Last year’s marquee non-conference games more than lived up to expectations by helping to shape the regular season and the makeup of the College Football Playoff.
Texas beat Alabama — way back when the two programs were in different leagues — and rode that victory to a top-four finish and playoff berth. Florida State’s win against LSU was the first step to an ACC championship and the program’s most successful season in nearly a decade. Colorado beat Nebraska to become the biggest story in the sport … and won just two more times the rest of the way.
The value of non-conference play could be impacted by the expanded playoff, which gives teams a little more room for error and makes these early-season matchups seem a bit less do-or-die for the top postseason contenders. But there is no shortage of eye-popping pairings starting right off the bat in August, including a handful of humdingers on the first full weekend of the year.
Clemson vs. Georgia, Aug. 31 (Atlanta)
The second season-opening meeting in four years between the two heavyweights shouldn’t follow the same script as the 2021 matchup, an ugly 10-3 Georgia win that laid bare Clemson’s deep-seeded offensive woes. Look for the Tigers to improve thanks to increased experience in Garrett Riley’s scheme and the projected development of returning starter Cade Klubnik at quarterback. The Bulldogs will remain very difficult to unseat as the early favorite for the national title, especially with the game being played in a friendly Mercedes-Benz Stadium environment.
Georgia running back Zamir White (3) carries the ball against Clemson during their 2021 game at Bank of America Stadium.
After saving coach Neal Brown’s job with a nine-win 2023 season, the Mountaineers aim at a conference title in the new-look Big 12. Beating the rival Nittany Lions would validate last…
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Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer
Publish date : 2024-08-18 22:55:19
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