The 2016 college football season is set to kick off with a bang and is considered by many to be the best opening weekend in college football history.
Here is a list of the must-watch games taking place this weekend, and why college football fans should be excited to tune in.
No. 8 Stanford faces off against Kansas State
Friday night will present the country its first glimpse of Christian McCaffery coming off of his record-breaking season. Kansas State is not ranked, but they consistently field a competitive team and could be a trap game for Stanford.
Last year, the Cardinal opened the season against Northwestern and were upset on the road. That turned out to be the game that would keep them out of the College Football Playoff.
If Stanford heads into Friday night’s game underestimating its opponent, a similar outcome could become a reality.
Watch: Friday, 6 p.m., FS1
Perennial power house No. 3 Oklahoma against No. 15 Houston
Houston has seen a dramatic increase in its programs’ production in recent years and is on the verge of being the first non-power five conference team to make the playoff.
A win over Oklahoma would do wonders for Houston’s argument that it belongs at the big boy table. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Oklahoma is coming off of a playoff appearance of its own and has its sights set on another national championship.
History may be on Houston’s side, however. Every time Oklahoma has been ranked in the preseason top five in the last decade, its has failed to finish the season ranked in the top 15. Either way, this game should be entertaining. Both teams return talented and confident quarterbacks.
Watch: Saturday, 9 a.m., ABC
Powerhouses LSU and Wisconsin clash at Lambeau
The afternoon game is another matchup of college football powerhouses, as LSU faces Wisconsin at Lambeau field. LSU is a strong pick to compete for the SEC championship, while Wisconsin is rebuilding.
Expect LSU running back Leonard Fournette to have a big game; the junior almost rushed for 2,000 yards last season and is a favorite for the Heisman Trophy this year. When you consider the high level of competition on the field and add the atmosphere of Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, you have the making of a very special college football game.
Watch: Saturday, 12:30 p.m., ABC
Defending champion Alabama faces Pac-12 powerhouse
The game of the weekend is the night game between defending champion No. 1 Alabama and No. 20 USC. This is a matchup of college football blue bloods. Both of these programs can make their claim as the best program in the country because of the illustrious histories each has. National championships and Heisman Trophy winners are a regular for both schools.
However, this might be the first time these schools have been so unevenly matched. Alabama is in the middle of a dynasty, winning four titles in seven years, while USC is trying to find its way to the early 2000s when winning was not only expected, but it was easy.
There is NFL talent all over the field on both teams, and this could be the best game of the season if USC is able to step up to the challenge.
Watch: Saturday, 5 p.m., ABC
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