To borrow from the Southeastern Conference credo, some college football games just mean more than others.
That’s an undeniable fact. It’s why rivalries exist. It’s why tickets to big games cost more. It’s why ESPN GameDay never shows up for a game matching a powerhouse vs. an obscure directional school. It’s why an enhanced Strength of Schedule metric is to be used to decide the 12-team College Football Playoff field.
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, unlike some previous coaches, acknowledged the No. 16 Aggies' game at No. 8 Notre Dame is really, really big.
“It’d be naive to not think that our kids (don’t) understand the magnitude of the top-10 matchup on the road,” Elko said earlier this week. “So, from that perspective, obviously, this is a big opportunity.
“How big is it relative to this season? It’s as big as every game we play because, you know, win or lose, there’s going to be more to play. Regardless of outcome, the next one is going to be just as important, and so is the next one. So from that perspective, I don’t see a difference.
“But from the standpoint of is this a big stage, big opportunity, prime time? For sure. It’d be naive to say it isn’t.”
Jimbo Fisher always preached playing a nameless, faceless opponent. Kevin Sumlin recoiled at the suggestion that certain games had enormous ramifications.
It’s true that every game on the schedule matters. But a victory over Notre Dame would… well, just mean more than previous wins over UTSA and Utah State.
A victory over Notre Dame ends A&M’s 15-game losing streak vs. nationally ranked opponents on the road.
A victory over Notre Dame probably vaults A&M into the top 10 of the national rankings.
A victory over Notre Dame gives A&M national cachet with the playoff selection committee.
A victory over Notre Dame makes A&M a national championship contender.
Indeed, beating Notre Dame would give A&M one of the most impressive victories of the college football season. It could even be argued to be most impressive.
Ohio State’s win over Texas probably rates as the best, followed by Florida State’s upset of Alabama. Of course, both Ohio State and Florida State played those games on their home fields.
Miami already has a three-point victory over Notre Dame, but that was also a home game for the Hurricanes. Oklahoma was also at home in a win over Michigan.
LSU won on the road at Clemson, but questions are beginning to surface about just how good Clemson really is.
Of course, even if the Aggies defeat Notre Dame, nine games will remain. Eight are conference clashes. All will be vital.
But few will be as important as A&M’s game vs. Notre Dame.
Heisman watch (If my ballot was due today)
1. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU, QB: Well, the Tigers’ 27-7 victory over Louisiana Tech wasn’t pretty. Neither was Nussmeier’s plain Jane performance. He completed 26 of 41 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown. That can be forgiven because Nussmeier played well in the season-opening win over Clemson. Another mediocre showing will be costly.
2. John Mateer, Oklahoma, QB: The SEC leader in passing had a strong showing in a 24-13 victory over Michigan. He passed for 270 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 74 and a couple of scores. Overall, he has thrown for 662 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 98 yards and three scores.
3. Carson Beck, Miami, QB: His overall stats are pretty pedestrian. Beck has thrown for 472 yards and four touchdowns, but he threw two touchdown passes in an opening victory over Notre Dame.
4. Haynes King, Georgia Tech, QB: An injury forced King to miss an opportunity to pad his statistics in Georgia Tech’s 59-12 win over Gardner-Webb. But he rushed for 156 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 143 in a season-opening victory over Colorado. That effort should keep him in the rankings for at least another week.
5. Tommy Castellanos, Florida State, QB: Speaking of players with big first-week performances. Castellanos called his shot by leading the Seminoles to an upset of Alabama. He passed for 152 yards and rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown in that win. Castellanos followed that up by throwing for 237 yards and three touchdowns in a 77-3 blasting of East Texas A&M.
Predicted playoff participants (Alphabetical order)
Florida State: Already has a win over Alabama and doesn’t figure to be severely tested against until facing Miami on Oct. 4.
Georgia: The Bulldogs haven’t been overly impressive yet, but it’s hard to get against coach Kirby Smart.
Illinois: This might seem like a surprise, but Illinois could be this year’s version of Indiana. The schedule is certainly favorable.
LSU: The Tiger defense actually looks better than their offense.
Miami: With a win over Notre Dame in the books, a 10-win season looks probable.
Notre Dame: Even if the Irish start 0-2, prospects of a 10-win season are extremely favorable.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes have allowed seven points so far.
Oregon: Ducks have scored 59 and 69 points in the first two games. Competition will get better, but the Ducks might, too.
Penn State: Nits haven’t yet hit their stride. A forgiving early schedule provides time to get right.
South Florida: Easily the most impressive non-Power Four team so far.
Texas: Defense is good. Arch Manning will be.
Utah: Texas Tech and Iowa State faithful will argue, but Utah looks like the Big 12’s best.
Games to watch
No. 16 Texas A&M at No. 8 Notre Dame: Last year’s game was tied with two minutes to play. Expect another close game.
No. 6 Georgia at No. 15 Tennessee: Vols look better than Georgia so far, but the Dawgs have a way of rising to the occasion, especially against Tennessee.
No. 18 South Florida at No. 5 Miami: USF is going for its third consecutive victory over a ranked opponent.
No. 12 Clemson at Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech’s chance to prove it’s a legit ACC championship contender. It’s also Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King’s chance to prove he’s a legit Heisman candidate.
Vanderbilt at No. 11 South Carolina: Both have beaten Virginia Tech. Vandy’s win was actually more impressive. South Carolina is tough at home, though.
