College Football Kickoff: Morning Open Thread

Big things are afoot today for would-be contenders.

And, we start with No. 15 Houston vs. No. 4 Oklahoma (11 a.m., ABC/WatchESPN) The Cougars look to the be the class of the AAC and the Group of 5, a win here all-but-cements a New Year’s Six bowl. A win by the Dirt Burglars instantly sets them apart from other Big 12 contenders, who have mainly pitiful OOC slates. (Not you, Texas, but you don’t have a chance.)

ESPN/WatchESPN has the gratuitous Hawaii/No. 7 Michigan game for you at 11:00. This should be a paycheck slaughter.

The South Alabama Jaguars play a visit to Starkville and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at 11:00 on SECN.

If you’re feeling kinky, you can look at 2017-2018 playoff contender Ohio State at 11:00 on the Big Ten Network. They get to club the Bowling Green Falcons like a baby harp seal in Newfoundland, no matter the fact the Buckeyes will be playing upwards of 45 Sophomores and Freshmen.

Mizzou gets to have their season ruined already as they travel to Morgantown to play the Mountaineers at 11:00 on Fox Sports One.

Finally, there is one really early, under-the-radar game, that I think is going to be an excellent one too, between two well-above-average G5 contenders. It’s a weird road swing, but Boise State is at Louisiana-Lafayette at 11:00 only on ESPN3 (shame, really.)

Chime in, and Gump on.