By Brett Rathbun, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist
September 5,2015; 11:36AM,EDT
As the 2015 college football season gets underway, summertime warmth could lead to uncomfortable conditions for games across the Ohio Valley and South while storms roll across the Southeast, Great Lakes and northern Plains.
Those heading to games or tailgating in the heat and humidity should remember to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
In hot conditions, players down on field run an increased risk of heat stroke as body heat gets trapped inside the helmets and causes an increase in body temperature.
Breaking Weather News
Humid air in place across northeastern Illinois is setting the stage for showers and thunderstorms around Evanston, Illinois, site of the game between #21 Stanford at Northwestern.
Those heading to games with the potential for showers and thunderstorms should monitor AccuWeather MinuteCast® and seek shelter when a storm approaches the area.
Should a thunderstorm approach the stadium, refrain from staying seated in the stands with a raincoat and umbrella as lightning is attracted to the metal rod on the umbrella as well as the metal bleachers.
RELATED:
US Labor Day Forecast
Dynamic Storm to Drench Northwest, Rattle Midwest With Severe Weather
US East Coast to Sizzle on Labor Day Following Brief Late-Week Reprieve
Lightning can also travel several miles outside of a thunderstorm. Just because it is not raining does not mean you cannot get struck by lightning.
Some of the other games that will be playing this weekend with the threat for a thunderstorm to roll through include Louisiana-Monroe at #9 Georgia; Wofford at #12 Clemson; Bethune-Cookman at Miami (FL); and New Mexico State at Florida.
Elsewhere, pleasant conditions for football games will take place across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast and the West Coast.
Spotty afternoon thunderstorms could dot portions of the Four Corners region, leading to potential game delays.
A chilly, soaking rain will fall across the northern Rockies on Saturday. Fans should remember a jacket and umbrella when attending any games. Gusty winds will whip across Utah and western Wyoming.
Take a look at the forecasts for six notable games for week one.
Penn State at Temple: 3:30 p.m. EDT Saturday
The Penn State Nittany Lions will begin the season on the road against the Temple Owls in Philadelphia. Penn State finished the 2014 season at 7-6 (5-0 against teams from out of conference) and the Temple Owls finished the season at 6-6.
This will be the 44th meeting between these two teams with the last four games decided by an average of only 10 points (all Penn State wins). The last game played between these two teams in Philadelphia was in 2011 where Penn State won 14-10.
In this file photo from Aug. 6, 2015, Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg looks to pass during the NCAA college football team's practice, in State College, Pennsylvania. Hackenberg enters his third, and possibly final, season at Penn State as the Nittany Lions' quarterback. If they can give him the support he needs to blossom, he could become one of the best quarterbacks in college football and accelerate the restoration of Penn State football. If not, it could be another season-long lesson in how to deal with adversity for the former five-star recruit. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
"Saturday will feel refreshing for many games across the Northeast with seasonable temperatures and low humidity," AccuWeather meteorologist Michael Doll said.
High temperatures will reach the mid-80s in Philadelphia.
Louisville vs. #6 Auburn 3:30 p.m. EDT Saturday
This matchup between the Louisville Cardinals and #6 Auburn Tigers will take place at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, on Saturday. Louisville finished the 2014 season at 9-4 while Auburn finished 8-5.
Both of these teams lost their respective bowl games to end last season.
In this Aug. 4, 2015, file photo, Auburn's defensive coordinator Will Muschamp screams at a player during an NCAA college football practice in Auburn, Alabama. The Auburn Tigers are hoping for a swift defensive turnaround under coordinator Will Muschamp after some mediocre, and some downright porous, performances in recent seasons. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
"Those tailgating should keep an eye to the sky as there is the chance for a thunderstorm to fire during the afternoon," AccuWeather Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said.
#15 Arizona St. vs. Texas A&M 7:00 p.m. EDT Saturday
The matchup between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Texas A&M Aggies will take place at the NRG Stadium in Houston. This will be the only meeting between an SEC and Pac-12 school during the regular season.
Arizona State finished the 2014 season at 10-3 and beat the Duke Blue Devils in the Hyundai Sun Bowl. Texas A&M finished with a record of 8-5 and defeated West Virginia in the Autozone Liberty Bowl.
In this July 30, 2015, file photo, Arizona State head coach Todd Graham speaks to reporters during Pac-12 Football Media Days in Burbank, California, odd Graham is a master salesman, sometimes adding a dash of hyperbole to drive his point home. Calling this Sun Devils team the best he's coached in four years in the desert may be right on the mark. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Houston will reach the 90s Fahrenheit on game day and those tailgating before the game Saturday evening should keep an eye out for a spotty afternoon shower or thunderstorm.
"Staying hydrated will be important for those heading to the game on Saturday," Doll said.
Texas at #11 Notre Dame 7:30 p.m. EDT Saturday
The Texas Longhorns will travel to South Bend, Indiana, to take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. This will be the 11th all-time meeting between these two teams, Notre Dame holding a 8-2 record.
Texas finished the 2014 season at 6-7 after losing to Arkansas in the Advocare V100 Texas Bowl. Notre Dame ended at 8-5 after beating then #23 LSU in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.
Notre Dame players perform a pre-practice cheer during an NCAA football training camp Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, in Culver, Ind. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)
Gusty and drenching thunderstorms rolled through northwestern Indiana during the morning and midday hours of Saturday, heightening concerns for flash flooding. Tailgaters in South Bend were forced to seek shelter.
While most of the activity will be over, a shower or thunderstorm will still be around northwestern Indiana for the start of the game. "Conditions will improve after sunset," Pydynowski said.
Those attending this game in South Bend should stay alert and seek shelter should a thunderstorm move across the area.
#20 Wisconsin vs. #3 Alabama 8:00 p.m. EDT Saturday
The only matchup between two ranked teams in week one will take place in Arlington, Texas, between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Wisconsin finished the 2014 season at 11-3 after defeating then #19 Auburn 34-31 in overtime in the Outback Bowl. Alabama will look to get back to the college football playoff after losing to the eventual National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes 42-35 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Alabama finished the season 12-2.
Alabama coach Nick Saban, right, shows linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton a play during NCAA college football practice, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
High temperatures in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday will be in the upper 90s F with plenty of sunshine. Tailgaters should stay hydrated and try to stay out of the direct sunlight prior to game time.
#1 Ohio State at Virginia Tech 8 pm EDT Monday
The National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes will begin their quest for a repeat championship as they travel to Blacksburg to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies.
Ohio State went 14-1 last season and beat the Oregon Ducks in the CFP National Championship Game Presented By AT&T. Virginia Tech ended the season 7-6 after beating the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman.
This will be a much anticipated matchup as Virginia Tech went to Columbus, Ohio, last season and gave then #8 Ohio State their only defeat of the season when they won 35-21.
In this Jan. 12, 2015, file photo, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, left, and Ezekiel Elliott celebrate after they defeated Oregon 42-20 in the NCAA college football playoff championship game in Arlington, Texas. Ezekiel Elliott and the Ohio State offensive line could make most quarterbacks look good. For all the headlines generated by the Buckeyes' ability to replace a star quarterback with another star quarterback last season, the development of running game was every bit as important to Ohio State's national championship season. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
"Blacksburg should be dry on Monday night with temperatures falling from the lower 70s at the start of the game to the upper 60s toward the end of the game," Pydynowski said.
Fans heading to Lane Stadium should consider bringing a light jacket for when temperatures fall as the game progresses.
Week one of the National Football League (NFL) will begin next Thursday as the defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium.
No comments:
Post a Comment