Networks debut their college football; Noah Eagle gets his NBC primetime shot on Saturday

We’ll get an opportunity to see just a bit of college football this weekend, compared to the following weeks when it will be more for sure!

Tim Brando and Spencer Tillman are strong partners. They’ve worked in the studio as analysts for CBS’ College Football Today, and later calling games as play-by-players and analysts. At Fox, they’ve been partners since 2015. Their chemistry is redolent to viewers. The announcers are for the most part familiar. They’ve been around a while.

Yet Noah Eagle is making an impression among viewers because for one thing he’s only 25. His dad is Ian Eagle well like at CBS. Noah is building a profile around the country. He is bright, fresh and youthful. The way management at NBC jumped on him for prime time football play-by-play is a reminder of Bob Costas. Still lots to prove and time will tell. Todd Blackledge, a soft-spoken and prudent commentator is not overpowering, yet should help sparkle Noah’s success. Broadcasting a game on a national TV network, he seems to be facile for a young man. Noah will learn more as he sits by Todd’s knee. Having access to Ian as a father will solidify Noah’s confidence. You can think of Marv Albert and his son Kenny. Marv was likely a taskmaster.

Carter Blackburn is still bouncing around and his partner this weekend Randy Cross is still working too. Years ago, Randy was doing the NFL for CBS on a fairly high tiered level. Now it’s college on a lower rated CBSSN.

Here’s what’s on tap, courtesy of Eye on Sky an Air Sports.

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Saturday, August 26

2:30 PM- Navy vs. Notre Dame

NBC: Noah Eagle, Jason Garrett, Zora Stephenson 

3:30 PM- FCS Kickoff: Mercer vs. North Alabama

ESPN: Roy Philpott, Roddy Jones, Taylor McGregor

 5:30 PM- UTEP at Jacksonville State

CBSSN: Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor, Amanda Guerra 

7 PM- Fordham at Albany

FloFootball: Michael Johnson Jr.

7 PM- UMass at New Mexico State

ESPN: John Schriffen, Rocky Boiman, Dawn Davenport  

7 PM- Ohio at San Diego State

FS1: Tim Brando, Spencer Tillman

7:30 PM- Hawai’i at Vanderbilt

SEC: Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb, Alyssa Lang 

Westwood One (radio): Matt Chazanow, Ross Tucker

7:30 PM- MEAC/SWAC Challenge: South Cal State vs. Jackson State

ABC: Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker, Harry Lyles Jr., Quint Kessenich 

 8 PM- San Jose State at USC

P12, P12 LA: Ted Robinson, Yogi Roth

9 PM- FIU at Louisiana Tech

CBSSN: Carter Blackburn, Randy Cross 

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