5. TCU vs. Alabama (in Arlington, TX), Sept. 5
Current Scheduled Games
TCU at Cal, Sept. 5
USC vs. Alabama (in Arlington, TX), Sept. 5
If Alabama vs. USC can’t get going, this would be the next best and most realistic matchup. TCU wouldn’t have to make the road trip to Cal, and it would be logistically easy to make the trip 20 minutes east. If fans are allowed to go to games, organizers will take this matchup in a heartbeat.
The two last met in 1975 – a 45-0 Bama win – but TCU is 3-2 all-time in the series.
4. North Dakota State vs. Alabama (in Arlington, TX), Sept. 5
Current Scheduled Games
North Dakota State at Oregon, Sept. 5
USC vs. Alabama (in Arlington, TX), Sept. 5
It’s not going to happen – not like it really matters, but with a game against UT Martin on November 14th, this would make it two games against FCS teams on the slate – but who doesn’t want to see this?
The defending FCS national champion and its marvelous quarterback Trey Lance going against the big, bad Crimson Tide? It would be fantastic theater.
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3. Penn State at Texas A&M, Sept. 19
Current Scheduled Games
San Jose State at Penn State, Sept. 19
Colorado at Texas A&M, Sept. 19
This isn’t going to happen because Texas A&M isn’t going to budge on the idea of traveling to Happy Valley when three of its next four games are away from home, and Penn State likely isn’t going to be all gung-ho to replace San Jose State with a nasty game against a strong SEC team on the road.
It would be fun, though, in what would be the fifth meeting between the two. Penn State is 3-1 with the last game a 24-17 Nittany Lion win in the 2007 Alamo Bowl.
2. Notre Dame at Texas A&M, Oct. 10
Current Scheduled Games
Stanford at Notre Dame, Oct. 10
Fresno State at Texas A&M, Oct. 10
This has to happen, but only if Notre Dame buys into the idea of traveling to College Station. No way, no chance that Texas A&M goes to South Bend with a a date in Arlington against Arkansas and a trip to Mississippi State the two weeks before October 10th, and road games at Auburn and South Carolina to follow.
Notre Dame, though, would be coming off of away games against Wake Forest and Wisconsin – playing in Green Bay – and have to travel to Pitt the week after. However, there’s an open date on October 24th to rest up.
Texas A&M is 3-2 all-time in the head-to-head matchup, but Notre Dame won the last meeting 24-3 in 2001.
1. Alabama vs. Michigan (in Arlington, TX), Sept. 5
Current Scheduled Games
Alabama vs. USC (in Arlington, TX), Sept. 5
Michigan at Washington, Sept. 5
Okay, okay, we JUST did this, and it wasn’t all that much fun after the first half. Alabama won the Citrus Bowl over Michigan on New Year’s Day – that seems like 15 years ago now – 35-16, so the rematch might not seem all that appealing, but …
Come on. It’s Alabama and Michigan to open up the season.
Michigan was supposed to travel to Washington anyway, but it’s probably not going to want to deal with Alabama again. However, woe to either side that backs out on this idea to fill the September 5th void with a game against something fluffy.
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