(Week 1) Boise St v. Ole Miss (Atlanta) – Ole Miss has more hype than ever. This is a huge game for the program being in the spotlight. Boise may not be the Boise team you rooted against earlier this decade, but they will not be phased by this spot. They never do. No matter the coach. Let see if Coach Freeze can get his team to handle the pressure.
Notable other games:
2. LSU vs. Wisconsin (Houston) - SEC vs. B1G. First team to 21 wins.
3. Ohio State vs. Navy (Baltimore) - Last time this game was played in the same position was in 2009. Navy lost by four in "the shoe". The Buckeyes are notorious for slow starts; and can be quickly 0-1 with this veteran Navy team (No pun).
(Week 2) Michigan State vs. Oregon - I cannot lie, I absolutely love that the B1G stepped up its out of conference schedule this year (mainly OSU and MSU). Different shades of the color green, Big against fast, Old School Nike against New School Nike, I love everything this game stands for. This games can be a prelude for what the Ducks have to see against Stanford. MSU can show the national stage who still has the belt in the Big Ten.
Notable other games:
2. USC vs. Stanford - Kooky game recently because Stanford typically can't out physical USC...which is even kookier that I type that. Also kooky is that USC hadn't won at Stanford since 2008. Kooky.
3. Virginia Tech vs. Ohio State - It seems like we haven't heard from VT in a while. We'll get to see them front and center in Columbus...at night.
(Week 3) Georgia vs. South Carolina - Even though this game is played so early in the season, this game shapes the East seemingly every year since Spurrier has made USC what it is. It will be important again because with South Carolina's brutal schedule, they cannot afford to straight up lose to the UGA with so many huge AWAY games left.
Notable other games:
2. Arkansas vs. Texas Tech - Two coaches, in their second years with teams going in two different directions at the end of last year. Both coaches like to talk a big game too, so they both will be gunning for this game to help steer the season the right way.
3. Houston vs. BYU - Points on points on points on points on a Thursday night? I'm down.
(Week 4) Auburn vs. Kansas State - I believe that Auburn is from top to bottom the best team in the SEC. However, I cannot express how random this game is. Thursday night, away game, in Manhattan, KANSAS. Both teams (who should both be ranked), want to run it down each others throats but at different paces. Auburn cannot turn the ball over if they want to win. I'd be surprised if this game is won by more than one possession.
Notable other games:
2. UCLA vs Texas - A lot of people think UCLA will be favored in every game this year. This will be a great barometer of where both programs are. Last time the Bruins came to Texas they won by 22.
Indiana vs Missouri - Points on points on points on points game II. Early, yet huge game for both teams bowl hopes.
3. Oregon vs Washington State - Lost from last season was that Washington St. scored the most points against Oregon all year in Eugene while sparking a weird beef between the two coaching staffs. Also lost from last season was that guy that got broke off by Mariota on all his highlight clips.
(Week 5) UCLA vs. Arizona State - UCLA, with all its hype, will be going thru its trickiest part of the year coming off an out of conference game at Texas before taking on ASU at their place on a Thursday night. The last three games in this series has been won by a total of eight points. The winner of this game has also represented the PAC-12 South the last three years as well.
Notable other games:
2. Minnesota vs Michigan - I fully expect Minnesota to compete for the Big Ten West division (which is the clearly the weakest division), so this would be a huge game for them to steal especially since the other East opponent is Ohio State.
3. Oregon State vs. USC - Game is always a weird one because neither team wins this game when they are supposed to. Last time this game was played in L.A. it was a shootout won by six points by the Trojans.
(Week 6) Alabama vs Ole Miss - Ole Miss finally has Bama back at the Grove (has been two years). This has been a weird game because spread, hurry up teams (there is a difference) tend to lately give Alabama the most trouble EXCEPT Ole Miss. Ole Miss has averaged 7ppg, 23ppg under their average going against Alabama. This game should be different because Ole Miss is another year older and this will be Alabama's first true road game. Lets see if Coach Freeze can handle calling the game correctly this year.
Notable other games:
2. Mississippi St. vs LSU - Battle for the SEC West's Third place crown?
3. Baylor vs Texas - Texas has a tough month of September but can open October with a bang WITH AN UPSET OF BIG 12 FAVORITE BAYLOR.
4. Ohio State vs. Maryland - Can the Buckeyes get their 2nd win in Maryland? Facing another Mobile QB...
(Week 7) Oregon vs UCLA - UCLA thinks that have all the depth to be the King of the Hill in the PAC-12 but these are the game that has been getting all the hype in the Jim Mora Jr. era at UCLA with no results. Oregon will be coming to Pasadena off playing the teams that put the most points on them last year...No Excuses.
Notable other games:
2. Auburn vs Mississippi St. - First SEC Road game for the Tigers. Will Mississippi State be ranked?
3. Ole Miss vs. Texas A&M - First time Ole Miss has visited the "12th Man"...as a favorite? Points on points on points on points SEC Style.
4. Louisville vs. Clemson - Battle for the ACC Atlantic's 2nd place crown?
(Week 8) Notre Dame vs. Florida St. - First game with FSU on this list because frankly their schedule is terrible. However, these are two of college football's historic powers at positive times at their programs. This will be first the first true road game for Notre Dame who could easily be 6-1 headed to the Doak with the uphill task of knocking FSU off that no.1 spot.
Notable other games:
2. Washington vs. Oregon - Another Weird game for Oregon coming home to a team that plays just like the team they just played. Chris Petersen lives for these games.
3. Michigan St. vs. Indiana - Sandwiched between a cakewalk and a rivalry game with Michigan, this game with Indiana will be a conference game that looks nothing like one (Hoosiers avg. almost 600ypg while averaging barely 40K in attendance) UPSET ALERT.
4. Texas A&M vs. Alabama - Last home loss for Alabama, so there will be a ore about this game. Texas A&M will be coming off of back to backs with the Magnolia State schools leaving me to think how much will be left.
(Week 9) South Carolina vs. Auburn - This game can help to prove detrimental to the SEC playoff chances while being one of the most entertaining, most on the line games of the year. I am pretty big into foreshadowing, so I'll tell you now, I think we will see this game twice this year; just like the last time these two teams played in Auburn.
Notable other games:
2. BYU vs. Boise St. - Points on points on points on points pt. III. One of two away games that can possibly keep BYU from being undefeated...
3. Oregon St. vs. Stanford - Trap game for Stanford with Oregon on the horizon the very next week.
(Week 10) Stanford vs. Oregon - Has been the showcase game in the PAC-12 since Stanford's emergence. PAC-12 Rose Bowl participant, championship game winner and banner holder from the conference the last couple of years. Big vs. small, Slow vs. Quick, 160 million jersey combinations vs. three. This matchup has not disappointed last four years; don't expect it to this year either.
Notable other games:
2. Auburn vs. Ole Miss - Old friends/coach mates battling out for 1st, 2nd, 3rd spot in the West? Teams are so similar to what each other wants to do.
3. Florida St. vs. Louisville - Weird things happen in Louisville on Thursday nights with or without Bobby Petrino.
(Week 11) Baylor vs. Oklahoma - Big 12 Championship game for 2nd year in a row? Both teams bring a lot back from both teams making a BCS appearance for the Big 12 last year. Baylor has to do it in Norman though, a place they have never won...ever.
Notable other games:
2. Ohio State vs. Michigan St. - I got this game just under 1st place due to the Big12 being the corniest conference without a title game. This game can make for an interesting sequel to the 2013 championship game since they now have to battle for it in the way more powerful Big Ten East.
3. Alabama vs. LSU - Game may lose a little luster due to records and inexperience with LSU but its still in Baton Rouge at night. Bama hadn't won four in a row against LSU since the championship season...in 1992.
(Week 12) Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech - Rematch of a very enjoyable, competitive game in Norman that saw both teams undefeated before Oklahoma stole one in the rain. Crazy stat is that both teams has alternated wins in this series until last year since 2005. This game should be at night where things tend to get a little weird in Lubbock.
Notable other games:
2. Nebraska vs Wisconsin - Battle for 1st in the much more cupcake Big Ten West?
3. Mississippi St. vs. Alabama - Has recently been a very tough, physical game no matter the score. Battle for 2nd in the SEC West?
4. Ohio State vs. Minnesota - Teams haven't played since 2010. Minnesota hasn't won since 2000. But the Gophers are back running the ball and my sleeper to get out of the Big Ten West. Steal this one here can setup a rematch in December.
(Week 13) USC vs. UCLA - Some people think UCLA could be favored in every game this year...but before their big showdown with Stanford they have another game with a typically physical team in USC. UCLA win this game, and they might just have L.A. The Bruins have not beat USC three times in a row since the 90's...when they beat the Trojans eight times in a row; longest in the rivalry.
Notable other games:
2. Tulsa vs. Houston - Points on Points on Points on Points part IV. Is Houston still undefeated at this spot?
3. Minnesota vs. Nebraska - Should be an elimination game for the Big Ten West. Only other team with a pulse is favorite Wisconsin.
(Week 14) Auburn vs. Alabama - Rivalry, Payback, Strange things that don't happen in college football games ever? Check. These teams could be undefeated or have one or two losses, either way I think this game comes down with something on the line in the best division in football.
Notable other games:
Oregon vs. Oregon State - Can Oregon St. finally beat the Ducks in a big spot. Coach Riley is 0-7 against Oregon since 2007.
Stanford vs. UCLA - Rivalry game? (4 games in 5 yrs) Preview of Pac-12 Championship game? Does UCLA have enough in the tank after a physical game with USC?
Baylor vs Texas Tech - These former co-workers (Houston) sound so much like each other in interviews its crazy. Will Baylor be undefeated here? Can the student knock the teacher off?
South Carolina vs Clemson - Rivalry game. South Carolina should be higher in the rankings. Can Clemson knock USC off finally?
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