Army at #7 Michigan, Saturday, September 7th, 12:00 pm, FOX
This isn’t the same Army team of the last decade plus and the men from West Point have been playing well the last couple of years. They nearly went into Norman last season and upset the Sooners. This year their big game is against Michigan in the Big House.
#11 Texas A&M at #1 Clemson, Saturday, September 7th, 3:30 pm, ABC
One of two big time college football games on Saturday. Texas A&M nearly beat the Tigers last year in College Station and Jimbo Fisher has a history of playing well against Clemson, keeping the Noles close in a few games in the latter part of his tenure in Tallahassee when they were overmatched. The Tigers have looked unstoppable over the end of 2018 and to start 2019. Their first big test awaits.
BYU at Tennessee, Saturday, September 7th, 7:00 pm, ESPN
Not a big game nationally, but one that intrigues me to see how Tennessee bounces back from, based on what one publication (ESPN’s FPI) called the 4th worst lost in the history of college football. BYU is a step up in competition for the Vols so it will be interesting to see if Georgia State was a crazy anomaly or if there is trouble on Rocky Top.
#6 LSU at #9 Texas, Saturday, September 7th, 7:30 pm, ABC
The other big matchup of the weekend. It’s a Top 10 matchup, but in all honesty I don’t believe in either of these teams this year. However, my personal naysaying aside, the winner puts themselves in the playoff conversation early in this long season with a nice win on their resume.
#23 Stanford at USC, Saturday, September 7th, 10:30 pm, ESPN
This has become a back and forth rivalry over the past decade and it’s the Cardinal that finds themselves as the ranked opponent again this year. USC will turn to freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis after a week one season ending injury for starter JT Daniels. Clay Helton’s job in very much in peril this season and he needs some marquee wins to help his cause.