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By Mike Huguenin

Rivals.com

(MCT)

The long national nightmare is over: College football is back.

While the first weekend is filled with more than its share of bad games - there are 39 games involving FCS schools playing FBS schools - there also are some must-watch games, including a marquee, prime-time matchup on Monday night with Boise State playing Virginia Tech.

And after eight months of no football, that should make for a darned fun Labor Day weekend:

SATURDAY'S GAMES

Miami of Ohio at Florida, noon, ESPN

THE BUZZ: Tim Tebow is gone. Can Florida survive? Uh, yeah. Heck, the Gators will thrive in this one against a MAC bottom-feeder. Now, if it were the other Miami, things would be a lot more interesting.

THE LINE: Florida by 35. THE PICK: Florida 48-10

Samford at Florida State, noon, ESPNU

THE BUZZ: That Samford is the opponent isn't surprising, as this was supposed to be Game 1 of Bobby Bowden's final season and Bowden was both a Samford alum and a former coach (when he played and coached there, it was known as Howard). But it's fitting anyway since it's also the alma mater of new FSU coach Jimbo Fisher.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Florida State 51-14

Western Michigan at Michigan State, noon, ESPN2

THE BUZZ: Western Michigan is breaking in a new quarterback, but the Broncos are going to remain a pass-first team, which means they could have some success against a Michigan State secondary that remains a question mark. Conversely, underrated Spartans QB Kirk Cousins could have a big game, as well.

THE LINE: Michigan State by 22.5. THE PICK: Michigan State 38-17

Youngstown State at Penn State, noon, Big Ten Network

THE BUZZ: Penn State has some questions at quarterback, but let's get serious: JoePa could trot out at QB for this one and it wouldn't matter. Next week, though, Penn State is at Alabama.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Penn State 41-7.

Eastern Illinois at Iowa, noon, Big Ten Network

THE BUZZ: Eastern Illinois was a FCS playoff team last season - when it lost by 49 at Penn State. EIU doesn't have a quarterback on its roster who has taken a snap in a college game, which means Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn probably is slobbering at the thought of rushing the passer.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Iowa 45-0

Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia, 12:20 p.m., SEC syndication/ESPN GamePlan

THE BUZZ: Georgia will unveil a new defense (the 3-4) and a new quarterback (redshirt freshman Aaron Murray). ULL has a nice secondary for a Sun Belt team and had 16 interceptions last season. Memo to Murray: Georgia fans would prefer not to see a flashback to Cox, who seemingly threw interceptions as often as a Mardi Gras parade float-rider throws beads.

THE LINE: Georgia by 28. THE PICK: Georgia 41-10

Illinois vs. Missouri (in St. Louis), 12:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net

THE BUZZ: Missouri has had to deal with some nasty off-field allegations about star RB Derrick Washington, who has been suspended. Mizzou also has a revamped receiving corps, which places a lot of pressure on Tigers QB Blaine Gabbert. Good news for Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel is that Illinois is the first opponent. Illini coach Ron Zook has revamped his staff, and perhaps that will make a difference this season.

THE LINE: Missouri by 11.5. THE PICK: Missouri 37-24

Weber State at Boston College, 1 p.m.

THE BUZZ: Weber State made the FCS playoffs last season, when it lost by a total eight points in two games against FBS schools. After not playing a game in the Eastern time zone since 1995, this is the second in a row for Weber, whose final game last season was a playoff loss at William & Mary.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Boston College 27-7

South Carolina State at Georgia Tech, 1 p.m.

THE BUZZ: South Carolina State went 10-2 last season and lost in the first round of the FCS playoffs. The Bulldogs played one FBS team, losing by 24 to South Carolina.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Georgia Tech 34-13

Colorado vs. Colorado State (in Denver), 2 p.m., The mtn.

THE BUZZ: A lot of in-state rivalries are nasty, and this one certainly is that. Neither team can be comfortable with its quarterback situation: Colorado State is starting a true freshman, while Colorado has the same guys it has had the past two seasons. But Buffs QB Tyler Hansen looks to have more help than Rams QB Pete Thomas.

THE LINE: Colorado by 12. THE PICK: Colorado 27-17

Northwestern State (La.) at Air Force, 2 p.m.

THE BUZZ: Northwestern State is coming off a 0-11 season, including a seven-point loss to a Nicholls State team that Air Force beat by 72. Northwestern State played two FBS teams last season and gave up 123 points in the two games.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Air Force 66-7

North Texas at Clemson, 3:30 p.m., ESPNU

THE BUZZ: The best news for Clemson during the offseason was that QB Kyle Parker would return to school despite being a first-round pick in June's baseball draft. His return provides a boost to an offense looking for a new go-to receiver and a new feature back. North Texas coach Todd Dodge is on the hot seat after winning just five games in his first three seasons.

THE LINE: Clemson by 24. THE PICK: Clemson 38-10

UCLA at Kansas State, 3:30 p.m., ABC regional/ESPN2/ESPN GamePlan

THE BUZZ: Whoa what's this? An actual living, breathing non-conference opponent for Bill Snyder and Kansas State? (Whew, things get back to normal next week, when K-State plays host to FCS member Missouri State.) All kidding aside, this has some intrigue. Neither team was all that good offensively last season, but at least K-State has a top-notch running back it can count on in Daniel Thomas. Expect a huge load to be placed on Thomas' shoulders this season, as K-State's quarterbacks look mighty ... uh ... mediocre.

THE LINE: K-State by 2. THE PICK: UCLA 16-14

Kentucky at Louisville, 3:30 p.m., ABC regional/ESPN GamePlan

THE BUZZ: This nasty in-state rivalry gets a new look with new coaches Joker Phillips at UK and Charlie Strong at Louisville. Phillips has a big advantage this season in that his team has a lot more talent than Strong's.

THE LINE: Kentucky by 3. THE PICK: Kentucky 24-14

Connecticut at Michigan, 3:30 p.m., ABC regional/ESPN2

THE BUZZ: Year 3 under Rich Rodriguez starts with a tough one for the Wolverines. UConn is not a finesse team on offense; the Huskies like up and run right at you, and that has to bother Michigan coaches, considering the Wolverines' run defense has been shaky the past two seasons. Michigan still can win seven if it loses this, but, man, talk about the margin of error shrinking.

THE LINE: Michigan by 3. THE PICK: UConn 27-24

Jacksonville State at Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m., Comcast-Charter Sports Southeast/Comcast Sports Net Washington/ESPN GamePlan

THE BUZZ: The game, as it were, is being overshadowed by the NCAA's decision to keep Ole Miss QB Jeremiah Masoli on the sideline. Jacksonville State won the Ohio Valley title last season but was on probation and ineligible for the FCS playoffs.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Ole Miss 27-7

Purdue at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m., NBC

THE BUZZ: The Brian Kelly era begins at Notre Dame - and the Robert Marve era begins at Purdue. It will be interesting to see Kelly's offense performed in the shadow of Touchdown Jesus. It also will be interesting to see if the Irish defense is any better than it was last season. If it's not, Marve will have a big day.

THE LINE: Notre Dame by 11. THE PICK: Notre Dame 34-24

New Mexico at Oregon, 3:30 p.m., Comcast Sports Net Northwest

THE BUZZ: This was supposed to be the first game in what was expected to be a potentially terrific senior season for Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli. Instead, he's in Oxford, Miss., and the Ducks are relying on little-used sophomore QB Darron Thomas to deliver another BCS berth. Thomas, a running threat, beat out fifth-year senior Nate Costa, a good passer, for the starting job.

THE LINE: Oregon by 34. THE PICK: Oregon 49-16

Texas at Rice, 3:30 p.m., ESPN

THE BUZZ: Texas leads the all-time series between these former Southwest Conference rivals 69-21-1 and have won 38 of the past 39 against the Owls. The Longhorns have scored at least 50 in each of their past four meetings with Rice.

THE LINE: Texas by 30.5. THE PICK: Texas 52-15

Coastal Carolina at West Virginia, 3:30 p.m., Big East syndication/Altitude/Mid-Atlantic Sports Network/SportsNet New York/ESPN GamePlan

THE BUZZ: Coastal has been playing football only since 2003 and this is the Chanticleers' fourth game against a FBS opponent. They have lost the first three by an average of almost 37 per game.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: WVU 44-7

UC-Davis at California, 4 p.m., Comcast Sports Net California

THE BUZZ: UC-Davis - whose campus is about an hour southwest of Cal's - is in its fourth season of FCS play after moving up from Division II. The Aggies are 0-3 against FBS foes, including a 51-point loss to Fresno State last season.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: California 45-10

Tennessee-Martin at Tennessee, 6 p.m., ESPN GamePlan

THE BUZZ: A turbulent offseason for the Vols finally ends. Now, of course, comes a turbulent season for a team lacking top-level talent. UTM is coached by Watson Brown.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Tennessee 30-6

Richmond at Virginia, 6 p.m.

THE BUZZ: This could be quite interesting. This is the first game for new Virginia coach Mike London, who spent the past two seasons as coach at Richmond, which is his alma mater. At some point during this game, we'd bet London looks wistfully across the field and says, "I wish I had stayed." One thing is for sure: Richmond has a better quarterback than Virginia (USC transfer Aaron Corp trumps Marc Verica). London led Richmond to the FCS title in 2008 and to the second round of the playoffs last season.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Richmond 20-17

Syracuse at Akron, 6 p.m.

THE BUZZ: This is one of just three games this season in which a MAC member plays host to a Big Six opponent (the others: Friday night's Arizona-Toledo game and the Sept. 18 Connecticut-Temple matchup). This also is the first game for new Akron coach Rob Ianello, who had been on Charlie Weis' staff at Notre Dame.

THE LINE: Syracuse by 8.5. THE PICK: Syracuse 28-16

South Dakota at UCF, 6 p.m.

THE BUZZ: South Dakota whose nickname is the Jackrabbits, by the way is in its third season as a provisional FCS member after moving up from Division II. This is the Jackrabbits' first-ever game against a FBS opponent. To commemorate the occasion, perhaps they will take in DisneyWorld.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: UCF 40-10

Western Carolina at North Carolina State, 6 p.m.

THE BUZZ: NC State has some issues on both sides of the ball, so who better to open with than a bad FCS program?

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: NC State 41-14

Sacramento State at Stanford, 6:30 p.m., Comcast Sports Net Bay Area

THE BUZZ: The post-Toby Gerhart era opens for Stanford. Now it's time for sophomore QB Andrew Luck to shine and he will.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Stanford 49-16

San Jose State at Alabama, 7 p.m., ESPN GamePlan

THE BUZZ: Alabama is the preseason No. 1 and San Jose State might be the worst team in the nation. And you can bet that at some point during the game, San Jose State will eke out a first down and Tide fans will start grumbling about their defense.

THE LINE: Alabama by 37.5. THE PICK: Alabama 59-0

Arkansas State at Auburn, 7 p.m., Sun Sports/Fox Sports South/Fox Sports Florida/Fox Sports Southwest/ESPN GamePlan

THE BUZZ: Auburn's defense was shaky last season and has some question marks entering this season. But Arkansas State has a rebuilt offense that doesn't figure to test the Tigers' defense. This is the debut for new Auburn QB Cameron Newton, the nation's top junior college prospect last season.

THE LINE: Auburn by 30.5. THE PICK: Auburn 45-13

Washington at BYU, 7 p.m., CBS College Sports

THE BUZZ: This one really has flown under the radar. Washington thinks it can get to the postseason for the first time since 2002, while BYU has hopes it can win the Mountain West. Washington has a Heisman contender at quarterback in senior Jake Locker. BYU, on the other hand, is breaking in a new starter at quarterback, and coach Bronco Mendenhall has said touted highly true freshman Jake Heaps (a Washington native, by the way) and junior Riley Nelson will share the job, at least early in the season. Washington loaded on offense, but the defense is a concern.

THE LINE: BYU by 3. THE PICK: Washington 31-27

Stony Brook at USF, 7 p.m., Big East syndication/ESPN GamePlan

THE BUZZ: Stony Brook? What - Tampa powerhouse Plant High wasn't willing to drive about 10 minutes to play the Bulls?

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: USF 37-10

North Dakota State at Kansas, 7 p.m., Fox College Sports Central

THE BUZZ: This is the first game for new Jayhawks coach Turner Gill, who takes over a team that has won 20 consecutive night home games. But only one of the past seven KU coaches (Terry Allen) has won his first game with the Jayhawks.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Kansas 27-16

Memphis at Mississippi State, 7 p.m., ESPNU

THE BUZZ: Both teams will be unveiling a new starting quarterback. One thing is for sure: Memphis' has more money. It's Cannon Smith, the son of FedEx chairman Fred Smith. Of note is that Memphis' defensive line coach is Mike DuBose, who was 1-3 against Mississippi State as Alabama's coach from 1997-2000.

THE LINE: Mississippi State by 21.5. THE PICK: Mississippi State 33-10

Washington State at Oklahoma State, 7 p.m., Fox Sports Net

THE BUZZ: Oklahoma State had great expectations entering the 2009 season, but ended up a somewhat-disappointing 9-4. There are no real expectations about the Cowboys this season, but one thing is for sure: They better win this one or T. Boone Pickens may talk all his money back. Washington State has won three games in the past two seasons and is a consensus pick to finish last in the Pac-10.

THE LINE: Oklahoma State by 15.5. THE PICK: Oklahoma State 38-20

Bowling Green at Troy, 7 p.m., Fox College Sports Pacific

THE BUZZ: Troy cruised to the Sun Belt title last season despite losing by 17 in the opener at Bowling Green, so they're looking for some payback. Both have new quarterbacks, and that's noteworthy because their starters last season (Troy's Levi Brown and BG's Tyler Sheehan) were two of the three 4,000-yard passers in the nation (the other was Houston's Case Keenum).

THE LINE: Troy by 14. THE PICK: Troy 28-17

Western Kentucky at Nebraska, 7 p.m.

THE BUZZ: The Huskers have won 24 season openers in a row, the nation's longest current streak. That streak is not going to end. Western comes in having lost 20 in a row and that also is the nation's longest current streak.

THE LINE: Nebraska by 37.5. THE PICK: Nebraska 49-3

Grambling vs. Louisiana Tech in Shreveport, La., 7 p.m.

THE BUZZ: The campuses are about 10 miles apart, yet this is the first time these teams have met. Also of note is that this will be the first time since 2005 that Tech starting QB Steven Ensminger has taken a snap in a real game.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Louisiana Tech 33-14

Elon at Duke, 7 p.m.

THE BUZZ: This is a dangerous game for a Duke team breaking in a new quarterback. Elon whose campus in Elon, N.C., is about 35 miles northwest of Duke's in Durham made the FCS playoffs last season and features a balanced offense. (Quickie trivia quiz: Elon is nicknamed the Phoenix. What is the school's former nickname? The answer is ... the Fighting Christians. The nickname was changed in 1999.)

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Duke 23-20

Tennessee Tech at Arkansas, 7 p.m.

THE BUZZ: Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett, who suffered a broken foot earlier this year, can ease back into game action against the Golden Eagles, who played two FBS teams last season (Georgia and Kansas State) and lost by a combined 80 points.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Arkansas 56-9

Sam Houston State at Baylor, 7 p.m.

THE BUZZ: All eyes will be on Baylor QB Robert Griffin, who is returning from a knee injury that caused him to miss the final nine games last season.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Baylor 38-13

Army at Eastern Michigan, 7 p.m.

THE BUZZ: The game just down the road in Ann Arbor is a big one. This one? It's the season's first dog of the week. EMU was 116th in the nation in total offense last season, one spot better than Army.

THE LINE: Army by 9.5. THE PICK: Army 26-20

Wofford at Ohio, 7 p.m.

THE BUZZ: Ohio has a chance to contend for the MAC title this season if it receives steady play from QBs Boo Jackson and Phil Bates. Wofford runs an option-based attack and threw for just 858 yards last season. Wofford has excellent facilities, as it serves as the training base for the NFL's Carolina Panthers.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Ohio 30-17

Utah State at Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

THE BUZZ: This is the ninth time in 11 seasons that Utah State has opened on the road. Oklahoma has won 30 in a row at home, the nation's longest current home winning streak. That streak isn't going to end, though Utah State's Diondre Borel is a solid dual-threat quarterback.

THE LINE: Oklahoma by 34. THE PICK: Oklahoma 52-14

Stephen F. Austin at Texas A&M, 7 p.m.

THE BUZZ: SFA isn't your typical FCS patsy; the Lumberjacks went to the FCS playoffs last season and like to throw the ball. Given A&M's defensive issues, SFA - which is about two hours from A&M's campus - could score some points. But A&M will score some points.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Texas A&M 49-20.

Northwestern at Vanderbilt, 7:30 p.m., Comcast-Charter Sports Southeast/Comcast Sports Net Chicago/Comcast Sports Net California/ESPN GamePlan

THE BUZZ: Ahh, an early-season "Brainiac Bowl." As such, there will be no overtime. Instead, if needed, the starting quarterbacks will meet at midfield after regulation time and debate Kierkegaard's theory that truth is subjective.

THE LINE: Northwestern by 5.5. THE PICK: Northwestern 20-10

Oregon State vs. TCU (in Arlington, Texas), 7:45 p.m., ESPN

THE BUZZ: TCU is hoping to make a second consecutive trip to the BCS, but those hopes basically would go up in smoke with a loss to the Beavers. This will be the first start for Oregon State sophomore QB Ryan Katz, who likely will have trouble against an experienced TCU defense. This is a homecoming of sorts for Oregon State's Rodgers brothers, who are from Rosenberg, Texas, about five hours from Arlington.

THE LINE: TCU by 13.5. THE PICK: TCU 27-17

LSU vs. North Carolina (in Atlanta), 8 p.m., ABC

THE BUZZ: About two months ago, this was a monster non-conference affair. Now, with all sorts of rumors swirling about how many UNC starters will be benched because of an NCAA probe, it has lost a ton of luster. Had both teams been at full strength, this would've been a case of "First team to 17 wins." Now, it looks as if UNC could be missing up to half its starting defense.

THE LINE: LSU by 2. THE PICK: LSU 20-13

Nicholls State at San Diego State, 8 p.m.

THE BUZZ: Nicholls State, a FCS member played one Mountain West team last season. The result? A 72-0 loss at Air Force. But fear not, Colonels: San Diego State can't run as well as Air Force. Then again, SDSU can throw the ball quite well, so ...

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: San Diego State 51-17

Texas State at Houston, 8 p.m.

THE BUZZ: Like Houston, Texas State likes to throw the ball, so this likely will take a while. Now, it won't be close, but it will push 3½ hours, even with no TV.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Houston 63-19

Southern Utah at Wyoming, 9 p.m.

THE BUZZ: Big things are expected of Wyoming sophomore QB Austyn Carta-Samuels this season. Big things also are expected of Southern Utah WR Tysson Poots, who is FCS' leading returning receiver in yards per game (120.1), receptions (85) and TD receptions (15). (And if you don't get a slight chuckle out of his last name, well, you don't have a kid who's younger than 7.)

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Wyoming 34-17

Arkansas-Pine Bluff at UTEP, 9 p.m.

THE BUZZ: This is the first-ever game against a FBS opponent for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which became a FCS program in 1998 (the division was called I-AA back then). The Golden Lions are coached by former Washington Redskins LB Monte Coleman.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: UTEP 51-20

Portland State at Arizona State, 10 p.m., Fox Sports Arizona/Fox College Sports Pacific

THE BUZZ: This is the first of two Pac-10 opponents for Portland State, a FCS program coming off a 2-9 season that got Jerry Glanville pushed out as coach. This is the first of back-to-back FCS foes for Arizona State, which plays Northern Arizona next week, But then things get tough for the Sun Devils, who go back-to-back-to-back-to-back with Wisconsin, Oregon, Oregon State and Washington, with three of those (all but Oregon) on the road.

THE LINE: No line. THE PICK: Arizona State 37-0

Cincinnati at Fresno State, 10 p.m., ESPN2

THE BUZZ: Cincinnati begins the post-Brian Kelly era, and he will be missed. This is a tough contest for new Bearcats coach Butch Jones. Fresno thrives on playing Big Six opponents, and a big, physical Bulldogs offensive line should scare the heck out of Cincy coaches and players.

THE LINE: Fresno State by 2.5. THE PICK: Cincinnati 24-20

Wisconsin at UNLV, 11 p.m., Versus

THE BUZZ: Badgers coach Bret Bielema better keep an eye on his big, beefy offensive linemen, as those all-you-can-buffets along the Vegas strip have to be awfully appealing to those big guys. A lot is expected of Wisconsin this season, and it seems extremely doubtful UNLV can pull off an upset in new coach Bobby Hauck's first game.

THE LINE: Wisconsin by 20.5. THE PICK: Wisconsin 35-17

SUNDAY'S GAMES

Tulsa at East Carolina, 2 p.m., ESPN2

THE BUZZ: An important C-USA game right out of the gate. This is the first game for new ECU coach Ruffin McNeill, who had been Texas Tech's defensive coordinator. He has brought Tech's pass-happy offense with him, and with the Pirates have some good receivers, quarterback is a question. Tulsa also has a lot of talented skill-position players, so this looks like a shootout.

THE LINE: Tulsa by 8. THE PICK: Tulsa 34-28

SMU at Texas Tech, 3:30 p.m., ESPN

THE BUZZ: This is one of the more intriguing games of the weekend. If Mike Leach still were Tech's coach, you wonder if either coach would've called a running play. With Tommy Tuberville now in charge of the Red Raiders, the question becomes how many rushing attempts Tech will have. SMU has made a big climb in coach June Jones' two seasons, and a victory over Texas Tech would signal that the Mustangs truly have arrived back among the living.

THE LINE: Texas Tech by 14. THE PICK: Texas Tech 38-21

MONDAY'S GAMES

Maryland vs. Navy (in Baltimore), 4 p.m., ESPN

THE BUZZ: Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen is in trouble - yes, "The Fridge" is on the hot seat - and opening with Navy could exacerbate his problems. The good news for Maryland is that the Terps have had a few months to prepare for Navy's triple-option offense. The bad news is all that prep time might not matter.

THE LINE: Navy by 6.5. THE PICK: Navy 28-19

Boise State vs. Virginia Tech (in Landover, Md.), 8 p.m., ESPN

THE BUZZ: The big game of the first weekend. Virginia Tech might be the preseason favorite in the ACC, but all the pressure is on Boise. If the Broncos lose, they become irrelevant for the rest of the season even if they go 11-1 and win each game by four touchdowns. This game boils down to one simple task: Stop the run. But can either team do that?

THE LINE: Boise State by 2.5. THE PICK: Boise State 24-23

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