scarletbuckeye's Blog
  • 09:29 PM ET  07.01
Views
1143
Comments
4
Here are some of the top games to watch during the season
Top 10 Non Conference Games To Watch (BCS teams only)

10.Michigan St at California, August 30
The first really big game on opening weekend, on what is the best opening weekend I can remember. Both these team, I think will be in the 8-9 win range, and will have plenty of offensive talent so expect fireworks in a huge battle.It has many interesting subplots as well. Who will Jeff Tedford choose to start? How will Cal deal with the loss of all their receivers? What is MSU going to do without Devin Thomas at WR? Which conference has more depth? Anyway this will be a great game, fun to watch with a pair of real good offensive teams, and real good coaches going at it. Expect a game that set's the tone for a great opening weekend, with Michigan State's experience and edge's at the skill positions allow them to win a close one.
Early Prediction: Michigan State-31, Cal-28

9. Kansas at South Florida, September 13
This game would be higher except I feel that Kansas is going to struggle big time this season. Both these teams, will get a good gage on what kind of season they will have. It will be interesting to see 2 of last seasons Cinderella's battle it out. A pair of QB's in this game will both go at it in Matt Grothe and Todd Reesing, expect a solid game, but a huge edge in my mind at least to USF, because I feel they have a better all-around offense, and the defense though it may have lost 2 CB's return a better "D" in fact I think it will be among the top 15 in the nation. Expect a close game early then USF will pull away.
Early Prediction: USF-34, Kansas 21

8. Oklahoma at Washington, September 13
This may look like a blow out a first glance, but I like Washington a lot more than most people(as you guys have noticed), and being at home is a huge advantage. Now this has a pair of the best QB's in the nation in Jake Locker and Sam Bradford. Washington will ride locker and stay close thanks to the home-field advantage, but late OU's talent advantage is too much.
Early Prediction: OU-42, Washington-28

7. Oregon at Purdue, Sept. 13
Another game, that won't get all the media attention, but is going to be a great game. @ wide-open spread offensive attacks moving the ball all over the field. Curtis Painter is a great QB and it will be interesting to see how he does against an Oregon secondary, that is full of stars and future NFL players. Oregon goes up against a decent Purdue "D", that is good at LB, expect the tall receivers/TE's Jaison Williams and Ed Dickson to have their way, and Oregon to use a stable of backs to barely hold of Painter and his air attack.
Early Prediction- Oregon- 38, Purdue-27

6. Virginia Tech at Nebraska, Sept. 27
A game that will in my opinion show the world that Nebraska is back. VT has to go to Lincoln, and I am telling you this is a VT team that is solid, but lacks the talented front 7 to stop one of the best players in the nation Nebraska RB Marlon Lucky. Expect a close battle with Nebraska's offense getting a key TD. I feel this game will set the tone for the rest of the season for both teams, especially Nebraska.
Early Prediction- Nebraska-27, Virginia Tech-21

5. Auburn at West Virginia, Oct. 13
Now these 5 games are the cream of the crop all games that will affect the BCS picture significantly. This will be a battle of the Spread offenses. With 1 team (WVU) having already established one, and another (Auburn) trying to install one. Expect a close game, with the difference being Auburn's talent on "D" especially up front. I think they will be in the backfield all day and really bother Pat Withe and Noel Devine.
Early Prediction: Auburn-31, WVU-24

4. Alabama vs. Clemson (in Atlanta), Aug. 30
The game that is the most intriguing to me. Bama is coming to this season with high expectations as is Clemson. The winner of this will do a lot toward establishing themselves as BCS contenders, especially the Tigers who have a history of underachieving. Alabama should be in this behind a stellar "O" line that will keep the Clemson "D" at bay, but the talent that Clemson has especially on offense will be too much.
Early Prediction: Clemson-34, Alabama- 24

3. Georgia at Arizona State, Sept. 20
Now this game will be hyped up to the OSU USC game level, but in reality it is not that big of a game. Georgia is loaded, and I mean loaded this season. Arizona State will be good, but they did not have 1 real quality win a season ago, and have yet to prove themselves in my eyes. The Sun Devils deficiency in the "O" line is way too much to overcome, and Georgia establishes itself as a true contender.
Early Prediction: Georgia-34, ASU-17

2. Illinois vs. Missouri (in St. Louis), Aug. 30
Last year it was not a big deal when it was first played, but when you looked back on it the teams in it had combined for 21 wins. Expect fireworks, though not necessarily a ton of points both defenses are very good. Illinois will be relying on new RB's and Juice to have improved. While Missou just needs to do what they did last season. Expect special teams to play a huge role in this one with 2 of the most explosive return men in the game Rejus Benn, and Jeremy Maclin. I see the Illinois "D" just not having answers for Daniel and co.
Early Prediction: Missouri-37, Illinois-28

1. Ohio State at USC, Sept. 13
The hype surrounding this game will be immense. Expect it to be superstars everywhere, and another game of the century. SC has a big advantage being at home, but Mark Sanchez will have to play really well against the #1 secondary in the nation and more importantly his WR's must play well. The x-factor for USC will be Arkansas transfer WR Damien Williams, who was big time in the spring and can be a solid deep threat for the Trojans. For OSU it will be backup RB/WR/KR/PR Brandon Saine, a 6-1 200 4.4 40 sprinter who can absolutely fly. His ability will be another weapon the Trojans will have to cope with. Expect an epic battle between two powers with serious title expectations and an entire conference reputation riding on 1 teams back. Call me a homer, but OSU's big game experience and Beanie Wells will carry OSU to a close victory.
Early Prediction:OSU-24, USC-20

Upset Alert Games:

1. Utah at Michigan, August 30
This will be game 1 of the Rich Rod era, and I believe it will not get off to a great start. Utah is a good team, they return a really good offense behind Brian Johnson and Darrell Mack and they should have decent success against a good Michigan "D". The problems is Michigan will not be able to move the ball well,especially through the air against a really good secondary.
Early Prediction: Utah-27, Michigan-21

2. Wisconsin at Fresno St, September 13
Fresno State is loaded on offense, they return 10 starters, and Wisconsin, from my knowledge has struggled to put teams away. They will be on the road and have to go against a really tough team, and sneaking out a win will not work. I expect struggles from Allan Evridge in his first big time start in 2 years and Fresno should be able to move the ball on the Wisky CB's.
Early Prediction: Fresno State-28, Wisconsin-27

3. Notre Dame at North Carolina, October 11
Notre Dame should be much improved, from last season, but watch out for UNC they are a team in the mold of Illinois, though I don't expect that much of an improvement. Notre Dame, will not be able to stop a young promising team especially on offense. Expect this map get UNC in the national eye and prepare them for a big ACC run next season.
Early Prediction: UNC-38, ND-28

4. Pitt at UConn, December 6
I believe by this time Pitt will have already locked up the big East tile, and much like WVU a season ago, slack off in a game that has little meaning in the conference race. UConn is not as good as a season ago, but they are still solid fundamentally so I feel Pitt will be unable to cruise to an easy win.
Early Prediction: Uconn-24, Pitt-21

5. USC at UCLA, December 6
Another similar situation to what happened to SC a couple of years back win, and they might go to the national title, lose Rose Bowl. I see a UCLA team that will need this win to become bowl-eligible and even then may not become eligible. Expect a USC team to fall behind early shocked by the intensity of UCLA make a comeback and fall just short.
Early Prediction: UCLA-21, USC-17

Top 10 Conference Games
10. BYU at Utah, November 22
This battle for the MWC title doesn't just have conference title implications it has BCS bowl appearances. 2 explosive offenses will be going at it, but BYU has a better offense and should attack a weak Utah front 7 with Harvey Unga.
Early Prediction: BYU-38, Utah-24

9. WVU at Pitt, November 28
This game will be for the Big East, though USF may win, the conference anyway. WVU will be out for revenge after getting shocked in the last Backyard Brawl and keeping them from going to the National Title. I see Pitt riding Lesean McCoy against a subpar WVU "D" and Pitt pulling yet another upset.
Early Prediction: Pitt-28, WVU-21

8. Missouri vs. Kansas ( Kansas City) November 29
This game would be higher if not for the fact that I feel Kansas will fall off of the map a bit the season. I expect the QB battle between Chase Daniel and Todd Reesing to be a good one, but the difference is Kansas, will not have the talent especially in the secondary to match up with Missou, while Missou has one of the top secondaries in the country, so Missou can shut down Reesing, while Kansas will have no answer to Daniel.
Early Prediction: Missou-45, Kansas-24

7. Ohio State at Wisconsin, October 4
This game will decide the Big Ten, and really show who the team to beat for the rest of the season is. Wisconsin has always given us trouble in the past, they have sort of been the only kryptonite to Jim Tressel. This year they are at home and for sure have the pieces to beat us. They have the deepest stable of RB's in the nation and a really good "O" line. We should be able to pull this one out though simply because we have a lot more talent than Wisky, they lack a proven QB ( I know Everege played a couple years ago at KSU, but still he hasn't played in a while and he wasn't that good), and last year they proved an inability to stop not only Beanie Wells, but Todd Boeckman. With the loss of their best defensive player and everyone back for us we should knock them off.
Early Prediction: OSU-28, Wisky 14

6. Oregon at USC, October 4
You are probably asking why this game is in the top 10, but this game will be huge for both teams. I have both teams at 10-2, and the winner of this game, should win the Pac-Ten, and their is the revenge factor after a season ago Oregon knocked off USC. Expect Oregon to ride their secondary and WR's, but they don't have the LB's to stop USC from running with that deep group of players on them.
Early Prediction: USC-30, Oregon-21

5. Oklahoma vs Texas ( Dallas), October 11
The Red River shoot out will be a great game this season. IT will be the second Big 12 game for both teams and will really set the tone for the Big 12 South. Both teams will be led by their QB's Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford. The keys to this game will be the trenches, and that is wher OU has a huge advantage having among the top 5 offensive and defensive lines, while Texas' is good it is nowhere as good as OU's. This will be the difference and Bob Stoops continues his reign of dominance over Texas.
Early Prediction: Oklahoma-37, Texas-24

4. LSU at Auburn, September 20
This game will decide the SEC West, and I think it will be a battle that will be similar to last season's. LSU will need Jarrett Lee to step up and that will be key. Auburn can rely on a great group of RB's, but LSU will win the battle of the trenches. In the end the home field advantage is too much.
Early Prediction: Auburn-24, LSU-17

3. Georgia at LSU October 25
This game is huge for Georgia, it is a big time trap game considering they play Florida next. I expect LSU to use their great "D" line to surprise Georgia, and really start fast and give Georgia a scare, but in the end Georgia has way too much talent, especially running the football, to get upset in this game. LSU will really give a scare into Georgia, but will not have the ability to get a win over Georgia.
Early Prediction: Georgia-31, LSU-24

2. Texas Tech at Oklahoma, November 22
The game I think people will overlook. More so than The Red River shootout, this game will decide the Big 12 South Champ. Texas Tech and Michale Crabtree, against Sam Bradford and OU. Expect OU not to look over TTU, after getting upset last season, and essentially costing them a National Title shot. Expect a big time shootout, with OU's ability in the trenches the diference between winning and losing.
Early Prediction: Oklahoma-41, TTU-38

1. Georgia vs. Florida(Jacksonville), November 1
The only game that is anywhere close to the Magnitude of USC vs OSU. Like the USC OSU game this one has huge national title implications, and the winner of this game will almost certainly be the SEC East and more than likely the SEC champ. A game that will certainly have huge effects, there are very interesting questions. In fact this game will do wonders for the Heisman campaigns of Knowshon Moreno, Tim Tebow, and Percy Harvin. As for the game, I expect Georgia to come out focused and ready and really pound the ball with Knowshon and Caleb King, and the Florida "D" line especially at the DT spots. Though Florida will rack up points Knowshon will be too much.
Early Prediction: Georgia-35, Florida-31

Other Games To Watch
Tennessee at UCLA, September 1
Kansas at Oklahoma, October 18,
LSU at Florida, October 11
Arizona State at Southern Cal, October 11
South Florida at West Virginia, December 6
Oregon at Arizona State, October 25
Georgia at Auburn, November 15
Nebraska at Oklahoma, November 1
Texas at Texas Tech, November 1
Alabama at LSU, November 8
Cincinnati at Oklahoma, September 6
UCLA at BYU, September 13
Arkansas at Texas, September 13
Miami at Florida, September 6
Oregon St at Penn St, September 6
July 1, 2008  11:13 PM ET

I would disagree with you both times you talked about Wisconsin. There is no way on Earth that Ohio State is 14 points better than Wisconsin at Camp Randall..I don't know if that was just your bias showing through..because I don't see that...hell an injury and suspension depleted Wisconsin team was able to hang with Ohio State for 3 quarters a year ago in Columbus. And in all honesty Allen Evridge needed to start last year...I think that Bielema made a bad choice in starting Tyler Donovan..he was never really a great Division 1 quarterback...Evridge is a much better quarterback. And by the way I would never have called Jack Ikegwouno, who I'm assuming you're talking about as are "best" defensive player, our best defensive player. If anything guys like Jonathan Casillas, DeAndre Levy, Matt Shaughnessy, Aaron Henry...all guys who were much more crucial to the defense a year ago. Sorry for the really long comment..but I just felt compelled to bring a little Wisconsin knowledge

July 1, 2008  11:48 PM ET

Great blog, keep it up

July 2, 2008  10:54 AM ET

I tend to agree with the Wisconsin idea, Camp Randall at night, is no joke, it wont be easy and maybe even a bigger test than USC.

 
July 11, 2008  11:50 PM ET

really good blog.

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


Coming soon: Log in with your Facebook account, send comments and Throwdowns to Facebook and more.

Start Your Own Blog

Start Now

The Si.com Cover Hub Go to the Cover Hub

Stub Hub

The 2009 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    McDaniels takes jab at NFL Network
    Views
    2427
    Comments
    480
  2. 2
    Merriman: Runyan is dirtiest player I've faced
    Views
    68563
    Comments
    373
  3. 3
    Damon's Yankee days likely over
    Views
    55841
    Comments
    177
  4. 4
    Sosa facing lawsuit
    Views
    1702
    Comments
    86
  5. 5
    Berrian: Bears' defense no longer intimidating
    Views
    16519
    Comments
    70

Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
    Chico 2.0
  2. 2
    BBK - Now it's all football
  3. 3
    rstowe
  4. 4
    gigi_iv
  5. 5
    Never NDing Struggle

Message Boards

  1. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Your team sucks
    Views
    207
    Replies
    11
  2. NFL > Dallas Cowboys

    Good game against a Bad Team
    Views
    143
    Replies
    17
  3. NFL > General NFL

    Hello Everyone
    Views
    92
    Replies
    8

Blogs

SI.com

Swimsuit

SI Photos