11 For ‘11: Top College Football Matchups

College football can't get here any quicker!

As the season slowly creeps closer, it's time to take a look at the schedules for those games that are worth circling on the calendar. From the non-conference games that could define a team's season early, to the season-ending showdowns that could complete the BCS picture, these are the games that already are worth salivating for this fall.

Having said that, let's take a look at 11 to watch for in 2011.

1) LSU vs. Oregon (at Arlington, TX)

Who said the SEC plays it easy? You certainly can't say that for LSU, who faces the brutal gauntlet that is the SEC West and adds road trips to Morgantown to play West Virginia and this showdown in Cowboys Stadium against the defending Pac-10 champions. Oregon figures to be the same up-tempo, speed-oriented team they were last year, leaving the key question in Eugene to be what uniforms the Ducks will wear in Dallas.

Meanwhile, the quarterback situation in Baton Rouge could be one of the top questions of the preseason. Jordan Jefferson is the seasoned veteran, but Tigers fans aren't sold that he's the guy to lead them to the promised land. Therefore, hopes in the bayou are that Zack Mettenberger will rise to the occasion and seize the reins of the LSU offense. Either way, this is an early statement game for both teams.

2) Georgia vs. Boise State (at Atlanta)

This game has intrigue for two programs with large question marks. Boise State couldn't run the table last season and has never won against the SEC before. Is this the game that announces yet another Boise run for BCS glory? Meanwhile, the hot seat in Athens has never been hotter for Mark Richt, who needs this win badly to send a solid message to some very restless UGA fans. The preseason will have to be a proving ground for the Georgia backfield, as well, as losing Washaun Ealey was an unexpected obstacle for the Bulldogs.

3) BYU at Texas

Two programs that made headlines off the field last year clash in Austin on September 24th in what promises to be an intriguing battle. BYU made a big gamble leaving the Mountain West and going independent. Beating Texas makes a quick statement to fans (and the national media) that the Cougars are a good buy. Meanwhile, no one can forget the epic collapse that was Texas last year. The Longhorns have no room to take anyone for granted this year. Should they do that against BYU, it could be another miserably long season for Texas.

4) Arkansas at Alabama

The SEC West is the toughest division in the toughest football conference in America, and the first big test in deciding who heads to Atlanta will take place in Tuscaloosa. Alabama is loaded on defense; the questions linger on how the Tide will move on without Greg McIlroy and Mark Ingram. As for the Razorbacks, life without Mallett begins, but Tyler Wilson is no stranger to the [Bobby] Petrino system and sits with a lethal RB in Knile Davis and a deep receiving core. Can the Hog defense hold 'Bama enough for their offense to steal the road win?

5) Oklahoma at Florida State

Last year, this was a surprising blowout performed by the Sooners. This year, it could be an entirely different scenario. Jimbo Fisher rode a wave of momentum to close the season last year and one can sense a true Seminole rebirth as a national power. Oklahoma will no doubt be a national title contender, and you have to still like Landry Jones under center for the Sooners, coupled with a suffocating defense that could give FSU a lot of trouble. This year's game won't be a rout; this game will be a classic for anyone that's not an alum of these schools.

6) Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (at Arlington, TX)

Gotta love those Cowboys Stadium showdowns. This one, however, is the perennial one as Arkansas and Texas A&M both come into this season with high expectations. Ryan Tannehill has the Aggies believing in big things down in College Station and no doubt, Jeff Fuller's return is a nice boost to the Aggie offense. However, the Aggies have yet to beat Arkansas in Arlington and the Hog offense, if it's rolling, could definitely make it three in a row. Where last year's game was a defensive matchup, somehow this year seems to scream shootout to me.

7) Nebraska at Wisconsin

Love this showdown ... love it. The fact that this is now a conference matchup only excites me more about this game. Wisconsin, a classic, rugged Big Ten team taking on the old school, blue-collar, blackshirt Nebraska squad. This game has the makings of a defensive showcase for years to follow. When you think the game will be just as good, just as competitive if they were playing in 16 inches of snow as it would on the actual playing surface, you know this is a must-see. One thing's for sure: there's going to be a lot of red at that game.

8) Oregon State at Oregon

Lately, this game has defined who reigns supreme in the Pac-10 ... now Pac-12 conference. This year, it doesn't seem to be any different. I still like Oregon to win the new Pac-12 in 2011. I like the Ducks' up-tempo style and even with Andrew Luck guiding Stanford, Oregon looks to be the team to beat. However, something tells me Mike Riley's Beavers are underrated yet again this year. Sure, Jacquizz Rodgers is gone, but the Beavers are still deep in talent and will once again be a tough out this season. I have a feeling a BCS bowl bid rests on this game.

9) Ohio State at Michigan

Brady Hoke, now is your chance. Ohio State hasn't been this down in years. Rich Rodriguez has left Ann Arbor. The game is in the Big House. Michigan hasn't had the momentum swing this far in their direction in a long, long time. If the Wolverines lose this one, it could really hit home hard, especially if the game is Jim Tressel's swan song for the Buckeyes. Nevertheless, rarely has such coaching drama hit both schools so hard, so this game could certainly write a new chapter in the history of this storied rivalry.

10) Oklahoma State at Oklahoma

I don't think that Texas will rise to the top of the conference just yet. Texas A&M could be the thorn in the side of the Big 12, but there's a great chance that the Bedlam series, featuring two teams that have been both listed as national title contenders, will decide a lot of the BCS picture. Oklahoma State has Brandon Weeden-to-Justin Blackmon and a fast-trigger offense. Oklahoma has the classic, vicious defense that they've been known for under Bob Stoops. This game has been circled since January.

11) Alabama at Auburn

They've won the last two national titles. They've brought a fierceness to a rivalry so deep that others have stood back in shock. However, take Nick Saban's defensive mind and Gus Malzahn's offensive schemes and set them back a step or two. These are two programs who have faced adversity off-the-field that few programs ever face.

Auburn is watching a piece of their tradition die thanks to a crazed Alabama fan, while Tide fans in Tuscaloosa pick up the pieces of their fallen town, devastated from a massive tornado. There is no maybe to this game. It will write a new chapter in state history. This is a football-mad state whose people are proud and will rebuild with vigor; their beloved programs will follow suit in what will be a sign of times in the Deep South.