Plenty of big games in 2020 college football season despite COVID-19 pandemic

AP photo by Butch Dill / Georgia football coach Kirby Smart celebrates as he walks off the field after the Bulldogs defeated Auburn 21-14 on Nov. 16, 2019, in Auburn, Ala.
AP photo by Butch Dill / Georgia football coach Kirby Smart celebrates as he walks off the field after the Bulldogs defeated Auburn 21-14 on Nov. 16, 2019, in Auburn, Ala.

The Associated Press published its version of a dream college football road trip last year: an itinerary that could allow a particularly obsessed fan to see each team in the preseason AP Top 25 at least once in person.

Needless to say, 2020 isn't the year for something like that.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shut down much of Division I football. Only three of the Power Five leagues are still playing, meaning several teams from the preseason Top 25 are out of action. Michigan-Ohio State? That game is on hold right now, along with the rest of Big Ten football. Ditto for the Pac-12.

However, there are still plenty of big matchups to look forward to. There's no guarantee these games will be played - a quick look at Major League Baseball tells you all you need to know about how quickly a schedule can be jolted by postponements. And because football teams don't play doubleheaders, college teams and leagues may face an even bigger challenge completing a credible season.

Still, here are a few games to look forward to, if the current schedule holds up. Each team's preseason ranking is included.

Oct. 3: No. 11 Auburn at No. 4 Georgia

Auburn-Kentucky on Sept. 26 could be interesting, but this stands out as the first really big game on the Southeastern Conference schedule. After Jamie Newman's decision to opt out, Georgia won't have too much time to get its quarterback situation in order.

photo AP photo by Sue Ogrocki / Oklahoma's Spencer Rattler, right, carries the ball in the fourth quarter of a home game against South Dakota on Sept. 7, 2019.

Oct. 10: No. 5 Oklahoma vs. No. 14 Texas

The State Fair of Texas has been canceled, but this rivalry game at the site of the Cotton Bowl is still on. Oklahoma has won the Big 12 title in all three seasons under coach Lincoln Riley - with three different quarterbacks, each of which finished no worse than second in the Heisman Trophy race. Redshirt freshman Spencer Rattler takes over this year.

Oct. 10: No. 8 Florida at No. 13 Texas A&M

Jimbo Fisher is in third year as coach and Kellen Mond is in his fourth year as the starting quarterback. Time for Texas A&M to take a big step forward, although the Aggies have to play Alabama the week before this showdown with the Gators.

Nov. 7: No. 1 Clemson at No. 10 Notre Dame

For this year at least, the Fighting Irish are in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and they're even showing off the logo on the field to prove it. Clemson - which was supposed to play Notre Dame this year anyway - now has to outlast the Irish to win a sixth straight conference title.

Nov. 14: No. 3 Alabama at No. 6 LSU

This game now takes place the same weekend as another major Southern sporting event - the Masters at Augusta National. LSU beat the Crimson Tide on the road en route to a national title last season, and Alabama will now try to return the favor. The Tigers were already facing major losses this year before coronavirus opt-outs left them with an even bigger challenge. It's hard to say what kind of shape they'll be in by the time this matchup rolls around.

Nov. 28: Mississippi State at Ole Miss

Yes, the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn will likely mean more in terms of the SEC title race, but the Egg Bowl is developing a well-deserved reputation for silliness - and is now must-see TV after the way last year's game ended. Both teams have new big-name coaches: Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss and Mike Leach at Mississippi State. (Alas, Kiffin isn't scheduled to face his old friends at Tennessee this season.)

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