Against Clemson this past season I didnt think that.  I knew we would play them tough and expected to beat them, how did that turn out?  I havent seen us relish the underdog role the last two years, we lost to teams we shouldnt have lost to. 
So to expand on my previous comment, if we get blasted then I expect we have another run of the mill boring 7 win season with a bowl loss.  If we can hang tough and show some grit, then I think we got a shot at a 9+ win season with a bowl win.  Yeah I know one game does not dictate a season, but the opener certainly sets the tone.
		
		
	 
It turned out that CU was damn good that day and the Cards were not.  If memory serves me, the Cards were underdogs in that epic FSU beat down 2 years ago were they not?  So much for your take on the underdog role.
IRT your 2nd paragraph.....you could not be more pessimistic could you?  You assume an awful lot in a blow out loss to Bama in the first game.  Another run of the mill 7 win season and loss in the bowl game.....etc, blah, blah , blah. as if winning 7 games is something to be ashamed of with the schedule played this year.
CBP will just have to coach them through a nightmare loss to salvage the season and show what kind of grit the team is made out of.  Openers can set the tone for sure .....
just not all the time.  Nothing is for dead sure certain in CFB in these days and times.
Also, you might be one of the few on this board who knew the Cards would beat CU....now play them tough I could agree with....but not straight up beat them.  Not how I remember the discussions last year at all.