Everyone talks about the big games that stand out when they’re first announced. We all mark our calendars accordingly and rightfully so. However, there are games that may not catch your eye right away, that always sneak up on the schedule and essentially provide an unexpected treat. Below are my top 5 games that I believe you’ll want to tune in for.
5. Virginia Tech @ Miami — Week 12
I know what you’re thinking. Virginia Tech? Really? The answer is yes. James Franklin took over this offseason for the Hokies and is making it his mission to bring them back to the early 2000s when Blacksburg was a feared destination and you expected a weekly blocked punt or kick from their special teams. They travel to Miami the second to last game of the season and the overall expectation is that Miami will either have one loss, or potentially undefeated. Surely, a late season game against the brand new Hokies won’t cause any problems, right? I wouldn’t be so sure. James Franklin may not be known for winning big games…like at all. But this situation may be different. This late in the season, there’s no way of knowing how Virginia Tech will have looked. I just have a feeling that when there may be nothing to lose, perhaps the old Virginia Tech shows up and throws a wrench in Miami’s postseason plans.
4. Louisville vs. Ole Miss — Week 1
Week 3 can’t come soon enough! Lane’s return to Oxford is going to be epic. The fans have been waiting for months to welcome him back with open arms…of objects they would love to throw at him. I think people forget that Ole Miss plays two games before then. One of them being against Louisville in a neutral site game in Nashville. Not to mention, it’s the Sunday night game, so there will be no other game to take eyes away from it. It’s the first real look at Pete Golding’s Rebels and their opponent knows that. Jeff Brohm always has his teams prepared and with their expected starting QB Lincoln Kienholz, an Ohio State transfer, taking over the reins, the Cardinals would love to make a statement week 1 and shock Ole Miss. Does Ole Miss already have eyes on that week 3 game against LSU? I guess we’ll find out when they kick off against the Cards in primetime on September 6th.
3. Oklahoma @ Georgia — Week 4
There’s high expectations in Norman and I don’t blame them. A Brent Venables defense always reloads and with John Mateer entering his second year leading the offense, Sooner fans can’t wait to get the season started. Their schedule doesn’t do them any favors though. A trip to Ann Arbor week 2 and the Red River Shootout in week 6 is tough, but that trip to Athens in week 4 is the one I have my eyes on. Georgia has been the standard of the SEC for the past 5 years and this game could have major implications on the rest of the season. If OU loses to Michigan, this game becomes that much bigger as two losses before Texas and the season feels like it’s on the line in Dallas. If they beat Michigan and are undefeated leading into Georgia, it becomes a chance for the Sooners to announce to everyone that they aren’t just a Playoff contender, they’re a National Championship contender. It’s a home game that Georgia is going to be expected to win, but ask Alabama what it’s like going into a game expecting to beat the Sooners…mark your calendars.
2. Oregon @ Oklahoma State — Week 2
Yes, you’re reading that correctly. Mike Gundy is no longer in Stillwater and there’s a new regime under the leadership of Eric Morris leading the Cowboys. Drew Mestemaker and his offense took the college football world by storm last year at North Texas. If you took the over on UNT points last year in every game, you probably came out smelling like roses. Morris is going to look to do the same thing at Oklahoma State. People forget they were in the Big 12 Championship 3 years ago. Yes, they were a dumpster fire last year, but if Oregon shows up to this game expecting to play that same team in week 2, they may be in for a surprise. Oregon has National Championship aspirations and games like this are the speed bumps that you try your best to survive. OSU is going to come out swinging and why shouldn’t they? They have nothing to lose. That’s what makes this game so intriguing. You look at it initially and think Oregon should dominate, and maybe they will. Then you remember that Mean Green offense and it makes you wonder…what if?
1. Notre Dame @ BYU — Week 7
Everyone looks at Notre Dame and thinks they will end up undefeated or maybe have one loss to Miami late in the year. What they may not realize is that the Irish travel to Provo in week 7. Yes, even against a Big 12 title and Playoff contender like BYU, they will be favored and the expectation is that they’ll find a way to win. Not to mention, they’ll surely be undefeated, barring any early season blunders. That is why I think this is the perfect scenario for BYU to shock everyone. Provo itself is a tough place to play. Their fanbase is an electric one that travels for their team to any city they visit. This is one game they get to play in their backyard. A win against Notre Dame puts the country on notice about them making some noise in the Playoff. Of course, I don’t think anyone is going to pick the Cougars to win it all, but a win against the Irish would make people think twice about them come postseason play (should they earn a spot). Then, on the flip side, a loss for Notre Dame just makes the Miami game that much bigger. Another loss late in the season to the Hurricanes and they’re in the same scenario they were in last year with 2 losses. After this game, so many questions could be asked and so much drama could ensue. I’m just glad we get to sit back and enjoy.