It’s technically not even summer yet, but fall Saturdays seem oh so near. College football is less than 70 days from returning and as always, conference play promises enticing matchups, but there are several non-conference matchups that will impact the College Football Playoff.
Here are five to keep an eye on:
1. Texas at Ohio State | Aug. 30
A CFP semifinal rematch in Week 1 is just what the doctor ordered to welcome back the college football season. While Arch Manning has made plenty of appearances for the Longhorns, this will be his first game as the full-time starter.
An early loss against Texas won’t be catastrophic for the defending-champion Buckeyes, but it will make their Big Ten schedule that much more difficult. Texas has a lighter SEC schedule, if there is such a thing, but a first-game loss is not ideal.
This game has been dangled as a bargaining chip in future CFP formats with Ohio State HC Ryan Day saying heavyweight showdowns may not happen unless automatic qualifiers are given to the SEC and Big Ten.
“If you don’t have those automatic qualifiers, you’re less likely to play a game like we’re playing this year against Texas, because it just won’t make sense,” Day said.
This will also be Lee Corso’s “College Gameday” farewell.
