GAMES TO WATCH

Florida Atlantic at No. 5 Ohio State Noon Saturday, FOX

A year ago, this game would have been worth it for the coaching matchup alone. After Ohio State coach Urban Meyer’s retirement, it’s still interesting to see how Ryan Day will handle his new role leading the Buckeyes. Day inherits an Ohio State program that won 90% of its games under Meyer. FAU coach Lane Kiffin is 1-8 all-time against top 10 teams, including a 0-2 while leading the Owls.

Duke vs. No. 2 Alabama 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Atlanta, ABC

Alabama kicks off the season in a neutral-site matchup for the eighth consecutive year and the 10th time overall under coach Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide are 9-0 in those games, including five wins in Atlanta. This is the fifth meeting ever between these two programs, but the first since 2010. The Tide own a 3-1 lead in the series. Duke’s only victory came in the 1945 Sugar Bowl.

No. 11 Oregon vs. No. 16 Auburn

The only game featuring two top 25 teams this weekend is a rematch of the 2011 BCS national championship game, with Oregon looking for a shot at redemption against Auburn at AT&T Stadium. The Tigers have won four consecutive games against Pac-12 opponents. Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert has thrown a touchdown in 28 straight games.

Houston at No. 4 Oklahoma 7:30 p.m. Sunday, ABC

New Houston coach Dana Holgorsen doesn’t need to study up the Cougars’ upcoming opponent. He knows exactly what Oklahoma is capable of after watching the Sooners dominate during his tenure at West Virginia, with OU going 7-0 against the Mountaineers. Oklahoma and Houston were ranked No. 1 and No. 5, respectively, in scoring offense last season. Expect a high-scoring showdown in Norman.

No. 9 Notre Dame at Louisville 8 p.m. Monday, ESPN

Notre Dame makes the 261-mile trek to Louisville for a Labor Day showdown. The last time the Fighting Irish opened the season on the road in 2016, they suffered a 50-47 doubleovertime loss at Texas. Louisville is riding a nine-game losing streak dating to last season, including a five-game losing streak at Cardinal Stadium. The last Cardinals win over a ranked opponent came in 2016 against then-No. 2 Florida State.