After weeks of contenting ourselves with the NFL’s preseason games, we at last get real competition on the football field.

No, not from the NFL. Not yet. On Thursday, as the NFL wraps up its preseason slate with games in which almost no starters will play, college football starts in earnest.

Now, college football in some regards debuts the way the NFL ends. Teams often open up with a huge mismatch that almost guarantees a win while resulting in a huge financial payoff for the massive underdog. This is why, for example, Appalachian State plays Michigan (though that turned out badly for the Wolverines in 2007, when the Apps, or whatever their nickname is, won 34-32 at the Big House in front of more than 109,000 stunned fans). In this first rematch since that upset, Michigan is a 34 ½ point favorite on Saturday.

There will be some competitive games. There are two Kickoff Classic matchups in Atlanta – Ole Miss against Boise State on Thursday night and Alabama vs. West Virginia on Saturday. Don’t miss that second one.

Here’s what we’ll be watching:

THURSDAY NIGHT
Texas A&M at South Carolina: A&M loses QB Johnny Manziel and is very young at a lot of positions. South Carolina looks fairly loaded, even without defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who was the No. 1 pick in the NFL. The line: South Carolina by 10 ½.

SATURDAY
Arkansas at Auburn: Auburn was within minutes of winning the national championship in January. That’s an exciting offense. The line: Auburn by 21.

West Virginia at Alabama at the Georgia Dome: The Crimson Tide lost their last two games last season, including a humiliating 45-31 beating in the Sugar Bowl by Oklahoma. ‘Bama is ranked No. 2. Be afraid. Be very afraid. The line: Alabama by 26 ½.

Wisconsin at LSU at Reliant Stadium (Houston): These two don’t get an easy start. Wisconsin is ranked 14^th, LSU 13^th. The line: LSU by 5.

Today’s question: Who will win the national championship this year? Florida State? Oklahoma? Alabama? Oregon? Answers in the comment box, please.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman