The college football season is upon us. It’s better than Christmas Day for most fans and this year is no exception. With some huge opening weekend games, marquee matchups will not be in short supply to start the season. Whether you are an ACC fan or SEC diehard there will be great football on your television.
I have been a college football fanatic for 20 years and I can not remember an opening weekend this stacked. While generally you get one or two premier matchups while most teams opt to play “tune up” games; this year we are being treated to 8 power five divisional matchups and five top 25 matchups.
While we can all be appreciative of the return to football, not all games are created equal. Here are a few opening weekend matchups to keep an eye on for not only entertainment value, but for a metric ton of future NFL talent.
#10 UNC @ Virginia Tech
September 3rd 6pm
Starting off the big weekend; The North Carolina Tar Heels will go into Lane Stadium to play the Hokies of Virginia Tech. The boys in powder blue will be led by potential #1 pick, Sam Howell. A Heisman hopeful leading a top 10 football team facing an unranked squad, doesn’t seem very appealing on paper, there is more than meets the eye.
You can never count a team out when it comes to a division rivalry. The ACC may not get the glitz and glamour of the SEC, or have the storied toughness of those BIG10 teams, but there have been some absolute classic football games played within this conference.
Just last year as UNC was starting its climb up the top 25, the two teams put up over 100 combined points. Even though the Hokies were outmatched they went blow for blow with the superior team.
This Virginia Tech team were also a much better football team last year than their record shows. There’s no such thing as a good loss, but of their six losses in 2020, four of them came against ranked programs, and all but one was decided by ten points or less. Pair that with a team returning 8 starters on defense and they could shape up to be a formidable team.
On the flip side of that, North Carolina and Sam Howell lost their four most dynamic offensive weapons to the 2021 NFL draft; and they will be playing the game in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Hokies always play hard in front of their home crowd, and with Covid restrictions far looser than this time last year the fans in attendance are sure to be ravenous. Look for this game to start off the season with a bang, and don’t be surprised if it’s much closer than expected.
#19 Penn State @ #12 Wisconsin
September 4th 12pm
Kicking off the Saturday slate of games is a bitter BIG10 rivalry between two teams that are looking to bounce back from pretty disappointing years. Both teams started the year with conference title aspirations, but a few Covid related delays and some very tough losses derailed these two traditional powerhouse programs before even getting to the meat of the schedule.
For Penn State the troubles started early and seemed to keep on coming. A heartbreaking opening day loss to Indiana started a tailspin that lasted five weeks. The Nittany Lions 0-5 start was one of the worst starts to a year for the team in recent memory, but they finished strong rattling off four straight wins to close out the strange 2020 season. While PSU lost quite a few big time contributors on defense to the NFL in Micah Parsons, Shaka Toney, Jayson Oweh and Lamont Wade; the offense remained pretty much intact. With the exception of TE Pat Freiermuth, who was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2nd round of the NFL draft, the Lions offense returned a large part of their core. QB Sean Clifford is looking to take the next step as the leader of the PSU offense, tackle Rasheed Walker could be the first offensive lineman taken in the 2022 draft, and Jahan Dotson is as formidable as any WR in the nation.
As for the Badgers of Wisconsin, their 2020 campaign was effected by Covid as bad as any team in the country. After opening their year with a 45-7 beat down of the Illinois Fighting Illini, their schedule went as follows
@Nebraska- cancelled
Purdue- cancelled
@Michigan- win
@Northwestern- loss
@Minnesota- cancelled
Indiana- loss
Iowa- loss
Minnesota- win
The craziest part of that rollercoaster schedule is that with only two wins the Badgers were bowl eligible, and defeated Wake Forest in the very prestigious Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Despite the underwhelming record, the Badgers defense only allowed 17.5 PPG throughout the year, the offense just couldn’t get the job done when they were in a position to win games. That defense is returning eight starters to a very strong unit, they should be just as formidable as last year.
This game is shaping up to be a case of an unstoppable force meeting an unmovable object. A Penn State offense primed to explode and an experienced and hungry Badgers defense. The matchup to watch in this game will definitely be between between Wisconsin CB Caesar Williams and Penn State WR Jahan Dotson. Not what you think of in a game with two schools known for their rich history of linebackers and running backs, but regardless it’ll be a fun battle to watch.
#1 Alabama @ #14 Miami
September 4th 3:30pm
The University of Miami Hurricanes will be the de facto home team in this neutral site matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
What is there to say about Alabama that hasn’t already been said by every pundit in the landscape. They are a factory, Nick Saban is college football Jesus, year in and year out they are vying for a national title and for good reason. They have sent more than ninety young men to the NFL (thirty-six of them 1st round draft picks) in the last ten years to the tune of seven National Championship appearances, winning five of them.
But for the first time in recent memory, Alabama doesn’t seem like a stone cold lock to make the college football playoffs. They lost nine starters to the NFL draft, eight of them going off the board before pick 40. While hopes are high for the new QB1 Bryce Young, he is very unseasoned and could have some growing pains. Losing 3/5ths of their offensive line, and three elite skill position players will magnify those growing pains. Great coaching and a deep talent pool will win you games, but it takes talent and experience to bring home titles.
On the other side of the field will be the Miami Hurricanes. Some of our younger readers will be surprised to know that Miami was to the 90s and early 2000’s, what ‘Bama is to this last decade. Jeremy Shockey, Ed Reed, Frank Gore, Vince Wilfork, Andre Johnson, and Sean Taylor all played on the same team. Year after year their roster was stacked to the brim with future NFL All-Pro’s and Hall of Famers.
In recent years the once proud “U” has been mired in mediocrity and disappointment. They have a paltry 2-10 record in bowl games over the last 15 years, there last win coming in 2016. Miami looks to change their fortunes this season, there’s no better way to start a title contending campaign than knocking off the behemoth that is Alabama.
They have a few things in their favor heading into this matchup. They return 19 of their 22 starters from last season compared to Alabama only returning 11. They have a seasoned Heisman dark horse at QB in D’Eriq King, and what looks to be a very solid defense lead by safety Bubba Bolden. While Miami faded down the stretch, they still put up an impressive 8-2 record in the regular season, losing only to Clemson and UNC. There is no such thing as a moral victory, but if your only losses came against 2021 first overall pick Trevor Lawerence, and potential 2022 first overall pick Sam Howell; you had a solid season.
The Crimson Tide is an 18.5 point favorite in this game. Do not be surprised if it is much closer than what the Vegas oddsmakers expect. Best believe a veteran roster like Miami has seen that spread and is using it as bulletin board material.
#5 Georgia @ #3 Clemson
September 4th 7:30pm
When Clemson and Georgia kick off on Saturday night, it will be the start of a new era in for the Tigers. Quarterback wunderkind Trevor Lawerence is gone to the NFL, and the Clemson offense will be piloted by DJ Uiagalelei. If his performance as Lawrence’s stand in last year are any indication, Clemson’s streak of producing elite quarterbacks will continue on. In two games, one of them being the best game of the year, he passed for nearly 800 yards and scored 6 total TDs. But now that it is his show, we will see what the kid is made of.
Clemson has been Alabama’s only opposition during the Dabo Swinney era. He is among the best coaches in the nation and instills a toughness and swagger into his teams. He has created a culture in Clemson that shines through in each of his players. You’d expect a team led by the likes of Trevor Lawerence and DeShaun Watson to play “pretty” but they have produced some excellent defenses, this year should be no different. They’re returning all 11 starters to a defense that was top 25 in YPG, PPG, and takeaways; despite their very tough schedule.
in the other corner, the Georgia Bulldogs. It seems like they’ve spent the last two decades playing little brother to the rest of the SEC. Florida, LSU, Auburn, and Alabama have all played in multiple and have won at least one national title since the turn of the century. Georgia has made one appearance and lost a nail biter to their division rival Alabama.
Georgia is looking to capitalize on what appears to be the weakest SEC in recent memory. LSU and Auburn are in flux, Alabama and Florida are both replacing a ton of talent; the Bulldogs are licking their chops. But first they will have a huge test against an elite opponent.
Quarterback JT Daniels is looking to continue reestablishing himself among the elite at the position. Last year he was hamstrung with no real offseason, after transferring from USC, and fighting his way through a four man QB battle. He didn’t start the season, but when he got the job, he didn’t let go of it. Going 4-0 down the stretch with 1200 yards and 10TDs, he lead the Bulldogs to a Peach Bowl victory over Cincinnati. Now with a full offseason and job security, it’ll be interesting to see how high his ceiling is.
This could be, not only the most exciting game of the opening weekend, but potentially one of the best games of the year.
Honorable Mentions
While these games may not have the Heisman hopefuls or national championship contenders, there will be some other intriguing matchups on opening weekend.
#4 Ohio State @ Minnesota
September 2nd 8pm
Ohio State lost Justin Fields to the NFL draft but their QB room is stacked. They recently named CJ Stroud their starter but he will have #1 prospect Quinn Ewers breathing down his neck. Whoever took over the QB1 spot would have big shoes to fill. But having a pair of elite WRs in Chris Olave and Garret Wilson is sure to make the job easier.
The Golden Gophers are hoping to put their disastrous 2020 season behind them and return to the 2019 version of themselves that won 11 games. They will have a strong ground game led by Mohamed Ibrahim, but will really miss having Rashod Bateman around.
#7 Notre Dame @ Florida State
September 5th 7:30pm
Anytime the Notre Dame Fighting Irish or the Florida State Seminole’s are playing there will be eyes on the game. When the two teams are playing each other in a prime time spot to cap off the opening weekend of college football, they will have the eyes of every college fan in the nation.
Coming off of a year in which the Fighting Irish defeated the reigning champion Clemson Tigers in a double overtime thriller and made it to the College Football Playoffs, Notre Dame looks to maintain last years form.
Florida State has been in a bit of a slump these last few years. Head Coach Mike Norvell had a mulligan year in his first season as the head football coach. It’s hard to install a system in the midst of unprecedented circumstances. But with a nice chunk of last years starters coming back and an incoming recruiting class in the top 25, we should see marginal improvement from The Seminoles.
Boise State @UCF
September 2nd 7pm
A clash between two mid major power houses may not get the juices flowing the same way a game like Florida State and Notre Dame will, but this game could produce some fireworks.
National title winning head coach Gus Malzahn will look to get the Golden Knights back on track in his first year after a disappointing 6-4 campaign last season. The Knights lost 3 of their 4 starters in the secondary, so the offense will look to be carrying the load under QB Dillon Gabriel. The lefty will look to improve on a 2020 season where he ranked inside the top 5 in nearly every major QB stat category. UCF has averaged over 500 yards per game for the last four seasons and there’s no reason to believe they won’t continue that trend.
Boise State walked so UCF could run. They were the first mid major in the BCS/CFP era to compete with the blue bloods of college football. They have had a few tough years since the departure of former head coach Chris Petersen, but are far from pushovers. They have a few question marks on the roster, but they also have the human Swiss Army knife Khalil Shakir.
#17 Indiana @ #18 Iowa
September 4th 3:30pm
The upstart Hoosiers are looking to keep their 2020 momentum rolling into the 2021 season and show it was no fluke. The school normally known for its basketball prowess put together a 6-2 record beating conference stalwarts like Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan; also coming within one possession of the Ohio State Buckeyes. With QB Michael Penix Jr. leading the offense and All-American linebacker Micah McFadden leading the defense, they should be formidable once more.
Iowa is as steady of a program as you’ll find. Year in and year out, they find a way to play a tough brand of competitive football. They have finished inside of the top 25 for the last three years, and 7 times under the guidance of head coach Kirk Ferentz. After putting up a 6-2 record their season ended in disappointment when Michigan and Missouri both had to back out of their games due to Covid-19 outbreaks; robbing Iowa of a chance to participate in the Music City Bowl.
You can expect a battle (like most BIG10 matchups) this game is truly a tossup as reflected by Iowa only being 3.5 point favorites despite being the home team.
#23 Louisiana-Lafayette @ #21 Texas
September 4th 4:30pm
The Tom Herman experiment in Austin never really got off the ground. What once was a time of promise only lead to disappointment. Gone is captain Sam Ehlinger along with bookend tackle Sam Cosmi and Joseph Ossai. New head coach Steve Sarkisian still hasn’t named Ehlinger’s heir, but the Longhorns are hoping whoever is under center will benefit in the same way as Mac Jones did last year.
The good news is, they may have the most dynamic running back in the college football. Bijan Robinson was electric last year while playing in a committee. The freshman accounted for 900 yards from scrimmage and 6 TDs on only 100 touches. If he can keep that level of production with a full time workload, he could be holding the Heisman come seasons end.
The Ragin Cajuns have been a team on the rise these past two seasons. From 1970 until 2018 Louisiana-Lafayette had never won double digit games. The last two seasons they have won 11 and 10, capping them both off with bowl game wins.
The team could be even better this year, bringing back all but one starter from their ServPro Bowl winning roster. Losing star running back Elijah Mitchell to the NFL hurts, but Chris Smith should fill the hole nicely. He has only touched the ball 110 times in two years, but accumulated over 800 yards and 6TDs on his limited touches.
Bill Napier has put together quite the program since arriving in the bayou, but this year will be the biggest test of his career so far. Austin is one of the hardest places to play in college or the pros. But after a year where the stadium was only filled to 25% capacity due to Covid-19; the 100,000 strong will be hungry to cheer on their Longhorns. Texas is favored by 8 points, but these teams are much closer in talent than the line shows.
Good Article, but UCF hasn’t been the golden knights in years.