10 juicy college football revenge games we can’t wait to see in 2020: LSU-Alabama, Notre Dame-Clemson, more
By John Buhler
6. Georgia Bulldogs at Alabama Crimson Tide (Saturday, Sept. 19)
In one of the biggest SEC games in the early part of the season, the Georgia Bulldogs make their long-awaited return to Bryant-Denny. The Dawgs haven’t played the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa since 2007. That was Nick Saban’s first year on the job and coincidentally, the last time the Dawgs beat the Tide on the gridiron. Is Georgia up for the challenge?
Alabama has won the last five meetings between these two traditional powers, with three of those games being all-time classics: The 2012 SEC Championship, the 2017 National Championship and the 2018 SEC Championship, all narrow victories by the Tide over the Dawgs. To date, no Saban disciple has ever beaten his mentor. Could Kirby Smart be the first to do it?
Well, he’s next up on the list of former proteges to face Saban. With a new starting quarterback in Jamie Newman, Georgia will try its best to end the streak vs. the Tide, who will now be led by Mac Jones or true freshman and No. 1 dual-threat recruit, Bryce Young. A win at Bryant-Denny could mean the Dawgs are legit national championship contenders. It’ll be hard to teach an old dog new tricks after this chaotic of an offseason this early in the year.
5. Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners (Saturday, Oct. 10)
The Red River Showdown is one of the best rivalries in college and one of the few to remain at a neutral-site location. Though the Oklahoma Sooners have won the last two renditions at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, a win for the Texas Longhorns could help propel them to a serious College Football Playoff contender.
Even with a likely road loss to the LSU Tigers, the Longhorns can still win the Big 12 and reach the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history if they get a win in Dallas over the rival Sooners. Texas won three years ago off Cameron Dicker, the Kicker’s leg. The winner of this game is in the driver’s seat to win the Big 12, though they’ll likely meet again in Arlington.
With Sam Ehlinger returning for his senior season at Texas and Spencer Rattler now emerging as the Sooners’ starter, it could be the discrepancy necessary for the Longhorns to be well on their way to being back. Once the Longhorns win the Big 12 and get to the College Football Playoff, they will officially be back. Until then, they must beat Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl to make it happen.