Let's do this thing, yo!
It’s been a long eight or so months, but the new season is here and with it a new way to crown a champion. College football will forever be changed when the season kicks off with the game between Texas A&M and South Carolina at 6 p.m. ET (OK, technically it kicked off Wednesday with Georgia State's thrilling 38-37 win against Abilene Christian), the first of many contests that will ultimately parse out the top four teams and create the first-ever College Football Playoff.
But before we start looking ahead, it’s important to remember how we got here. So, here’s your 2013 refresher:
This guy won the Heisman, but created a lot of off-field drama while doing it (and after doing it). His team also won the national title and many people think it can do it again.
Even though the SEC’s streak of national championship ended, it did have two of the most miraculous plays in college football history courtesy of national championship runner-up Auburn.
Sorry Georgia.
Sorry Alabama. And by the way, this play made Chris Davis a rockstar for pretty much the rest of his life.
This trophy is now gone
And we've replaced it with this
And, sadly, this guy has moved on to the NFL.
I think that’s everything, so let’s look ahead to this week.
Game of the week:
No. 16 Clemson vs. No. 12 Georgia, 5:30 p.m. ET
This was Dr. Saturday’s game of the week to open last year and it didn’t disappoint. We’re expect similar greatness in 2014. Both of these coaches have downplayed the importance of this game, but the winner will have the inside track to the new four-team playoff. Both of these teams will introduce veterans at quarterback in Cole Stoudt and Hutson Mason, but neither guy has a lot of experience. Both teams also have been dealing with some major injuries, which could play a role as well. Clemson needs this game more than Georgia simply because the rest of its schedule isn’t as strong, but it’s going to be tough for the Tigers to go between the hedges and come out with a win. This is going to be an entertaining game, but Georgia should come away victorious.
Game to watch:
No. 14 Wisconsin vs. No. 13 LSU, 9 p.m. ET
This game has to be the most anticipated of the opening weekend simply because of the gameplay between the two coaches. Neither team has named a starting quarterback, though the popular opinion is that Wisconsin will start former safety Tanner McEvoy. What we hope McEvoy brings to this game is that dual-threat ability that will keep LSU from stacking the box to stop running back Melvin Gordon. Some pistol offense could keep LSU off balance and make this a tighter game than many expect. Of course, it’s always difficult to win in Death Valley and LSU coach Les Miles has been quietly confident about the prospects of his team this year. LSU should win this game, but if Wisconsin pulls off the upset, it could go undefeated with its favorable schedule.
Also check out…
No. 21 Texas A&M vs. No. 9 South Carolina, Thurs., 6 p.m. ET
There are a couple reasons to tune into this game. Of course there’s the “Life Beyond Johnny Football” storyline, but for me, I want to see if South Carolina is the real deal. If the Gamecocks are really a national title contender, which many think they are, they should blow A&M out of the water. The A&M defense was abysmal last season and it doesn’t have Johnny Manziel to bail it out this year. South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson might be a new starter, but he’s veteran player and with Mike Davis healthy in the backfield, they should be able to pick apart the Aggie defense. On the flip side, A&M quarterback Kenny Hill has created a lot of intrigue, especially since coach Kevin Sumlin has shown that he knows how to pick his QBs, but with six players returning from a defense that was one of the best in the country last year, Hill might have a tough welcome to college football.
Don't waste your time with:
No. 1 Florida State vs. Oklahoma State (Arlington, Texas), 8 p.m. ET
I know everyone is excited to see Jameis Winston and the defending national champion, but I have a tough time seeing this game be competitive. Oklahoma State returns just four players from a defense that allowed 242.5 passing yards per game last year. Florida State is going to be motivated to show that it’s ready to defend its national championship and perhaps even its Heisman Trophy. While this game might be close early, I think Florida State runs away with it.
Keep an eye on:
J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State
No quarterback has been talked about more this week than Ohio State redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett, who steps in as starter for the injured Braxton Miller. While many don’t believe Navy will give Ohio State much of a game, I do think this is a going to be a good test to see whether Barrett is ready to lead what many thought was a playoff-possible team this season. There are going to be some ups and downs, but how Barrett and Ohio State weather them will be telling. On the flipside, this also will be a good chance to see Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds, a true dual-threat that gives Navy a legit passing threat, something that had been lacking in the offense before he came along. Reynolds has been heralded as a darkhorse for the Heisman, but he’ll have to have a good game against the Buckeyes to make that dream a reality.
Upset alert:
Utah State (+6) at Tennessee, Sun., 7 p.m. ET
There’s no team in the country that will have more new players on the field than Tennessee and playing against a Utah State team that many believe will win the Mountain West is going to be a challenge, even at home. USU veteran quarterback Chuckie Keaton is back after missing last season with a knee injury and while the Aggies don’t have a lot of starters returning, they do have a lot of players with playing experience. Tennessee is green in so many positions and its quarterback is iffy. This game could be close and Tennessee definitely has a bit of an edge because it’s at home, but Utah State will keep this under the number and possibly even leave with a win.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
And don’t forget to keep up with all of Graham’s thoughts, witty comments and college football discussions on Facebook
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