September has it all. Big Time Matchups. Non-conference, early season games that will make or break a National Title run.
On paper, 2008 has some of the best scheduled non-conference games in years!
Enthralled by the political Super Bowl coverage this week, the kickoff snuck up on me despite my excitement for the start of the 2008 College Football Season. Voting yesterday in the Florida Primary didn't help. The Rays and my obsession with seeing games at the Trop this season has also taken sooo much of my attention. And work.
Geez, let's talk football already.
Perhaps the most surprising (to me anyway) non-conference schedule goes to Baylor University of the Big 12. Baylor starts the season Aug. 30 against ACC foe Wake Forest. A couple of weeks later, Pac 10 team Washington State comes to town on Sept 13.
Although it probably didn't look all that intimidating when originally scheduled, the Bears then venture to the Northeast to meet Big East upstart UConn. I am convinced that Baylor may go through 2008 without winning a single game.
Of course, since no one outside those programs will be watching those games we'll move on to the matchup we thought we would see this bowl season...
VS.
Sept. 13 Ohio State at Southern California
This has all the makings o####reat game, but so we thought with the USC/Nebraska matchup at the beginning of the 2007 season. I'm holding out hope that this one will live up to the expectations... ehhh USC 44 OSU 17
VS.
Aug. 30 Hawaii at Florida
This might have been a better game LAST year. Brennan will be long gone, as will any hope of Hawaii running the table next year. Still, kudos to Hawaii for stepping up to the SEC. Florida has scheduled the most impressive non-conference games of all SEC title hopefuls with Miami and Florida State also on tap. Florida 55 Hawaii 13
VS.
Aug. 30 Missouri vs. Illinois
These recruiting rivals have long fought over St. Louis prospects, now Mizzou will have an added incentive to beat the Illini yet again... Both have BCS expectations swirling around campus. Mizzou would also like to punish one of two BCS bowl teams beaten by Mizzou last year... this is one of very few true tests this year for Mizzou. If the Tigers are to make a run, it all starts this weekend. You know who I am picking.
Sept. 6 Auburn at West Virginia
Finally, West Virginia steps up and plays someone outside their comfort zone. The Mountaineers play SEC schizo Auburn. Which Auburn team will show up? Kudos to West Virginia for scheduling both SEC and Big 12 schools in the same year. Auburn 24 WVU 10
Sept. 13 Texas vs. Arkansas
There is something about this game that always brings out the best in both teams. Although they are in different conferences these teams remain rivals, plus this is one of many games that will test the perennial overrated Longhorns in 2008. UT 34 Arkansas 31
Sept. 13 Nebraska vs. VA Tech
This could be the game that signals the return of the Blackshirts... ok, ok, stop laughing. VA Tech 31 Nebraska 7
Sept. 20 Arizona State vs. Georgia
This is one of the most intriguing non-conference matups of the year. Is Arizona State poised to make a legitimate run next year at the Pac 10? Is Georgia ready to beat Florida AND LSU in the same year and win the SEC? Which team is ready to make a run for the BCS title? This is going to be good... or is it... Does ASU really have a chance? Georgia 28 ASU 27
Sept. 13 Kansas at South Florida
This could be the best game of the weekend. I repeat, this could be the best game of the weekend. The same weekend that features OSU/USC, Texas/Arkansas, and Miami/Texas A&M. Intriguing, with conference title hopes for each team already being thrown around in Tampa and Lawrence. As much as I HATE the Jayhawks, something tells me I may be glad to live in Tampa Bay and get to see this one in person. USF 33 KU 31
I have been blogging here for so long, I forgot my old password and had to set up a new blog this year. BOO!
Anyway, my old space was at community.fox sports.com/bl ogs/brianblac k in case you think you've heard the trash talk before... It's the same this year as it was last year... Mizzou is #1!!!!!!! Go Cowboys! Go Rays!
www.myspace.c om/revbrianbl ack
Perhaps the most surprising (to me anyway) non-conference schedule goes to Baylor University of the Big 12. Baylor starts the season Aug. 30 against ACC foe Wake Forest. A couple of weeks later, Pac 10 team Washington State comes to town
on Sept 13.
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