3 Labor Day Weekend College Football Matchups Not to Be Missed
Preview
The long, pigskin-free summer is finally over!
The NCAA — which kicks off its football season August 25 — saved some of the best games for Labor Day weekend, with a few of the nation’s preseason favorites playing in non-conference contests. Here are three matchups you shouldn’t pass up.
Michigan vs. Notre Dame
September 1, 7:30/6:30c, NBC
There’s immense pressure on Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh to defeat the Fighting Irish. Michigan has flopped in big games under Harbaugh, and the outcome of this one could set the tone for the whole season. Harbaugh’s hoping quarterback Shea Patterson, a transfer from Ole Miss, can ignite the sputtering offense.
Louisville vs. Alabama
September 1, 8/7c, ABC
National champion Alabama Crimson Tide start their title defense in the Camping World Kickoff in Orlando, against the Louisville Cardinals. Expect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the hero of Alabama’s win over Georgia in the January championship game, to get the starting nod from head coach Nick Saban in Week 1. The Cardinals’ new starting quarterback, Jawon Pass, will have a brutal first test against the Bama defense.
Miami vs. LSU
September 2, 7:30/6:30c, ABC
Enjoy some Sunday night college football before the NFL takes over next week. In one of the season’s biggest nonconference matchups, the Miami Hurricanes play the LSU Tigers in the AdvoCare Classic in Arlington, Texas. Canes quarterback Malik Rosier is out to prove that last year’s 10–0 start represents his skills better than the 0–3 finish. Hoping to wreck Rosier’s night are linebacker Devin White and cornerback Greedy Williams, two LSU standouts who will be among the NFL’s top draft picks in 2019.
