2008 Woodie Awards
Games to watch
Issue date: 8/29/08 Section: First & Goal
Just a reminder: Georgia vs. Georgia Southern isn't the only game this weekend. Here are some other games to watch while in between Sanford Stadium and your Saturday night plans.
No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 20 Illinois
St. Louis, Mo.
ESPN 8:30 p.m.
Missouri has to prove that last year wasn't a fluke and Illinois has to prove it's a legit top-25 contender after the shellacking it took from USC in the Rose Bowl. Both offenses look to spread the field, but Missouri likes to pass and Illinois likes to run. It will be interesting to see what the Illini are like without Reshard Mendenhall, and whether or not the Illinois defense can slow down Jeremy Maclin and company.
- Jason Butt
No. 9 Clemson vs. No. 24 Alabama
Atlanta
ABC 8 p.m.
This is an interesting regional matchup, and even more interesting because the game is at a neutral site in Atlanta. Clemson will look to run its thunder and lighting duo of James Davis and C.J. Spiller down Alabama's throat, with quarterback Cullen Harper taking some shots downfield to receiver Aaron Kelly. However, Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson is back for his senior year and he doesn't want to start his last season on a down note. The game will come down to whether Alabama can stop the run or not.
- Jason Butt
No. 5 Florida vs. Hawaii
Gainesville, Fla.
ESPN 360.com 12:30 p.m.
The Warriors match up with another SEC foe in their first game since being dismantled by Georgia in the Sugar Bowl in January. This one should be even more lopsided, but enjoyable. While Tim Tebow and Co. look to tune up for tougher competition, Hawaii will be adjusting to a new coach and a new quarterback. And that to the environment at the Swamp and this one could get very ugly, very quickly for a Hawaii team that was in a BCS bowl just a few months ago.
- Tyler Estep
Utah vs. Michigan
Ann Arbor, Mich.
ABC 3:30 p.m.
This game is one to watch because no one really knows what to expect. Michigan is breaking in a completely different offensive scheme with two quarterbacks that have no game experience. Michigan's defense is solid but will have to stop Utah's spread attack, something Appalachian State put on them by surprise last year. Utah has the talent to beat Michigan, giving the Wolverines two straight Big House opener losses. It will be interesting to see how the Wolverines execute on offense, especially in the passing game.
- Jason Butt
No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 20 Illinois
St. Louis, Mo.
ESPN 8:30 p.m.
Missouri has to prove that last year wasn't a fluke and Illinois has to prove it's a legit top-25 contender after the shellacking it took from USC in the Rose Bowl. Both offenses look to spread the field, but Missouri likes to pass and Illinois likes to run. It will be interesting to see what the Illini are like without Reshard Mendenhall, and whether or not the Illinois defense can slow down Jeremy Maclin and company.
- Jason Butt
No. 9 Clemson vs. No. 24 Alabama
Atlanta
ABC 8 p.m.
This is an interesting regional matchup, and even more interesting because the game is at a neutral site in Atlanta. Clemson will look to run its thunder and lighting duo of James Davis and C.J. Spiller down Alabama's throat, with quarterback Cullen Harper taking some shots downfield to receiver Aaron Kelly. However, Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson is back for his senior year and he doesn't want to start his last season on a down note. The game will come down to whether Alabama can stop the run or not.
- Jason Butt
No. 5 Florida vs. Hawaii
Gainesville, Fla.
ESPN 360.com 12:30 p.m.
The Warriors match up with another SEC foe in their first game since being dismantled by Georgia in the Sugar Bowl in January. This one should be even more lopsided, but enjoyable. While Tim Tebow and Co. look to tune up for tougher competition, Hawaii will be adjusting to a new coach and a new quarterback. And that to the environment at the Swamp and this one could get very ugly, very quickly for a Hawaii team that was in a BCS bowl just a few months ago.
- Tyler Estep
Utah vs. Michigan
Ann Arbor, Mich.
ABC 3:30 p.m.
This game is one to watch because no one really knows what to expect. Michigan is breaking in a completely different offensive scheme with two quarterbacks that have no game experience. Michigan's defense is solid but will have to stop Utah's spread attack, something Appalachian State put on them by surprise last year. Utah has the talent to beat Michigan, giving the Wolverines two straight Big House opener losses. It will be interesting to see how the Wolverines execute on offense, especially in the passing game.
- Jason Butt
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