage on.  Arrests mount up.  And of course, coach speak reigns supreme.

Without the luxury of preseason games to witness player performances first-hand, we're left at the mercy of second-hand accounts and school beat writers to provide us with the latest dirt on our most recent draft pick prized possessions.

All of that comes to an end over the next few days when the boys finally buckle their chin straps and actually swap helmet paint of a different color.  We'll finally have some results to feast our eyes upon. And thanks to the magic of Tivo and DVR, we here at CFG headquarters will take in bits and pieces of dozens of games over the next five days.

Fantasy-wise, Week 1 is a lesson in survival.  That can't miss running back that lit it up in the comfy confines of fall camp?  He may be a deer in headlights out there in front of 90,000 rabid fans.  That young QB who beat out the veteran for the starting gig?  He might be on a short leash when the coaching staff realizes they're down 3 scores in the third quarter.

It's funny how things change when the games matter.  

The key is to avoid as much carnage as possible and just get through the weekend with a "W".  Then, the mad dash begins for the waiver wire to snag the fresh meat that slipped through the cracks on draft day.

So, what will we be looking for during tonight's games?  Here's the rundown....

Murray State at Louisville
What to Watch: Who's getting the majority of the carries, Victor Anderson or Jeremy Wright?  If one could emerge, he could be fantasy-relevant like Bilal Powell was in 2010.  If they split the touches equally, well, then it might be a lost year fantasy-wise in the 'Ville.

Villanova at Temple
What to Watch:  How does the new coaching staff use RB Bernard Pierce?  This is not a cupcake game for Temple - it's a fierce city rivalry game.  Nova has given them fits over the past few years and is definitely on the level of the other teams the Owls will face in the MAC.  So tonight's game is a very solid test for Pierce.

South Carolina State at Central Michigan
What To Watch:  Does QB Ryan Radcliff look sharp?  Do the Chips' lean on the pass or the run?  For fantasy owners' sakes, let's hope the passing game is featured with Radcliff looking for WR Cody Wilson early and often.

North Texas at Florida International
What To Watch:  Wow!  A conference game to open the season!  North Texas RB Lance Dunbar and FIU's Mr. Everything T.Y. Hilton are two of the best players in the Sun Belt.  Let's hope both of them are an integral part of their respective offenses.  Also keep an eye on FIU RB Darriet Perry, a sneaky good player who could have a big night.

New Hampshire at Toledo
What To Watch:  Is it possible we are all under-estimating Rocket QB Austin Dantin?  He was a hot fantasy prospect a couple years ago and fell off the map in 2010.  With Eric Page and Adonis Thomas as his weapons, Dantin could become a hot waiver wire pick up this season.

Fordham at Connecticut (POSTPONED - MOVED TO SATURDAY)

Western Carolina at Georgia Tech
What To Watch:  How does the new-look Tech backfield perform against this cupcake?  Is B-Back David Sims for real?  Can QB Tevin Washington effectively master Paul Johnson's offense?  This game might not be a great indicator of things to come, but it will be our first look at these new players.

North Carolina Central at Rutgers
What To Watch:  All eyes will be on freshman RB Savon Huggins.  Is he as good as advertised?  Who will QB Chas Dodd distribute the ball to in the air?  Will Mohammed Sanu become his go-to guy or will Mark Harrison steal his thunder?  Or will good-looking redshirt freshman WR Brandon Coleman eat into both of their touches?

UNLV at Wisconsin
What To Watch:  While most will be keeping an eye on Russell Wilson under center, we'll be focused on the running backs.  Is Ball 1A and White 1B?  Or will there be a little bit of a surprise in store for fantasy owners?  This game might get out of hand early which could skew the numbers a bit, but the first half will be very interesting.

Mississippi State at Memphis
What To Watch:  Can State QB Chris Relf emerge as a reliable fantasy factor?  This would be a great chance for him to break out and dominate.  On the other side of the ball, we'll be watching highly-touted Memphis RB Jerrell Rhodes. 

Wake Forest at Syracuse
What To Watch: Antwon Bailey, it's time to step it up.  He replaces Delone Carter, who's now in the NFL.  Will Bailey continue to be a big part of the passing game (as he was a year ago)?  If so, those in PPR formats will be happy little owners.

Montana State at Utah
What To Watch:  JUCO transfer John White was named the Utes' starting RB last week.  Can he get off to a good start?  Will he see the majority of meaningful carries in this one?

Bowling Green at Idaho
What To Watch:  Can Falcon WR Kamar Jorden get into the freaking endzone for once?  The man caught a whopping 96 balls last year and only 4 went for scores.  Hit paydirt, will ya!

Kentucky at Western Kentucky
What To Watch:  Plain and simple, we're fired up to watch the Raymond Sanders vs. Bobby Rainey show.  Is Sanders looking healthy after a few injury setbacks this off-season?  Will Rainey see 30+ touches like he did for most of the 2010 season?

UC Davis at Arizona State
What To Watch:  The entire Sun Devil offense!  Does QB Brock Osweiler look promising?  Does Cameron Marshall look healthy (he's been banged up recently)?  Who will emerge as Osweiler's primary receiving targets? 

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