#13 Auburn at #3 Clemson
In what may be the most interesting game of the week, there is quite a bit of uncertainty. Both quarterbacks are only one cupcake game into their careers at their respective schools in Clemson’s Kelly Bryant and Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham. It will be interesting to see what each of these quarterbacks can do against elite level defenses. After Alabama’s win over Florida State last weekend and the injury to Deondre Francois, questions loom over the ACC Atlantic. It is now a wide open race for a possible conference championship and playoff spot. If Auburn won here, it would put to silence the ACC/SEC debate and give Alabama some real competition in the SEC West.
#5 Oklahoma at #2 Ohio State
The game of the week features the Oklahoma Sooners traveling to Columbus to avenge last year’s home loss against the Buckeyes. If Oklahoma were to come out of this victorious, they would cement themselves as one of the best teams in the country and be in the thick of the playoff hunt. With an Ohio State loss, Michigan and Penn State would be hot on their tails for the B1G East crown, making it almost a repeat scenario of last year. If this game goes the way everyone expects it to, things end up normal and what’s the fun in that?
Nebraska AND Oregon
This game doesn’t need any specific team to win, it just needs to be good. These are two of the biggest brand-name programs in college football facing off and if either of these teams ends up taking the next step this season, the media entourage could follow. If you want storylines, root for a great game and then for the winner to go on a massive run.
Longshot: Chattanooga at #12 LSU
Will this happen? No, likely not. But Chattanooga is a very strong FCS school who held their own against Bama for a half last season. Like I said, I don’t sense the upset here, but can you imagine the firestorm that would rage down on Baton Rouge if it did? Would Ed Orgeron hot seat talks start, would Danny Etling be benched, what would be the state of LSU football and the SEC? An upset here would be a talk show host’s wet dream.