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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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College Football: Alabama coach Nick Saban leading team onto field before game vs Tennessee. Tuscaloosa, AL 10/24/2009 CREDIT: Gary Bogdon (Photo by Gary Bogdon /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X83120 TK1 R1 F55 )
College Football: Alabama coach Nick Saban leading team onto field before game vs Tennessee. Tuscaloosa, AL 10/24/2009 CREDIT: Gary Bogdon (Photo by Gary Bogdon /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X83120 TK1 R1 F55 ) /

No. 1 – USC vs. Alabama in Arlington, TX (Saturday, September 3rd at 8 PM on ABC)

During his time as the head coach of the Crimson Tide, Nick Saban as shown a willingness to play another traditional power or decent game to start things off. Last season’s title campaign started with a win inside Jerry World over Wisconsin, so why not see if the plan works again!

In all seriousness, the Crimson Tide are going to again be one of the top teams in college football entering the preseason in spite of having to replace names like Derrick Henry on offense and Reggie Ragland on defense. As shown in years past, Alabama doesn’t rebuild … they reload. Bo Scarborough will take over the running back spot, while sophomore Calvin Ridley may be the best receiver in the nation.

Out west, the Trojans are going to have to work if they want to make it back into the upper levels of college football. JuJu Smith-Schuster is going to be the key to how far USC will go this season — if he can have an All-American caliber year, this could be the first of two meetings between the schools this season (with the second coming in the CFB playoff.)

For more NCAA Football news, check out our NCAA Football hub page.

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