GAMES TO WATCH 2014

August 28, 2014

     Who will be chosen for the first College Football Playoff? Here are the games each week that I believe will determine the answer.

8/30 - Wisconsin v. LSU - This game will be played at Reliant Stadium in Houston. This is expected to be a bit of a transitional year for LSU. The Tigers return just five starters on offense and must replace QB Zach Mettenberger. For the Badgers, a win here and they should be 9-0 in mid-November. This is a huge opener for the Big Ten.

9/6 - Michigan State @ Oregon - Speaking of huge games for the Big Ten. The Spartans will likely need this win to reach the CFB Playoff, even with a conference title. Oregon has struggled the last two years with physical teams that play tough defense. That gives Sparty a good chance in this one. QB Connor Cook improved as 2013 went on. He will need to be mistake free here.

9/13 - Georgia @ South Carolina - The Bulldogs would like to forget about last year’s disappointing, injury riddled, 5-loss season.  They have great talent as usual but replacing QB Aaron Murray won’t be easy. The Gamecocks will be inexperienced defensively and play a very difficult schedule, If USC wants to win the SEC East, they will need a win here. 

9/20 - Clemson @ Florida State - This particular Saturday is loaded with great games. You also have Florida @ Alabama, Miami @ Nebraska & Oklahoma @ West Virginia. This game will probably determine the champion of the ACC Atlantic Division. Last year, Clemson was hammered 51-14 on its home field. The Noles will be favored here, and I think they win easily again.

9/27 - Stanford @ Washington - The two-time defending Pac 12 Champs will play a very challenging schedule with other games at Arizona State, Oregon, UCLA and Notre Dame. The Cardinal only return five starters on offense, but they have experience at QB in Kevin Hogan. The Washington Huskies have a new QB and head coach. How will Chris Petersen do in his Pac 12 debut? 

10/4 - LSU @ Auburn - Last season, this was Auburn’s only loss in the regular season. The road team has won 12 of the last 14 in the series. Auburn will play a brutal schedule, but they may be the most  talented team in the country. If they survive a road game at Kansas State on 9/18, this game will be a huge step towards the playoff.

10/11 - Texas v. Oklahoma - It will be Charlie Strong’s debut in the Red River Rivalry. The Longhorns got their act together last year for one week to give Mack Brown one last win in Dallas. By this game, Oklahoma will have already played three road games. If they are a favorite to make the playoff, a win here is a must.

10/18 - Notre Dame @ Florida State - The Seminoles are the defending national champs. They have speed & talent everywhere. How far has Notre Dame come since they were run out of Miami by Alabama two years ago? This game will be as hyped as any other this season.  

10/25 - South Carolina @ Auburn - South Carolina is 0-7 against Auburn since joining the SEC. Could this be a preview of the SEC Championship Game? If either team has a conference loss at this point, a loss here will likely keep them out of Atlanta on December 6.

11/1 - Stanford @ Oregon - Although the Oregon Ducks have been hyped as national title contenders each of the last three years, Stanford has won the Pac 12 title. If Marcus Mariota is going to win the Heisman this year, a big performance here could make him the frontrunner. The winner of this game will likely be in the Pac 12 final.

11/8 - Ohio State @ Michigan State - This one has lost some luster since Ohio State QB Braxton Miller was for the season due to injury. These are still the two most talented teams in the Big Ten East & maybe the conference. A win here for the Spartans should guarantee a division crown. This game & the Oregon game in September are key if MSU wants to reach the playoff.

11/15 - Florida State @ Miami, FL - It has been a while since this was the unquestioned “Game  of the Year” in college football. The Canes have lost four in a row to FSU. I would give them a legit shot here if they had experience at QB. Al Golden has improved from 6-6 to 7-5 to 9-4 in his first three years at the U. I don’t think he has enough talent to pull this one off, but a November rivalry game on the road for the defending champs is a must see.

11/22 - USC @ UCLA - The Bruins are the most experienced & talented team in the Pac 12 & return QB Brett Hundley. The problem is their schedule. They play Texas, Oregon, Stanford, Arizona State & USC. As for the Trojans, if they survive a 9/6 game at Stanford, this game could be for the Pac 12 South crown & more. USC returns seven starters on each side. The battle of LA should be a good one this year.

11/29 - Auburn @ Alabama - Where do I begin? The kick 6? The Toomer trees? The fact that one of these two teams has played for the national title each of the last five seasons? The SEC West title could be on the line. Both teams could end up in the CFB playoff. In my opinion, this is the best rivalry in sports. When there are high stakes like last year, no CFB game is bigger.

PREDICTIONS

SEC Champ - Alabama

ACC Champ - Florida State

Big Ten Champ - Michigan State

Pac 12 Champ - Oregon

Big 12 Champ - Oklahoma

Semifinal - Florida State beats Oklahoma

Semifinal - Alabama beats Oregon

Championship Game - Alabama beats Florida State