It's now time to predict what college football season holds for fans across the country, as the calendar turns to July.Fans will enjoy a return to normality with tailgating and full stadiums after the most unusual season in recent history. There are plenty of high-stakes games in the early season, and many college football's future stars will be able break out on the big stages immediately.The first week of September is just two months away, so what are the must watch games? What are the key players to watch in September?While we wait for the season's start, a team of our writers will be there to assist you.What September game do you feel most excited about this year?David Hale: Clemson vs Georgia is the perfect September football match. Clemson has an established contender for the title versus Georgia, which is the trendiest pick for 2021. It's a matchup between big-armed QBs hailing from Southern California. These are two teams that have been recruiting at the highest level for many years. This matchup is not a one-off event. Clemson and UGA have played 64 times before. The last matchup in 2014 saw Deshaun Watson throw an awe-inspiring first TD throw. Also, the Bulldogs' superstar Todd Gurley was a huge performer on the ground. This is the best opening weekend matchup in college football for a while.Adam Rittenberg: I am excited to see Oregon State and Ohio State face off in Ohio Stadium, Week 2. Although it was disappointing to cancel last year's Eugene game, the two-time Pac-12 and four-time Big Ten champions will now share the field in Columbus. Both teams are focused on the CFP. Oregon's defense will be among the best in the country, with end Kayvon Thibodeaux chasing an Ohio State quarterback (probably C.J. Stroud, and the Ducks' secondary team will chase Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, possibly the best receiving corps in the country. This one is crucial for the Pac-12, as well as Ohio State. Ryan Day has yet to lose a regular season game as Buckeyes coach.Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson combine to head one of the top receiving corps in the country. AP Photo/Jay LaPreteTom VanHaaren I'd throw in Notre Dame or Florida State. It's a Sunday match on ABC at prime time. There are two teams competing for different goals and they're in very different stages. Notre Dame hopes to quickly get off to a good start and propel itself into a College Football Playoff slot, while Florida State is trying rebuild and get back on track. ESPN's Kenny Dillingham, Seminoles offensive coordinator, said he is more confident than ever coming into the season. This is largely due to the practice and preparation they have been able get in comparison to 2020. Staff has made some significant transfers, and they hope those moves will translate onto the field. It will be interesting to see the progress of each team as they start the season. Editor's Picks What is it going to take for college football's top players to win the national title? Bill ConnellyRoundtable discussion on College Football Playoff expansion: The good, bad and the what-ifs ESPNGuide to understanding NCAA's NIL rules Dan Murphy 2 RelatedDave Wilson: D’Eriq King, Bryce Young and Alabama will be the center of much interest in how far they can take Miami or Alabama this season. Is Miami going to take another step towards becoming Miami this season? Alabama will remain Alabama. We'll see their faces right out of the gate on Sept. 4. Honorable mention at halftime: I am also excited to see the Rice Marching Owl Band's first Texas visit in 10 years, Sept. 18. Its last Texas visit was in 2011, when Texas A&M was leaving the Big 12.Bill Connelly: Penn State and Wisconsin are two of my most interesting teams this year. I am curious to see how they look. They will meet at noon on Saturday, the first Saturday of each season. Since the 2016 Big Ten Championship, the Badgers and Nittany Lions have not met. They bring lots of upside and 2020-related questions to the table. Is Wisconsin able to find a running partner after last year's woes? Is it really important that Paul Chryst takes over playcalling? Is Mike Yurcich the new Penn State offensive coordinator? Will he bring back the Nittany Lions' spark? Can the rebuilt PSU defense line withstand Wisconsin's machinations? By Saturday noon, we'll have at least partial answers. 1.Who will be the star of 2021?Alex Scarborough: If you didn't see Kayshon Boutte arrive late last season, it's understandable. LSU was struggling at the time that the ex-four-star prospect truly began to show his potential. The Tigers' primary playmaker on offense was Boutte, a true burner who is also a threat downfield. He could be one of the top college football receivers if he can perform even half the way as he did last season in which he gained 527 yards and scored four touchdowns against Alabama and Florida.Hale: Clemson QB D.J. is the easy answer. Uiagalelei gave us a glimpse of his potential when he set the record last season for most passing yards against an opponent by setting it in only his second career start. He now takes over for Trevor Lawrence full-time, and his combination with a big arm as well as a big personality makes him prime for stardom. Bryce Young of Alabama is the second breakout star. Young and Uiagalelei were high-profile rivals in high schools in Southern California. They entered college as the two most sought after recruits in the country. This all makes for an exciting storyline that will be talked about for years to come.Chris Low: Malik Willis, if he was playing at Alabama, Ohio State, or Clemson would be one the preseason favorites for the Heisman trophy. He'll be playing at Liberty in 2021 and will be a top-flight player for college football, thanks to Hugh Freeze's additional year of development. Freeze has always been able get the best out of his quarterback and Willis, at 6'1 and 215 lbs, is Freeze’s most versatile and talented QB. Willis ran for 944 yards and 14 touchdowns last year, and the opposing defenses couldn't stop him. He also passed for 2,260 yard and 20 touchdowns. Even though he only threw six interceptions in 2020, he will be more refined and decisive as a pass-catcher this season. Both Willis and Liberty will be well worth the admission fee in 2021.VanHaaren : I also like Uiagalelei, Boutte and Young for this. Bijan Robinson, the Texas running back, would be a good candidate. Robinson ran 8.6 yards per carry as a freshman last season on 86 carries. As the coach, Steve Sarkisian will likely increase Robinson's workload. Robinson is an explosive play that is just waiting to happen. In his senior year at high school, he had 2,235 yards rushing and 38 touchdowns. That was only one season. Robinson had 6,658 yards passing and 99 touchdowns from his sophomore to senior seasons. Robinson is an exciting player, and he should be a star in the new offense.Bijan Robinson was explosive last season, even though she was only limited in her use. A big season is expected in Austin with an increase in touches. Eric Gay/AP PhotoWilson: I agree with TVH regarding Bijan. He has the potential to be a one-cut and-go back with his speed, if the Longhorns can improve their offensive line. Devon Achane at Texas A&M was Robinson's Texas A&M counterpart. He had 43 carries last season (Robinson had 86), before being named Orange Bowl MVP. Achane rushed for 140 yards, two TDs and a 76 yarder. The Aggies spent the offseason with him running track, including a 20.31200 in his second meet. This time, it was ranked among the most impressive collegiate times in the nation. Ainias and Isaiah Smith are Aggies' stars, but Achane who averages 8.5 yards per run during his Aggies career will force Jimbo Fisher into creative thinking.Are you a true freshman who is most excited to be seen?Scarborough: Alabama's Spring Game was a wakeup call for anyone who had been sleeping on Agiye Hall (ESPN's No. The Class of 2021's top-rated receiver. The native of Florida came out against the first team defense and caught all within a 1-block radius of his No. 17 jersey. He would leap, twist and grab the ball no matter what it was. Hall, who was 6-3 and had excellent speed, looked like the heir apparent of the star receivers Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith and Jerry Jeudy. He also seemed to be the perfect downfield threat to complement John Metchie.VanHaaren - There are many options in this class, and Clemson runningback Will Shipley is one of the most intriguing prospects. He could have a significant impact on the Tigers' future. Shipley, who is lightning fast in a bottle, will make Travis Etienne's loss a bit easier. His junior season saw him run a 6.36 in the 55 meter dash and a 4.46 time 40-yard dash before he got to Clemson. He isn't just a track player playing football. He is also a football player who can track. It will be a lot of fun to see him. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State's running back, is another name I would throw in. He was the No. He was the No. 1 running back in his class, and he didn't play his senior year of high school. He used that time to prepare for college and train, which was a good decision. Henderson is a key player for the Buckeyes this season.Low: Oklahoma and explosive receivers have become synonymous with Lincoln Riley. After a phenomenal freshman season, Marvin Mims is back and it's Mario Williams time to shine. Although he isn't very tall (5-9, 181 lbs), he is extremely fast, agile, and versatile. In high school, he was a top baseball player. Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma's quarterback, stated that Williams was one the most fast players on the team. He is adept at moving openly and can do it all. It seems like Rattler won't just be looking for big-play receivers this fall.Rittenberg: Under Todd Orlando's risk-reward strategy, USC's defense saw 16 takeaways in just six games in 2020. The Trojans still want to make the CFP, but they must keep improving their defense. The arrival of Korey Foreman should be a help. Foreman is ESPN's No. Foreman, the No. 3 overall recruit in 2021's class, returned home to provide USC with an impact pass rusher since Day 1. He didn't participate in spring practice, but he could find a position immediately to complement Drake Jackson.Connelly: While I try to be skeptical about Washington's offensive coordinator John Donovan's system's predictability and conservatism, I have to admit that he has a lot of talented and experienced personnel. There's also a chance that Sam Huard, the star freshman and most anticipated UW signee since forever, will take over the reins from Day 1. Although he has major competition for the job, he might have to wait until his turn. But despite his youth, he is a fast, accurate, and young passer, which will be the determining factor in how high UW's ceiling will be in the future.
