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The college football season is finally upon us. While some are okay with the marquee matchup this weekend being Hawaii vs. UCLA, most fans anxiously wait for next week when every team lines up to kick-off the season. Week 0 will have to hold everyone’s appetite, but for now, let’s look at the top 5 matchups for Week 1.
5. #17 Indiana vs. # 18 Iowa, Saturday, September 4th, 3:30 P.M.
A battle of top 20 teams in the Big 10 will start the countdown of best matchups looking ahead to Week 1. Both teams finished last year’s shortened season 6-2 and are looking to make a splash to start 2021. Indiana will be led by Junior QB Michael Penix Jr., who many believe can be a Heisman front runner this season. In just 8 games last season, Penix Jr. had 1645 Yds., 14 TD, and 4 INT.
Iowa will be looking to run the football down the throat of the Hoosiers, led by Junior RB Tyler Goodson. The last meeting between these teams occurred in 2018, with Iowa coming out on top 42-16.
4. #9 Notre Dame vs. Florida State, Sunday, September 5th, 7:30 P.M.
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Two historical programs will face off in the primetime game Sunday night, September 5th, as the Irish and the Seminoles will battle in Tallahassee. Notre Dame is coming off a 10-2 2020 season, falling just short of winning the ACC title to Clemson and losing convincingly to Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoffs. Notre Dame will be led by Wisconsin transfer QB Jack Coan, who hasn’t played since 2019.
Mike Norvell’s first year at Florida State wasn’t what he had in mind. The Seminoles finished 3-6. while playing four different guys at quarterback. The Seminoles have not announced who will be starting in two weeks.
While Florida State isn’t the team everyone is used to seeing, a matchup between two legendary programs is a perfect way to kick-off the season.
3. #19 Penn State vs. #12 Wisconsin, Saturday, September 4th, 12:00 P.M.
Nothing can prepare you for the college football season like a big noon kick-off of two Big 10 programs that will play second fiddle to Ohio State. Penn State and Wisconsin are looking to right the ship after both teams had an unimpressive 2020. Covid-19 hit the Big 10 hard as the conference decided a shortened schedule would be the past path to a successful season.
The last matchup between the Nittany Lions and the Badgers took place in 2018, with Penn State winning 22-10.
2. #1 Alabama vs. #14 Miami Fl., Saturday, September 4th, 3:30 P.M.
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The reigning champions will start their season against the Hurricanes of Miami in a primetime matchup. Alabama comes into the game as an 18.5 point favorite and could easily walk away with a victory bigger than that. The Crimson Tide hasn’t lost an opening game since 2001 when UCLA beat them 20-17. Alabama has lost a lot of talent, but as we see every year, they fill those holes right back up with five-star recruits.
Miami has high hopes for this season, and beating Alabama will have those hopes skyrocketing. D’Erig King will look to chase a Heisman trophy while firmly letting the college football world know that The U is back for good.
1. #5 Georgia vs. # 3 Clemson, Saturday, September 4th, 7:30 P.M.
In a Week 1 matchup with College Football Playoff implications, the Bulldogs will travel to Charlotte to take on the Tigers. The last matchup between the two took place in 2014, as Georgia throttled Clemson 45-21 to start that season. Clemson will begin a new era under center as D.J. Uiagalelei will take over for the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, Trevor Lawerence.
This matchup has the makings of a classic and a game that all college football fans will have circled on their calendars.
The wait is almost over. These five matchups will be a feast for your eyes to see. Stock up on your favorite beverage and chicken wings, college football, is here and the matchups couldn’t be better.
