Week 1 can’t make your season. But it can break it. Just ask Stanford and its body clocks.

As we start to eyeball the 2016 season, it’s worth taking a look at the Week 1 matchups. And because it’s the offseason, we’ll rank the games. Because in the offseason, we rank things. Enjoy.

1. USC vs. Alabama in Arlington, Texas, Sept. 3: Was there any doubt this would be the top pick? Whenever the Pac-12 and the SEC get together, it’s a big deal. And whenever you combine two of the nation’s most storied programs, it’s going to attract eyeballs. Though one program has been more storied than the other of late … considering the Tide are coming off a national championship run. Toss in the Trojans starting a new quarterback, the rebuilt defensive line versus Alabama’s juggernaut front and former USC coach Lane Kiffin calling the plays for the Tide, and you have a delicious Week 1 setup.

2. UCLA at Texas A&M, Sept. 3: If the Trojans weren’t also in Texas in Week 1, this would be your top game. Another Pac-12 versus SEC showdown pitting a pair of teams looking for some national respect. Both have question marks, but many on the West Coast are looking to see if UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen is going to take the next step. And for a little more drama, former UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone now holds the same position with the Aggies.

3. Stanford vs. Kansas State, Sept. 2: It was a down year in the Little Apple last season. After four straight seasons with at least eight wins -- including an 11-2 mark in 2012 -- the Wildcats had their first sub-.500 season since 2008 with a 6-7 record. Stanford, on the other hand, should enter the game as the Pac-12’s highest-ranked team. And perhaps those east of the Grand Canyon will actually tune in to see what this Christian McCaffrey fellow is all about.

4. Colorado vs. Colorado State in Denver, Sept. 2: I know this game will have zero impact on the national landscape -- in Week 1 and Week 13. It’s a Power 5 team versus a Group of 5 team. But I’m a sucker for a rivalry game in Week 1. It gets the juices pumping. The teams have split the past four -- with the Buffs winning dramatically in overtime last season. Plus with Colorado’s quarterback situation still iffy, this game has some summer intrigue.

5. Oregon State at Minnesota. Sept. 1: It’s a Pac-12 team against a Big Ten team, so we can’t ignore that -- even if neither team is expected to challenge for their divisions. The Beavers are still in the infancy of the Gary Andersen era, so miracles should not be expected in Year 2. The Gophers are coming off of a 6-7 year and a bowl win -- despite getting into the postseason with a 5-7 mark. Should be a good gauge to see where the Beavers are.

6. Arizona vs. Brigham Young in Glendale, Arizona, Sept. 3: I can think of at least one Pac-12 South team that will be pulling for the ‘Cats this week. With Tanner Mangum supposedly back for BYU, there are those who think the Cougars could make some noise nationally. Arizona gets to debut its re-booted defense against, potentially, one of the better quarterbacks in the country.

7. Washington vs. Rutgers, Sept. 3: The Huskies begin their attempt to live up to the preseason hype against a Big Ten team that went 4-8 last season. Washington is already a heavy favorite. And most will be eager to see what sort of leap Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin have made from Year 1 to Year 2.

8. Cal vs. Hawaii in Sydney, Australia, Aug. 26: This is the first college football game ever played in Australia. So that ups the “cool” factor. But once the novelty wears off, the focus will turn to the Bears, who have to replace the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft in Jared Goff. Additional tweaks could also be in store with Jake Spavital at the helm of the offense.

9. Washington State vs. Eastern Washington, Sept. 3: Now we get into the first of four Pac-12 versus FCS games in Week 1. Why does this one rank above the others? Well, we know what happened to WSU last year against an FCS team (can’t happen again, can it?), and Eastern Washington has proven it’s not an easy out. It dropped 42 on Oregon last year in a loss, battled Washington to a 59-52 loss in 2014 and stunned No. 25 Oregon State, 49-46, in 2013. EWU has some seniors who have tasted success against the Pac-12.

10. Utah vs. Southern Utah, Sept. 1: The only real drama here is who starts at quarterback for the Utes. It’s also possible Week 1 could be an extended audition with more than one quarterback taking snaps ahead of Week 2’s showdown with BYU. Though talking to several members of the coaching staff, the ideal situation is someone wins the job outright so there is no additional drama heading into the re-ignited Holy War.

11. Arizona State vs. Northern Arizona, Sept. 3: Yawn. Much like the previous game, the most interesting part will be (should be) who runs the offense for the Sun Devils. If it’s any more interesting than that, then something has gone terribly wrong.

12. Oregon vs. UC-Davis, Sept. 3: Over-under on Royce Freeman yards and touchdowns by halftime? Let’s go with 150 yards and three touchdowns. And I’m leaning toward the over on both. Our first look at Brady Hoke’s defense won’t tell us much this week. But with Virginia and a trip to Nebraska looming, this game should be tune-up time.