Marcus Mariota and the Ducks host the Spartans in a biggie in Week Two of the season. (Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports)
1. MICHIGAN STATE AT OREGON, SEPT. 6
A game so good, it looks like a misprint. The Spartans are used to playing in stadiums that hold a lot more folks, but none will be louder than Autzen, especially if the high-flying Ducks start going all Cirque Du Soleil on a still-salty MSU defense.
2. WISCONSIN VS. LSU, AUG. 30 (HOUSTON)
Each team has to resolve its quarterback competition before opening the season, which simply places more emphasis on this being big-boy football in the trenches. Early edge to the Tigers’ offensive line.
3. MICHIGAN AT NOTRE DAME, SEPT. 6.
The stakes are obvious for two power- house programs, and this night game puts a bow on the historic series until at least 2020, so the emotions will be dialed to 11. Devin Gardner accounted for five TDs last season as the Wolverines won, 41-30.
4. OKLAHOMA STATE VS. FLORIDA STATE, AUG. 30 (ARLINGTON).
The Seminoles launch defense of their national championship — or not — against an Oklahoma State team coming off a 10-win season and in reloading mode.
5. AUBURN AT KANSAS STATE, SEPT. 18.
Looks like a perfect Bill Snyder- designed trap in Manhattan for the reign- ing SEC champs — and more evidence that you can do high-end QB shopping in junior college (Auburn’s Nick Marshall, K-State’s Jake Waters).
6. UCLA VS. TEXAS, SEPT. 13 (ARLINGTON).
Charlie Strong’s first significant test as UT boss comes a week earlier against BYU and quarterback Taysom Hill. Now, here comes Brett Hundley and the Bruins.
7. FLORIDA AT FLORIDA STATE, NOV. 29.
We’re assuming the Gators will be better than last season and the Seminoles will
be vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff. So, yeah, big drama.
8. STANFORD AT NOTRE DAME, OCT. 4.
The Cardinal have won four of the past five in the series but might still be bitter about the loss, which came the last time the teams played in South Bend and officials ruled Stepfan Taylor failed to squirm into the end zone in overtime on fourth-and-inches.
9. NOTRE DAME AT FLORIDA STATE, OCT. 18.
The Irish start dabbling in ACC competition this season with four games, including this beaut against the Seminoles. It will be easy to get used to this matchup once every few years.
10. CLEMSON AT GEORGIA, AUG. 30.
We’d like this one better with last season’s starting quarterbacks, but the new signal-callers just add more intrigue. (Tigers fans might be looking forward to the end- ing of the season more than the beginning, though, eager to try to end a five-game losing streak to rival South Carolina).
11. NOTRE DAME AT USC, NOV. 29.
The Irish have two consecutive con- quests in the Coliseum, grounding the offensive attack of coach Lane Kiffin each time. Steve Sarkisian takes a whack at the rivalry with his up-tempo approach.
12. BOISE STATE VS. OLE MISS, AUG. 28 (ATLANTA).
Another great opening-week matchup. We’ll find out if Boise State’s Bryan Harsin found Chris Petersen’s supply of magic dust as the Broncos take on a rapidly improving Rebels squad.
