While everyone may not be in-love with the BCS, one of the best arguments for it is that the regular season means more for College Football than any other sport at either the college or pro level. Whether the game is National title important, Conference title important, or Rivalry important, here are the games that every college football fan should be tuned into this season.
Top 10 Games:
1. Texas vs. Oklahoma
Basically one of a few BCS title game play-ins, these two teams will be fighting for the right to stay atop the Big 12 and represent it in the championship game, both the Big 12 game and the BCS final game. Colt McCoy, gutsy, scrappy quarterback who hasn’t gotten enough respect goes against Heisman winning pocket passer Sam Bradford in one of sports’ greatest rivalries.
2. Ohio State @ Penn State
While I don’t think these teams are worthy of getting a chance to play in the BCS title game, both have very solid chances to go undefeated or, at the very most, one loss, before this game. Penn State’s hardest games are @Illinois and @Michigan State, both very winnable for the Lions, and Ohio State has it’s hardest game against USC in the Horseshoe. As close as we can get to a Big Ten title game, the winner of this game will go to the Rose Bowl, either to play the Pac-10 Champ or one of the Top 2 teams in the country in the real title game.
3. Texas @ Oklahoma State
Last season, Texas Tech upset the Longhorns and threw a wrench into Texas and Colt McCoy’s plans to go to the Big 12 title game and eventually the BCS title game. Unfortunately, that could happen again this season. Oklahoma State has the 3rd best quarterback in the Big 12 (maybe Top 10 in the country), one of the nations best running back, and one of the best receivers and left tackles in the country. The Cowboys have their best team in a while, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this team upends the Longhorns in Stillwater and makes a mess of the Big 12 once again.
4. Miami (FL) @ Florida State
Four to five years ago, this rivalry not only meant a lot for the pride of these teams, but overall final rankings that determined the ending bowl for each team. While they have struggled both of them in recent years, both are on the upswing. Miami (FL) has a great running game, great offensive and defensive line, and a future 1st round quarterback in Jacory Harris. Florida State has developed it’s offensive and defensive line as well as cornerback, and they have stability at quarterback for the first time in a few years. This could be a solid decider for the ACC title game, with Miami (FL) getting the edge.
5. LSU @ Ole Miss
It may not look like much, but this game could be one of the most crucial games of the season. It looks as though Florida has the SEC East on lock down, but Ole Miss, LSU, and Alabama are all vying for that privilege to take down the pre-season number 1. Both of these teams will need to beat Alabama if they hope to stay in the West race, but even if they don’t, both need a good game here to stay in the running for the West crown, as well as progression into their 2010 budding season.
6. USC @ Ohio State
After destroying Todd Boeckman and an inexperienced Terrelle Pryor last season, Ohio State will be looking for revenge. They may have lost their three top offensive weapons outside of Pryor, but Pryor is still one of the most talented QBs in the country, Tressell is a great coach, and the Aaron Corp lead Trojans have to travel to the Horseshoe early in the year.
7. USC @ California, Oregon
While I just said that both California and Oregon have a great chance, both will get their chance to upend the Trojans in their home stadium. Both teams have a stud running back, stability at quarterback, and a defense that can match-up passing-wise with the Trojans. With a freshman quarterback at the helm for USC, these teams could cause headaches and maybe remove the Trojans from a BCS game finally.
8. TCU @ BYU
The Mountain West Conference has become a near BCS conference in recent years, with a team competing for an At-Large spot every season. In the first of the three top and most important games of the conference’s season, the Horned Frogs will take their pre-season Mtn. West top team ranking against the conferences best offense in BYU.
9. Georgia Tech @ Florida State
Another week with some lackluster match-ups, these two ACC title contenders face off. Georgia Tech is most likely the better team with an (so far) unstoppable offense, but they have to travel to Florida State and the re-emerging Seminoles. The Yellow Jackets won’t be sneaking up on anyone this season, and Bobby Bowden may be on his way out after this run.
10. Utah @ BYU
The final deciding Mountain West game of the year, the rivalry match-up of Utah and BYU in the Holy War is one of the best games in college football. BYU has the better offense, but Utah has the experience, toughness, and coaching to evenly match-up with the Cougars. If TCU wins both of their games against these teams, this game will mean a lot less, but odds are this game could be between teams fighting for a BCS berth or a 3 way tie.
Week-by-Week Top Games
Get your TiVo’s, VCRs, or whatever you want to use to record these games, because week in, week out this season, crucial, BCS deciding games as well as some of the best rivalries in sports will be in primetime. Some games like Texas vs. Oklahoma and Ohio State vs. Penn State may be BCS play-in games, while others will add to the conference title chase excitement. Throughout the year, look to the Optimum Scouting Show each Friday at 9:00 PM EST for a preview of the games, with debates about the week’s top games as well as us making our educated predictions on how the week will play out.
9-5 – Miami (FL) @ Florida State (9-7)
-Miami starts off the hardest schedule in college football playing against their bitter rival, the Seminols. With both teams now on the upswing when it comes to talent and national attention, this game could be instrumental to these teams National support as well as their ACC chances.
9-12 – USC @ Ohio State
-After destroying Todd Boeckman and an inexperienced Terrelle Pryor last season, Ohio State will be looking for revenge. They may have lost their three top offensive weapons outside of Pryor, but Pryor is still one of the most talented QBs in the country, Tressell is a great coach, and the Aaron Corp lead Trojans have to travel to the Horseshoe early in the year.
9-19 – Tennessee @ Florida
-Lane Kiffin has started “beef” with almost every team in the SEC now, but he has definitely made it his job to annoy Florida. Kiffin has Voulenteer fans excited with the hype, the coaching staff, and the great recruiting, but Kiffin may be eating his words here. Don’t be surprised if this opening line is -28, or more.
9-26 – California @ Oregon
-USC has been dominate in the Pac-10 since Pete Carroll’s arrival, with only the occasional Pac-10 surprise team up-ending them for a week. However, both the Bears and the Ducks have good QBs, RBs, and great defenses. Both aren’t on the same scale as USC, but both have a legit chance to beat the Trojans, especially since both have to go to their stadiums. The winner of this game will decide their fortune in the Pac-10 race, as only USC most likely stands in their way.
10-3 – USC @ California
-While I just said that both California and Oregon have a great chance, California has the track record of being more of a solid competitor against USC the past few years. That, coupled with the fact that their really aren’t any notable games going on this week should mean that even the East Coast fans take the time to watch the Trojans against a rival.
10-17 – Georgia Tech @ Florida State
-Another week with some lackluster match-ups, these two ACC title contenders face off. Georgia Tech is most likely the better team with an (so far) unstoppable offense, but they have to travel to Florida State and the re-emerging Seminoles. The Yellow Jackets won’t be sneaking up on anyone this season, and Bobby Bowden may be on his way out after this run.
10-17 – Texas vs. Oklahoma
-We may not have a playoff in college football, but this is as close as we have to a play-in game. Both of these teams have two hard games this year: this game, and the one against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and both are more talented then them. These teams are very different in make-up and scheme, but both have respected, proven coaches, Heisman contending quarterbacks, and a legit case why they should have been in the BCS title game last year, and why they should be there again this season.
10-24 – TCU @ BYU
-The Mountain West Conference has become a near BCS conference in recent years, with a team competing for an At-Large spot every season. In the first of the three top and most important games of the conference’s season, the Horned Frogs will take their pre-season Mtn. West top team ranking against the conferences best offense in BYU.
10-31 – Texas @ Oklahoma State
-While it may not be an upset when it happens, I truly believe that the better team in this match-up is Oklahoma State. They have the better running back, receiver, offensive line, and even better on defense at some positions. This game could end up bringing déjà vu to the Big 12 this season if the Cowboys win this game the Longhorns beat the Sooners.
11-7 – Ohio State @ Penn State
-The Big Ten doesn’t have a conference championship game, but this game ends up being just that. Both teams are in similar situations: Talented, 2nd year starting quarterback, lost their best receivers, and return great defenses. Penn State has the running back advantage, Ohio State has the quarterback advantage. One team will be in the BCS, the other will not just because of their schedule. This game is the end all be all for both of these teams.
11-14 – Utah @ TCU
-The second of the best Mountain West games, Utah, last season’s top conference team, BCS team and the only team to finish undefeated (beat Alabama, possibly best team in the nation?), lost its quarterback and top defender. While the conference is tight at the top, Utah may have gone from 2008 champ to 2009 3rd place team. Beating TCU would show that they may not have the star power of the TCU defense, but they have the heart, toughness, and coaching to be the best team in the Mountain West.
11-21 – LSU @ Ole Miss
-In my opinion, the SEC East is decided: Florida wins easily, may even go undefeated. However, the West has Alabama, Ole Miss, and LSU fighting for that top spot and the right to play Florida. LSU has the West’s best defense and has loads of potential with a Marion Barber-like back in Charles Scott, Dwayne Bowe-like receiver in Brandon LaFell, and an extremely talented quarterback and offensive line. Ole Miss is the most common sleeper team, but even though they’re riding on loads of hype, they have the conference’s best pocket passer, and a playmaker on offense and defense. The winner will have the inside track to win the West, in my books.
11-28 – Utah @ BYU
-The final deciding Mountain West game of the year, the rivalry match-up of Utah and BYU in the Holy War is one of the best games in college football. BYU has the better offense, but Utah has the experience, toughness, and coaching to evenly match-up with the Cougars. If TCU wins both of their games against these teams, this game will mean a lot less, but odds are this game could be between teams fighting for a BCS berth or a 3 way tie.
12-12 –Army vs. Navy
-I have had the privilege of going to this game the past few years, and I stand by this statement: This is the best game to go to in college football every season, and everyone should make time to see this game at least once. These teams have beyond legendary tradition, and with the celebrities, the excitement, the President, and much more being part of the appealing factor of this game.
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