Some games (even in May) are better than others

College football games that seem spellbinding in May don't always turn out that way in September or October, but here are 10 games I am AT THIS MOMENT most looking forward to in 2009:

10: (Sept. 5) Georgia at Oklahoma State. For years the Bulldogs wouldn't leave the state to play a non-conference game and now, a year after winning handily at Arizona State, Georgia is taking UGA to Stillwater? This is so un-SEC like, but we love it.

9: (Sept 12) UCLA at Tennessee. Possible pre-game conversation between coaches:

Rick Neuheisel: "What did you think of that test they make you take on the NCAA rules before you can become a head coach?"

Lane Kiffin: "Test? They make you take a test?"

8: (Sept. 5) Alabama vs. Virginia Tech in Atlanta. One of these national title contenders is nicknamed "Hokies" and the other is coming off a humiliating loss to Utah and trying to avoid a three-game losing streak.

7: (Oct. 17) Texas/Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl. Texas won the game last year, Oklahoma claimed the Big 12 title, so now the Longhorns are looking to kick the Sooners' asterisk.

6. (Nov. 7) Ohio State at Penn State. It could decide the Big Ten title, whatever that means these days. And remember, if the final score is 13-6 again, that's just hard-nosed Big Ten football and not a long, boring, low-scoring sleeping pill.

5. (Oct. 17) USC at Notre Dame. Charlie Weis' first loss against USC in 2005 (Bush Push) was definitely his most exciting, but one of these years -- this one, for instance -- he might want to win one for the Gipper.

4. (Sept. 19) Texas Tech at Texas. Two things wrecked Texas' national title hopes last year: Michael Crabtree's game-winning touchdown catch in Lubbock and the Big 12 Conference's tiebreaker rule. Crabtree is gone, but the rule is still on the books.

3. (Sept. 3) Oregon at Boise State. A rockets'-red-glare of a Thursday-night season opener set on a blue field.

2. (Sept. 19) Tennessee at Florida. Lane Kiffin's first trip to the Swamp. Can't wait to read the tweets that week.

1. (Sept. 12) USC at Ohio State. Will this Titanic battle between schools that never seem to meet in the Rose Bowl anymore draw more fans than that terrific Ohio State vs. Ohio State spring game in Columbus?

-- Chris Dufresne    

Comments

[RDPatrick]

Chris:

While I do read your article on occasion, I am going to give you some advice on big games this year, one in particular. Texas vs Tech. It will be a blowout. Tech is a once every 3-5 years they challenge the Horns. They start kids young and when all the stars line up magically, they are competitive. Please look at the history of the series, then look at the history in Austin. This game will have the Horns winning by 40-50 points at night in Austin. The game you should have on here is the Horns in Stillwater, now that is going to be a freaking game. Just wanted to give you some insight, check with the Big XII ESPN blogger Tim Griffin, he will agree with me. I do like the other games that you have mentioned, good job.

[Jeremy]

What no BYU/Oklahoma the first game at Cowboys stadium? Yes, the game may be a blow out but it will be a site

[D.B.]

Are these in order of interest? Oklahoma-Texas is the game of the year for next season. It will likely be a mid-season matchup of No. 2 and No. 3 in the country. There's the annual rivalry with the split crowd and then there is the rivalry after BCS computers, aerial banners, Mack Brown on the quarterly interview circuit and then of course, the asterisk. Then factor the BCS controversy likely decided the Heisman race by giving Bradford one more Saturday night spotlight to edge Colt McCoy. I'm surprised ESPN's College Football Live doesn't have a running countdown on the bottom of the screen.

Texas Tech will get blown out at Texas like they did a couple of years ago. Tech will put up numbers during the season but they don't have the star power this year and moving the game up earlier in the year hurts Tech as they have more to replace.

Oklahoma-Oklahoma State should be on this list. If OkSt beats UGA, they have a shot to step into Tech's third wheel role of a year ago and don't discount the possibility of a deja vu scenario in the Big 12 South - Texas could lose at Stillwater and the Sooners could lay down the hammer against the Pokes in Norman (see Tech 08 and recent Bedlam games in Norman). The timing of the games would once again benefit the Sooners and this time Mack Brown would not have a week to campaign and fly banners before the BCS decided which South team will play ball in Jerry World.

USC-Ohio State is the reputation game of the year. The Buckeyes and the Big Ten desperately need this one. If the Buckeyes win, the Pryor campaign for Heisman kicks into gear.

I'm personally looking forward to any game with Erin Andrews on the sideline.

[ren]

Some of these games, while they look to be of interest, will also probably be blowouts (that might also be why they're of interest...not so interesting to watch, though). USC-ND and USC-OSU come to mind. Tech will be a different team. Blowout? Not sure.

I would have liked to see a little bit more written about the teams/games, though.

[Esteban]

USC vs Ohio State? It was billed as a game of the year type last year and ended up a dud. While it should be a closer game this year its not going to be the same with all the big names gone.

OU at Miami should be on the list. Not the top spot, but on the list.

[suncoastgator]

VT vs. Alabama? Remember the last time VT decided to play an SEC team in September? What was it? 49-0? Geaux Bama!

Honestly, I think that I anticipate Oklahoma vs. Miami more than 1 or 2 of the games mentioned, but, fair enough.

Fun article.

[JW]

Hey "suncoastgator", how quickly you forget that VT smashed LSU on the front end of that home-and-home in 2002. Can't argue with the beatdown in 2007 though.

Anyone know who the coach of LSU was in 2002? That's right, he's the coach at Bama now. I'm more worried about Miami or GT sneaking up and beating VT.

BTW Chris D - get out of here with that Boise - Oregon matchup. That's like riding a moped...it's fun to do, but you can't really brag about it even if you win. What has Oregon ever done anyway? They are getting a lot of hype as we move towards the upcomng season.

[Chad]

OU vs Texas at #7? and no LSU vs Florida? C'mon UCLA vs Tenn is a joke and UF will crush Tenn the question is how many time outs will Meyer call in the last couple of minutes in the game to get a chance to score again. But then again I guess you do have to try to sell newspapers in LA so you would pump up UCLA, USC, and Oregon vs Boise. There are much better games out there.

[Sam]

Interesting list, but to differ on a few:

1. Notre Dame just isn't relevant any more so the USC/ND game isn't even close to making an exclusive list like this. The Bush Push game was the last regular season ND game I have even watched them play. USC/OSU is interesting, but we all know Ohio State is just a pretender when they are outside the Big 11. Still, USC/Ohio State should make the list. We need more games like this, Bama/VT, and UGA/OK. State All should be commended for scheduling intersectional games of interest.

2. Tennessee in 2 must see games? Hardly. Both UGA and LSU's matchups against Florida will be MUCH more significant (as will LSU/UGA), but TN isn't within 4 TDs of Florida. The UCLA/TN game will be interesting just because of the Norm Chow/Junior relationship. TN/South Carolina will be much more interesting than the two on your list, but certainly not compelling.

3. Texas Tech/Texas doesn't look to be very good this year so I would put the FSU/Miami game ahead of that as both schools attempt to regain their former position of title contenders.

4. No Old Miss game? Their games against Florida, LSU, and Bama will each have SEC and national implications. At least one of those, don't know which, should make the list.

We can all make suggestions for games we consider bigger in our own geography, but looking at the national scene is fun as we attempt to fill time until CFB starts again. Pre-season magazines are just hitting the stands. Just 103 days left!!

[Michael]

Simply put, there is NO bigger game than Texas/OU this year. None. end of story. If trend that began last time Texas was in the NC game continues, then the NC game won't even measure up to Texas/OU. Heck this might be the most anticipated regular season game of all-time. There's more than just the tie-breaker and the asterisk, ask Tim Griffin and I'm sure he'll give you all kinds of other tidbits.

[Joe]

Did you seriously put UCLA/Tennessee on this list? Really?

That is going to be a boring game between two terrible teams.

[MikeinPasadena]

OU/Texas in at #7. I should have stopped reading right there, but regretably I didnt. I then went on to see #2 and #3 on your list and vomited a bit in my mouth. Florida-Tenn will be over at halftime. Kiffin is an idiot. Oregon at Boise is OK, but Id rather still watch one quarter of OU/Texas this year than that whole game! But in the end, your opinion is yours, and I respect that.

[confucius]

How did the PAC-10 do vs all the other conference? I don't remember...