It's almost here. Normally opening weekend of the college football season is simply the big boys beating up the cupcakes, and a few cross conference matches. This year though, we have a full slate of games worth watching. Here are the top ten, ranked.
**All rankings are from the preseason Coaches Poll, games on Saturday, September 3rd unless otherwise noted**
10. Georgia Tech vs. Boston College (In Dublin, Ireland)
7:30 A.M. on ESPN2
It's in Ireland. It'll be something to watch during Gameday commercials.
9. Kansas State at #7 Stanford
Friday, September 2nd at 9:00 P.M. on FS1
Kansas State has a unique skill of pulling upsets when there are no expectations of them, but that's usually when they are at home. It'll be fun to watch the Pac 12 favorite on Friday night.
8. #9 Notre Dame at Texas
Sunday, September 4th at 7:30 P.M. on ABC
The perennially overrated Fighting Irish against the big-name Longhorns. Should be fun.
7. #24 UCLA at Texas A&M
3:30 P.M. on CBS
UCLA has been way overhyped the past few years. This year, because they don't have glaring spotlights and huge expectations they could shake it up in the Pac 12. Also Kevin Sumlin is on the hot seat, and a loss at home to UCLA before even getting to the SEC schedule wouldn't be good.
6. #2 Clemson at Auburn
9:00 P.M. on ESPN
This game is not expected to be close, but it will be a good early test for Heisman hopeful Deshaun Watson. Jordan-Hare is a tough place to play, and even though Auburn doesn't have any preseason hype this year, a night game to start the season will be loud.
5. #6 LSU vs Wisconsin (at Lambeau Field)
3:30 P.M. on ABC
LSU, ranked six and expected to be a player in the SEC this year. Wisconsin, unranked, yet I think will still make some noise in the big Ten (upset alert for Michigan, MSU, and OSU later in the season). Also, this is basically a home game for Wisconsin.
4. #17 USC vs. #1 Alabama (at AT&T Stadium)
8:00 P.M. on ABC
Two historic programs. One giant stadium. That's enough to justify getting on this list. Add to that is that they are both ranked, and relevant in their respective conferences (also the favorite, in Bama's case). The reason this isn't higher is because Alabama should have absolutely no issue winning this game.
3. #16 Georgia vs. #20 North Carolina (in the Georgia Dome)
5:30 P.M. on ESPN
Kirby Smart leading his new team against a team that almost (and should have) won the ACC last year. Both will be again relevant in their respective conferences, and even though this is basically a home game for Georgia, UNC shouldn't be overlooked.
2. #3 Oklahoma vs. #13 Houston (at NRG Stadium)
12:00 P.M. on ABC
The Big 12 favorite against a highly ranked non-Power 5 team. If Houston wins, we should go ahead and pencil them in for one of those New Year Six bowls. Oklahoma will have a good challenge to open the season, and Baker Mayfield is going to put up some numbers as this will be a shootout. Also, NRG Stadium is where the Houston Texans play their games, so its almost a home game for Houston. I say almost because Oklahoma travels well and it's at a "neutral site".
1.#12 Ole Miss vs. #4 FSU (in Orlando)
Monday, September 5th at 8:00 P.M. on ESPN
The fact that the NFL won't have started yet is really being taken advantage of, with both a Sunday and Monday night game. I'm not complaining, spreading these games out means we can catch more of them. Ok so FSU, self explanatory. Ole Miss has Chad Kelly back, but basically lost of all of his targets, some O-lineman, and their best defensive player. We will see how well they can replace all of that real quick. A loss would hurt Ole Miss more here because of their much tougher schedule.
With all of these games, it's going to be a great first weekend of college football.
