By: Ryan Moreland (@ryanmoreland)
The Season 23 schedule is out! With that comes the speculations of how teams will do, what weeks to focus on, and the excitement of another great CFSL season. For the content team and broadcasters, we often look at the matchups that we are excited to cover.
So, that is what this article is. I will go week by week and talk about some of the games I think are must-watches each week of the season.
Week One
The opening week of the season has many great battles to witness. The battle between the two new programs will take place. We also have a playoff rematch between Texas and Virginia Tech and the Smith Brothers Bowl. A sneaky good pick would also be the Oklahoma vs North Carolina meeting. I will also be tuning in to see Notre Dame travel to Knoxville.
However, if I have to narrow it down to one, it has to be the National Championship Rematch. The Texas A&M Aggies will get a chance at revenge as they host the Miami Hurricanes to start the CFSL season. Both teams have reloaded well and look poised to make another deep playoff push. The winner of this game will likely be the #1 team in the CFSL, at least for a little while. This is a can’t-miss game.
Week Two
Week Two is no slouch either. We will have a game between Colorado and Ohio State, which provided a lot of fireworks in the last meeting. We will also see the Mountaineers host the Georgia Bulldogs in a game that could have far-reaching playoff implications later in the season. And I would be lying if I said I am not curious to see how the Hokies handle traveling to Auburn.
With all that said, my pick for this week is a great student vs master rematch. Aaron Ike and his Michigan Wolverines will travel to Tallahassee to take on his mentor, Tom Grin, and the Florida State Seminoles. Both teams look poised to have big seasons. They both have proven ADs and talented coaching staffs. They also have a lot on the line. Since Ike left Florida State, he has gotten the better of his former boss, leading the series 2-1. And they have been great games, especially the last two meetings. I expect a tight and hard-fought match between two guys who have nothing but respect for each other. But don’t let that fool you…they both want this win in a big way.
Week Three
Colorado shocked many when they knocked Auburn out of the playoffs last season, and they will see them again in Week Three. Florida will host Texas in the first-ever student vs. teacher meeting between Ryan Moreland and Adam Smith. Iowa will get a real benchmark test when they head to Knoxville to take on the Volunteers.
All of the above are great games, but there is something so alluring about Miami taking on USC. These two perennial powerhouses will battle it out in Southern California for a game sure to make major waves in the rankings. Both rosters are stacked, but still have one or two questions to be answered. Their moves in the draft could be the difference maker in this game.
Week Four
It is time for conference play! And I have to a least mention the Red River Rivalry, but it isn’t my pick for Week Four. Neither are such exciting games as LSU traveling to Athens, Catholics vs Convicts, or the Seminoles looking for revenge on Virginia Tech. No, this week is a special revenge match that you have to see.
Call me crazy all you like, but I think Clemson hosting North Carolina is the game to watch in Week Four. Last season, Clemson pulled off the major upset over North Carolina. This win propelled the Tigers into the playoffs for the first time in the Logan Wetzel era. Now, the Tar Heels are ready for a measure of revenge. I expect both teams have already circled this game on their calendars. I can’t wait.
Week Five
The last time Georgia traveled to Alabama, they were very close to pulling off the upset, and they will get another chance in Week Five. Iowa hosting USC will be a real test for the Hawkeyes and give us a good look at exactly who they are this season. Colorado will also take on Oklahoma in a game with huge ramifications in the Big XII. However, none of these were my pick this week.
Michigan hosts the Oregon Ducks in Week Five. This game could be huge in the always tough Big10. This season feels like there isn’t a true front-runner in the conference, and someone could step up to claim it. That could be either of these teams, but only the winner of this game will likely get that chance. Even if things don’t go the way of the Wolverines and Ducks, this game could decide who gets into the playoffs. Either way, count me in.
Week Six
Week Six was tough to pick because it is chock-full of great games. Nebraska gets a real test when they travel to Morgantown, Texas gets a chance at revenge by hosting Colorado, and LSU gets reunited with an old rival in Alabama. These are just a few of the great games this week, but none are my pick.
That’s right, I am taking the Ducks in back-to-back weeks. There is something about the Penn State vs Oregon game that brings out the crazy. This was a nailbiter last season and a record-setting 35-point comeback just a few seasons ago. This has developed into a uniquely CFSL rivalry that I, for one, can’t get enough of. Also, I have a feeling that a lot will be on the line in this game.
Week Seven
If you thought Week Six looked good, you are going to love Week Seven. I could name half the matchups this week, and I would still leave off a few great games. Colorado will host Texas A&M (which is always a crazy game), Miami travels to Blacksburg to take on the Hurricanes (which might decide the ACC), and Ohio State takes on USC (with a lot likely on the line). However, none of these were my pick.
My pick comes from the SEC. The Florida Gators proved last season that they are ready to be a power player in the south. They will have to take on the reigning SEC champs in Alabama. This game could very well decide the SEC (although something tells me that Auburn will have something to say about that). This game is not only one of the best of this week, I think it could be one of the best all season long.
Week Eight
How do you narrow it down to one game in rivalry week? We have the Iron Bowl, The Game, The Battle for John Denver’s Guitar, and the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, just to name a few. Texas and Texas A&M will do battle for the best team in the state while Oregon and USC battle for West Coast supremacy. How do you pick just one?
I’ll tell you how. You pick the best rivalry in the CFSL. Florida State will host the Miami Hurricanes this season in what is always an unforgettable game. Last season, Miami looked like a lock for the conference crown before they lost to Florida State and fell to third in the conference. And the all-time series between these two is 9-8, favoring Florida State. The rivalry literally couldn’t be any tighter. And I am sure the entire ACC (and the rest of the league) will have their eyes glued to this game.
As you can see, there are so many great matchups this season. I think we are in store for another crazy CFSL season. Good luck to every player, coach, and AD in the league.
