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College Football Playoff 2019: Top 5 Week 1 games with biggest implications

By Tanner Nestle

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on in the first quarter against the Florida Gators during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines looks on in the first quarter against the Florida Gators during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Utah Utes Head Coach Kyle Whittingham
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 28: Isaac Asiata #54 of the Utah Utes, head coach Kyle Whittingham and Hunter Dimick #49 celebrate after a win against the Indiana Hoosiers during the Foster Farms Bowl game at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

3. Utah at BYU (Thursday, Aug. 29)

If the Pac-12 is ever going to get back on the map, it’s this year. Somehow, USC isn’t part of that equation, but Utah, Washington, and Oregon are all showing up in preseason Playoff predictions. I already hinted that one of those teams is playing in a huge game this weekend, and Utah is the other.

Utah is on this list because they play a true road game against a team that isn’t going to be a pushover this year. Last year, BYU was up and down and played this game at Utah and only lost by eight. The Cougars are only a five-point underdog and unlike the other two underdogs on this list so far, they have a real shot to win.

Utah will have to work for this one Thursday night, but it’s a win the Utes should be able to secure. They are a better team than the Cougars and have the expectations to match. The biggest thing going for Utah is the returning talent on the defensive line. The Utes are regarded as one of the best in the country, which is something the rest of the country isn’t used to hearing about the Pac-12.

This game will be as physical as any this weekend and should be a great appetizer for the following days of football. If Utah wins, the Pac-12’s dream for a playoff berth is alive and well. If Utah loses, the Pac-12 will have a lot of explaining to do.

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