The 2016 college football season kicks off with many key matchups thanks to an SEC scheduling rule that requires all SEC schools to play at least one out-of-conference Power 5 school or Notre Dame. For some, this could spell trouble. For others, such as Alabama and Ole Miss, it’s a great chance to show off the strength of the conference and an opportunity to boost their chances for a seat in the College Football Playoffs. Either way, for fans it spells out great football from week one.
No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 15 Houston (Sept. 3, 11:00 A.M.)
Oklahoma returns All-American quarterback Baker Mayfield, All-Conference RB Samaje Perine and All-Conference WR Mark Andrews. Also on the defensive end they have three All-Conference players returning in CB Jordan Thomas, S Steven Parker and PK Austin Seibert. No. 15 Houston is coming off an excellent year that saw them beat Florida State 38 – 24 in the Peach Bowl. They return All-Conference QB Greg Ward Jr. and the receiving combo of Steven Dunbar and Chance Allen. On defense returning players include All-Conference players DT B.J. Singleton and OLB Steven Taylor. Last year with Baker Mayfield at quarterback, Oklahoma finished fourth in passing efficiency and 17th in passing yard per game with 308.2 YPG. Houston’s defense was very generous last year, ranking 115th in passing yards allowed. For Houston this isn’t a must-win but without a victory here, their chance at the CFP become very slim.
No. 16 UCLA at Texas A&M (Sept. 3, 2:30)
No. 16 UCLA has to travel to College Station to face Kevin Sumlin and his Aggies. Sophomore QB Josh Rosen, accompanied by the receiving combo of Kenneth Walker III and Darren Andrews, is expected to have a breakout year. Despite the loss of Myles Jack to the draft, the defense is still strong with the return of All-Conference players OLB Deon Hollins, S Jaleel Wadood and DB Randall Goforth. Texas A&M lost two quarterbacks last year with the departure of Kyler Murray and Kyle Allen but gained graduate transfer Trevor Knight. Texas A&M is also returning the dynamic receiving corps of Josh Reynolds, Christian Kirk, Speedy Noil and Ricky Seals-Jones. They are also returning All-American pass rusher Myles Garrett, who I’m sure will prove to be a nuisance for UCLA offensive line. Provided that Trevor Knight can get the ball to one of his many talented receivers, A&M should be able to pull off the upset. However, if Texas A&M can’t pull off this win, there will probably be hot seat talk for Kevin Sumlin.
No. 18 Georgia vs No. 22 North Carolina (Sept. 3, 4:30 P.M.)
This game should prove to be one of the better matchups of the weekend. The Tar Heels are coming off a season that saw them reach the ACC conference championship game. With the return of RB Elijah Hood, who ran for 1,463 yards and 17 touchdowns last year, and the receiving corps of Ryan Switzer, Mack Hollins and Bug Howard, QB Mitch Trubisky should have plenty of options. For Georgia, this is head coach Kirby Smart’s first game and the team returns running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel who both ran for 1,000 yards last season. Georgia is also returning Greyson Lambert, who Smart named starter due to experience, but many Georgia fans are hoping to see top prospect Jacob Eason get a few snaps. Provided UNC has improved their shaky run defense from last season they should be able to pull off the upset.
No. 5 LSU vs Wisconsin (Sept. 3, 2:30 P.M.)
Wisconsin has a virtual home game when the Tigers travel to Lambeau Field to take on The Badgers. Although they have a question mark at quarterback, Heisman hopeful Leonard Fournette, who ran for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns last year, should give the Tigers a good chance to show their worth and make a name for themselves early in the College Football Playoff conversation. Wisconsin’s biggest task will be stopping Fournette, but that will prove to be a task that is easier said than done.
No. 20 USC vs No. 1 Alabama (Sept. 3, 7:00 P.M.)
No. 1 Alabama is coming off a National Championship victory but have many key players to replace, including Derrick Henry and Reggie Ragland. Alabama also has the season-opening question mark at quarterback. On defense, Alabama returns All-American DB Eddie Jackson and DL Jonathan Allen, both of whom will spell trouble for USC’s offense. USC will return All-American WR Juju Smith-Schuster and All-Conference DB Adoree’ Jackson. Both should prove to be a nuisance on their respective ends. For Alabama, this is a must-win game if they hope to reach the CFP again and Nick Saban doesn’t lose must-win games.
No. 2 Clemson @ Auburn (Sept. 3, 8:00 P.M.)
Clemson is coming off a loss in the 2016 College Football Championship and they are hoping to return to the CFP this year. With the return of key elements QB Deshaun Watson, RB Wayne Gallman and DT Carlos Watkins, it shouldn’t prove to be too difficult of a task. Auburn returns QB Jeremy Johnson, who finished the 2015 season with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions and lost his starting job halfway though the season. Clemson will probably run away with this game. For Auburn, this will probably be the beginning of hot seat talk for Guz Malzahn.
No. 11 Ole Miss vs No. 4 Florida State (Sept. 5, 7:00 P.M.)
Ole Miss is returning Chad Kelly, who is arguably one of the best quarterbacks in college football. Couple that with the receiving corps of TE Evan Engram, who is the all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end in Rebel history, wide receivers Damore’ea Stringfellow and Quincy Adeboyejo, plus star safety Tony Bridges, and you have a team that is worthy of being in any CFP conversation. Jimbo Fisher decided to go with true freshman quarterback Deondre Francois at quarterback after Sean Maguire was injured, but the return of Heisman hopeful Dalvin Cook and the receiving corps of Travis Rudolph and Kermit Whitfield could take pressure off the young quarterback. Provided Ole Miss can slow down Dalvin Cook and force FSU to beat them by air, the Rebels should be able to leave Orlando 1 – 0.
