Games to keep your eye on in ’24

The hype is electric, and the feeling is surreal- the 2024 college football season is upon us!

Whether you’re a casual, sidewalk fan or a 5 am tailgater, the 2024 season has a massive slate of games that should be entertaining.

So clear your calendar and delay your vacations because the only place you need to visit this Fall is your living room.

Let’s check out what I truly believe are the best games this season:

1. (10) Florida State vs. Georgia Tech. Saturday, August 24. 12 PM on ESPN – It’s a week zero game and it’s in Dublin, Ireland. Count me in.
2. North Dakota State vs. Colorado. Thursday, August 29. 8 PM on ESPN. The excitement in Boulder has subsided after a ho-hum year one for Prime Time and year two doesn’t look to be any easier. Not to mention the buffs open the season with FCS powerhouse NDSU!
3. (14) Clemson vs. (1) Georgia. Saturday, August 31. 12 PM on ABC. The battle for I-85 is renewed in week one and I think it will have playoff implications. This will be a massive test for Head Coach Dabo Swinney and his Clemson Tigers team. Meanwhile, the Dogs will be looking to make a statement after being left out of the playoffs from last season.
4. (7)Notre Dame vs. (20)Texas a&m. Saturday, August 31. 7:30 on ABC. New Aggie head coach, Mike Elko will be thrown to the fire quickly as the Fighting Irish come to College Station in a prime-time showdown.
5. (23) USC vs. (13) LSU. Sunday, September 1. 7:30 on ABC. Tiger head coach Brian Kelly is no stranger to USC, as he has had many battles with the Trojans while at Notre Dame. Meanwhile, Trojan head coach Lincoln Riley needs a Markee win, and if they somehow upset LSU, it could set the tone for their first season in the B1G.
6. (4) Texas vs. (9) Michigan. Saturday, September 7. Noon on FOX. Two bluebloods looking for conference bragging rights. It should be a good one.
7. (19) Miami vs. Florida. Saturday, September 1. 3:30 PM on ABC. There have been some classics in this rivalry and both teams have high expectations. Look for a lot of fireworks in the swamp.
8. (15) Tennessee vs. (16) Oklahoma. Saturday, September 21. TBD. Oklahoma will get its first true test in the SEC when the volunteers come to Norman. This is a game Brent Venables needs to win.
9. (23) USC vs. (9) Michigan. Saturday, September 21. TBD. It sounds like a Rose Bowl matchup but it’s now a regular season game. If USC can play better defense this season then it will be a game.
10. (1) Georgia vs. (5) Alabama. Saturday, September 28. 7:30 PM on ABC. Kalen Debore gets his first shot against the Bulldogs in prime time. The tide will be the underdog, but can they still get the upper hand against Kirby Smart who is 1-6 so far against the Tide.
11. (14) Clemson vs. (10) Florida St. Saturday, October 5. TBD. The Noles won in Death Valley last season playing great defense. The Tigers will be out for revenge in an ACC showdown.
12. (2) Ohio St. vs. (3) Oregon. Saturday, October 12. TBD. This might be one of the best games of the year. Both teams should be undefeated leading up to this game and they both will be looking to make a statement for the playoff committee.
13. (8) Penn St. vs. (23) USC. Saturday, October 12. TBD. James Franklin brings his team to the West Coast for a mid-season B1G showdown.
14. (4) Texas vs. (16) Oklahoma. Saturday, October 12. TBD. The 120th edition of the Red River Shootout will have some extra flare as both teams begin their first season in the SEC.
15. (1) Georgia vs. (4) Texas. Saturday, October 19. TBD. This has the makings of an instant classic. You have a great offensive coach facing against a great defensive coach. Get the popcorn ready!
16. (5) Alabama vs. (15) Tennessee. Saturday, October 19. TBD. The third Saturday in October will have plenty of buzz, considering another first rivalry game for Kalen Debore. The Vols are looking to bring Bama back down to Earth with a statement home win, and hopefully turn the “tide” in this rivalry.
17. (10) Florida St. vs. (19) Miami. Saturday, October 26. TBD. In the 80s and 90s, this was THE GAME. Both teams are expecting big seasons and both teams need this win to get a chance in the ACC title game and a playoff spot.
18. (2) Ohio St. vs. (8) Penn St. Saturday, November 2. TBD. A massive B1G matchup that will probably be in prime time. The Buckeyes have won seven straight in this series. James Fraklin can shut his critics up with a win.
19. (3) Oregon vs. (9) Michigan. Saturday, November 2. TBD. The Wolverines are 3-2 all-time against the Ducks, so you wouldn’t think there would be much animosity. However, now that both teams play in the same conference, the implications are more significant. A loss for either team late in the season could ruin their playoff chances.
20. (5) Alabama vs. (13) LSU. Saturday, November 9. TBD. Kalen Debore will get his first taste of playing under the lights in Tiger Stadium. I hope he brings some noise-cancelling ear buds.
21. (10) Florida St. vs. (7) Notre Dame. Saturday, November 9. 7:30 PM on NBC. The last time these two faced off, the Seminoles lost at home in OT. For the seniors, this is a game you want, especially being your possible last crack at Notre Dame.
22. (1) Georgia vs. (6) Ole Miss. Saturday, November 9. TBD. This is another prime matchup that has two great coaching minds playing chess. Who gets checkmate?
23. (15) Tennessee vs. (1) Georgia. Saturday, November 16. TBD. The Vols have not defeated Georgia since 2016. The Bulldogs have not lost a home game since 2019 against South Carolina. Home Field advantage is on a different level between the hedges. The Vols will need their offense humming if they plan to get the upset.
24. (5) Alabama vs. (16) Oklahoma. Saturday, November 23. TBD. Oklahoma is 3-2 all-time against Alabama. Few teams in college football can make that claim. A win in Norman this year would expand a lot of chests for the Sooner fan base.
25. (9) Michigan vs. (2) Ohio State. Saturday, November 30. Noon on FOX. Michigan has won three straight against the Buckeyes. You don’t need to remind Ryan Day about it either. He knows this is a must-win for him.
26. (4) Texas vs. (20) Texas A&M. Saturday, November 30. TBD. This is a game that I personally have been waiting to see ever since Texas announced they were coming to the SEC in 2021. The last time they played was in 2011 when the Longhorns won in College Station. If Mike Elko can beat Texas in his first season, he will have his very own statue built outside Kyle Field. That’s a promise.
27. Auburn vs. (5) Alabama. Saturday, November 30. TBD. Two words-Iron Bowl.
28. (16) Oklahoma vs. (13) LSU. Saturday, November 30. TBD. Death Vally will be rocking when Boomer Sooner comes to the Bayo.
29. Georgia Tech vs. (1) Georgia. Friday, November 29. 7:30 on ABC. The Bulldogs have won six straight in the series but the Yellow Jackets keep getting closer each year. This could be a fun game to watch while wrapping the Christmas gifts you purchased.
30. Navy vs. Army. Saturday, December 14. 3:00 on CBS. It’s America’s game so it’s your civic duty to tune in.