15 non-conference games that will shape 2019 College Football Playoff

15 non-conference games that will shape the 2019 College Football Playoff

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 09: Georgia Bulldogs nose tackle John Atkins (97) waits for the snap during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs on September 9, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) runs with the football during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 8, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

13. Alabama vs Duke

The Alabama Crimson Tide will start off their next season in a very familiar place to them when they kick off against the Duke Blue Devils team in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of the Chik-fil-A Kickoff on Aug. 31. This Kickoff game is a really big opportunity for the Duke Blue Devils and head coach David Cutcliffe.

The Blue Devils finished a solid 8-5 last year, winning four of six games on the road, despite winning just three of their eight conference games. Led by NFL-bound Daniel Jones, who starred at Senior Bowl practices, the Blue Devils won the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl last year to finish their season on a high note. Duke lost to some talented teams last year, but let a few disappointing losses slip away from them. It will be interesting to see how they can face Alabama on a neutral field.

Alabama comes into Atlanta at 8-1 in games played in the city, with a 4-0 record in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff, and 4-1 record in SEC Championship Games. The last meeting the Crimson Tide had with the Blue Devils came with a 62013 beat down in 2010.

Alabama returns a large portion of its stud players from last year, despite (as the tradition seems to go) losing a massive amount of players to the NFL. Heisman runner-up quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returns for what is likely his last season with the Crimson Tide, as well as guys like future-star running back Najee Harris, Biletnikoff winner Jerry Jeudy and a defense hungry to get over the title game debacle.

As is typical for Alabama, who holds the No. 1 recruiting class for 2019, they look a solid bet to win the championship. They’ll have to get past Duke first, but if the Blue Devils can keep it a close game, they’ll like their chances against most of their schedule going forward.

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