More photos » Colin E. Braley - AP

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Football is finally here!

For those newer members who are on the site basically this is a live chat in the comments.  The comments automatically refresh so there is no need to do keep hitting F5 button to see the new comments.

Feel free to chat about the other games going tonight or the weekends matchup or whatever.

#15 Pitt @ #24 Utah 8:30PM

TV: Versus

Radio: ESPN 700

Let's hear what you think. Register for a free account here on the site so you can leave your comments, predictions and other game day chatter below in the comments section below.

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If we look past the ridiculously long name of the The Cinch Jeans Rocky Mountain Showdown Presented by Dr Pepper With Ultimate Electronics and the fact a few crafty Colorado State students got a few "early" tickets there is a football game going on.  Starting the first year of a ten year extension of the rivalry the Rams and Buffs will go head to head at Invesco Field at Mile High kicking off at noon.  Last year the Rams surprised most people with a 23-17 win at Folsom Field, the Rams first win there since 1986.  Expect another heated game with big hits after last years affair.  The CSU fans rushing Folsom didn't sit well with the Buffs so they will be coming out with some fire.  At 59-20 the Colorado Buffalos have dominated the series over time, however in the last decade the series was split 6-4 in favor of the Buffs.

For this game you can look to the keys of the game being the CSU quarterback Pete Thomas and Tyler Hansen for CU.  Hansen has started 13 games in his career but has never played in the rivalry or been the opening day starter.  He seems to be a better option then Cody Hawkins for the Buffalo as he brings the scramble into play and can create on the run.  The stats last year between the two were near identical though, but Hansen did face the tougher teams deep in their Big 12 schedule. The Rams have attempted to match Hansen's speed with small quick defensive ends in Broderick Sergeant and Davis Burl.  Expect the Buffs to pressure Pete Thomas and throw different looks at him to see if they can rattle him in front of the big crowd.  This will be the most intriguing thing for me as a fan, to see how well the true freshman tests out in his first collegiate game with 70,000 fans watching.

Colorado Buffalo will win if...

They can stop Raymond Carter and the Rams running attack.  The Rams will try and establish the run and help Pete Thomas out by opening up the field and spreading out the Buffs.  If the Buffs can win the field position battle it will help immensely also.

Colorado State Rams will win if...

They stop the Buffalo on third down, last year they were dead last in FBS in 3rd down percentage.  Keeping the defense fresh and Pete Thomas on the field will be a good thing for the Rams.  Getting the offensive line in sync and moving the ball on the ground along with giving Pete Thomas time to make a throw will keep the Rams on top.

The game could go either way with lots of questions marks on both sides.  Both teams are coming of disappointing 3-9 years and were picked to finish near the bottom of their conferences.  Winning down in Denver could jump start either team into surprising the critics and getting the season started on the right foot.  I wouldn't expect a barn burner so every possession will count and field position will be important.  I am calling a 17-14 win for one of the teams from Colorado.

More photos » Mike Stone - AP

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College football is here and all is right with the world.

Now that games are actually going to be played instead of expansion or rumors of expansion.  This is the last year that the Mountain West is together as we all know it since Utah is heading to the Pac-10, BYU is going independent, Boise State is joining the league next season, and Fresno State and Nevada are joining in either 2011 or 2012.

So, this is the final year of the Mountain West as we know it, and the team that looks to be on top is TCU who brought back nearly all of their offensive firepower and for the first time in a long time their offense will be vastly superior then the defense.

The league will not be as top heavy as in the past as only TCU and Utah are in the top 25, but a third team is possible if BYU can make the offense click in a two quarterback system or perhaps Air Force who will have a top twenty defense in the nation.

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More photos » Greg Wahl-Stephens - AP

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SB Nation's Oregon Duck site Addicted To Quack was glad to take some time to answer some questions about their home opener against New Mexico.

1. Even though Chip Kelly named Darron Thomas the starting quarterback will the New Mexico game provide Nate Costa any chance to possibly take over the job in what is honestly a glorified scrimmage?

Not unless there's an injury. Chip Kelly has said from the start of fall camp, he's going to pick one guy and that guy will be THE guy. We expect to see Nate Costa and a lot of the other 2-deep guys get plenty of reps, but those shouldn't impact the starting line-up for the following game at Tennessee unless someone gets hurt. There is the remote possibility that Thomas could completely stink it up. That might stir the pot a little. Even then, Chip probably wouldn't waver.

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More photos » Keith Srakocic - AP

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The long awaited 2005 Fiesta Bowl rematch between Utah and Pittsburgh features the same schools, but much different teams.  This Pitt team, full of NFL prospects, should be much, much better than the team Utah thumped 35-7 in their first BCS Busting, undefeated season.

For the Utes, their game plan is all about stopping RB Dion Lewis.  As a freshman, Lewis rushed for 1,799 yards earning him 2009 Big East Offensive Player of the Year honors.  This season he looks to build on his stellar freshman season and make a run at the Heisman Trophy.

Pitt will be using a new QB, sophomore Tino Suneri.  As a red shirt freshman in 2009 he completed 10-17 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns.  Pitt expects big things from Sunseri, but making his first start on the road in a hostile environment will be challenging.

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More photos » Tom Pennington - AP

9 months ago: TCU tailback Ed Wesley (34) carries the ball against Utah in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Tom Pennington)

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Andy Manis - AP

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SB Nation's Wisconsin site Bucky's 5th Quarter gladly took place in a question and answer session regarding the UNLV vs. Wisconsin game this weekend.  Head to their site to see my answers to the questions they asked me.

1. Who are the playmakers on offense that UNLV should know about?

Well the most obvious playmaker is running back John Clay, the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy candidate. But it is entirely possible for him to take a backseat in this game. Clay had surgery on both ankles in the offseason and while he is healthy, there are concerns about his weight and conditioning.

His carries could be limited until the Big Ten season so Montee Ball and freshman James White could get their fair share of touches on Saturday. Otherwise, wide receiver Nick Toon is poised to have a big year and tight end Lance Kendricks will also be a frequent target for quarterback Scott Tolzien. Wisconsin's best player on offense, however, is left tackle Gabe Carimi who will certainly be a first round draft pick next spring.

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