I put together a look at the national college scene for this weekend that appeared on the cover of Thursday's Tulsa World.
You can check out the top games for opening weekend
here.
Beyond a great slate of national games, it figures to be an interesting weekend for the locals. Tulsa has a chance to get a rare win against a Big 12 opponent, a new look defense and receiving corps will be featured for Oklahoma, and the Wes Lunt era begins at Oklahoma State.
Here's what I'll be focusing on in the three games of local interest:
1. Cody Green returns to Ames: It isn't exactly sexy enough for a movie title or anything, but it will be the most important storyline of the day for Tulsa.
Is Cody Green, the Nebraska transfer and former Dayton, Texas High School star (I was able to follow his prep career closely) everything the Golden Hurricane imagine in a starting quarterback?
Bill Blankenship says yes. Other reports, however, indicate Green has been uneven at best during preseason practices.
Tulsa has the potential to be a 10-win team, although that potential drops significantly if Green doesn't play at a high level.
2. Now leading Oklahoma State onto the field, Wes Lunt: This should be the only thing that makes this opener interesting.
How much can you learn about yourself playing one of the worst teams in the Football Championship Subdivision? I'm not sure. I guess it's better than a scrimmage.
Lunt's debut will at least add a little intrigue. How does he lead the offense? How does he work with a receiving group missing Justin Blackmon?
Lunt just needs to make sure he doesn't get too comfortable. Arizona awaits the following week.
3. Landry Jones throws complete to who?: You can talk about Dominique Whaley's return from an ankle injury or the new-look defense of Mike Stoops.
And the mounting injuries on the offensive line are definitely worth your concern.
But my focus will be on Landry Jones and the kind of rapport he's developed with a new receiving corps. Is Trey Metoyer really a superstar in the making? Can Kenny Stills be the leader of the unit? How will former Penn State player Justin Brown fit in? Might true freshman Sterling Shepard see the field?
If Jones and the receivers click, this offense should be dangerous. Otherwise, the Sooners could look a lot like they did the end of last year.
No matter what happens, it's good to have college football back. Enjoy Week 1.
