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Ranking the 10 best ESPN college football games on 2016 opening weekend

By Jason Parker

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) looks to throw a pass against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) looks to throw a pass against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; FSU running back Dalvin Cook (4) celebrates his third touchdown of the game as Florida State beats Miami 29-24 at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; FSU running back Dalvin Cook (4) celebrates his third touchdown of the game as Florida State beats Miami 29-24 at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 – Ole Miss vs. Florida State in Orlando, FL (Monday, September 5th at 8 PM on ESPN)

In 2015, the Rebels had everything going their way after again beating the Alabama Crimson Tide for the second straight year. The campaign ended with a win in the Sugar Bowl and hopes of more to come in 2016.

At the same time, FSU had what many insiders called a “down year” by only going 10-3 and heading to a New Years Six bowl game. That may be the best compliment to head coach Jimbo Fisher in saying that expectations are back to what they were in the 1990’s, as the Seminoles are just three years removed from a national title.

For the Seminoles, the season will rest on the legs of maybe the best running back in the country, Dalvin Cook. After setting the school’s single-season rushing record last year, Cook is nearly 100 percent healthy for the first time in his career at FSU — quite a scary thought.

At the same time, Ole Miss returns star quarterback Chad Kelly but must address massive losses on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Whoever wins this game is in the early driver’s seat for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Next: USC vs. Alabama

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