"supposed" games of the year to watch for...
just interesting to read.
Games of the year to watch for:
Washington at Michigan, Aug. 31: The game of the day, although the Yugos will handle it. Their treat is a Friday night in downtown Ann Arbor. The Huskies are loaded offensively this year. Michigan's strength is defense. Wolverines want to get even for last year's 23-18 loss in Seattle. Huskies are 4-1 in their past five meetings with Big Ten teams.
Maryland vs. Notre Dame in the Meadowlands, Aug. 31: This one has the curiosity factor. How will Ty Willingham do in his first game? Can Maryland duplicate last year's ACC championship? Can the cabbies find New York for the visiting media? Injured Maryland quarterback Chris Kelley is making noise about coming back sooner than expected for the Terps. It will be awkward watching Notre Dame's Carlyle Holiday try to throw in the West Coast offense.
Miami at Florida, Sept. 7: Opened a money market account over the summer in order to have enough money to park near The Swamp. Then we'll have to pay some kid $5 just to watch the Escalade so it doesn't get scratched by some drunken Gator. This will be one of the all-timers in Gainesville. The teams haven't played in the regular season in 15 years, and the stakes are huge. National championship, Heisman, bragging rights, recruiting. It has it all.
Marshall at Virginia Tech, Sept. 12: OK, Byron Leftwich, what do you have? Marshall's fantastic 6-6 quarterback has never beaten a BCS-league team as a starter. This is his chance. It's also the Herd's best chance if they want to snag a BCS bowl.
Washington State at Ohio State, Sept. 14: A bunch of great games this day, but we're picking this one because it could be a Rose Bowl preview. The Huskies make a rare trip east. Both teams should be 2-0 coming in. The winner is still alive for the national championship. The loser can still win its conference.
Michigan at Notre Dame, Sept. 14: The Yugos will be at this one to see if Notre Dame can possibly go 3-0. This will be a barometer of the Irish's season. If they lose, they could be looking at 5-7. If they win, then maybe Willingham's plans are taking hold sooner than expected. The last time Michigan visited in 1998, Notre Dame pulled a 36-20 stunner. Since then, the Domers are 19-5 at home. Look out Wolves.
Southern Cal at Colorado, Sept. 14: We'll be keeping a close eye on this one in the Ohio State press box. The Trojans will be smack dab in the middle of a stretch when they play Auburn, Kansas State, Oregon and Washington State. Mike Garrett should be put on probation for allowing this schedule to happen.
Nebraska at Penn State, Sept. 14: We'll catch this night game chillin' in the 'Lade heading back home out of South Bend. Penn State opened the 2001 season with a national power, Miami, and the season went south from there. JoePa can't afford to lose this one with roadies coming up at Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State.
Central Florida at Marshall, Sept. 20: Central Florida has been shooting its mouth off since the preseason. The school president called the MAC the "Midwest Conference." Knights coach Steve Kruczek basically predicted his team would go undefeated. Not so fast, You See F(ailure). Fresh off the Virginia Tech loss, Leftwhich should be mad, and he's coming after you.
Ohio State vs. Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium, Sept. 21: This is can't-miss football. The game marks the first time since 1934 Ohio State has played on the road against a state school. It's the Buckeyes' first appearance in Cincinnati since 1897, or Woody Hayes' 10th season. Now we know what they were afraid of. Coach Rick Mintner has taken the Bearcats (second in Conference USA) to bowls in three of the past five seasons. This is an ambush waiting to happen.
Florida at Tennessee, Sept. 21: No, no, no, there won't be pregame ceremonies to bury Steve Spurrier's visor. But this is what Vols fans have been waiting for years. A Spurrier-less Florida coming to Knoxville. Last season's victory in Gainesville began to poke holes in the legend. Now, maybe, it's Phil Fulmer's time.
Florida State at Louisville, Sept. 26: We're still not sure why Florida State AD Dave Hart Jr. agreed to this -- a quality opponent at night on the road on a Thursday. The nation will be watching to see if the Cardinals can get to the next level. The Seminoles' ferocious front seven no doubt will test Louisville's questionable offensive line.
Florida at Mississippi, Oct. 5: One bad thing about a 12-team league: These two haven't met since 1995. This game alone will either make or break Eli Manning's Heisman candidacy. Florida is 5-1 against teams from Mississippi since 1994.
Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas, Oct. 12: Until the Rose Bowl in 2? months, this is the granddaddy of them all. The battle lines are clearly drawn. Oklahoma has embarrassed Texas by a combined score of 77-17 the past two meetings. Chris Simms needs to beat a top 10 team before he leaves school. Oklahoma likely will be No. 1. Texas could be No. 2. Funnel cakes for everyone at the Texas State Fair. Oh, and the Escalade fits right in perfectly in the city of big hair and big wallets -- Dallas.
Florida State at Miami, Oct. 12: Tough call, but the Yugos will get this one. After a wild night at The Clevelander on South Beach, the boys get to see a classic Saturday: Jill Arrington. Oh yeah, there's a game too. Miami stopped FSU's 54-game home unbeaten streak and 37-game home winning streak. Dorsey punked the 'Noles with three scoring passes. Rix was sacked six times and turned it over six times. Now he has to go to the Orange Bowl. Ouch.
Texas at Nebraska, Nov. 2: How big is this game? During the on-field celebration of Texas' College World Series title in June, some TV guy asked Mack Brown about this game. Since the Big 12 formed, Texas has won three of the four meetings. Ricky Williams helped end Nebraska's 47-game home winning streak in 1998. This time will it be Cedric Benson?
Colorado at Oklahoma, Nov. 2: The second of the two Big 12 interdivision games. Hard to believe Oklahoma hasn't beaten Colorado in Norman since 1987. The Buffs have won by an average of 14.8 points in those games. Somehow, Colorado feels comfortable there. It certainly isn't because of the scenery.
Oklahoma at Texas A&M, Nov. 9: The biggest hurdle on the Oklahoma schedule. The last time the two teams met in College Station, it took Torrance Marshall's interception return for a touchdown to win it. Win this, and the Aggies might be the upset winner in the Big 12 South.
Miami at Tennessee, Nov. 9: Anybody who criticizes Miami's schedule is a fool. The 'Canes play both Florida schools, Syracuse, Virginia Tech and this. The last time the Hurricanes faced a crowd this big, they didn't exactly wilt, beating Penn State 31-7 in 2001.
Louisville at Southern Miss, Nov. 14: As long as Jeff Bower is at Southern Miss, the Golden Eagles have a chance. This one could be for the Conference USA title. This has been a classic rivalry since the conference started. Southern Miss has won five of the seven C-USA meetings, but Louisville has won the past two. The difference might be new Eagles defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix who will win an aggressive, blitzing scheme.
Washington at Oregon, Nov. 16: The best rivalry the rest of the country doesn't know about. The fans and schools really hate each other. The bad blood is boiling over this year. The teams haven't met since 2000. Oregon has lost once in the series since 1997.
Michigan at Ohio State, Nov. 23: As usual the Big Ten title should be on the line. Just don't ask who is going to win. Since 1994, Ohio State has a five-point edge in cumulative scores. If Justin Zwick is playing for the Buckeyes at this point, the Buckeyes will be in trouble. If John Navarre doesn't clean up his turnovers, the Wolverines will be in trouble.
Mississippi State at Mississippi, Nov. 28: Looking forward to partying on The Square, visiting William Faulkner's house and observing the 18-mph speed limit in the 'Lade. (No. 18 was Archie Manning's number.) The SEC West is so wide open this year's Egg Bowl might be the Rebels' last hurdle before a division championship.
Texas A&M at Texas, Nov. 29: We'll be at Sullivan's for drinks and Truluck's for dinner Thanksgiving might. Later on meet us at The Library, a popular downtown student hangout in Austin. The game Friday is possibly for all the marbles in the Big 12 South. Last year's 21-7 Texas victory in College Station marked only the third time in the past nine years the home team hasn't won. The Aggies could go down as the best third-place team of all time if it finishes 10-2.
Florida at Florida State, Nov. 30: First time we have had to use the heater all season. We'll need it in Tallahassee this time of year. The Zook Era starts in this rivalry. Florida State dealt Spurrier seven of his 27 losses at Florida. Lose this one, and Grossman can kiss the Heisman goodbye.
