College football fans can come out of their cocoons.

Opening weekend is finally here, so it’s time to plan your lives accordingly.

People must understand that you’re only getting your fix if you began watching games Thursday night and won’t stop until the last minute of the Boise State-Virginia Tech game Monday night.

For those planning to attend games, you’re probably going to roast.

But at least temperatures in this part of the country will be in the low 90s this weekend instead of the blistering 100-degree heat we’ve been experiencing.

While there aren’t a great number of high-profile matchups this weekend, there’s enough intriguing games to get the juices flowing.

Sam Houston State (NL) at Baylor

There will be a buzz around this game because Robert Griffin will be back at quarterback for the Bears.

People are anxious to see how far and accurately the new bulked-up Griffin will throw the ball in his first game at Floyd Casey Stadium since going down with a season-ending knee injury last September.

Fans will probably cringe the first time Griffin takes a hit to his repaired right knee, but he’s confident that it will hold up.

Baylor’s defense looks faster and more athletic this season, so this will be its first chance to make an impression.

While the Bearkats usually field a strong team, coach Willie Fritz faces a lot of challenges in his debut season with only three offensive starters returning.

This is a tough place to start.

Baylor 45, Sam Houston State 10

#5 Texas (-30 1/2) vs. Rice

Though the Longhorns are traveling to Houston’s Reliant Stadium, it’s probably going to feel like a home game since they have so many fans in the area.

With Colt McCoy gone, the Garrett Gilbert era will officially begin.

Gilbert should carve up a Rice defense that is trying to improve after ranking last in the nation by allowing 43.1 points per game last season.

The Owls should have some firepower with Nick Fanuzzi back at quarterback and Michigan transfer Sam McGuffie playing running back, but they probably won’t move the ball much against Texas’ great defense.

Texas 42, Rice 14

SMU (+13 1/2) at Texas Tech

This will be one of the most interesting games of the weekend since a revived SMU program is coming off a bowl win and Texas Tech is something of a mystery under first-year coach Tommy Tuberville.

Coach June Jones led the Mustangs to an 8-5 record last season capped by a 45-10 win over Nevada in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

The Mustangs return a solid defense, but they’ll be tested by Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts, who beat out Steven Sheffield for the job.

The big question for the Red Raiders will be whether they’ll score as easily as they did under former coach Mike Leach.

They probably won’t put up Leach-like numbers, but will score enough to beat the Mustangs in this rare Sunday afternoon game in Lubbock.

Texas Tech 35, SMU 17

#24 Oregon State (+13 1/2) vs. #6 TCU

TCU switched its season-opening date against Baylor to face Oregon State at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

Ranked sixth in the country, the Horned Frogs probably haven’t seen this much preseason hype since Sammy Baugh and Davey O’Brien played in the 1930s.

The Beavers hope tiny running back Jacquizz Rodgers will have a big day and new quarterback Ryan Katz will look good in his first collegiate start.

But it’s an awfully tough task to try to penetrate TCU’s superb defense.

TCU 28, Oregon State 10

#3 Boise State (-2) vs. #10 Virginia Tech

A lot of fans would like to see Boise State overcome the odds and reach the BCS championship game.

The Broncos’ toughest test will likely be Monday night when they travel to FedExField in Landover, Md., in the premier game of college football’s opening weekend.

Boise State’s Kellen Moore is an outstanding quarterback, and he’s got a corps of great receivers.

Virginia Tech’s defense will bring a lot of pressure, but the Broncos should have enough firepower to pull out this game.

Boise State 24, Virginia Tech 14

jwerner@wacotrib.com

757-5716

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