What to Watch For
Warning: Entry is LONG! (That’s what she said.)
We are going all ESPN2 on you right now. The Deuce will tell you what to watch for each week. Think of it as the Meat Life’s viewer’s guide. I’ll give you matchups to view every week. That way if your fave team is playing Creampuff U, you will have something to entertain you that weekend while your team puts up half a hundred on that Southeastern State Tech University of one of those states out there somewhere west of the east Mississippi. There will be “must-sees” and “if you have the times” matchups. Some of the weeks later in the season are really lean on premier matches, so they’ll just have “must sees.” I’ll revisit these matchup later in the season, seeing if they were actually the ones to watch that week.
Without further ado, here they are!
Week One
Must See:
Washington at BYU Saturday 9/4 6PM CT
LSU vs North Carolina Saturday 9/4 7PM CT
Boise State vs Virginia Tech Monday 9/6 7PM CT
Jake Locker will be back at the same place where two years ago he was called for excessive celebration as he ran in for the potential tying score. The penalty pushed the extra point back, the kick was blocked, and Washington went on to an 0-12 record. While Locker will try to exercise those demons, LSU’s inconsistent offense meets North Carolina’s defense that fields a potential 8 NFL prospects. On a rare Monday night affair, Boise State will try to start their season on a high note against their marquee match of the year in Frank Beamer’s Virginia Tech team.
Washington at BYU Saturday 9/4 6PM CT
LSU vs North Carolina Saturday 9/4 7PM CT
Boise State vs Virginia Tech Monday 9/6 7PM CT
Jake Locker will be back at the same place where two years ago he was called for excessive celebration as he ran in for the potential tying score. The penalty pushed the extra point back, the kick was blocked, and Washington went on to an 0-12 record. While Locker will try to exercise those demons, LSU’s inconsistent offense meets North Carolina’s defense that fields a potential 8 NFL prospects. On a rare Monday night affair, Boise State will try to start their season on a high note against their marquee match of the year in Frank Beamer’s Virginia Tech team.
If you have the time…:
Oregon State vs TCU Saturday 9/4 6:45PM CT
SMU at Texas Tech Sunday 9/5 2:30PM CT
Oregon State vs TCU Saturday 9/4 6:45PM CT
SMU at Texas Tech Sunday 9/5 2:30PM CT
Week Two
Must See:
Florida State at Oklahoma Saturday 9/11 2:30PM CT
Miami (FL) at Ohio State Saturday 9/11 2:40 CT
Penn State at Alabama Saturday 9/11 6PM CT
Perhaps Oklahoma’s toughest home test will be against the Seminoles in the new Jimbo Fisher era and Heisman hopeful QB Christian Ponder. Miami will start their pair of tough road games as they travel to the much hyped Ohio State team. And Alabama is put to the test at home against JoePa’s Nittany Lions.
Florida State at Oklahoma Saturday 9/11 2:30PM CT
Miami (FL) at Ohio State Saturday 9/11 2:40 CT
Penn State at Alabama Saturday 9/11 6PM CT
Perhaps Oklahoma’s toughest home test will be against the Seminoles in the new Jimbo Fisher era and Heisman hopeful QB Christian Ponder. Miami will start their pair of tough road games as they travel to the much hyped Ohio State team. And Alabama is put to the test at home against JoePa’s Nittany Lions.
If you have the time…:
Michigan at Notre Dame Saturday 9/11 2:30 PM CT
South Florida at Florida Saturday 9/11 TBA
Oregon at Tennessee Saturday 9/11 6PM CT
Michigan at Notre Dame Saturday 9/11 2:30 PM CT
South Florida at Florida Saturday 9/11 TBA
Oregon at Tennessee Saturday 9/11 6PM CT
Week Three
Must See:
BYU at Florida State Saturday 9/18 2:30PM CT
Nebraska at Washington Saturday 9/18 2:30PM CT
Texas at Texas Tech Saturday 9/18 7PM CT
BYU hosted this matchup last year where they were throttled 54-28. This year they will look for revenge against a team in Florida State that was only 3-3 at home. Nebraska will test it’s well vaunted defense against the Locker/Sarkisian offense. The past couple of years the Texas-Texas Tech games have been filled with back and forth action and a drama-filled ending in 2008 (that Crabtree catch…I don’t think I jumped higher than that, until OU blew out Tech the following week).
BYU at Florida State Saturday 9/18 2:30PM CT
Nebraska at Washington Saturday 9/18 2:30PM CT
Texas at Texas Tech Saturday 9/18 7PM CT
BYU hosted this matchup last year where they were throttled 54-28. This year they will look for revenge against a team in Florida State that was only 3-3 at home. Nebraska will test it’s well vaunted defense against the Locker/Sarkisian offense. The past couple of years the Texas-Texas Tech games have been filled with back and forth action and a drama-filled ending in 2008 (that Crabtree catch…I don’t think I jumped higher than that, until OU blew out Tech the following week).
If you have the time…:
Arkansas at Georgia Saturday 9/18 11AM CT
Baylor at TCU Saturday 9/18 3:30PM CT
Arkansas at Georgia Saturday 9/18 11AM CT
Baylor at TCU Saturday 9/18 3:30PM CT
Week Four
Must See:
Miami (FL) at Pittsburgh Thursday 9/23 6:30PM CT
West Virginia at LSU Saturday 9/25 7PM CT
Alabama at Arkansas Saturday 9/25 TBA
Miami will continue the tough road trip against old Big East foe and much talked about Pittsburgh. I don’t know why, but West Virginia visiting LSU just sounds entertaining. And probably the most intriguing match that week to me will be the National Champs visiting QB Ryan Mallett and the Razorbacks. They may have a suspect defense, but Mallett launching rockets will be something to see.
Miami (FL) at Pittsburgh Thursday 9/23 6:30PM CT
West Virginia at LSU Saturday 9/25 7PM CT
Alabama at Arkansas Saturday 9/25 TBA
Miami will continue the tough road trip against old Big East foe and much talked about Pittsburgh. I don’t know why, but West Virginia visiting LSU just sounds entertaining. And probably the most intriguing match that week to me will be the National Champs visiting QB Ryan Mallett and the Razorbacks. They may have a suspect defense, but Mallett launching rockets will be something to see.
If you have the time…:
Oklahoma vs Cincinnati Saturday 9/25 TBA
UCLA at Texas Saturday 9/25 TBA
Oklahoma vs Cincinnati Saturday 9/25 TBA
UCLA at Texas Saturday 9/25 TBA
Week Five
Must See:
Oklahoma vs Texas Saturday 10/2 TBA
Florida at Alabama Saturday 10/2 TBA
Washington at USC Saturday 10/2 7PM CST
The Red River Rivalry will look to be another classic, as the last three have been decided by 10 points or less. This meeting will match two sophomore QBs in Landry Jones and Garrett Gilbert replacing two legends Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy. BOOMER! SOONER! Speaking of replacing a “legend,” Florida’s John Brantley will hop in “Saint Tebow’s” spot at QB as they rematch a team they played in the last two SEC Championship games. And while on probation, USC still looks threatening even with Lane Kiffin at the helm as Washington looks to pull another upset.
Oklahoma vs Texas Saturday 10/2 TBA
Florida at Alabama Saturday 10/2 TBA
Washington at USC Saturday 10/2 7PM CST
The Red River Rivalry will look to be another classic, as the last three have been decided by 10 points or less. This meeting will match two sophomore QBs in Landry Jones and Garrett Gilbert replacing two legends Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy. BOOMER! SOONER! Speaking of replacing a “legend,” Florida’s John Brantley will hop in “Saint Tebow’s” spot at QB as they rematch a team they played in the last two SEC Championship games. And while on probation, USC still looks threatening even with Lane Kiffin at the helm as Washington looks to pull another upset.
If you have the time…:
Penn State at Iowa Saturday 10/2 7:05PM CST
Miami (FL) at Clemson Saturday 10/2 TBA
Georgia at Colorado Saturday 10/2 3:30PM CT
Penn State at Iowa Saturday 10/2 7:05PM CST
Miami (FL) at Clemson Saturday 10/2 TBA
Georgia at Colorado Saturday 10/2 3:30PM CT
Week Six
Must See:
Arkansas vs Texas A&M Saturday 10/9 TBA
Florida State at Miami (FL) Saturday 10/9 TBA
Pittsburgh at Notre Dame Saturday 10/9 2:30PM CT
An old Southwest Conference match in Arkansas meeting A&M, this appears to be an offensive treat featuring Mallett and Jerrod Johnson (two of my Who to Watch For players). The Seminoles and Hurricanes game is always entertaining, as last year was just one of those examples. One of these teams will look to declare that their program is officially back with a victory. The Brian Kelly era in Notre Dame will have perhaps their toughest game of the year as they host the Panthers who last year held off a ferocious fourth quarter comeback by the Irish with a final score of 27-22.
Arkansas vs Texas A&M Saturday 10/9 TBA
Florida State at Miami (FL) Saturday 10/9 TBA
Pittsburgh at Notre Dame Saturday 10/9 2:30PM CT
An old Southwest Conference match in Arkansas meeting A&M, this appears to be an offensive treat featuring Mallett and Jerrod Johnson (two of my Who to Watch For players). The Seminoles and Hurricanes game is always entertaining, as last year was just one of those examples. One of these teams will look to declare that their program is officially back with a victory. The Brian Kelly era in Notre Dame will have perhaps their toughest game of the year as they host the Panthers who last year held off a ferocious fourth quarter comeback by the Irish with a final score of 27-22.
If you have the time…:
LSU at Florida Saturday 10/9 TBA
Oregon State at Arizona Saturday 10/9 TBA
LSU at Florida Saturday 10/9 TBA
Oregon State at Arizona Saturday 10/9 TBA
Week Seven
Must See:
South Florida at West Virginia Thursday 10/14 6:30PM CT
BYU at TCU Saturday 10/16 3PM CT
Texas at Nebraska Saturday 10/16 TBA
New South Florida coach Skip Holtz will look to continue the Bulls good fortune against the Mountaineers (Bulls have owned WV three of the last four matches). Look for BYU and TCU to be ranked and to have a closer game than the 38-7 whippin the Horned Frogs gave the Cougars in this Mountain West matchup. And probably the biggest rematch we in Big 12 country will probably be looking to when Texas visits Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cornhuskers were one controversial second away from taking down the Longhorns. And during the off-season the name-calling from both camps flew wild as the conference realignment talk was hot. One last send off to Texas before Nebraska leaves to the Big Ten?
South Florida at West Virginia Thursday 10/14 6:30PM CT
BYU at TCU Saturday 10/16 3PM CT
Texas at Nebraska Saturday 10/16 TBA
New South Florida coach Skip Holtz will look to continue the Bulls good fortune against the Mountaineers (Bulls have owned WV three of the last four matches). Look for BYU and TCU to be ranked and to have a closer game than the 38-7 whippin the Horned Frogs gave the Cougars in this Mountain West matchup. And probably the biggest rematch we in Big 12 country will probably be looking to when Texas visits Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cornhuskers were one controversial second away from taking down the Longhorns. And during the off-season the name-calling from both camps flew wild as the conference realignment talk was hot. One last send off to Texas before Nebraska leaves to the Big Ten?
If you have the time…:
Oklahoma State at Texas Tech Saturday 10/16 TBA
Cal at USC Saturday 10/16 2:30PM CT
Oklahoma State at Texas Tech Saturday 10/16 TBA
Cal at USC Saturday 10/16 2:30PM CT
Week Eight
Must See:
Notre Dame vs Navy Saturday 10/23 11AM CT
Oklahoma at Missouri Saturday 10/23 TBA
Houston at SMU Saturday 10/23 2:30PM CT
Well, the matchups start to thin out from this week on until the Thanksgiving weekend. Brian Kelly’s Irish will try to slow Navy and coach Ken Niumatalolo’s option offense that has beaten Notre Dame two of the last three years. The Oklahoma defense will be tested by Mizzou’s Blaine Gabbert, the Big 12 North’s most experienced QB. And did someone say “shoot-out?” It’ll be an old-fashioned shoot out as Houston and SMU will try to see who can score 50 first before 60 minutes is up.
Notre Dame vs Navy Saturday 10/23 11AM CT
Oklahoma at Missouri Saturday 10/23 TBA
Houston at SMU Saturday 10/23 2:30PM CT
Well, the matchups start to thin out from this week on until the Thanksgiving weekend. Brian Kelly’s Irish will try to slow Navy and coach Ken Niumatalolo’s option offense that has beaten Notre Dame two of the last three years. The Oklahoma defense will be tested by Mizzou’s Blaine Gabbert, the Big 12 North’s most experienced QB. And did someone say “shoot-out?” It’ll be an old-fashioned shoot out as Houston and SMU will try to see who can score 50 first before 60 minutes is up.
Week Nine
Must See:
Missouri at Nebraska Saturday 10/30 TBA
Florida vs Georgia Saturday 10/30 2:30PM CT
Oregon at USC Saturday 10/30 7PM CT
You think Mizzou felt left out of all the Big Ten move talk when Nebraska actually is moving and the Tigers were left standing still and almost had no conference to play for? It’ll be one last hurrah between these two for the Big 12 North title if both end up toward the top of the division by this time. If Georgia gets back on track this season, this Outdoor Cocktail Party could be a big one. Even with the probation USC could still win the Pac-10 title, so this game with Oregon could be for that title.
Missouri at Nebraska Saturday 10/30 TBA
Florida vs Georgia Saturday 10/30 2:30PM CT
Oregon at USC Saturday 10/30 7PM CT
You think Mizzou felt left out of all the Big Ten move talk when Nebraska actually is moving and the Tigers were left standing still and almost had no conference to play for? It’ll be one last hurrah between these two for the Big 12 North title if both end up toward the top of the division by this time. If Georgia gets back on track this season, this Outdoor Cocktail Party could be a big one. Even with the probation USC could still win the Pac-10 title, so this game with Oregon could be for that title.
Week Ten
Must See:
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech Thursday 11/4 6:30PM CT
Oklahoma at Texas A&M Saturday 11/6 TBA
Alabama at LSU Saturday 11/6 7PM CT
Control for the Coastal Division of the ACC could be at stake as the Paul Johnson option at GT will be in full effect while QB Tyrod Taylor and the Hokies will try to Beamer-ball it up. The Sooners toughest road test will be against A&M’s Johnson. If the Aggies are the dark-horse in the Big 12 South, they will need to put up a fight against OU. LSU coach Les Miles will possibly be on the hot seat by this matchup against the Crimson Tide.
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech Thursday 11/4 6:30PM CT
Oklahoma at Texas A&M Saturday 11/6 TBA
Alabama at LSU Saturday 11/6 7PM CT
Control for the Coastal Division of the ACC could be at stake as the Paul Johnson option at GT will be in full effect while QB Tyrod Taylor and the Hokies will try to Beamer-ball it up. The Sooners toughest road test will be against A&M’s Johnson. If the Aggies are the dark-horse in the Big 12 South, they will need to put up a fight against OU. LSU coach Les Miles will possibly be on the hot seat by this matchup against the Crimson Tide.
Week Eleven
Must See:
Kansas at Nebraska Saturday 11/13 TBA
Cincinnati at West Virginia Saturday 11/13 TBA
Penn State at Ohio State Saturday 11/13 TBA
New Kansas coach and Nebraska legend Turner Gill will take on his old team for the first and probably only time since the Cornhuskers will be heading to Big Ten land. The last three Cincinnati-West Virginia games have been decided by five points or less. The two most dominate teams in the Big Ten in the last few years will get to meet to decide the conference (maybe) when the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes.
Kansas at Nebraska Saturday 11/13 TBA
Cincinnati at West Virginia Saturday 11/13 TBA
Penn State at Ohio State Saturday 11/13 TBA
New Kansas coach and Nebraska legend Turner Gill will take on his old team for the first and probably only time since the Cornhuskers will be heading to Big Ten land. The last three Cincinnati-West Virginia games have been decided by five points or less. The two most dominate teams in the Big Ten in the last few years will get to meet to decide the conference (maybe) when the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes.
Week Twelve
Must See:
Virginia Tech at Miami (FL) Saturday 11/20 TBA
Pittsburgh at South Florida Saturday 11/20 TBA
USC at Oregon State Saturday 11/20 7PM CT
Miami was supposed to be dominant team in the division out of the two when both defected from the Big East, but Virginia Tech has been the team owning the conference (2 conference crowns and another appearance in the conference championship game). The ACC Coastal Division is up for grabs with a possible deciding game. The Big East race could be tight by the time Pittsburgh makes the trip to South Florida. Although the Bulls have had solid seasons the past 4-5 years, they seem to break down the second half of the season (2-3 in the last 5 games the last two years). USC returns to the Beavertown, a place where the Trojans have had trouble with and lost the last couple times they have been there. In a wide-open Pac-10 this year, this could be Oregon State’s opportunity to take control.
Virginia Tech at Miami (FL) Saturday 11/20 TBA
Pittsburgh at South Florida Saturday 11/20 TBA
USC at Oregon State Saturday 11/20 7PM CT
Miami was supposed to be dominant team in the division out of the two when both defected from the Big East, but Virginia Tech has been the team owning the conference (2 conference crowns and another appearance in the conference championship game). The ACC Coastal Division is up for grabs with a possible deciding game. The Big East race could be tight by the time Pittsburgh makes the trip to South Florida. Although the Bulls have had solid seasons the past 4-5 years, they seem to break down the second half of the season (2-3 in the last 5 games the last two years). USC returns to the Beavertown, a place where the Trojans have had trouble with and lost the last couple times they have been there. In a wide-open Pac-10 this year, this could be Oregon State’s opportunity to take control.
Week Thirteen
Must See:
Texas A&M at Texas Thursday 11/25 7PM CT
West Virginia at Pittsburgh Friday 11/26 TBA
Colorado at Nebraska Friday 11/26 2:30PM CT
LSU at Arkansas Saturday 11/27 TBA
Michigan at Ohio State Saturday 11/27 TBA
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State Saturday 11/27 TBA
Florida at Florida State Saturday 11/27 TBA
BYU at Utah Saturday 11/27 2:30PM CT
Notre Dame at USC Saturday 11/27 7PM CT
Thanksgiving weekend always features the rivalry spotlight. Texas A&M and Texas will try to have a sequel to the shootout they had last season. The Backyard Brawl recently has had Pitt as the underdog, but the Mountaineers could be the underdog in this matchup. The two teams leaving the Big 12 meet for perhaps the final time as Colorado visits Nebraska. SEC Western Division championship on the line or at least second place? LSU will travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas to decide. The Michigan-Ohio State game should be entertaining, but I’m still not convinced that Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez will be around after this year. The Bedlam Game will always be entertaining. The last time Oklahoma was in Stillwater, former OU QB Sam Bradford showed his acrobatics on the way to the Heisman Trophy. Will Florida State be able to make it a game against Florida now that Tim Tebow is gone? Will this be the last year of the Holy War, as BYU watches it’s in-state rival Utah leave for the Pac-10? And finally will Kelly bring the Irish to the promise-land and do something that Notre Dame hasn’t done in almost a decade and beat USC?
Texas A&M at Texas Thursday 11/25 7PM CT
West Virginia at Pittsburgh Friday 11/26 TBA
Colorado at Nebraska Friday 11/26 2:30PM CT
LSU at Arkansas Saturday 11/27 TBA
Michigan at Ohio State Saturday 11/27 TBA
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State Saturday 11/27 TBA
Florida at Florida State Saturday 11/27 TBA
BYU at Utah Saturday 11/27 2:30PM CT
Notre Dame at USC Saturday 11/27 7PM CT
Thanksgiving weekend always features the rivalry spotlight. Texas A&M and Texas will try to have a sequel to the shootout they had last season. The Backyard Brawl recently has had Pitt as the underdog, but the Mountaineers could be the underdog in this matchup. The two teams leaving the Big 12 meet for perhaps the final time as Colorado visits Nebraska. SEC Western Division championship on the line or at least second place? LSU will travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas to decide. The Michigan-Ohio State game should be entertaining, but I’m still not convinced that Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez will be around after this year. The Bedlam Game will always be entertaining. The last time Oklahoma was in Stillwater, former OU QB Sam Bradford showed his acrobatics on the way to the Heisman Trophy. Will Florida State be able to make it a game against Florida now that Tim Tebow is gone? Will this be the last year of the Holy War, as BYU watches it’s in-state rival Utah leave for the Pac-10? And finally will Kelly bring the Irish to the promise-land and do something that Notre Dame hasn’t done in almost a decade and beat USC?
Week Fourteen
Must See:
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati Saturday 12/4 TBA
Oregon at Oregon State Saturday 12/4 TBA
SEC Championship Game Saturday 12/4 TBA
Big 12 Championship Game Saturday 12/4 TBA
How good was that Pitt-Cincy game last year? Pitt had a 31-10 lead at half and the Bearcats made a monumental comeback culminating in a missed extra point by the Panthers with 1:36 left and Cincinnati scoring with :33 seconds left. The Civil War last year was basically a de facto Pac-10 Championship game and the way the Pac-10 is this season that could be the case again. The SEC championship game could feature two new competitors this year…or it could be Florida and Alabama again for the third time in a row. And could this be the last Big 12 Championship ever? Will it be a rematch of Texas and Nebraska? Could it be the last ever (at least for a long while) Oklahoma-Nebraska game? Or can teams like Texas A&M and Missouri make it to the Cowboys Stadium jumbotron?
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati Saturday 12/4 TBA
Oregon at Oregon State Saturday 12/4 TBA
SEC Championship Game Saturday 12/4 TBA
Big 12 Championship Game Saturday 12/4 TBA
How good was that Pitt-Cincy game last year? Pitt had a 31-10 lead at half and the Bearcats made a monumental comeback culminating in a missed extra point by the Panthers with 1:36 left and Cincinnati scoring with :33 seconds left. The Civil War last year was basically a de facto Pac-10 Championship game and the way the Pac-10 is this season that could be the case again. The SEC championship game could feature two new competitors this year…or it could be Florida and Alabama again for the third time in a row. And could this be the last Big 12 Championship ever? Will it be a rematch of Texas and Nebraska? Could it be the last ever (at least for a long while) Oklahoma-Nebraska game? Or can teams like Texas A&M and Missouri make it to the Cowboys Stadium jumbotron?
Week Fifteen
Must See:
Army vs Navy Saturday 12/11 1:30PM CT
One of the oldest and most tradition-filled rivalries in all of sports, the Army-Navy game was moved to its own weekend (making it the only college game on that weekend, kind of cool). Since my dad was in the Army for 22 years I grew up watching this game. Army has been on a slide the last decade against Navy, but Army coach Rich Ellerson have the Black Knights on the right track. Go Army!
Army vs Navy Saturday 12/11 1:30PM CT
One of the oldest and most tradition-filled rivalries in all of sports, the Army-Navy game was moved to its own weekend (making it the only college game on that weekend, kind of cool). Since my dad was in the Army for 22 years I grew up watching this game. Army has been on a slide the last decade against Navy, but Army coach Rich Ellerson have the Black Knights on the right track. Go Army!
In two weeks, I’ll conclude my college football preview with Part Thrice – the Meat Five Predictions for 2010. That doesn’t mean I won’t have any entries in the meantime. So look out in the next few days!
No comments:
Post a Comment