Alabama vs. Florida State

We knew it had to end eventually. The 2017 season is shaping up to be chalk.

Alabama takes on Florida State in an early season high-profile matchup as the NCAA college football season starts in earnest on Saturday. It’s one of those situations right now where you’ve got to keep praying.

The Crimson Tide has covered the point spread in seven of their last 10 games dating back to last season.

Saban also called FSU redshirt sophomore safety Derwin James “every bit as good as anybody we’ve ever played against”, and he admitted that Saturday does provide a “great opportunity for our team”.

College football is finally back! In what could be the foreshadowing of a potential national championship or college football playoff matchup, the game will be huge in setting the tone for both teams this season.

The Seminoles also have late-season road tests against defending national champion Clemson (Nov. 11) and Florida (Nov. 25). Only 12 have won it. Florida State is also a flawless 4-0 against the number in its last four non-conference games and are 7-3 against the number in their last 10 games against the SEC. Yes, that’s a lot considering what I just wrote.

The New York Times reports that at least 10 people have been killed and many more injured from Hurricane Harvey. Or, will that run the table? Barnes is one of the top offensive linemen in Florida. Hawaii is already 1-0 and appears to be a team on the rise in head coach Nick Rolovich’s second season. However, that won’t matter when Tennessee tries to make it two wins in a row against rival Florida by beating the Gators in Gainesville with a home date against SEC East favorite Georgia looming the end of the month. Louisville is a legit playoff dark horse. After that it’s a trip to Louisville to face the reigning Heisman Trophy victor.

Aggies coach Kevin Sumlin has been rattling off solid seasons for the last four years, but solid might not be enough to solidify his status with athletic director Scott Woodward.

The biggest previous matchups according to the AP poll were No. 1 Nebraska vs. What are they going to do this year at “full strength?” The duo of Josh Sweat andBrian Burns should give Alabama’s inexperienced offensive line fits. The key is getting championship play out of quarterback J.T. Barrett.

Big Ten champ Penn State has the conference’s best player (tailback Saquon Barkley) and renewed confidence.

Tuskegee head coach Willie Slater leads his team against Alabama State University. When push comes to shove, we are betting the Alabama Crimson Tide to win the game straight up. We’re being a bit charitable with MI.

Georgia fans, you are predicting that the Bulldogs are going to open the season with a victory against Appalachian State. In fact, the vaunted SEC West went 1-4 in bowl games against “Power Five” opponents last season.

Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops’ unit has finished above No. 39 in total defense once since he returned in 2012. The Mountaineer defense has to show up for all four quarters while Jalin Moore and Taylor Lamb have to step up and have big games on offense for the black and gold to have a chance. That’s also a big ask. Last season, they allowed just 13.0 points per game and only 262 yards per contest. The Bruins also can’t afford to take Memphis lightly, as the Tigers’ offense could be as unsafe as some of those UCLA will face in the Pac-12. The Trojans and Huskies are clearly the Pac-12’s best.

November 18 BC vs. UConn at Fenway Park – This headliner of three New England-centric games, the football atmosphere at the home of the Red Sox has become one of the better experiences in the region. But if FSU gets involved, Jimbo Fisher’s program will insert itself into the thick of the race.

For Utah to break through, the Utes probably have to win at USC and Washington. There are more, but college football is stacked with better NFL prospects at the quarterback position than a year ago, and that doesn’t even encompass the players who are less-hyped for the next level but are stars at this one. No. 13 LSU and November 25 at No. 12 Auburn. Even though this year’s squad is lacking the experience of years past, the talent this year is just as good if not better. That doesn’t mean things can’t change quickly.

National title Alabama vs Florida State: Who do you think wins week one?