Legendary: When you think of two legendary institutions, The University of Miami and Alabama come to mind. Think of all the success Alabama has had over the years and with Miami, you think of their success back then along with many of the names who have put that uniform on. To open up week one, these two programs will battle each other. Alabama will enter with a different-looking team after losing a few pieces from their title-winning group in 2020. Miami is looking to get back on the national map once again under Manny Diaz. This will be fun seeing these programs battle to start the season.
Southern Drawl: The last few years, they’ve been considered threats to Alabama. One team has beaten them in the national title game twice while the other can’t seem to get over on them. I’m talking about the Clemson Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs. These two will meet in the opening week to kick off the 2021 season. The post-Trevor Lawrence era begins for Dabo Swinney and Clemson. They will also be without Travis Etienne who was a big part of their offense for many years. Georgia is looking to get back to claiming the SEC East once again after the Florida Gators clinched the division.
14: We were supposed to get this matchup last season in Eugene. Because of the Pandemic, it didn’t happen. The last time the Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes played one another, it was the inaugural College Football Playoff national title game. A running back named Ezekiel Elliott ran circles on the Oregon defense and the rest is history. For the first time since that title game, these two will square off, this time at the shoe in Columbus. If fans can attend this game, this atmosphere should be electric. Oregon should be a fun team to watch. I can’t wait to see the new-look offense for Ohio State in this one.
Run It Back: Last season, Alabama and Florida played in one of the most electric games of 2020. It was a high-flying battle with points scored all over. Dan Mullen and the Gators will look to get their revenge in this one as they will welcome Nick Saban and the defending champs to the swamp for an SEC showdown. This will be Alabama’s first time playing in Gainesville in ten years. You never know, this could be a preview of the SEC title game again when December comes around.
Midwest Swing: This was another matchup we were supposed to get in 2020. It was going to be played in Green Bay which would be a home game for the Wisconsin Badgers. Both Notre Dame and Wisconsin committed to playing each other just last year. I’m glad the NCAA is giving us this match-up again. We will see these two schools battle it out (hopefully). This time, the game will be in Chicago. Wisconsin always has a strong offensive line and the running game to punch the ball down the throats of their opponents. Notre Dame plays with a balanced attack and quick defense. I’m expecting this to be a hard-hitting football game from both sides.
Throwback: I love a good rivalry. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of breaking down Michigan/Michigan State, Michigan/Ohio State, Oklahoma/Texas and that’s just to name a few. There’s something special about USC and Notre Dame. The last time they met, Notre Dame won a closely contested game. These storied programs will meet for the first time since 2019. There’s always something on the line when these iconic teams play each other. I just hope we get another close battle between them.
Party Time: Who’s ready for another edition of “The World’s Largest Cocktail Party”? Whenever Florida and Georgia get together for their annual showdown in Jacksonville, the winner of the game usually goes on to win the division and they end up playing in the SEC title game in December. We get another battle between these two rivals once again. Most of the time, these games are close and are decided in the fourth quarter. Georgia will be looking for revenge after the Gators destroyed them last season.
Another One: The Penn State Nittany Lions and Ohio State Buckeyes. These matchups excluding last year’s showdown have been close and to the wire. The shoe will host this battle this time around. When you see Penn State makes it a close game or a tough battle, Ohio State appears to escape with the win. Could this game determine the east? It’s a strong possibility. It always appears to determine who will represent the division in the Big Ten title game in December.
It’s All In The Game: COVID-19 took a lot away from us in sports, especially the matchups we’ve been spoiled with for years and years. I will always look forward to Ohio State and Michigan, no matter where they’re ranked or even if one of the two teams is unranked. This is still one of the best rivalries in the game. I’ve often compared it to the Duke/North Carolina rivalry in college basketball. There’s always so much intrigue the week when these two are about to meet up. I’m expecting the same in this one.
