“Back

“2002

Preview Schedule

Preview Info

 ACC Preview

 Big East Preview

 Big Ten Preview

 Big XII Preview

 Conference USA Preview

 Independents Preview

 MAC Preview

 Mountain West Preview

 PAC 10 Preview

 SEC Preview

 Sun Belt Preview

 WAC Preview

Team Rankings….
  1-10 | 11-30 | 31-50

Must-See Games

All-America Teams

Bowl Projections

Conference Rankings

Q & A

Toughest OOC Schedules

Toughest Stretches

ESPN Weekday Ratings

Pick ‘Em Contest Info

Email Jonathan
Important! This page should be viewed with a screen area of 1024 by 768 pixels!

2002 ESPN Weekday Game Ratings
Southern College Sports

Below is a ranking of the Thursday night games ESPN/ESPN2 has scheduled as of July 24th. I ranked these games based on my personal opinion on how competitive each matchup would be. Not only are the games ranked from top to bottom, but each game is also give from one (worst) to four (best) stars. The stars are also based on how competitive each game will be.
ESPN/ESPN2 TV Schedule

Rating
Date
Matchup
Time
November 28
Mississippi State at Mississippi
TBA



This is the only game on Thanksgiving night, and it’s a rivalry. Figure in the craziness of the SEC West, and this should be a good one (as usual).

Rating
Date
Matchup
Time
November 14
Louisville at Southern Miss
6:30



This contest is late in the season and could decide who wins the CUSA title.

Rating
Date
Matchup
Time
November 21
Pittsburgh at Miami
6:30



Both of these teams will be at the top of the Big East, and the fact that the game is in late November only makes it that much more interesting.

Rating
Date
Matchup
Time
September 27
Texas Tech at New Mexico
6:00*



Again, it’s a matchup of a good team from a major conference at a good team from a smaller conference; could spell trouble for the Red Raiders.

Rating
Date
Matchup
Time
August 29
Syracuse at BYU
6:30



A cross-country matchup of a pretty good team from a big conference at a pretty good team from a smaller conference always makes for a good show.

Rating
Date
Matchup
Time
October 4
Colorado State at Fresno State
6:30



This is a Mountain West/WAC showdown in the Valley of CSU, who should be a major threat in the MWC, and FSU, who surprised the nation for two months last season.

Rating
Date
Matchup
Time
September 6
Hawaii at BYU
6:00



BYU again makes the list, but this time it’s a matchup against Hawaii. This is an early-season matchup of two contenders in the Mountain West.

Rating
Date
Matchup
Time
October 18
Fresno State at Boise State
7:00



Last year it was Fresno State who shocked everyone by starting the season hot; this year Boise State has the talent to make some major noise.

Rating
Date
Matchup
Time
August 23
Fresno State at Wisconsin
7:00



This would be a good matchup anyway, but since Wisconsin is looking for revenge after last year’s loss to FSU, this game could be that much better.

Rating
Date
Matchup
Time
September 2
TCU at Cincinnati
3:30



This game could eventually have a major impact on CUSA, but it’s at the beginning of the season and won’t have much national impact.

Rating
Date
Matchup
Time
August 30
Oklahoma at Tulsa
7:00



It’s great for big-name teams like OU to play their in-state rivals who are smaller, but this one shouldn’t be close, even if it is at Tulsa.

Rating
Date
Matchup
Time
October 31
Colorado State at Air Force
6:30



The Rams will be one of the best teams in the Mountain West this year while Air Force will be towards the bottom; at least it’s at Air Force.

Rating
Date
Matchup
Time
August 29
San Diego State at Fresno State
9:00*



Another great example of in-state teams getting together to play, but this one won’t have much effect on you unless you’re a die-hard (like me) or you live in southern or central California.


(*) indicates an ESPN2 telecast.


ESPN Weekday Game Rankings by Jonathan.
Southern College Sports