Weeknight college football schedule, television guide, and open thread

There are four games on this week’s evening schedule, and they’re (mostly) surprisingly compelling:

Tonight, Houston travels to Tulane (-5) at 7:00 on ESPN. This is an elimination game in the AAC West and see who’s going to try to keep up with Memphis. Tulane’s defense has been slowly rebuilding, but now they’ve added an offense to boot. Holgo’s first year in Houston hasn’t had the big splash many expected, and this is a very tough game for the Cougars.

Tomorrow is perhaps an even better slate.

You can probably skip that 7:00 Louisiana Tech (-7.5) at FIU game on CBSSN, and just wait an hour. At 8:00 central, two other, better games arrive.

No. 9 Utah (-4) travels to face USC in the Coliseum (FS1) on Friday night, in an absolute must-win for both teams in the P12 South. There aren’t many great options in that division — with Arizona State, these are likely the two best teams. The loser here gets behind a yuge eight-ball early. And for the Utes, a loss here probably also torches the P12’s playoff ambitions too. Before October 1st. Yuck.

Also at 8:00 Central Friday night, on ESPN2, we get one of those always-fun scheme clashes that only really happen in college ball. The triple option nerds at Air Force go the Smurf Turf to face No. 21 Boise State (-8). The Falcons always give the Broncos fits; home field probably won’t matter much here.

Here’s your thread for tonight and tomorrow. We’ll see you later.