Let's face it: when we talk about the best non-conference matchups, the list is lacking.
There's no Texas vs. Texas A&M. No Kansas vs. Missouri. No Backyard Brawl, as well. And, no matter how good the matchups are this year, these schools need to find a way to rekindle their rivalries. College football will be better off for their renewals.
We do have some pretty intriguing non-conference showdowns though this season, especially right at the start of the season. Start salivating fans, here's five of the best matchups to watch this season.
Oregon at Michigan State (Sept. 12) — This was a great game last year in Eugene and this year's showdown in East Lansing should be fantastic, as well, as both teams attempt to make an early claim to their College Football Playoff resumes. The intrigue lies with the new faces on both sides.It's an immediate challenge for Eastern Washington transfer Vernon Adams as he faces what should be a nasty Spartan defense, though this will also be a challenge for new defensive coordinators Harlan Bennett and Mike Tressel, as they attempt to fill the void of Broyles Award winner and new Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. Whoever wins the battle of the trenches between the Oregon offense and the Michigan State defense is the likely winner.
Louisville vs. Auburn (in Atlanta, Sept. 5) — So let's get this one straight here. Bobby Petrino, who once was offensive coordinator at Auburn, leaves Auburn for Louisville and is secretly courted by Auburn officials behind everyone's back, including then-Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville. Petrino then leaves Louisville for the Atlanta Falcons, only to leave a year later, go through turmoil, end back in Louisville and now goes to the home of the Falcons to face the school that tried to lure him from Louisville in the midnight hours to face the current Auburn coach that was picked over him in the last coaching search.
If you got through that, you can understand the drama in the game before the players even take the field. And if that's not enough, imagine what could've been if former Auburn BCS title game MVP Michael Dyer had an extra year of eligibility left at Louisville. My gosh. You can't make this stuff up.
Oklahoma at Tennessee (Sept. 12) — This is the type of game that indicates just where a program stands early on in the year. Oklahoma is fresh off of a season that was disappointing by Sooner standards and a bowl game humiliation by Clemson that was disappointing by anyone's standards. The Sooners should come in with a serious chip on their shoulders this season, which usually produces dangerously good teams under Bob Stoops. They face a very hungry team ... and fan base, in Tennessee. After several years of average to below-average results, the Vols are hungry to return back to the top of the SEC. Beating Oklahoma sends a message that Tennessee has arrived. Losing to them still says there's still a few steps to go.
Arizona State at Texas A&M (Houston, Sept. 5) — Let's face it, it's a home game for the Aggies, despite it being at NRG Stadium. Regardless, this again could be an early indicator of where these two programs stack up. Todd Graham has the Sun Devils moving in the right direction and appears ready to make a run at the Pac-12 South after falling short last year in a Territorial Cup loss to rival Arizona. I really like D.J. Foster, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and decided to stay for his senior year. The Aggies are trying to make noise again in the SEC West after starting out strong but stumbling at the end of the year. A&M's Kyle Allen will have to step up immediately and shine, while the Aggie defense, under new defensive coordinator John Chavis, must make instant improvement.
Wisconsin vs Alabama (Dallas, Sept. 5) — The Big Ten/SEC rivalry will get off to a nice start in Jerry World. The Badgers have a new coach in Paul Chryst, but what's to be expected is the same: Wisconsin will try to win the line battle and run the ball all day against the Tide. The Badgers were successful in their last attempt against a SEC defense, knocking off Auburn in the Outback Bowl. However, Alabama's strength remains in their front seven defensively. Wisconsin will have to target the Tide secondary to keep their defense on their toes.
Alabama, meanwhile, is still trying to figure themselves out offensively. Derrick Henry returns to lead the 'Bama ground game, but so far the QB battle remains to be decided and the receiving corps has to find someone to fill Amari Cooper's shoes, much easier said than done. There's a lot of questions in the air for Alabama, but too much talent to assume the worst in Tuscaloosa.
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