Nagel: Leans on Week 1's intriguing matchups

College football will reward fans who have waited eight months for the action to resume with a memorable Week 1 slate.

Several of these nonconference games could play a role in the four-team playoff. Viewers and bettors alike will get their first chance to evaluate each club they've been reading about all offseason.

Here is a quick overview of the high-profile showdowns, with current odds from William Hill US: 

Saturday, Sept. 3

Clemson at Auburn (+7.5, O/U 59): This battle of Tigers features perhaps the most dynamic player in college football, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, taking on an Auburn team looking to bounce back from a down season. Watson is surrounded by experienced playmakers, but a defense that lost a ton of talent will be in rebuilding mode. The Tigers also must avoid a hangover from their national title game loss.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn has another new defensive coordinator in Kevin Steele after Will Muschamp left to become head coach at South Carolina. The noted offensive guru also must find a reliable quarterback as lack of performance at the position was a big factor in a 7-6 season.

It feels like some observers soured on Malzahn after last season, but I think he's still a prolific coach who had a down year. I expect Auburn to be prepared, and I'm leaning toward the home-standing Tigers with the points. 

UCLA at Texas A&M (-2, O/U 54): These two clubs share a recent similar profile, one of lofty expectations and strong starts that fade when they face top-tier competition. The quarterback matchup provides intrigue: Josh Rosen of UCLA is likely the top returning signal-caller in the Pac-12, while the Aggies benefitted from the transfer of Oklahoma castoff Trevor Knight to offset the defections of last season's top two quarterbacks.

Texas A&M owns a massive home-field advantage at College Station. The club that can come up with key defensive stops should win, as there will be plenty of offensive fireworks. I think big-play offense will be a recurring theme, and wouldn't be surprised to see these clubs clip the Over with ease. 

LSU vs. Wisconsin (+10, O/U 47) at Lambeau Field: This matchup has the makings of a throwback, smash-mouth affair, as bruising LSU running back Leonard Fournette squares off against what was the nation's top-ranked defense last season. The Badgers were No. 1 in scoring defense (13.7 ppg) and No. 4 against the run (95.4 ypg). Fournette was the Heisman front-runner last year until he was shut down by Alabama, allowing Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry to seize the lead.

Both teams have questions at quarterback, as Wisconsin replaces longtime starter Joel Stave and LSU coach Les Miles looks for more consistency out of talented but erratic Brandon Harris. The Badgers also look to restore their vaunted running game after injuries led to a revolving door in the backfield last year.

I expect Wisconsin to keep Fournette and company in check most of the time, but he's bound to break free for a couple of big plays. And I'm not sure the Badgers can muster enough offense to stay inside this tempting number. 

Oklahoma at Houston (+10.5, O/U 68): This rates to be high-scoring, entertaining affair between potential Heisman finalists. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield led the Sooners to the four-team playoff and finished fourth in the Heisman voting, while Houston dual threat Greg Ward gained attention after leading the Cougars to a 13-1 mark, the AAC title and a blowout bowl win over Florida State. Houston's only loss came when Ward was injured and sat out against Connecticut.

Both clubs return the bulk of their offensive playmakers but the key will be whether Houston can get enough stops to stay in the game against an Oklahoma club that has more weapons than any opponent it faced last season.   

Don't expect this total to stay in the 60s for long. These explosive clubs should put up big offensive numbers, and the opening line provides good value to the Over.

USC vs. Alabama (-10.5, O/U 54) at AT&T Stadium: The defending champion Crimson Tide make their season debut with inexperienced players at just about every skill position, and a mostly rebuilt defense as well. USC will play its first game with Clay Helton as head coach, loaded with returning players on both sides of the ball but breaking in a new quarterback.

Whether the Trojans' often-soft defensive front can hold up against the Tide's physical run game will be pivotal. USC has enough playmakers to move the ball on Alabama.

I think the Trojans will present a challenge, and the points provide a nice cushion of value on a live underdog. 

Sunday, Sept. 4

Notre Dame at Texas (+4.5, O/U 59): Last year, the Irish set the tone for their breakout season and a disappointing one for Texas by thumping the Longhorns 38-3 in South Bend, Ind., while making them look confused and inept on offense. Texas' prolonged struggles put pressure on coach Charlie Strong, but he earned some equity with wins over rival Oklahoma and short-handed Baylor on the regular season's last weekend.

Texas improved on offense by developing its running game, but still faces questions at quarterback and could start freshman Shane Buechele ahead of veterans Jerrod Heard, who might be switching to wideout, and Tyrone Swoops. Strong will no doubt feel the heat return if the Longhorns fail to produce a winning season. 

Conversely, the Irish have a wealth of riches at quarterback and must decide between DeShone Kizer or Malik Zaire. Kizer filled in admirably last year after the season-ending injury to Zaire, who appeared headed toward a breakout season and threw for 313 yards and three scores against Texas in the opener. Notre Dame also must rebuild the bulk of its defense after losing standout linebackers Jaylon Smith and Joe Schmidt.

This game opened as pick'em in most outlets, and the market has spoken in moving the Irish to a fairly singificant road favorite. I lean toward the smart money; I expect Texas to be improved but the program has a history of slow starts and this is a bad matchup. 

Monday, Sept. 5

Mississippi at Florida State (-4, O/U 56): The Seminoles have been a trendy pick in futures markets to win both the ACC and the national title, but handicappers thus far have been all over the underdog Rebels in this one. The game opened with Florida State as a 6.5-point favorite at most outlets, but has been bet down quickly in recent days.

The Seminoles have a Heisman candidate in all-purpose running back Dalvin Cook, but will likely turn to redshirt freshman Deondre Francois at quarterback as senior Sean Maguire has been ruled out of the opener with a broken foot.

The Rebels return quarterback Chad Kelly and the bulk of a solid secondary, but they could be distracted by investigations into wrongdoing within the program and the infamous NFL draft-night debacle surrounding former offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil.

I'm similarly siding with the smart money here, as coach Hugh Freeze's teams tend to play well in underdog spots and Florida State has struggled as a favorite in recent seasons.