CFB AM: Michigan fans are taking Tom Brady's freedom as a sign

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Today is officially the best day of the year for Michigan fans.

Not only does Jim Harbaugh coach his first game with the Wolverines tonight, but former Wolverines QB Tom Brady has been vindicated in the "Deflategate" scandal, with a judge nullifying his four-game suspension.

So, of course, Michigan fans are taking this as a sign that UM will beat Utah in Salt Lake City tonight.

I mean, obviously. What else could this unrelated event possibly mean?

Michigan might not win a ton of games this year, but dammit, you can't take today away from Wolverines everywhere.

I feel ya, Michigan fans. Today is your day. Go Blue.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

1. Holy crap, football is here!

Finally, opening day of the college football season has arrived. Somehow we made it. What I'm looking forward to tonight: Like everyone else, I can't wait to watch Michigan at Utah (7 p.m. ET pregame, 8:30 p.m. kickoff, FS1), not so much for all the Jim Harbaugh hoopla, which will wear off once he takes the field and the ball kicks off, but to see how much he's been able to improve the Wolverines in one offseason, particularly on the offensive line and in the run game, as Bruce Feldman notes here in his look at four things Harbaugh must do to transform UM. Here's The Michigan Daily's preview of tonight's game.

Before that, though, North Carolina takes on South Carolina (6 p.m. ET, ESPN), a game I think the Tar Heels should win with running back Elijah Hood stepping into the starting role, QB Marquise Williams back and new defensive coordinator Gene Chizik hopefully -- for the love of God -- giving my alma mater something resembling a functional defense. No. 2 TCU at Minnesota kicks off at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN) and will be overshadowed by the Harbaugh circus, but it'll be a quality first look at the Horned Frogs, who many are picking to make the College Football Playoff. With the Gophers losing RB David Cobb, this is a game TCU should dominate if it's a juggernaut. Finally, for the night owls, UT-San Antonio kicks off at No. 22 Arizona at 10 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network). A little late-night Rich Rod offense plus Scooby Wright? Thank you kindly.

2. Cardale Jones had a scare

Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones was taken to the hospital on Wednesday night, causing quite a bit of concern, but as it turns out he had a migraine headache and will be just fine. Good to hear.

Now that all you Ohio State fans are breathing again, enjoy this new "Undisputed" anthem that Mekka Don created for the Buckeyes' run at a second consecutive national title.

3. So Kyle Flood may actually be in trouble

The Rutgers coach is under scrutiny for contacting a member of Rutgers' academic support staff to inquire about a player's academic status, which he's not supposed to do according to the school's policies, and initially I thought it would blow over after he got a simple reminder from administration to follow the guidelines. But a report on Wednesday alleged that Flood tried "to circumvent the process" by contacting a faculty member after being told not to with an intent to "get the kid eligible." If that's all true, then that's much more problematic and could lead to bigger problems for Flood. We'll see how it all plays out. Luckily, Rutgers' athletic department leadership has an impeccable record of integrity and honesty, so I'm sure this will all be handled fine.

Flood was not happy that more information about this incident was leaked. "What you're saying to me is that a process that I've been told from the university not to comment on was commented on by people from the university?" Flood said. "I'm going to continue to respect the process, and I won't have any further comment until the end of the process."

LASTLY

* A man was charged in connection with stealing a replica of O.J. Simpson's Heisman Trophy from USC in 1994.

* Great story by Laken Litman on Penn State OL coach Herb Hand and his love of cooking.

* Enjoyed this Jason King feature on Baylor's Shawn Oakman, who's become a sensation because of his physique, but there's much more to his story than that.

* Here are the 10 most important games of Week 1, per Bill Connelly.

Have a great Thursday, everyone, and enjoy the football.

Teddy Mitrosilis works in social content development at FOX Sports Digital. Follow him on Twitter @TMitrosilis and email him at tmitrosilis@gmail.com.

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Clay Travis is the founder of the fastest growing national multimedia platform, OutKick, that produces and distributes engaging content across sports and pop culture to millions of fans across the country. OutKick was created by Travis in 2011 and sold to the Fox Corporation in 2021. One of the most electrifying and outspoken personalities in the industry, Travis hosts OutKick The Show where he provides his unfiltered opinion on the most compelling headlines throughout sports, culture, and politics. He also makes regular appearances on FOX News Media as a contributor providing analysis on a variety of subjects ranging from sports news to the cultural landscape. Throughout the college football season, Travis is on Big Noon Kickoff for Fox Sports breaking down the game and the latest storylines. Additionally, Travis serves as a co-host of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, a three-hour conservative radio talk program syndicated across Premiere Networks radio stations nationwide. Previously, he launched OutKick The Coverage on Fox Sports Radio that included interviews and listener interactions and was on Fox Sports Bet for four years. Additionally, Travis started an iHeartRadio Original Podcast called Wins & Losses that featured in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports. Travis is a graduate of George Washington University as well as Vanderbilt Law School. Based in Nashville, he is the author of Dixieland Delight, On Rocky Top, and Republicans Buy Sneakers Too.