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What to Watch, Week 1: Welcome back, college football

The college football season is finally here (golf claps), but while we’re all excited about the beginning of everyone’s favorite five-month journey, we also have to temper our early expectations.

The first weekend of college football always boasts some ridiculous performance that has us anointing the next Heisman winner and the next national championship … Sorry Kenny Hill. So as long as we all remember the college football season is a marathon not a sprint, this should be the best college football season ever (just like every season).

Every week, Dr. Saturday will highlight the top games that you should be watching so you can be the most informed fan you can be.

So, without any further ado, here’s what to watch in Week 1:

Game of the week:
No. 1 Ohio State at Virginia Tech, Mon., 8 p.m. ET
Ohio State has dominated offseason talk as everyone wants to know what the defending national champions will do for an encore performance. Remember, Virginia Tech was Ohio State’s only loss a year ago. The Hokies went into Columbus and frustrated then-new quarterback J.T. Barrett. It’s a game that Barrett has talked about a lot in terms of his maturation and one he’d like to have back.

Well, he’ll definitely get his chance to write last year’s wrong, but we have no idea whether it will be him or Cardale Jones who will take the opening snap. Coach Urban Meyer said both will play.

This won’t be an easy opener for the Buckeyes. Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Brewer was under immense pressure last season, but with OSU All-American defensive end Joey Bosa suspended for the opener, he’s might be a little more at ease. Plus, Brewer, a Texas Tech transfer, is in his second season with the Hokies and coach Frank Beamer expects that he’s settled down quite a bit. Moreover, the offensive line and receivers, both of which were young a year ago, will be more experienced in this matchup.

Virginia Tech is 0-8 all-time against No. 1s, but the Hokies will have confidence going into the one. Expect it to be a tight game throughout.

Game to watch:
No. 15 Arizona State at Texas A&M, Sat., 7 p.m. ET

If you like offense, this is going to be a fun matchup.

Both of these teams like to go fast, throw the ball and put up a lot of points. Obviously, Arizona State has the more seasoned quarterback in Mike Bercovici, who started a few games last year, but has mostly been a career backup. He did, however, show he has the ability to command the Sun Devils' offense and the transition from Taylor Kelly to Bercovci should be seamless this year.

Kyle Allen, who started the last five games of 2014, will direct the A&M offense this year and should be a bit more comfortable under center. A&M returns a lot of familiar faces on offense, but all eyes are going to be on the revamped defense under new coordinator John Chavis. The ASU offense will be the perfect gauge to see how far A&M’s D, which was 102nd nationally in total defense, has come this offseason.

Even with some playmakers on defense, this game will belong to the offenses. Expect a game in the 30s.

Also check out…
No. 20 Wisconsin vs. No. 3 Alabama (at Arlington, Texas), Sat., 8 p.m. ET

There are a lot of good games on the slate this week, but this is the only marquee matchup between two ranked teams.

All eyes will be on Alabama’s quarterback situation. The Tide’s depth chart earlier this week listed five players as possible starters for the opener, though we all know that’s not true. There are probably three players still vying for the position and coach Nick Saban has not been shy in showing his frustration over no one actually seizing the job. A lot of people like Jacob Coker to be the frontrunner, though there have been a lot of stories about Alec Morris being the best of the group in camp. We’ll all have to wait and see, I guess.

Wisconsin doesn’t have a quarterback problem. Joel Stave was named the starting quarterback at the beginning of spring and coach Paul Chryst hasn’t wavered from that decision. Stave has had confidence issues, which hampered his 2014 season. He’s shown flashes of being a good quarterback, but consistency has been the problem. Wisconsin relied heavily on the running game last year and Corey Clement should be the Badgers’ next great workhorse back this season. But Stave will need to have a good game for the Badgers to have any chance against what is always a dynamic Alabama defense.

This game could be slugfest, so don’t be surprised if it’s low scoring.

Channel surf through…
Washington at No. 23 Boise State, Fri., 10:15 p.m. ET –
Washington coach Chris Petersen returns to his old stomping grounds, but it likely won’t be a happy homecoming.

Louisville at No. 6 Auburn, Sat., 3:30 p.m. ET – New Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson will have a tough opener as a first-time starter against a Louisville defense that features former TCU All-American DE Devonte Fields.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!

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