1. Georgia at Clemson, Aug. 31: This season opener will impact both teams' standing in the polls and send at least one championship contender out on a low note. While the Tigers and Bulldogs could survive a loss, a setback would force one team to run the table during conference play.
2. LSU vs. TCU, Aug. 31 (at Cowboys Stadium): LSU is a bit of an enigma, though the defense remains one of the elite units in college football. Meanwhile, TCU looks to bounce back from an injury-marred debut run through the Big 12. Take note: LSU has won 40 regular season non-conference games in a row.
3. Notre Dame at Michigan, Sept. 7: A series that typically goes down to the wire moves to Ann Arbor. Michigan is young but talented, and certainly athletic enough to win the Legends Division and challenge Ohio State in the Big Ten. The Fighting Irish remain a strong championship contender even without Everett Golson at quarterback.
4. UCLA at Nebraska, Sept. 14: The Bruins took last year's meeting, but this year's date is in Lincoln – where Nebraska can be unbeatable. The Cornhuskers' young defense must be ready for Brett Hundley and the UCLA offense, but the home-field advantage might too much for the Bruins to overcome.
5. Florida at Miami (Fla.), Sept. 7: The Gators are confident in quarterback Jeff Driskel and this offense rebounding from a sour 2012 season. But this game will be won with defense, as Florida must handle Stephen Morris, Duke Johnson and the Hurricanes' prolific attack.
***
Paul Myerberg, a national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter
2. LSU vs. TCU, Aug. 31 (at Cowboys Stadium): LSU is a bit of an enigma, though the defense remains one of the elite units in college football. Meanwhile, TCU looks to bounce back from an injury-marred debut run through the Big 12. Take note: LSU has won 40 regular season non-conference games in a row.
3. Notre Dame at Michigan, Sept. 7: A series that typically goes down to the wire moves to Ann Arbor. Michigan is young but talented, and certainly athletic enough to win the Legends Division and challenge Ohio State in the Big Ten. The Fighting Irish remain a strong championship contender even without Everett Golson at quarterback.
4. UCLA at Nebraska, Sept. 14: The Bruins took last year's meeting, but this year's date is in Lincoln – where Nebraska can be unbeatable. The Cornhuskers' young defense must be ready for Brett Hundley and the UCLA offense, but the home-field advantage might too much for the Bruins to overcome.
5. Florida at Miami (Fla.), Sept. 7: The Gators are confident in quarterback Jeff Driskel and this offense rebounding from a sour 2012 season. But this game will be won with defense, as Florida must handle Stephen Morris, Duke Johnson and the Hurricanes' prolific attack.
***
Paul Myerberg, a national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter
