While ESPN promises 31 games in the next five days across its numerous "platforms"-- including nine games broadcast only online at ESPN3.com -- Versus kicks off college football season at 9 p.m. Thursday with the best game of the early part of the weekend when 15th-ranked Pitt travels to Utah.
Versus is available in about 75 million homes nationwide, compared to 99.5 million for ESPN's most prominent cable channels (ESPN and ESPN2).
Because of its relationships, usually carrying games featuring teams such as Air Force, BYU and from the Pac 10 Conference, Versus rarely has a game worth watching beyond a specific region of the country -- let alone on the East Coast.
This game, though, meets that standard and should allow the network to promote the remainder of its schedule.