Defense Time: The Georgia Bulldogs may look different this year. They lost some key pieces from that title team last season such as Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean and Travon Walker. Despite that, they are still the defending champs until someone dethrones them. They will kick off their title defense against the Oregon Ducks and a familiar face. Dan Lanning took the Ducks job after Mario Cristobal left for Miami. This will be considered a home game for the Dawgs as the game will take place in Atlanta.
Blue Bloods!: Week one is always a fun time in college football because we get those matchups that aren’t usually on the schedule. The last few years, we’ve been given some big time games in week one. Last year, we got the Georgia Bulldogs and Clemson Tigers. This year, we get a battle of iconic programs in the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Ohio State Buckeyes. This will be Marcus Freeman’s head coaching debut for the Irish. Ohio State is looking to get back to the top of the Big Ten East after Michigan won it in 2021. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.
The Start: Nick Saban won his first title with Alabama back in the 2009 season against Mack Brown’s Texas Longhorns. This is what started the run of dominance and titles. Texas is looking to get back to its winning ways. I can see it’s been a struggle as of late. For the first time since that title game, these two will meet up and battle. This will be a true test for Tom Herman’s Longhorns. Saban and company as usual will be ready for whatever fight comes their way. That’s why they’ve been so great for so many years.
Prelude?: The Big Ten has been a division where you sometimes know who will win their divisions and get to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Title Game. Over the years, we’ve seen the Wisconsin Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes coast through the regular season and meet up in December. We will get a regular season battle between these Big Ten contenders at the shoe in Columbus! Wisconsin’s identity never changes. They have strong offensive lines and they want to run the football. Ohio State is a run and gun offense with balance.
River Time: Since I started analyzing college football, I’ve had the privilege of breaking down some of the best rivalries in the sport. The Iron Bowl, “The Game” and that’s just to name a few. One of my favorites has become the Red River rivalry. You know exactly what you’re going to get when the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners meet up. That’s a lot of scoring from both teams. Last year’s battle was such a fun one and we will once again see these two battle for bragging rights.
One Sided?: We have a rivalry game here. Since Mel Tucker took over for the Michigan State Spartans, he’s undefeated against the in-state rival, Michigan Wolverines. Last year was the first time both teams met up when both were ranked in the top ten. These two rivals will meet up once again back at the Big House in Ann Arbor. I expect that intensity that’s there for every rivalry game. Michigan has dropped the last two games to Sparty.
New Chapter: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and USC Trojans go back. There have also been many memorable moments between the two iconic programs. This time around, they will meet and both teams will be led by new head coaches. Marcus Freeman for the Irish and Lincoln Riley for the Trojans. I have a feeling something will be on the line here such as a potential playoff spot or the chance to play in a New Years Six bowl game.
Game On: I’ve saved the best for last! I’ve often said the Ohio State and Michigan rivalry is the college football version of Duke and North Carolina in college basketball. It doesn’t matter where these teams are ranked, this matchup always is the talk of the week leading up to the game. Jim Harbaugh finally got one over the rival Buckeyes last year. That game propelled Michigan to a division title, a conference title and an appearance in the playoffs. They meet this year again, this time at the shoe. A ton will be on the line here. A potential division title, a trip to Indy and plenty of bragging rights.
