Games To Watch: Week 1

We are now just four days away from the start of the 2008 college football season. And while the Week 1 schedule isn't exactly scintillating, there are a handful of games that most college football fans should find intriguing. A few of these games should prove to be very close (watch out for the Utes, Michigan), very exciting and very much worth watching.

After looking over the schedule for this first long weekend of college football -- without the NFL around to get in the way, we'll have college games every day from Thursday to Monday -- the following five games stood out as the best. All times listed here are EDT.

• Utah at Michigan (3:30 p.m., Saturday): Utah went 9-4 last year. The Utes return 16 starters for 2008. Michigan went 9-4 last year. And they lost pretty much everybody of note, at least on offense. Would it really be an upset if Utah were to win this one?
• No. 24 Alabama at No. 9 Clemson (8 p.m., Saturday): The marquee match up of Week 1. Most experts, including the one writing this blog, expect Clemson to win the ACC championship. In fact, I think the Tigers will likely win 11 games. Which means, of course, that I think they'll lose one, too. That loss comes this week. The Nick Saban Era in Alabama begins in earnest in 2008 -- and this will be the Tide's signature moment.
• Michigan State at California (8 p.m., Saturday): Anyone who has been reading my work here knows that I'm high on Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio. The guy is well on his way to turning Sparty into a real contender, and I expect these guys to win at least nine games in 2008. But this trip to Cal is no gimme. The Bears have their problems, yes, but Dantonio and the Spartans should be ready for a dogfight.
• No. 20 Illinois at No. 6 Missouri (8:30 p.m, Saturday): Who are the scheduling geniuses who decided to put this game on the same time as Alabama-Clemson? I mean, come on. Anyway, my general feeling is that Illinois is a tad overhyped coming into 2008, but Ron Zook certainly has a good young team. Just how good? Well, maybe his game will tell us. Missouri might be the best team in the suddenly revitalized Big 12.
• Washington at No. 21 Oregon (10 p.m., Saturday): Washington-Oregon is a nasty rivalry that hasn't been nasty enough in recent years, mostly because the Huskies have struggled so badly. It will be interesting to see if impressive Washington quarterback Jake Locker can improve his completion percentage this season. The kid is dangerous on the run. If he can just make himself more consistent as a passer, he could help Washington earn a bowl bid -- and save coach Tyrone Willingham's job.

Photo: Juice Williams and Illinois face a tough test this week against No. 6 Missouri. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images).