The full spectrum from the Oklahoma Sooners' 31-24 win over the Utah State Aggies in the season opener:

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If you were buying the Oklahoma Sooners as national championship contenders heading into this season, I don't blame you if you're looking for a refund after Saturday night's unsettling 31-24 win in their opener against the Utah State Aggies.

Before you go digging for your receipt, though, kindly indulge Homerism for a few moments.

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The Homerism crew is so Pete Carroll-level jacked up for today's action that I'm not even going to bother waiting for the games to begin to start rambling for our legions of dedicated fellowers:

*I realize it's Toledo, but Arizona's performance last night was definitely the most impressive so far in this very young season. Quarterback Nick Foles was throwing rockets to a pack of enormous receivers. I try to not let Week One games get me too overly enthusiastic, but the Wildcats definitely have me rethinking my Pac-10 pick.

*What do people who don't like sports do with themselves?

*A gorgeous 80 degrees and sunny here in Homerismville today – perfect for sitting on my duff and watching football.

*Of course, I always love the start of college football until I realize the best game on at noon is probably Miami (OH) at Florida. You know you've got a captive audience, don't you, ESPN.

*Speaking of my viewing schedule for today (all times EST):

• Samford at Florida State (12 pm) – Want to see how the 'Noles look in preparation for next weekend. Trust me, no reason to tune into this snuff film otherwise. Will probably switch over to Illinois-Missouri relatively quickly.
• Texas "at" Rice (3:30 pm) – How gracious of the Longhorns to give the Owls a home game at Reliant Stadium. UT is unveiling its new offense today, so I'll tune in for at least the first quarter or so. Purdue-Notre Dame and UCLA-Kansas State will probably be the games of choice for the second half.
• Utah State at Mighty Oklahoma (7 pm)
  
• Cincinnati at Fresno State (late night) – This is one of the more intriguing games on today's slate. Think it could go down to the gun, which should be somewhere around 2 am.

*Honestly, another year of Big and Rich?

*Nice dye job there, Les.

*Anybody tried Pepsi Max?

Date: September 4
Time: 7 pm EST
Venue: Owen Field (Norman, Okla.)
Vegas Line: OU -33.5

Another season, another heaping helping of Sooner fans' favorite weekly preview series, "What to Watch."

Our first edition of the 2010 season finds OU hosting dyed-in-the-wool cupcake Utah State. Lest you fear this season's opener has the potential for the BYU-like disappointment of a year ago, know that while both teams hail from the land of Joseph Smith, the similarities between the two pretty much end there.

The Aggies played the role of WAC punching bag last season, finishing 4-8 overall and 3-5 in conference games. A total of 16 returning starters may signal improvement in coach Gary Andersen's second campaign in Logan, but USU shouldn't offer much resistance here, especially with a defense that ranked in the 100s nationally in all major categories.

Even so, USU senior quarterback Diondre Borel leads a sometimes potent offensive attack that will provide a nice tune-up for next week's visit from the Florida State Seminoles. Plus, it's a game that actually counts for something, which makes it a godsend this time of year.

So, while you're remembering this weekend how much fun our lives are with OU football back in them, keep an eye on...

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Homerism won the coveted chocolate martini for the second year in a row in the popular sibling rivalry of Picks Trying Not to Suck. Despite the heartburn it caused him last year, The Skinny lobbied for the same ground rules this season, including the Lee Greenwood Special for our men and women in uniform. The stakes remain the same, a Christmas day choco-tini, with the added twist of The Skinny's pride being on the line as well.

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Homerism and The Skinny are renewing America's favorite blood feud, our annual "Picks Trying Not to Suck" college football handicapping contest, for the third year in a row. Before the sibling rivalry opens its third chapter, Skin Man drops by to rap about the Oklahoma Sooners' upcoming season.

Skin and I cover:

• OU's irreplaceable players;
• potential trap games for the Sooners;
• the influx of youngsters who are expected to contribute;
• concerns about the defensive line;
• breakout players; and
• a few bold predictions for 2010.

The 2010 college football is days away. Paul Myerberg of the excellent college football blog Pre-Snap Read stops by to chat with Homerism about this season's Big 12 race.

Paul and I cover:

• Landry Jones' maturation;
• the real value of experience in college football;
• reasons for optimism on OU's o-line;
• another solid defense under Bob Stoops;
• Texas' attempts to transform its offense; and
  
• Nebraska's next move minus Ndamukong Suh.

Take 'em to the bank...

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Five big predictions for 2010:

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Fifteen people who will have a major say over the course of the 2010 college football season:

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