The opening weekend of the 2016 college football season features a bevy of outstanding nonconference showdowns. Consider it just an appetizer to a buffet of tremendous football games this season. Twenty-five of those games are highlighted here.
Oklahoma vs. Houston
At NRG Stadium, Houston
Saturday, Sept. 3
The Buzz: Tom Herman took Houston to new heights last season by leading the Cougars to an American Conference title and a win over Florida State in the Peach Bowl. A victory over a program like Oklahoma could push Houston into the College Football Playoff discussion.
Alabama vs. USC
At AT&T Stadium, Dallas
Saturday, Sept. 3
The Buzz: Alabama is an impressive 43-6 against nonconference opponents in the nine seasons under Nick Saban including a 4-0 record in neutral-site openers the past four seasons. Amazingly, USC is the first Pac-12 team the Crimson Tide has faced under Saban.
Clemson at Auburn
Saturday, Sept. 3
The Buzz: Deshaun Watson's performance in the national championship game should make the Clemson Tiger quarterback the preseason favorite to take home the Heisman Trophy. A strong performance against a retooled Auburn defense would go far in making that a reality.
LSU vs. Wisconsin
At Lambeau Field, Wisconsin
Saturday, Sept. 3
The Buzz: The Les Miles Reclamation Tour kicks off on the not-so frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Miles was nearly booted from LSU last season if not for public support and now he brings a Tigers team tied for the most returning starters (18) and the toughest schedule in the country to take on the Badgers.
Georgia vs. North Carolina
At Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Saturday, Sept. 3
The Buzz: Kirby Smart kicks off his first season as the coach at Georgia with this neutral-site showdown against North Carolina. The Tar Heels were the feel good story of the ACC last season before being throttled by a short-staffed Baylor team in the Russell Athletic Bowl.
UCLA at Texas A&M
Saturday, Sept. 3
The Buzz: Noel Mazzone spent the past three seasons as UCLA's offensive coordinator before moving to College Station to take the same role with Texas A&M. The Aggies have tabbed Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight as their starter for the game and it will be his charge to look to improve TAMU's record to 6-1 against Power 5 teams under head coach Kevin Sumlin.
Notre Dame at Texas
Sunday, Sept. 4
The Buzz: Things haven't necessarily gone Charlie Strong's way since arriving at Texas and the Longhorns coach is still looking for his first win over a Power 5 opponent. Notre Dame returns just 10 starters from a team that won 10 games last season and is looking to make an early impression in Austin.
Florida State vs. Ole Miss
At Citrus Bowl, Orlando
Monday, Sept. 5
The Buzz: A busy first weekend of college football wraps up with this ACC-SEC clash. Ole Miss was one of the top offensive teams in the country last season thanks to quarterback Chad Kelly and the Rebels will face a talented Florida State that will have the benefit of a “home” crowd on its side.
Iowa State at Iowa
Saturday, Sept. 10
The Buzz: The 64th meeting in this in-state rivalry has been anything but predictable. Iowa has won 41 games in this series, but the Hawkeyes have only won two of the past five meetings in this series. Matt Campbell will get his first introduction to the rivalry after being named Iowa State coach this offseason.
BYU at Utah
Saturday, Sept. 10
The Buzz: This 'Holy War' series has been anything but a rivalry as of late with Utah winning the past five meetings although each of the games have been hotly contested with the Utes winning the previous three games by an average of 5.6 points per game over BYU.
Arkansas at TCU
Saturday, Sept. 10
The Buzz: A lot has changed since these two programs were once members of the Southwest Conference. The last time Arkansas saw TCU quarterback Kenny Hill, he passed for close to 400 yards and four touchdowns in leading Texas A&M to 35-28 win over the Razorbacks in 2014. Hill could wind up being the Horned Frogs signal caller when it's all said and done this fall.
Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech
At Bristol Motor Speedway, Tennessee
Saturday, Sept. 10
The Buzz: NASCAR meets college football as famed Bristol Motor Speedway plays host to this ACC-SEC showdown. Tennessee is 11-3 against non-conference opponents under Butch Jones including a perfect 3-0 mark at neutral-site venues. This is Justin Fuente's first big challenge as the new Hokies coach.
Washington State at Boise State
Saturday, Sept. 10
The Buzz: Never one to shy away from a challenge, Boise State will once again play host to a Power 5 opponent this time in the form of Mike Leach's Cougars. Washington State won nine games for the first time since 2003 and quarterback Luke Falk could be a dark horse candidate for the Heisman Trophy.
Ohio State at Oklahoma
Saturday, Sept. 17
The Buzz: Urban Meyer and Bob Stoops have four national championships between the two of them making this early matchup one of the 'must-see' games of the 2016 season. Ohio State is 19-3 against non-conference foes including a 6-2 record against Power 5 opponents (Clemson, Virginia Tech). Oklahoma fell short in the College Football Playoff but should contend in the Big 12.
Oregon at Nebraska
Saturday, Sept. 17
The Buzz: Nebraska coach Mike Riley is all too familiar with Oregon, having faced the Ducks 18 times during his time as coach at Oregon State. The Beavers were 6-12 against their instate foes under Riley including losing seven in a row. The Huskers have won five of the past six meetings in this series, but are looking to bounce back from a disappointing six-win season in 2015.
Michigan State at Notre Dame
Saturday, Sept. 17
The Buzz: Notre Dame has won three consecutive games in this long-standing series with the Irish winning the past three meetings in South Bend, Ind. Michigan State faces five teams that finished the 2015 season ranked in the top 25 including Notre Dame. The Spartans have finished the past three seasons ranked no lower than sixth in the top 25 rankings.
Texas at California
Saturday, Sept. 17
The Buzz: If Texas is going to bounce back under Charlie Strong in 2016, the Longhorns are going to have to earn it. Not only does this team face Notre Dame but also California in the first three weeks of the season. Texas is 0-4 against teams from Power 5 conferences including a 0-2 record against Pac-12 opponents.
Pittsburgh at Oklahoma State
Saturday, Sept. 17
The Buzz: The Big 12 has received criticism -- most of it fairly -- on its weak non-conference scheduling practices but that appears to be changing. Oklahoma State plays host to its first team from a Power 5 conference since facing Florida State in 2014. Pittsburgh is 5-1 on the road under coach Pat Narduzzi but 0-2 against P5 teams and 0-2 versus teams ranked in the top 25.
UCLA at BYU
Saturday, Sept. 17
The Buzz: One of the advantages of being an independent in football is the ability to schedule whoever you want and BYU hasn't shied away from booking quality opponents. The Cougars are 11-15 against Pac-12 teams since 2000 including 2-2 against UCLA. Last season the Bruins rallied to pull out a win in the final minutes against BYU in the Rose Bowl.
BYU at Michigan State
Saturday, Oct. 8
The Buzz: New BYU coach Kalani Sitake will have a tremendous challenge ahead of him with the Cougars facing one of the most difficult schedules in the country. Eleven games against teams that qualified for postseason bowl games in 2015 including the Spartans.
Stanford at Notre Dame
Saturday, Oct. 15
The Buzz: Notre Dame fans have had this one circled on their calendars as the Irish look to avenge a 38-36 loss to the Cardinals last season that knocked the Brian Kelly's team out of contention for the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame is 7-1 against Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium since 2000.
Miami at Notre Dame
Saturday, Oct. 29
The Buzz: Miami returns to Notre Dame Stadium for the first time since 1990 as Mark Richt and the Hurricanes travel north for a huge road test. Notre Dame is 30-8 at home under coach Brian Kelly including a 12-2 record in the month of October with the last loss coming way back in 2011.
Georgia Tech at Georgia
Saturday, Nov. 26
The Buzz: More than bragging rights could hang on this in-state showdown as Georgia and Georgia Tech look to bounce back from disappointing seasons. Smart was 3-1 as a player against Tech and he knows the importance of this showdown especially as it pertains to recruiting.
Notre Dame at USC
Saturday, Nov. 26
The Buzz: One of the best rivalries in college football kicks off for the 88th time as Notre Dame looks for its first road victory in the series since 2012. USC faces one of the toughest schedules in the nation with contests against a handful of teams ranked at the end of last season including the Irish.
Florida at Florida State
Saturday, Nov. 26
The Buzz: This Sunshine State showdown can divide families, friends and co-workers as Florida looks to snap a three-game losing streak to Florida State. The Gators have fallen on hard times in this series losing five of the past six games by an average of 19 points per game.
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