LSU at Mississippi State

Thursday, 8 p.m., ESPN

It’s a conference game for the Tigers, but really no different than opening against Western Michigan.

Washington at Syracuse

Friday, 8 p.m., ESPN

Like a Hootie and the Blowfish show, this would have been great fun in the ’90s.

East Carolina at Virginia Tech

Saturday, Noon, ESPN

Chance to catch the best team in a frighteningly weak ACC.

Alabama-Birmingham at Michigan State

Saturday., Noon, ESPN2

The Spartans have a new coach and new uniforms. Shoot, don’t want to miss that.

Wake Forest at Boston College

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Channel 8

Doesn’t it give you an ulcer that the Demon Deacons reached a BCS bowl before the Eagles?

Georgia Tech at Notre Dame

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Channel 6

Thirty-second anniversary of the Rudy Game. ND loves to play teams that were great before electricity.

UCLA at Stanford

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., FSNE

Jim Harbaugh makes his debut as a college coach. And Vinny Testaverde plays on.

Oklahoma State at Georgia

Saturday, 6:45 p.m., ESPN2

They haven’t played each other in 60 years, and the Cowboys are about to realize why.

Tennessee at California

Saturday, 8 p.m., Channel 8

Great chance for the nation to see the SEC get knocked down a peg, for one night.

Idaho at Southern California

Saturday, 10:15 p.m., FSNE

The equivalent of Brazil vs. Djibouti in a soccer “friendly.”