Summer unwinding can only mean one thing: the return of college football. Pull out your car flags and your tailgate weapons of choice because it's coming fast. Last college football season ended with yet another title for Nick Saban which left all the Alabama cult fans happy and most all other college football fans counting down the days until their team was back in action. Could Alabama do it again this year? Only time, and a lot of upsets, will tell which team will rise to the occasion and take the coveted national championship. With less than 50 days until players go to battle for their school, everyone is getting anxious for opening weekend.
Opening week is packed with many uneventful games that are seen as "in the bag games" to bigger teams, nonetheless still exciting for the fans. However, there are a handful of big match ups scheduled. First off is the LSU versus Wisconsin game. Wisconsin has the home field advantage going into the game, and the offense and defense have two returning star players. Running back Corey Clement will be a key component to scoring for the badgers as well as corner back Sojourn Shelton will be looking to put a stop to LSU's stacked offense. Despite the controversy in 2015 regarding to Les Miles' departure, he returns to steer his tigers to victory this year. With running back Leonard Fournette (who rushed 1953 yards in his sophomore season), the tigers will try to prove their dominance again this year.
Later that day, the reigning champs, Alabama, take on USC at the AT&T stadium. With neither team having home field advantage, the only bias going into the game would be Alabama's most recent title. Though Bama's history may seem like a big deal, don't count USC out. Returning junior and wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster held 89 receptions in his 2015 season and rushed 1454 yards. He puts down impressive stats that Alabama's corner backs will need to comparatively match his performance. That being said, Alabama will create ample opportunities to score with offensive lineman Cam Robinson as he will be a critical component on their winning offense.
The following day, FSU takes on Ole Miss at the Citrus Bowl in Florida. Once again neither teams stake home field advantage making it very easy to swing either way. Returning star running back Dalvin Cook will be looking to prove himself and redeem his bad behavior, in his junior year season opener. With a new QB, the seminoles will rely heavily on their running game.
In his 2015 season, Cook averaged 229 ATT, 1691 yards, and scored 19 touch downs. Defensive end Marquis Haynes will play an important role in trying to stop Cook from getting first downs and scoring. Quarterback Chad Kelley will be hoping to start off the season strong for Ole Miss. He will be the crucial piece to Ole Miss' offense. Although FSU will most likely be favored to win, Ole Miss has showed their improvement over the years in the SEC.
The excitement of the return of college football is like a kid on Christmas morning to many die hard fans. Among these games all the other schools across America are looking to prove themselves. Will Deshaun Watson lead Clemson to revenge at the end of the season, or could Alabama defend their national title? Will Mark Richt lead Miami to another age of glory? Only time and scores will write the epic season of 2016 college football.
