A quick look at the 30 biggest early season (first 5 weeks) Out of Conference games. These games will go a long way in shaping the lay of land for the college football season. After many of these games we will know what most these teams are bringing to the table.

Note: Auburn @ West Virginia is a week 9 game, which means it's not early season and not in the first 5 weeks.

1. Ohio St @ USC
- Ohio State looks to prove to the rest of the nation that it is for real. USC will try to defend its home field. Both teams have National Title hopes on the line. In addition to that, conference bragging rights are on the line.

2. Georgia @ Arizona St
- The first big test for the number one team in the land as they head to the desert to face the Sun Devils. ASU wants to show that they are a legitimate BCS threat. A win against Georgia would guarantee that recognition.

3. Illinois @ Missouri
- Two possible BCS bound teams meet up in week one. Many pundits have Missouri as a national title contender. A win against one of the top Big 10 teams would help to back up that claim, but a loss could put an end to that idea very quickly.

4. Alabama @ Clemson
- Clemson will try to show the rest of the nation that its National Title aspirations are not unfounded. Alabama will look to make a statement and add another tough team to the SEC casualty list.

5. Tennessee @ UCLA
- Tennessee has BCS goals. Winning against UCLA is crucial to those plans. UCLA will try to pick itself up off the mat this season. A win against a top SEC school would make believers out of many.

6. Oregon St @ Penn St
- Penn State returns many starters and has a Big 10 title and a BCS bowl game in its sights. Oregon State is one of the better Pac 10 teams. A strong showing by Penn State might introduce them as national players.

7. Miami @ Florida
- A storied rivalry between two Florida powers. Miami has fallen on hard times of late, but seem to be rebounding. Florida looks to keep its National Title hopes in tact. This game could announce the return of Miami, or reassure the dominant status of the Florida Gators within the state.

8. Kansas @ South Florida
- Kansas will face its first big test in proving that last season was not a fluke. South Florida reached unprecedented rankings last season. They will be looking to utilize that experience to grab a BCS spot. An early season loss most likely means the only route to the BCS for these two teams is a conference title, a tough accomplishment to say the least.

9. Arkansas @ Texas
- This game would look a lot better last season, but Arkansas is still a threat to Texas. Texas will try to show that the rest of the nation is sleeping on them. A BCS bowl game is in the Longhorns sights, but winning against Arkansas is a must.

10. West Virginia @ Colorado
- Colorado is a sexy pick to be much improved this season. A win against West Virginia would boldly announce that improvement. For West Virginia, they will be trying to show that their play will not be hampered by the change in coaching.

11. UCLA @ BYU
- The Cougars are a favorite for non-BCS conference school to gain a BCS bid. This is will be the second game in a row against a BCS conference school. If BYU is for real, they should dispel the Bruins fairly easily. A loss however, will bring an end to the Cougars BCS plans.

12. USC @ Virginia
- The general feeling is that Virginia will take a step back this season, but they are still a dangerous team for USC to face in week 1 on the road. A loss to Virginia would be devastating to USC's BCS plans, especially with Ohio State still looming.

13. Colorado @ Florida St
- Both teams seem to be on the road to redemption. The general consensus is that Florida State is further along that road, but that issue will be settled when the two teams meet at Florida State.

14. Utah @ Michigan
- An early season test for Michigan. Many expect Michigan to regress a little with their first year learning Rich Rodriguez's system. Utah is a tough opponent. This game could show that Michigan's transition will be smoother than expected, or that the growing pains will be painful indeed.

15. Virginia Tech @ Nebraska
- Virginia Tech will be looking to prove that it is a team to be reckoned with on the national stage. Nebraska will try to improve on last season's disappointing showing by defending its home field with a big early season statement.

16. Hawaii @ Florida
- Another game that would look better a season ago, but still intriguing nonetheless. Hawaii will be trying to show that it was more than just the Colt Brennan Show, and also have a better showing against an SEC school. Florida on the other hand, will simply be trying to make an early season example out of Hawaii.

17. Oklahoma St @ Washington St
- The Cowboys have a chance to be a top 25 team this season. Winning against Washington State could help back up that claim, but a loss would be quite damaging to their resume.

18. Appalachian St @ LSU
- Appalachian State will try to shock the world again. They figure to be big underdogs once again, though probably not as much as last season against Michigan. The Tigers defense of their National Title would end quickly with a loss to 1-AA Appalachian State.

19. Fresno St @ Rutgers
Fresno State is another non-BCS conference team with hopes of reaching a BCS bowl. This is the first of three games against BCS conference schools. If the Bulldogs don't find a way to win against a tough Rutgers team on the road, their BCS hopes will be ended in week one.

20. Michigan St @ Cal
- Cal will be trying to show everyone that last season's lackluster performance was a fluke. Michigan State will try to take its first step towards their first bowl game win in years.

21. Wisconsin @ Fresno St
- Another test for the Bulldogs. Fresno State has BCS dreams, but Wisconsin has bowl plans of their own. A loss ends any chance Fresno State has at a BCS bowl game.

22. South Florida @ UCF
- The Bulls have a shot a BCS game. Any out of conference loss probably means USF would have to win the Big East to reach a BCS game. This is an early season, in state road test for an up and coming team.

23. BYU @ Washington
- The Cougars first test against a BCS conference school. BYU figures to be the favorites over one of the bottom dwellers in the Pac 10, but anything can happen on the road. A loss ends BYU's BCS hopes.

24. Fresno St @ UCLA
- The last game for Fresno State against a BCS conference school. If Fresno State is undefeated at this point, a loss would be demoralizing considering they would have already beaten two BCS schools that most pundits consider better than the Bruins. The Bruins have bowl game aspirations. This win could be the difference between going bowling and staying home.

25. Miami @ Texas A&M
- Many expect Texas A&M to take a step backwards with a new coaching regime. Miami is supposed to take a step back towards dominance this season. This game could reinforce those beliefs or make people think twice about who's stepping where.

26. Michigan @ Notre Dame
- Notre Dame figures to be improved, but that isn't saying much. Michigan will most likely regress a little with their first year in a new system. With that progression and regression in mind, this should be an evenly contested game.

27. Oklahoma @ Washington
- It can be easy to overlook an early season contest against a low level opponent. If Oklahoma looks past Washington their National Title plans could be cancelled very quickly. It would also be an embarrassing loss for the Big 12.

28. Oregon @ Purdue
- Oregon lost some key contributors to last season's success. A road test at a mid level Big 10 team's house will show just how much, if any the Ducks have fallen off.

29. Virginia @ Connecticut
- The Huskies will be trying to prove that last season was not a fluke. They will be facing a Virginia squad that is out to prove that they haven't fallen as far as many seem to think.

30. North Carolina @ Rutgers
- North Carolina has a realistic shot at a bowl game this season. Rutgers should be favored in this game. A loss to North Carolina could be a major setback for the Scarlet Knights. A win will help the Tar Heels show they are for real.