Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Without a doubt, this year’s opening weekend in college football will be by far and away the best start to a season to date. And it’s not inconceivable that we could rank games until we couldn’t rank ’em anymore. But, we’ll stick with the magazine format and give you our Top 12 non-conference games as we see it. So without further ado, here are Lindy’s top non-conference matchups of the year — with a few additional opening weekend goodies sprinkled in.
- Alabama vs. USC (Arlington, Texas), Sept. 3
Defending national champs vs. traditional power. Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin vs. the school that fired him at the airport in Sept. 2013. Alabama playing a Pac-12 school for first time since losing to UCLA in 2001. USC coach Clay Helton, a former Kiffin assistant, beginning his first full season. We’re so in love with this game.
- Ohio State at Oklahoma, Sept. 17
It’s like a playoff game in September. Wait. It IS a playoff game in September.
- Clemson at Auburn, Sept. 3
Deshaun Watson and the Tigers couldn’t quite take down an SEC West foe to end the 2015 season; they’ll try to launch a successful 2016 against the other team from Alabama.
- Ole Miss vs. Florida State (Orlando, Fla.), Sept. 5
Two title hopefuls meet on Labor Day to end that fabulous opening weekend.
- LSU vs. Wisconsin (Green Bay, WI.), Sept. 3
A heck of an opener, anywhere, anytime, but this one is at freakin’ Lambeau Field — the first major college football game to be played at the Packers’ shrine.
- Notre Dame at USC, Nov. 26
Irish coach Brian Kelly has faced four USC coaches in the past four years, but we’ll assume he gets a second shot at Clay Helton after his team rallied past the Trojans, 41-31, last season.
- Michigan St. at Notre Dame, Sept. 17
This one is back on the schedule after a twoyear hiatus. This will be the first real test of the season for defending Big Ten champ Sparty, which has lost three in a row to the Irish.
- Stanford at Notre Dame, Oct. 15
These powerhouses have split the past four meetings — each winning at its home stadium, with each of the games decided by a touchdown or less.
- Oklahoma vs. Houston, Sept. 3
The Sooners are getting way more than they bargained for when they agreed to a two-game series in September 2014. This one will be played at NRG Stadium, the home of the Houston Texans.
- UCLA at Texas A&M, Sept. 3
The Aggies break out Oklahoma transfer QB Trevor Knight, while the Bruins counter with super sophomore Josh Rosen in a rare Pac-12/SEC matchup (but the second of the day). Since 2000, the conferences have met just 28 times, with the SEC holding a 15-13 straightup edge, although the Pac-12 is 16-9-3 against the spread.
- Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee, Sept. 10 (Bristol, Tenn.)
Get ready for the largest crowd ever to watch a football game. This one is at Bristol Motor Speedway, which seats 150,000.
- Florida at Florida State, Nov. 26
For this rivalry to become a thing again, the Gators are going to have to muster some offense. They haven’t reached double-digits against FSU in four of the past six meetings, but coach Jim McElwain’s guys will get there soon — maybe this year. Other opening-week dandies: Sept. 2 — Kansas State at Stanford. Sept. 3 — North Carolina-Georgia (Atlanta), Arizona-BYU (Glendale, Ariz.). Sept. 4 — Notre Dame at Texas
