Week 1 Preview
Preseason classics kick off the college football season
Posted: Thursday August 27, 1998 07:34 PM
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State of mind: Florida State, featuring dynamic wideout Peter Warrick, is 19-3 in openers under coach Bobby Bodwen Andy Lyons/Allsport |
ATLANTA (CNN/SI) -– School’s back in session, signaling the beginning of the college football season.
This year, the season kicks off with four preseason “classic” games. While many coaches would like to limit or eliminate these games, they do give some programs a chance to prove themselves on a national stage. These games also give the elite teams a head start on the national championship race.
The action begins Saturday with two games: No. 4 Nebraska beginning its national-championship defense by hosting Louisiana Tech in the inaugural Eddie Robinson Classic, and No. 15 Colorado State visiting No. 23 Michigan State in the Black Coaches Association Classic.
The Pigskin Classic returns to Southern California with a Rose Bowl-like battle between USC and Purdue on Sunday.
The opening weekend of the season wraps up with possibly the best of the classic games – the Kickoff Classic between No. 2 Florida State and No. 14 Texas A&M. It’s not the NFL, but it will be played on Monday night at Giants Stadium. It’s also very likely many of the players in this game could make a return once their college careers end.
| Week 1 Capsules |
| Matchup | Key Stat | Player to Watch | The Skinny |
No. 2 Florida St. vs.
No. 14 Texas A&M at East Rutherford, N.J.
Monday 8 p.m. (ABC) |
11 Consecutive 10-win seasons and top-four finishes by the Seminoles |
Chris Weinke, QB, FSU
The 26-year-old finally get his chance to continue the tradition of top Seminole QBs |
The 'Noles begin their annual national title hunt while the Aggies try to finally win the big game.
Game preview
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La. Tech at
No. 4 Nebraska
Saturday 4 p.m. (Fox Sports Net) |
49-2 Nebraska's record in Tom Osborne's last four seasons at Lincoln |
Tim Rattay, QB, La. Tech
Rattay led the nation in total offense last year with 3,968 yards |
New Huskers coach Frank Solich begins defense of the national title against the pass-happy Bulldogs that went 9-2 last year.
Game preview
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No. 15 Colorado St. at
No. 23 Michigan St.
Saturday 4 p.m. (ESPN2) |
2,223 Yards gained by the Rams' top two rushers in 1997: Damon Washington (1,112) and Kevin McDougal (1,111) |
Sedrick Irvin, RB, Mich. St.
The Spartans' go-to guy is aiming for a third straight 1,000-yard season |
The Rams take a 9-game win streak into East Lansing to face a fierce Spartan defense.
Game preview
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Purdue at USC
Sunday 2:30 p.m. (ABC) |
459.2 Yards per game racked up by Purdue's "basketball on grass" offense last year |
Roosevelt Colvin, DE, Purdue The leader of a tough defense returning seven starters |
New coach Paul Hackett tries to restore some Trojan pride against last year's surprise of the Big Ten.
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