Pac-12 football schedule, week 1: Washington vs. Boise State the game of the week

The game to watch this week will be _________ because _________.

Anthony Cassino, UW Dawg Pound: UW/Boise State. It's easily the biggest matchup that any of the Pac-12 schools is involved in, and could set the tone for UW's entire season.

Outside of the Pac-12, I'm looking forward to Georgia/Clemson because it's two top-10 teams with really good offenses. Could be a shootout.

Chris Landon, UW Dawg Pound: There are a lot of good games to speak of: Northwestern and Cal, WSU and Auburn, Nevada and UCLA, and Boise State and UW are all well-contested matchups. The notion of Oregon dropping 100 on Nicholls State also carries some curiosity (of the train wreck variety). But the game to watch will be Utah State vs Utah. It is a rivalry game that Utah State won a year ago and will be characterized by a great deal of emotion on both sides. Utah has a big chip on their collective shoulder given the lack of respect they feel they are receiving and I expect mid-season intensity for Kyle Whittingham's team. The fact that it is also the first game of the Pac 12 season makes it the one to watch.

Jon Woods, Ralphie Report: Boise State - Washington because we will know whether UW has a chance to take a real step forward this season.

Jack Follman, Pacific Takes: Boise State at Washington. It's an immediate rematch of the excellent Las Vegas Bowl, it's the first game in the renovated Husky Stadium, both teams look as equally matched as they were back in December of last year and it might be the most important game of Steve Sarkisian's head coaching career.

Phil Fraser, Ralphie Report: I'm gonna go with Washington State/ Auburn because I don't really know why. Masochism, maybe at watching two crummy power conference teams try to inject some life into what should be exciting offenses.

Kurt Sahr, Building the Dam: Boise State @ Washington. If Washington wants people to believe they are a contender, this is a game they have to win. Boise State is clearly the best opponent any Pac-12 team has to play. Utah State @ Utah, WSU @ Auburn, and Northwestern @ Cal are also games that are important for the Pac-12 to do well in to improve national perspective.

nds500 (Noah), Addicted to Quack: Georgia/Clemson. Two potential national title contenders with great QBs. Yes, please.

Jeff Nusser, CougCenter: Utah against Utah State. It's the first one involving a Pac-12 team and it's actually pretty important for Utah to win. The Utes might not.

David Piper, Addicted to Quack: Boise State at Washington. Somebody has to lose, and it will be glorious.

Jason Bartel, Arizona Desert Swarm: Boise State at Washington because it's the first game in the brand new Husky Stadium and the Huskies chance to pick up a huge win for the program.