The 2016 football season is over, but it’s never, ever too early to look ahead.
Remember that ridiculous opening weekend that we had this season? Next year won’t be quite like that, but we do have several great nonconference games on the 2017 college football schedule to look forward to. That’s part of the College Football Playoff age, and there means we’ll get another memorable month to start the season.
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Here are the 14 best September nonconference games we’re looking forward to:
14. LSU vs. BYU (Sept. 2)
The AdvoCare Texas Kickoff features LSU and will give Derrius Guice a chance to make an opening statement for his Heisman Trophy campaign. BYU opens a three-game stretch that also includes Utah and Wisconsin. September is once again key for the Cougars.
13. Oklahoma State at Pittsburgh (Sept.16)
Two programs on the rise played a 45-38 shootout last season. This is a game that Pat Narduzzi and Mike Gundy need now if they want to be in the playoff conversation later.
12. TCU at Arkansas (Sept. 9)
These teams both had disappointing 2016 seasons, but who could forget the 41-38 double-overtime thriller they played in September? The stakes are the same for Bret Bielema and Gary Patterson.
11. Nebraska at Oregon (Sept. 9)
This will be Willie Taggart’s first big game on the national stage for the Ducks and a rematch of last year’s 35-32 shootout in Lincoln. This will also be a big third year for Mike Riley at Nebraska.
10. Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech (Sept. 4)
The second-half of a monster doubleheader to open Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta comes on Labor Day. The Yellow Jackets and Volunteers both lost four games this season. Who needs it more? Probably the Vols, who face Florida two weeks later.
9. Texas A&M at UCLA (Sept. 3)
The back half of a home-and-home series that had a thrilling finish this year. Kevin Sumlin and Jim Mora were both on the hot this year. This is a tone-setter, especially for the Bruins and quarterback Josh Rosen, who has a new offensive coordinator in Jedd Fisch.
8. West Virginia at Virginia Tech (Sept. 3)
Two 10-win teams from 2016 collide at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., for the season opener. The Mountaineers and Hokies haven’t played in this rivalry game since 2005. It’s nice to have it back.
7. Pittsburgh at Penn State (Sept. 9)
Pitt’s 42-39 victory against Penn State was a reminder of how cool this rivalry it can be, not to mention one of the big reasons the Nittany Lions didn’t make the playoffs. How will Penn State Heisman candidates Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley respond in Happy Valley?
6. Georgia at Notre Dame (Sept. 9)
Notre Dame hasn’t played a SEC school in South Bend since 2005, and it’s a big game for Brian Kelly in terms of perception. Second-year Georgia coach Kirby Smart will have a better team, too, one that will garner a lot of offseason hype.
5. Auburn at Clemson (Sept. 9)
This is becoming a fun series. Clemson has won the last three, including a 19-13 thriller this season. Which Tigers will be on the right track after this September showdown? Dabo Swinney or Gus Malzahn?
4. Michigan vs. Florida (Sept. 2)
The Advocare Classic at AT&T Stadium draws big-time brands Michigan and Florida for this one. The Wolverines drilled the Gators 41-7 in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl in 2015. Chances are both programs remember that one. It’s a big game for third-year coaches Jim Harbaugh and Jim McElwain.
3. Oklahoma at Ohio State (Sept. 9)
It’s the back half of a home-and-home series that Ohio State opened with a 45-24 victory in Norman, Okla., this season. This is a high-stakes game that features veteran quarterbacks J.T. Barrett and Baker Mayfield. Expect the rematch to be closer.
2. Texas at USC (Sept. 16)
It’s a little bit later in the month, but it’s going to be worth the wait. Tom Herman gets his first big-time game at Texas, and it’s up against a USC team that will probably be ranked in the top five and led by Heisman Trophy candidate Sam Darnold? Does anybody remember what happened the last time these two schools played?
1. Alabama vs. Florida State (Sept. 2)
What more can you say? There’s a chance this could be matchup between No. 1 and No. 2. Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher have built two of the best programs in college football. Now, they finally get to go head to head, and it just happens to be at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This is going to be awesome.
