Although plenty of talent have now moved up to the pros, we can all be sure that a new breed of elite gridiron ballers will be gracing us soon. Rivalries will be made and cultivated, and should again leave us entertained to the fullest.
Here now are intense college football matchups for the 2017 season that we should be looking forward to. Read on!
Best Matchups and Rivalries of the 2017 NCAAF Season
Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen
They have now met a grand total of 117 times (1890-2016), with Navy leading the series 60-50-7. Army snapped a 14-game (or 14-year) losing streak in 2016 with a gritty 21-17 victory.
One interesting thing about their battles is endlessly seeing the Triple Option offense – or a basic run-happy scheme – for almost the entire game. The two teams combined for over 100-plus rushing ATTEMPTS per game last season.
For Army, they’ll continue having the powering duo of quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw and running back Andy Davidson, who collectively ran for over 1,800 yards this past year. Navy, meanwhile, will be boasting their own dual-threat QB in Will Worth. He’ll be coming off a campaign where he threw the ball for 1,397 yards and carried it for 1,198 more.
Oklahoma Sooners vs. Ohio State
It’s a clash that could help shape up the true form of the 2017 season. On one end, you have the Oklahoma Sooners and their explosive but Dede Westbrook, Samaje Perine, and Joe Mixon-less offense, and on the other, you have Urban Meyer’s new-look attack under first-year offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson.
Among the key matchup of the game will be the Sooners’ stat sheet-stuffing QB Baker Mayfield going up against the Buckeyes’ dangerous, dual-threat signal-caller JT Barrett.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Louisiana State Fighting Tigers
Sophomore QB Jalen Hurts of ‘Bama should be poised to have his star be even brighter in 2017, with a boatload of his former star teammates now gone. LSU’s rising RB, Derrius Guice, meanwhile, who became a good replacement for the injured Leonard Fournette a year ago (now in the pros), may also be on the same path.
Florida State Seminoles vs. Clemson Tigers
Easy pick. These two have been consistent in providing us a good show in every encounter they make. QB Deondre Francois is now getting solo spotlight in the ‘Noles with Dalvin Cook out of the picture, while reigning national champion Clemson is trying to get respect from the competition despite losing stars DeShaun Watson and Mike Williams.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Auburn Tigers
There’s no love lost between these two. It won’t be one of the fiercest college rivalries of all-time for nothing. Similar to what we’ve said in the Bama-LSU item, we should expect Jalen Hurts to have a big game from these clashes – this is his time to start etching his name in the school’s storied history and further up his stock for the future.
Auburn should be more than ready to counter that with their pair of ground attackers – Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson, who combined for over 2,000 yards rushing last season.
Washington Huskies vs. Stanford Cardinal
The Cardinal should be extra focused to redeem themselves against the Huskies. They came in heavily favored in their matchup last year, but instead got crushed, 44-6.
It’s an interesting meeting, with Stanford being hungry and Washington feeling invincible and comfortable operating against them. Huskies QB Jake Browning, who’s coming off an impressive campaign, is in a good position to remain as the most notable player among the two teams.
