Let’s face it: At this point, in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the first game is the most important game of the season for each team. Because that means we are playing soccer. But for this exercise, let’s analyze and imagine a season that continues as regularly scheduled. If we can be that lucky, here is the most important game for each Top 25 team.
Like last season, Clemson’s path to an ACC title isn’t particularly difficult, but the biggest challenge should come early with a date at home against Louisville. The Cardinals revived the show in coach Scott Satterfield’s first season in 2019, and while the final score wasn’t nearly as close, they gave Clemson one of his toughest games. With a tumultuous offseason across the country, September could certainly bring some hassles, so it could be an advantage for Louisville to get the Tigers in Week 2, before Dabo Swinney & Co. really gets going. – David M. Hale
Bill Connelly points out some of the stats below on why Penn State’s game is so important to the Nittany Lions. It will also obviously be important to the state of Ohio, but just to have something different here, we will go with the Oregon game for the Buckeyes. The Ducks will have a very good young defense and a new offensive coordinator at Joe Moorhead, who was the Penn State offensive coordinator from 2016 to 2017 and has some familiarity with Ohio State. Having that game as the second of the season will be a good test for Ohio State, and it will be crucial for the Buckeyes to get a win if they want to return to the college football playoff. – Tom VanHaaren
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