BY MIKE ROSE
I always love those big non-conference games early in the season, well before the conference schedules get going.
With the way college football is these days and with how strong each conference is, those big early-season games don't mean too much in terms of the BCS title game (remember last season?). But it's always fun when one powerhouse beats another powerhouse and we have a "BCS frontrunner."
I am a firm believer that the elite teams should play at least two tough non-conference games. It wasn't too long ago that I abandoned that thinking. It always frustrated me when one team had two losses because they didn't play a cupcake schedule, yet could not get into the BCS title game. While one of the teams in the BCS title game with a perfect record played a bunch of pushovers in non-conference games.
So I'm always curious and decided to start glancing over schedules. I thought of what my top 5 teams might look like heading into the season and decided to give you the lowdown.
1. Ohio State
Non-conference schedule: vs. Youngstown State (Aug. 30), vs. Ohio (Sept. 6), at USC (Sept. 13), vs. Troy (Sept. 20).
The skinny: The Buckeyes play Youngstown State because that's where Jim Tressel comes from and it's a nice payday for his old school. Ohio is good, but the Buckeyes should roll at home. Kudos for playing USC in Los Angeles. I think that will be a classic. Troy is an easy win. I have no problem with Youngstown State and Ohio on the schedule. USC is a great non-conference game and Ohio State gets points for that one. Interestingly, three of the four teams had winning records last season (Ohio finished 6-6).
2. Georgia
Non-conference schedule: vs. Georgia Southern (Aug. 30), vs. Central Michigan (Sept. 6), at Arizona State (Sept. 20), vs. Georgia Tech (Nov. 29).
The skinny: All four teams had winning records last season. Georgia So. and Central Michigan should be easy wins in Athens. Georgia Tech is on the schedule each season and is usually a tough game since it's a rivalry. The Arizona State game is intriguing. The game is in the desert, and it's right in the middle of the SEC season. Georgia plays at South Carolina on Sept. 13 and then goes to Arizona State. Alabama is next at home Sept. 27. That's some gutsy scheduling by the Bulldogs.
3. Oklahoma
Non-conference games: vs. Chattanooga (Aug. 30), vs. Cincinnati (Sept. 6), at Washington (Sept. 13), vs. TCU (Sept. 27).
The skinny: Chattanooga and Washington were awful last season. But Cincinnati ended up in the top 20 to finish the season, won 10 games and its bowl game last season. That could be a tough one in Norman. The Sooners wisely took a bye week after the trip to Washington. Good thing because TCU is usually good.
4. Florida
Non-conference games: vs. Hawaii (Aug. 30), vs. Miami, Fla. (Sept. 6), vs. Citadel (Nov. 22), at Florida State (Nov. 29).
The skinny: The Gators won't be chomping on a lot of cupcakes this season. Hawaii had a memorable season in 2007, with a trip a BCS bowl (Sugar). But Hawaii lost coach June Jones and quarterback Colt Brennan. Still, that's not an easy game for Florida. Then the Gators get Miami the next week. Randy Shannon is on the verge of turning things around with the Hurricanes. Another good early-season test for Florida. The Citadel is an easy one, but the Florida State game to end the regular season is always emotional and always a fierce game. Add in the always tough SEC schedule and Florida really has a tough, tough schedule.
5. USC
Non-conference games: at Virginia (Aug. 30), vs. Ohio State (Sept. 13), vs. Notre Dame (Nov. 29).
The skinny: Starting off at Virginia is a tough one. The Cavaliers won nine games last season. But USC was very wise to take its bye week before the Ohio State game, which follows. As stated above, this will be a classic. It's going to be like the Texas-Ohio State game in 2005. Texas won that game against the Buckeyes and used the momentum to capture the national title, beating USC. Notre Dame will be much improved this season.
Comments (6)
You know Mike, they could solve this problem, very easily...they could have a silly little thing called a playoff...just like every other sanctioned NCAA sport. With only 12 regular season games the regular season would not get diluted like it does in hoops...and by the way, that is a 16 team playoff...since once they start one it is going to get to that point anyway, so forget the pretense and just go to 16 right away.
Paul,
Agreed. I have always wanted a playoff in college football. I'm hoping to come up with a playoff system before this season begins. I'll of course post in the blog.
Stay tuned.
MR
Mike, they already have the model...just like hoops...11 conference winners, yes, even the Sun Belt...and five at large, that is really all you need. Alas, that is but my humble opinion, the powers that be are still being the hypocrites they always are.
Hi Paul,
Yes, I know they have a model for a college football playoff in place. I was saying I'm thinking of my own model for a playoff, which is a bit different.
MR
Paul and Mike,
Playoff? Playoff? Are you talking Playoff?
You might be surprised at this coming from a WVU guy, but an NCAA playoff is a lousy idea.
Last years Dec 1st WVU-Pitt game was outstanding, as was the Big 12 championship in San Antonio. Those games would have been one great big yawn if there had been an NCAA playoff.
The NCAA already has a playoff, it's called the entire season.
Let's keep it the way it is where EVERY game counts.
B&G,
Close game, but not a very well played one. And believe me, there would not be a guarantee that the runner up in Overrated 12 would have been in the "playoff". If the entire season was a playoff, then teams would not go in with a built in advantage. A team that does not start in the Top 25 has almost no shot to play for a national championship. And one loss, if is late in the season, should not hurt you more than one in September. ASU plays Georgia this year, and I want to see more gamees like that. And fewer games between Texas and Louisiana Tech. There are eleven division one conferences and each champ should get into the playoff. Five at large (four if you, like I do expect ND to get in any time they are 6-6, but I digress). Remember we see more games devery week than the guys who vote in the polls, who barely see more than one, and most of the time they hate being at that one game that they have to and get paid to cover.