Florida State begins title defense, Clemson takes on Georgia for 2nd straight year
No. 16 Clemson vs. No. 12 Georgia
The No. 12 Clemson Tigers and the No. 16 Georgia Bulldogs will face off this weekend in a game that has many Gamecock fans wondering, “Is there any possible way that both teams could lose…because that would be awesome.” But aside from that unattainable dream, this should be one heck of a game, and one that could go a long way in dictating the landscape of the 2014 college football season. In last year’s meeting at Clemson, Tajh Boyd got the best of Aaron Murray and the Bulldogs in an offensive fireworks display that ended 38-35. This year, however, with Boyd and Murray having departed for the NFL, the two teams will have to rely on a pair of unproven quarterbacks in the one of the biggest games of the season. Enter Cole Stoudt and Hutson Mason. These two gunslingers, who play for Clemson and Georgia, respectively, will more than likely determine the outcome in this one. May the best QB win.
Arkansas vs. No. 6 Auburn
The 6th ranked Auburn Tigers will host the Arkansas Razorbacks in an early conference game that has a bit of added drama thanks to one Nick Marshall. The Auburn quarterback, who by the way burst onto the college football scene last season and led his team to the national title game, was cited for marijuana possession in mid-July and will have to sit out at least some part of the game. Filling in for him will be Sophomore quarterback Jeremy Johnson. In order for the Razorbacks, who are 20.5-point underdogs in this game, to be competitive or even have a chance at pulling the upset, they must get under the young QB’s skin before Marshall is allowed to set foot on the field. Another key for the Razorbacks lies in the run game: executing it and defending it. That, however, might be easier said than done as Auburn sported the nations top running attack last year and at times made defenses look like a group of middle-schoolers who were outmatched athletically and mentally. Adding to the difficulty of the task is the fact that Arkansas wasn’t particularly adept as stopping the run last year, ranking 91st in rush defense. Maybe the stars will align for the Razorbacks and they’ll go back to Fayetteville atop the SEC West and head into next week ranked in the top 25 , but probably not.
West Virginia vs. No. 2 Alabama
The West Virginia Mountaineers have wanted a marquee opening weekend game for years. And now they’ve got one. Unfortunately for them, it comes in the form of the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide. Coming off their first 2-game losing streak in the Saban era**, you better believe the Tide are ready to take it to the 23.5 point dogs from Morgantown, WV. They might not, however, look like the well-oiled machine on offense that the college football world has lived in fear of while quarterback AJ McCarron was at the reigns. Instead, the Tide will be breaking in a new quarterback. As to who that will be: well, your guess is as good as mine because head coach Nick Saban has yet to name a starter. What is certain is that the competition is still between Florida State transfer Jacob Coker and senior Blake Simms. Heck, coach Nick Saban may end up using both. Oh, and a man by the name of Lane Kiffin was hired this offseason as the Tide’s new offensive coordinator. Have you heard of him?
No. 14 Wisconsin vs. No. 13 LSU
In what could possibly be the most anticipated game of the weekend, the No. 13 LSU Tigers take on the No. 14 Wisconsin Badgers at Reliant Stadium in Houston. For the Badgers, Joel Stave is running the show at quarterback and should show dramatic improvement now that he’s had a full year in control of the offense. Another member of the badgers potent offense is Melvin Gordon, who had over 1450 yards last season and projects to be an early Heisman candidate. The Tigers also have a pretty good running back. Well, supposedly. 18 year-old Leonard Fournette, who the was the No. 1 prospect in the entire 2014 recruiting class, expects to get plenty touchdown against the Badgers. Expectations could not be any higher for this young man, who has already been compared to Adrian Peterson, even without ever taking a handoff in college. While LSU is stacked at virtually every position, there is one position they have yet to fill: quarterback. Either Brandon Harris or Anthony Jennings will be named the starter for the game Saturday, although both expect to play. Both QBs are quite mobile although they are by no means adept at throwing the ball. At least not yet. It’s also worth noting that LSU head coach Les Miles has never lost a season opener. This is Miles’ 10th season coaching the Tigers.
No. 17 Notre Dame vs. Rice
The No. 17 Notre Dame Fighting Irish open the season against the defending Conference USA champion Rice Owls. The good news for the Irish is that they get to welcome back quarterback Everett Golson, who sat out the entire 2013 season after it was discovered that he had committed academic fraud. In 2012, Golson led his team to an undefeated regular season and the national title game against Alabama. The bad news is that four more Irish players are now being held out of practices and games after becoming involved in an academic fraud scandal of their own. Despite the setback, the Irish still remain 21-point favorites and expect to handle the Owls with ease.
No. 15 Southern California vs. Fresno State
The long-awaited arrival of a new era in USC football gets underway as new head coach Steve Sarkisian’s No. 15 Trojans take on the Fresno State Bulldogs at the Los Angeles Coliseum. For the Bulldogs, who currently sit as 25.5 point underdogs, this game is all about revenge for the 45-20 pummeling it was given by the very same Trojans just eight months ago in the Las Vegas Bowl. Gone is quarterback Derek Carr and 1000-yard receivers Davante Adams and Josh Harper, who were all an integral part of the nations top passing attack last year. The Trojans, however, bring back a potential Biletnikoff Award candidate in Nelson Agholor, who led the team with 918 yards and six touchdowns in 2013. With coach Sarkisian’s new spread offense coming to town, a system which complements the speedy receiver’s talents quite well, most expect his production to skyrocket. With that said, look for the Trojans to win big.
No. 10 Baylor vs. SMU
The SMU Mustangs will have their hands full with the 10th ranked Baylor Bears as they debut their shiny new stadium along the Brazos River. Fresh off a Big 12 Championship and a berth in the Fiesta Bowl, both of which were firsts for a program who had endured years of hardship and losing, the Bears hope to continue their potent offensive attack as well as build off the success of the last couple seasons. Led by early Heisman front-runner Bryce Petty, who orchestrated the nation’s 8th best aerial assault last year and threw for 4200 yards and 32 TDs last year, picking apart this Mustang defense should be a piece of cake. For SMU, who are without 3500-yard passer Garrett Gilbert and their 2 top receivers from last year, it could be a very long day.
Miami (FL) V Louisville
Fresh off a 36-9 annihilation in the 2013 Russell Athletic Bowl, the Miami Hurricanes, much like the Fresno State Bulldogs, are looking for redemption against the team they most recently lost to, and attempting to get rid of the bitter taste they were left with at the end of last season. Except this time when they face off against the Cardinals of Louisville, it will be for sole possession of first place in the ACC and an early leg up on the rest of the conference. Both teams will be breaking in new QBs this game so all the pressure will be on them to deliver. The Cardinals, who no longer have the luxury of steady-handed Teddy Bridgewater under center, will now look to Sophomore Will Gardner, who exploded for 542 yards on 32 of 37 passing in the team’s annual Spring Game. For the Canes, true freshman Brad Kaaya, who has supposedly been unflappable this preseason, has been chosen as the starting quarterback. Luckily for Kaaya, star running back and dark-horse Heisman candidate Duke Johnson is there to make his job a little bit easier.
No. 5 Ohio State vs. Navy
A week ago, if you asked any college football expert to name the 4 teams they thought would make the college football playoff, you can bet your money that Ohio State was one of those teams. However, with the devastating news that the Buckeyes’ star quarterback, Braxton Miller, would be out for the season with a torn labrum, everything has changed. In just one day, THE Ohio State University went from conference favorite with a Heisman hopeful at quarterback to a team with a lot of questions and just another team in the middle of a tough Big 10 race. Miller’s replacement, redshirt Freshman J.T. Barrett, who has been thrust into an impossible situation, had better learn to grow up quick if the Buckeyes want to keep any of their all-but obliterated national title hopes alive. This Midshipmen team is no slouch either. Led by quarterback Keenan Reynolds, who accounted for over 2,400 total yards and 31 scores last season, the Buckeyes are about to find out real soon whether or not they’re still a top 10 team.
No. 1 Florida State vs. Oklahoma State
After what was a very long offseason for the defending national champion Seminoles, especially when considering Jameis Winston’s infamous seafood thievery and questions about his maturity level that seems to be ceaseless at times, head coach Jimbo Fisher and company still come in ranked as the No. 1 team in the country. This year, Winston begins his quest for college football immortality as he and the rest of the Seminoles take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Back in 2012, when this game was scheduled, it looked like a guaranteed top-10 matchup, but with Oklahoma State only returning 9 starters from last year’s team, the second least of any team in the country, the outcome for the Cowboys looks very grim indeed. Look for the Seminoles to extend their 16-game win streak, and make it look easy in the process.