No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 8 Clemson
The game snags the No. 1 spot on this list. The only Top 10 matchup of the weekend, these national title contenders will face off in primetime Saturday night. Although Georgia is favored, with two of the best offenses in college football and two of the best quarterbacks in the nation, this one could go either way. Aaron Murray and Tajh Boyd are Heisman contenders this year looking to lead their teams to an undefeated season.
No. 12 LSU vs. No. 20 TCU
A decent amount of scandal surrounds this matchup. TCU quarterback Casey Pachall will make his debut following his indefinite suspension for a DWI incident that occurred in October of 2012. Between Pachall, TCU star defensive end Devonte Fields, who was suspended for violating team rules and LSU’s Jeremy Hill, who was arrested for punching a man outside a bar, the teams seem pretty evenly matched in the scandal department. Yet the favorite for the score board is LSU. But if Pachall returns and Fields is allowed to play, the Horned Frogs may stand a chance to knock off the national title contender.
Mississippi St. vs. No. 13 Oklahoma St.
Mississippi State failed to live up to expectations last season and is seeking redemption. Knocking off Oklahoma State, the Big 12’s top-ranked team, would be the jump-start they need to the season. Look for Bulldogs quarterback Tyler Russell to lead a high-powered offense that Mississippi State hopes can put enough points on the board to come out on top.
No. 1 Alabama vs. Virginia Tech
Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide hope to kick start the season with a victory over Virginia Tech. Alabama needs a big win build the momentum that will allow them to work their way through an SEC schedule with much tougher games down the road. Close to 40 percent of Virginia Tech’s players are either true or redshirt freshmen. Watching such a young team try to hold its own against a defending national champion is what makes this a game to watch.