College Football
The Run-Down: 5 Games to Watch
College football is back. With so many games this week and every week, we look at five games to watch. Either for playoff implications or interesting storylines.
5. Oregon State vs. Ohio State
(12 PM EST / 9 AM PST. ABC)
On paper, this game doesn’t look all that intriguing. However, with the mess that has been on going in Columbus, it will be interesting to see how Buckeye fans and the team come out after this embarrassing scandal and how it translates on to the field. The line is Ohio State by 38. However, who knows where the team’s minds will be, and Oregon State, while not great last year, still are a Power Five team with talent at most positions.
4. Virginia Tech vs. Florida State
(Monday, 8 PM EST / 5 PM PST. ESPN)
Two traditional powers in the ACC meet in a Labor Day showdown to set the tone for this season after falling short of expectations. Florida State will be lead out by Deandre Francois, who struggled at times last year but still has a ton of potential. Virginia Tech rolls out reliable starter Josh Jackson.
3. LSU vs Miami (FL)
For years now, we have been told that the U is back. This was validated last year with a trip to the ACC Championship. Now, though the expectations have changed, the expectation is a trip to the Playoff. For LSU, this is a chance to give themselves an identity and come back to relevance. Add to the fact it will be a stand alone game on Sunday, it should be a good one.
2. Michigan vs Notre Dame
(7:30 EST / 4:30 PST. NBC)
A legendary rivalry returns to much hype and celebration and both teams need this badly. Coach Kelly is on the Hot Seat with this season to turn Notre Dame back into a power. And Coach Harbaugh is now even finding his seat a bit hot. With a goal set to win the conference and more, both coaches are looking for this game under the lights to boost their team and build a base to springboard off.
1. Washington vs Auburn
(3:30 EST / 12:30 PST. ABC)
Auburn has talent at every position, and was one game away from the Playoff last season, before losing to the National Champions in the Sugar Bowl. Now they look to repeat their performance again in 2018. While Washington has been trusted with fighting for the PAC 12 and proving on a national scale that they are serious contenders and that the PAC 12 is a legitimate Power Five conference (though they don’t really have to.)
