College football best games of 2017 rspn u
This game has decided the conference champion in each of the last two seasons, though it hasn’t been particularly close. If the Cowboys want to usurp rival Oklahoma as kings of the Big 12, now is the time to do it. This game should be a bit more competitive than last time. Florida has the same-old questions at quarterback, but goes up against a Michigan team replacing 10 of 11 starters on defense. Is it too much to assume Florida wants to make this a revenge game? The last time these two programs played, Michigan crushed the Gators 41-7 in their own back yard at the 2016 Citrus Bowl.Ī few years have passed since Jim Harbaugh and Jim McElwain’s first seasons at their respective programs, but you can bet it’ll be a major talking point leading up to the game. Expect him to come in with redemption on his mind, and for both teams to come in with a bad attitude. Don’t forget the Gators won this game on a last-second goal-line stand by stuffing Derrius Guice at the line of scrimmage. Predictably, neither team hyped this game up at SEC Media Days, but you can bet the Gators scheduled LSU here because, long story short, Hurricane Matthew forced the teams to play in Baton Rouge last year. How often do you see a conference rival schedule you as their homecoming opponent? The answer is never, which makes this game can’t-miss for fans who like a little drama with their football. Conversely, a Trojans loss would be a serious step back for the program. The stakes won’t be as high now as they were then, but that won’t make this game any less important for Clay Helton or Herman, who would love to start his Texas tenure with a win against one of the nation’s top teams. We can’t help but note this will be the teams’ first meeting since that classic Rose Bowl in 2006.
No offense to Maryland or San Jose State, but the Tom Herman era at Texas starts in earnest with a monster test at USC in Week 3. That said, another loss won’t do a lot to engender favor for Orgeron in Baton Rouge. This game is usually a slugfest, but LSU brass will expect to see more offensive output from new offensive coordinator Matt Canada, architect of Pitt's high-flying offense last season, and running back Derrius Guice, considered one of the best backs in the nation. Orgeron’s Tigers gave Alabama a tough test in a 10-0 loss last season while he was interim coach, but more will be expected of him in 2017. 14: LSU at Alabama, Nov. 4Įd Orgeron knows he has to beat the Tide if he wants keep his job, and there’s no time like the present. An early loss wouldn’t derail USC's chances of winning the Pac-12 … but that hype train sure would take a hit. Sam Darnold will be the star of this show, but don’t sleep on Stanford running back Bryce Love, who rushed for 7.2 yards per carry in backup duty to Christian McCaffrey from 2015-16. It will also let us know whether USC is really “back” under second-year coach Clay Helton. This one’s tricky for several reasons: It’s a big conference game that comes just a week before the Trojans’ Rose Bowl rematch against Texas. USC faces an early Pac-12 litmus test in Week 2 against Stanford. With that in mind, here are the top must-watch games of the 2017 season: Best college football games on 2017 schedule No. Sporting News has already taken a look at the top 15 Week 1 games, but the season is not won or lost on the opening weekend. MORE: SN's 2017 conference, CFP predictions It will be a winding road to the College Football Playoff, and every single one of these games will have an impact on which four teams vie for the national championship.
The season offers a plethora of marquee nonconference games in Alabama-Florida State, Oklahoma-Ohio State and Auburn-Clemson, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. It's never too early to look ahead to the college football season, especially when it offers such a fantastic slate of games.