1. Auburn vs. Washington (Sept. 1)
This might be the one non-conference game that could easily be a College Football Playoff matchup — though you could make an argument for any of the top five games to have the same distinction.
Auburn is likely Alabama’s biggest SEC West competition and the third-best team in the conference heading into the season behind the Tide and Georgia.
Washington will be the overwhelming favorite to win the Pac-12, surpassing USC. The Huskies made the College Football Playoff just a couple of seasons ago and they look primed to get back to the sport’s highest stage, especially with Jake Browning back.
A Jarrett Stidham versus Browning battle in the opening weekend of the season down in Atlanta? Sign me up.
This is definitely a treat for college football fans everywhere because this isn’t just a top-tier quarterback battle as each side has a great defense, too.
Top-notch quarterbacks, elite defenses and rising coaches. What more could fans ask for?