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15 for '15: College football's best games of 2015
CFB 24/7's "15 for '15" series continues with a look at 15 of the biggest games in college football this fall. Collectively, these games will go a long way to shape the second-annual College Football Playoff field, although a few of them are more about intrigue than implications.
Date: Sept. 5
Skinny: If you like the air filled with footballs, don't miss this one. An outstanding non-conference clash on a neutral site, the Sun Devils and Aggies could easily combine for 100 pass attempts. You might see new TAMU defensive coordinator John Chavis' hair graying before your very eyes on the sideline.
Date: Nov. 28
Skinny: The Egg Bowl was within a few weeks of being a play-in game for the College Football Playoff last year, but both teams fell out of the hunt down the stretch. The intrigue this year should center around MSU QB Dak Prescott, the league's top returning quarterback and a Rebels defense that should be a dominant group on the whole.
Date: Oct. 3
Skinny: The last time Alabama traveled to Georgia, the Crimson Tide hammered a Bulldogs team that featured Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno. Mark Richt won't have a quarterback like Stafford this time, but he will have a road-grading offensive line and arguably the nation's most talented stable of running backs. They'll face maybe the nation's best defensive front seven -- when Georgia has the ball, this will be a slugfest for the ages.
Date: Nov. 21
Skinny: In what could be a Pac-12 title game preview, Oregon's defense will get one of its toughest tests against a massive USC offensive line. USC won in its last trip to Eugene, Ore., 38-35 in 2011. This should be another high-scoring affair, and by this point in the season, the Ducks' new quarterback should (pun alert) have his feet wet.
Date: Oct. 3
Skinny: The Fighting Irish will have been through a rough September by the time they travel to Death Valley, having already faced what will be an improved Texas team and Georgia Tech as well. If they enter the Clemson game unbeaten, this could be the marquee game of the weekend. Electrifying Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson can score a signature home win here.
Date: Nov. 14
Skinny: The South's oldest rivalry has given us some spectacular moments, not the least of which was the Prayer at Jordan-Hare
that helped Auburn reach the national title game. Both rushing attacks will do their damage in this one - the edge will go to the team that can throw it better.
Date: Nov. 7
Skinny: What was one of the most compelling games in the ACC last year moves to Death Valley, where the Seminoles will be challenged to win with a new face at quarterback. The Tigers' bigger task might be to slow down FSU's star-in-the-making rusher, Dalvin Cook, with some inexperience of its own along the defensive front.
Date: Nov. 21
Skinny: If someone other than TCU or Baylor is to be in the Big 12 conversation at the end of the season, the Sooners had better take care of business at home here. The best recipe to keep TCU's electric offense at bay? Handoffs to Samaje Perine -- lots of them.
Date: Sept. 5
Skinny: One of the biggest non-conference games in the country this year will come with a neutral-site venue in Arlington, Texas, at Cowboys Stadium; and it will come fast: the season opener for both teams. It will feature two teams that are expected to pound the ball with power running games into the teeth of two solid defensive fronts, a statement game for the winner, and not to mention a statement that spread offenses haven't completely taken over.
Date: Nov. 7
Skinny: A quarterback matchup of Wildcats upstart Anu Solomon and Trojans veteran Cody Kessler is sure to provide its share of fireworks, but two of the top defensive players in the country will be on display as well: Arizona's Scooby Wright, and USC's Su'a Cravens. It's also a divisional game in the Pac-12 South, one that could help produce a berth in the Pac-12 title game.
Date: Oct. 24
Skinny: Yellow Jackets quarterback Justin Thomas gave a marvelously-talented FSU defense fits last season, operating the triple-option offense with machine-like precision. The Seminoles aren't expected to have as much defense this year, while Georgia Tech's porous defense from a season ago should be at least somewhat improved. A close game here, particularly with Tech at home, is to be expected.
Date: Sept. 12
Skinny: The Ducks engineered an impressive comeback against the Spartans last season in a highly-anticipated non-conference clash. But that was in Eugene, Ore., with Marcus Mariota taking the snaps. Now it's in East Lansing, and it's Michigan State that should have the quarterback edge. National title hopes for both teams will tilt here, and the season won't even be a month old.
Date: Nov. 28
Skinny: The Iron Bowl has risen to a new level of significance the last several years, and this year's edition could again play a big role in the national championship picture. Gus Malzahn is reloading on offense, so don't expect a big drop-off from the Tigers despite a new quarterback and some other key changes. If Alabama manages to reach Thanksgiving weekend with championship aspirations still alive, the road will go through the Plains.
Date: Nov. 21
Skinny: An epic battle of quarterbacks between Connor Cook and whoever the Buckeyes choose to start promises to make this game appointment television. Ohio State's defense is loaded and will be playing at home, giving Cook the biggest challenge he'll face on the Spartans' schedule. Big Ten title implications are sure to be involved here.
Date: Nov. 27
Skinny: The game of the year in the Big 12 last season promises to be another exciting shootout that could have conference title implications, if not national ones. Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin's Heisman Trophy hopes will rely as much on a win here as they will on a strong performance. The disdain these teams have for one another brings an added element of excitement.
