Johnny Mathis only had it half correct when he sang about Christmas being "the most wonderful time of the year." He forgot to mention college football season.
With the opening games less than two weeks away, it's time to get really excited about the prospects for a great year. (I say "really" because if you're a diehard college football fan, you've been just plain excited for about six months.) And, as with any year, looking at the number of potential early season "BCS-busting" matchups is always fun.
Scanning the first month of the season alone, I see no less than 11 games of interest to watch, and there are quite a few others that are intriguing. But, in the interest of time and space (and reader attention), I'll just focus on the 11 matchups between teams ranked in the preseason top 25 Coaches Poll.
Sept. 3: #3 Oregon vs. #4 LSU (@ Dallas)
The season starts with a bang as the defending national runners-up Ducks take on a team that many think could be in the BCS title game this year. The two teams meet for the first time since 1977, when the "O" was known as the Oregon Sucks, so there's no revenge factor for either side. Well, I guess the Ducks would like to beat an SEC team to avenge their BCS loss to Auburn last year, but other than that... Anyway, watching the Oregon offense go against LSU's defense, and seeing how LSU's offense will fare against a depleted Oregon defense will make this game quite interesting.
Sept. 3: #7 Boise State vs. #22 Georgia (at Atlanta)
After being much maligned over the past few years, Broncos get another chance to quiet their doubters when they meet Georgia. These teams have met only once before, when the Bulldogs tamed the Broncs 48-13 back in 2005. If BSU can get the win in a partisan Georgia Dome (so much for neutral field), it will go a long way toward establishing them as a potential BCS title team. Of course, that is if they can get through their MWC schedule unscathed. Regardless, the blue and orange will always have to answer to their detractors, even if they beat Georgia by three touchdowns.
Sept. 10: #2 Alabama @ #25 Penn State
The Tide will try to make it two in a row against the everlasting Joe Pa and his Nittany Lions in Happy Valley. Last year, the Tide rolled 24-3 in Tuscaloosa and I'm not expecting an upset by the home-standing Lions this year. Maybe this isn't the greatest match-up on paper, but seeing my two childhood favorites and the schools with the classiest uniforms go at it is always a treat.
Sept. 10: #12 South Carolina at #22 Georgia
I'm not sure who to feel sorry for more, the Gamecocks or the Bulldogs. Georgia has to come back from their Boise State game to take on another ranked team, and in a conference game nonetheless. But if the Bulldogs happen to lose to BSU, they'll be plenty fizzed and ready to take out their frustrations on someone. With that in mind, they should be thankful they didn't schedule Coastal Carolina until after this week. Just ask Virginia Tech about that. But I digress...
Sept. 10: #19 Auburn vs. #20 Mississippi State
What's with the SEC scheduling all these monster games at the beginning of the season? Seems to be that way every year, but that's because they can't help it. If you were that loaded from top to bottom, you'd have trouble scheduled junk games, as well. Anyway, the defending national champs hope the loss of Cam Newton and Nick Farley won't be that impactful, and they'll get to find out against the Bulldogs early on. Last year, the Tigers squeaked by with a 17-14 win, so it will be interesting to see how they fare with a different set of stars at home. Add to that the fact that the winner will have the early upper hand in the SEC West, and this should be a whale of a game.
Sept. 15: #4 LSU @ #20 Mississippi State
Okay, so who decided that the Bulldogs should have to play the national champions, and then turn around five days later and play the conference favorites? Talk about a brutal schedule. Meanwhile, LSU must've seen this one coming, since they scheduled FCS Northwestern State the previous week. It's a good thing for MSU that this is a home game, but depending on the outcome of the Auburn game, it could be a nightmare waiting to happen. But the Dawgs do have the revenge factor on their side, after their 29-7 loss to LSU last year. Oh, and by the way, did you notice that this is another huge SEC game in the first three weeks of the season?
Sept. 17: #1 Oklahoma @ #5 Florida State
Last season, the Sooners had no problem whipping up on the Seminoles 47-17 in Norman. This year, though, FSU is much improved and they get their revenge game at home. Aside from the Oregon/LSU game, this is the early season match-up everyone is waiting for, and with Oklahoma having the #1 target on their heads, the 'Noles will come ready to play. This should be a great one.
Sept. 17: #17 Michigan State @ #18 Notre Dame
Last season's game between these schools was an epic 34-31 overtime game, won by Michigan State on a fake field goal. This year, the Fighting Irish will have the advantage of the game being at home and the motivation of revenge, and they're a much better squad than they were last year. Well, maybe not better, but much more experienced. The Spartans are missing a few vets from last year's squad, but they always come ready to play the Golden Domers. This could be another epic game.
Sept. 24: #1 Oklahoma vs. #21 Missouri
Who could forget the excitement of last year's 36-27 upset by the Tigers in Columbia? I'm sure the Sooners haven't and are ready to get back to their dominant ways over Mizzou. This could be a pretty good game but, with it being played in Norman and Oklahoma being a favorite to win it all this year, it could also become one of those forgettable routs.
Sept. 24: #2 Alabama @ #14 Arkansas
Once again, another huge matchup in the SEC. Last season, the Tide eked out a 24-20 decision in Tuscaloosa, but the Razorbacks are hoping home field advantage will be just that — an advantage. However, their non-conference scheduled doesn't exactly get them battle-tested for this game. Missouri State, New Mexico, and Troy (no disrespect to any of these schools) aren't exactly up to par with the likes of Alabama. There will be a huge difference in game speed between their first three opponents and this one. But it should be another SEC knockdown, drag out fight for supremacy in the stacked SEC West.
Sept. 24: #8 Oklahoma State @ #9 Texas A&M
With a slimmed-down schedule in the Big 12 and no conference championship at the end of the season, this game could decide who wins the conference if Oklahoma slips up. The winner of this game should have the upper hand in challenging the Sooners later in the season, especially if the Cowboys win. They'll get their in-state rival at the end of the year, whereas the Aggies will face Oklahoma the week after meeting Missouri midseason. Either way, this game could be important down the stretch.
Leave a Comment