Do you smell that? That's the smell of college football season, one of the most fun times of the calendar year. A time for tailgates, school spirit, fierce rivalries that can break families, and of course, football!
Usually week one games are full of mismatches; top ranked squads play host to teams that usually have no shot of winning. But here are some games that are sure to be intriguing as the calendar turns to September.
Michigan vs. Alabama (Arlington, Texas) - Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.
Two historical powerhouses headline this weekend's kickoff to the college football season. Alabama is fresh off their second National Championship in the past three years. Four players left the team via first round draft picks, but 'Bama still finds itself ranked as the No. 2 team in the nation.
Michigan comes into the 2012 season without as much consistency in its past. A few years removed from a historical nine-loss season, the Wolverines come into this season ranked No. 8 and have higher expectations than in recent years.
Michigan's Heisman hopeful, senior quarterback Denard Robinson, will face one of his toughest tests of the season. Alabama finished last year with the first-ranked defense in the nation, highlighted by shutting out No. 1 LSU in last year's BCS National Championship game.
The 14-point favorite Crimson Tide should represent the SEC well and show why they are a part of the most dominant conference in all of college football.
Notre Dame vs. Navy (Dublin, Ireland) - Sept. 1 at 9 a.m. Eastern
Notre Dame (No. 24) takes its heritage and traditions over to the "Motherland" of Dublin, Ireland to face the Navy Midshipmen.
Navy had won three of its last five meetings against the Fighting Irish, but was routed 56-14 in last year's annual duel. Notre Dame's offense proved to be too much for Navy's defense as the Fighting Irish amassed 422 yards in total offense.
This year the matchup has some intriguing storylines. Junior quarterback Tommy Rees of Notre Dame was suspended after being arrested at an off-campus party May 3rd. Sophomore quarterback Everett Golson will replace Rees at the helm of the offense.
Both teams are dealing with a time difference and being thousands of miles away from home, which could lead to fatigue.
This is a new venue for the Fighting Irish who are thousands miles away, but will look to have the same type of home atmosphere that they experience in South Bend, Ind.
Hawaii vs. USC (Los Angeles, California) - Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern
USC is one of the most hyped teams of the past decade. With nine returning offensive starters and eight returning defensive starters, the top-ranked Trojans look primed to make a run at a PAC-12 and a BCS title.
Had it not been for their postseason ban, USC's 10-2 finish last season would have earned them a spot in the PAC-12 title game against Oregon.
Hawaii has not been quite as successful. Despite a run in the top 25 rankings in the 2000s, Hawaii has barely been a bowl-qualifying team in recent years. Senior quarterback Matt Barkley will look to light up Hawaii and begin his trip to what promises to be a season to remember.
USC is the 40-point favorite in this one and it promises to be a display of offensive fireworks for the Trojans.
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