Trap game: 5 contests that should put contenders on high alert

When Admiral Ackbar delivered his iconic "It's a trap" line in "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi," he probably wasn't talking about the 2016 college football schedule, but that doesn't mean it's not appropriate.

When schedules are released prior to each campaign, most fans rush to circle the big contests against in-conference rivals or massive non-conference matchups. While those games are the main attraction, there's always a game on each schedule that will prove to be tougher than expected.

Those contests are referred to as a "trap game," and can immediately ruin a team's run at a conference title. They can often fall between two games against major conference opponents, or right before a program's biggest matchup of the year.

Here's 5 games that should have the favorites on high alert, as to not fall into the trap.

Auburn vs. Arkansas State

The Week 2 matchup between Auburn and Arkansas State has trap written all over it. The Tigers open with a home game against Clemson and host Texas A&M in Week 3. The Red Wolves are sandwiched between those two contests, and will prove to be tougher than expected. Arkansas State averaged 40 points per game last season, good for 12th in the nation, so Auburn's defense will have to be sharp. With new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, the Tigers could be suffering some growing pains early. Gus Malzahn's spread-based offense has quarterback questions entering the season, and it's unlikely those will be answered just two weeks into the campaign. The Tigers needed overtime at home to knock off Jacksonville State in Week 2 last season, and a repeat performance by a smaller school could be in the offing.

Ohio State vs. Tulsa

Ohio State has only lost two games in the past two seasons, but both of those setbacks were to massive underdogs at home. Tulsa will certainly fit that title when they visit the Horseshoe on Sept. 10, and will be in good shape to make it three years in a row. The Buckeyes face a massive non-conference road trip to Oklahoma the following week and will no doubt be looking ahead. It's no secret Urban Meyer's bunch was decimated by the 12 players drafted in the NFL, and the fresh new talent will likely struggle at the beginning of the season. Enter the Golden Hurricane and their high-powered offense. Tulsa scored 37.2 points per game last season, good for 21st in the country. Quarterback Dane Evans finished eighth in the nation with 4,332 yards passing in 2015, and will likely have his way with a secondary that lost three starters to the NFL. J.T. Barrett and the offense will have to match Tulsa score-for-score, and if past early-season showings are an indicator, that could be a tough test.

Clemson at Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech runs a triple-option, run-heavy offensive attack. With cut blocks galore, and plenty of misdirection, it's very annoying to play against and difficult to prepare for. This is significant because the Sept. 22 contest against Clemson falls on a Thursday night, meaning the Tigers have just four days to train their defense for Paul Johnson's team. Weird things have been known to happen to top teams at Georgia Tech, and with a massive matchup against Louisville the following week on their minds, Dabo Swinney's club could be ripe for an upset.

Florida State at NC State

Florida State hosts Clemson on Oct. 29 in a game that will likely decide the ACC Atlantic division. Win, and the Seminoles will be riding high heading to NC State the following week. Lose, and Jimbo Fisher's squad will be at a massive low for the matchup with the Wolfpack. Regardless, this early November affair will be a test of mental strength for Florida State. Fisher has struggled with road games at NC State in the past, falling in 2010 and 2012, before Jameis Winston rescued them in 2014 with a ridiculous comeback win. Winston ain't walking through that door, and if Dave Doeren's bunch can stop Dalvin Cook, Florida State could struggle yet again in Raleigh.

Louisville at Marshall

With 16 returning starters and a stud quarterback in Lamar Jackson, Louisville was a sexy pick to make a run at the ACC Atlantic crown in 2016. Most people view Florida State and Clemson as the major challenges on the schedule, but a Saturday night game at Marshall could be a struggle. Sandwiched between the massive games against the Seminoles and Tigers, the trip to Huntington, W.Va., will test Bobby Petrino's club. The Thundering Herd have only lost one game in the last three years at home, and the raucous atmosphere could be tough for the sophomore Jackson to handle in the ultimate sandwich game.