Ohio State at Texas — Week 2
In Week 2 of the college football season, these two juggernauts will have an opportunity to set the tone — and perhaps even set the bar — for the rest of the year.
This is a massive, early-season matchup that could provide some insight into just how good these two teams will be. They met last season in Ohio in Week 1, with Ohio State walking away with the win, although it certainly wasn’t easy.
This time around, I think Texas has only gotten better during the offseason, while Ohio State may have taken a step back from a personnel standpoint.
Even though it comes in just the second week of the season, this could end up being one of the games of the year.
Miami at Notre Dame — Week 11
Another massive matchup comes much later in the season when Miami travels to Notre Dame in Week 11.
If things go according to plan for both programs, this could very well be a top-five matchup with major College Football Playoff implications.
Miami is coming off a run to the national championship game and arguably got better across the board during the offseason. Notre Dame, meanwhile, had a phenomenal season last year but narrowly missed the playoff.
Interestingly enough, Miami was the team that got in over Notre Dame last season, so you have to assume there will be at least a little bad blood between the two programs.
In my opinion, both teams improved during the offseason, and they could feature two of the best quarterbacks in all of college football this season.
Clemson at LSU — Week 1
College football won’t have to wait long for its first massive matchup, as Clemson travels to LSU in Week 1.
Clemson is coming off an abysmal season after entering last year with expectations of being one of the top teams in the country. Instead, things quickly fell apart.
While I do think Clemson has a chance in this matchup, it’s difficult to ignore the circumstances surrounding its quarterback. Clemson will be starting a quarterback making his first career start in Death Valley — at night. That’s about as difficult of an environment as you can ask a first-time starter to face.
LSU, on the other hand, should have the advantage on paper, but there are still plenty of unknowns surrounding the Tigers. LSU has a brand-new head coach in Lane Kiffin, who has also brought in a new staff.
On paper, LSU should win this game handily. But with so many unknowns surrounding both programs entering Week 1, I’m not ready to make that assumption just yet.
