Florida State football rooting guide, TV listings

Every week we are going to take a look at what results FSU football fans should be rooting for from across the country.  Regarding the rooting guide, our allegiance is solely to our beloved Florida State Seminoles.  Therefore, WE ARE CHOOSING TO ROOT FOR TEAMS BASED ON WHAT RESULT ULTIMATELY GIVES FLORIDA STATE THE BEST CHANCE OF RETURNING TO THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF.

With that being said, in otherwise neutral match-ups, it will be advantageous for Florida State's playoff chances to pull for fellow ACC members.  Perception still matters in college football, and the stronger Florida State's schedule is perceived, the better FSU's chances of returning to the college football playoff become.  Unlike other conferences, however, this isn't about maintaining some irrational superiority complex, coat-tailing other school's accomplishments, or justifying your school's mediocrity based off conference affiliation.

Let's get to the games. With it being a typical lopsided first week of the season, and with no one having a record yet, we have the luxury of pulling for some crazy upsets.  The matchups are pretty straight-forward.

Friday Games

Baylor at SMU: SMU. Baylor is ranked ahead of FSU. Maybe Chad Morris brought some tricks with him from Death Valley. First team to 100 points wins.

Michigan State at Western Michigan: Western Michigan. Michigan State is ranked ahead of FSU and will obviously face Ohio State later in the season.

Saturday Games

Louisiana-Monroe at Georgia: ULM. UGA is ranked ahead of FSU and is the favorite to win the SEC East.

Auburn vs. Louisville: Louisville. The upset of a SEC West and playoff contender by the third best team in the ACC Atlantic would add a big win for one of FSU's opponents, thus increasing FSU's SOS, and would hugely aid the perception of the ACC.  Auburn is also ranked ahead of FSU.

Virginia at UCLA: UVA. UCLA is a popular, albeit trendy, pick to win the Pac-12 and make a playoff run. UVA is a bottom-tier ACC team. An improbable UVA upset would help bolster the ACC's perception by providing a quality OOC win and simultaneously knockout a playoff competitor for the 'Noles. Besides, FSU would only see UVA in Charlotte this season anyway, and that's unlikely.

Texas at Notre Dame: Notre Dame. A Fighting Irish win would (kind of) be a good win for the ACC and a Texas loss would hurt TCU and Baylor's SOS down the road.

New Mexico State at Florida: New Mexico State. The increase in FSU's SOS by UF having 6 wins instead of 5 at the end of the season is more than offset by a potential UF opening loss at home to New Mexico State. Blitz all night, Aggies.

Alabama vs. Wisconsin: Wisconsin. Alabama is ranked ahead of FSU and would probably still remain a bigger playoff competitor for FSU with a loss than Wisconsin would be.

Eastern Washington v. Oregon: Eastern Washington, who is rather familiar with Oregon's QB. Oregon is ranked ahead of FSU.

Arkansas State v. USC: Arkansas State. USC is ranked ahead of FSU.

Full Friday TV Listing

Full Saturday TV Listing