Top Games of the College Football Season (2011)

These are my top games of the 2011 College Football Season.  ESPN might have publicized some of the obvious ones on the list; however, most will be either games with major ramifications or a great game that will be enjoyed by a fan of the sport, college football.

Oregon v. LSU (Sept. 3^rd) (Dallas) – Some people say this is Oregon’s only obstacle on its way back to the BCS title game.  I would agree in view of the fact that it has only four true road games.  Even so, Oregon has a history of slow starts (check Boise 2 yrs ago, and last year’s first half against Tennessee). With the athleticism and experience of LSU’s veteran players, they certainly should make this a difficult game for Oregon.  Oregon wanted another shot at an SEC team; well, they got it.

Boise St. v. Georgia (Sept. 3^rd) (Atlanta) – Last time these teams played (back in 2005), Georgia beat the brakes off of Boise.  However, times have changed, and Boise will probably be a slight favorite, even in Atlanta.  Georgia has been the one team that has made the SEC look bad out of conference (OOC) over the last few years, which I believe, is one of the main reasons bulldog fans started looking at Mark Richt funny.  A win here would help get some of those haters off his back. If Boise wins, Kirk Herbstreit will get that bandwagon for the Broncos rolling.

Missouri v. Arizona St. (Sept. 9^th) – Clearly, this will be a test for Missouri.  The strength of both teams will be at odds the entire game, Mizzou’s receivers against ASU’s huge line backing core.  Can that LB core, whose average weight is around 250 lbs and which is one of the best in the nation, chase Mizzou’s receivers all over the field? The best coach/game plan involving this matchup should win this game.

Tulsa v. Boise St. (Sept. 24^th) – Is Boise on my list twice? Yes, well, I might be getting soft. Nevertheless, two years ago, on a Wednesday night, Tulsa lost 28-21 after being the first team to have a lead on Boise and to cause more turnovers than Boise in 2009.  Most of Boise’s secondary is gone playing to Tulsa’s strength, and most of Tulsa’s offense can remember that game. The key factor is that for Boise, this game is between a bum trip to Toledo and a revenge game against Nevada.  Even though I said in earlier articles that Tulsa is legit, if Boise loses here, there will be no title shot; no matter how hard Mr. Herbstreit advocates. Upset Alert 

Nebraska v. Wisconsin (Oct. 1st) –Wisconsin will welcome Nebraska to Madison in one of the most anticipated “within conference” games of this season. Both teams are great at playing defense and running the ball, albeit in different ways.  The key factor in determining the winner will be which team finds its balance the easiest. Russell Wilson may be significant. This game may give us a preview of the Big 10 Championship game. (But maybe not if you know the history of inaugural championship games)

Texas A&M v. Arkansas (Oct. 1^st) (Dallas) – Arkansas won the last two games of this rivalry since its renewal; however, Texas A&M might be the favorite this year with all the firepower they have coming back.  I must admit that both QBs have athletes all over the field at the WR and RB positions and having great offensive minds in Mike Sherman and Bobby Petrino.  Whichever suspect defense can assert itself should win this game.

SMU v. TCU (Oct. 1^st) - SMU, with 19 starters coming back, is the class of the competitive C-USA.  Last year, these teams produced a high-scoring game in which SMU had the lead in the 2^nd half before imploding.  SMU had put the most points up against TCU, caused turnovers, and had a runner over 130 yards against the tough TCU defense. For TCU this game is between two straight cupcakes but before a key game in California against SDSU, who gave TCU all they could handle last year. Upset Alert

 Ohio St. v. Nebraska (Oct. 8^th) – Ohio State gets to welcome Nebraska to the league with about as full force as can be expected.  This would have been one of the most anticipated “within conference” games of the year if the whirlwind concerning Ohio State did not happen this summer.  Nonetheless, this should still be a great game with two of the best defensive teams in this league and in the nation going at it.

Wisconsin v. Ohio St. (Oct. 29^th) – Assuming that OSU can play in the Big 10 title game, (even though USC can’t in the Pac-10 with seemingly lesser violations; but that is another subject) this game could come down to who represents the “Leaders” division.  Since 2002, Wisconsin is the only Big 10 team that can say, “We can bang with OSU”, going 3-4 in that stretch and leading to many “shared” conference championships for themselves and others. (OSU tended to get the BCS nod however.) (Thank God, there is no more of that).  Again, this should be another hard hitting, grind it out, choke fest, excuse me, slugfest with a lot more on the line.

Tulsa v. UCF (Nov. 3^rd) – This is a Thursday night game that can be a preview of the C-USA championship game.  UCF is maybe the only team in the league that is still traditional, running the ball out of two receiver sets with a running back.  However, Tulsa is one of the more consistent teams in the league winning a minimum of nine games sans the 5-7 mark in 2009.

South Carolina v. Arkansas (Nov. 5^th) – The league has made a drastic power shift in that, it is not automatically assumed that the best team in the East can beat any team in the West.  Here, the preseason favorite to win the East goes against a contender of the West division. SEC East needs a big time victory against the West for confidence (I don’t remember any since a blown call gave Florida the SEC title in 2008).  You can argue that South Carolina drew a great SEC West schedule this year by missing Bama and LSU; however, they draw an Arkansas team that dropped a 40 piece while beating them by 19 last year…in Columbia.

LSU v. Alabama (Nov. 5^th) – If you know SEC football, you already know about this rivalry.  LSU, Bama and Auburn have had their own private gauntlet in determining who comes out of the West for as long as I can remember.  This year will be no different.  Bama was caught looking ahead last year and simply got beat by LSU in Death Valley.  I am sure they would love to return the favor this year.  Schedules may not allow both teams to be undefeated this long in the season, but if so, a lot will be on the line.

TCU v. Boise St (Nov. 12^th) – Boise St. is on my list three times, so I’m officially Pau Gasol soft. Anyways, this is the third time in 3 years these two will get together; each winning one of the first two games.  TCU has previously held Boise St. well below its gaudy offensive numbers making it a grind game, even though Boise has shown that it is comfortable in playing these games. If both come in undefeated, the loser will be out of the title hunt, and will probably need a lot of help for any BCS aspirations.

Arkansas v. Miss. St. (Nov. 19^th) – I remember getting flack for having this game on my list last year.  However, over the last couple of years, this game has been one of the most entertaining, non-defensive games in the SEC.  These games matter because in the best division in college football, winning can land you in second place while losing can put you in 5^th place in the division.  That determines bowl placement. Bowl placement determines money. Money matters.

USC v. Oregon (Nov. 19^th) – USC and Oregon has flipped spots as far as winning in the Pac 12, but before last year, USC still had the upper hand in the matchup. This time, Oregon has a tough stretch mentally because the next week they have the Civil War and in 2 weeks the Pac 12 championship game will be held, and Oregon is already penciled in for a spot in that game.  USC still has the athletes and coaching staff to compete with Oregon.   But do they have the heart?

Pittsburgh v. West Virginia (Nov. 25^th) This should be quite an exciting game and should help settle any questions as to who is number one in the Big East.  With both of these schools going to wide open spread offenses, the defense, which has been the key to this game for the last couple of years, will be the determining factor.

Oregon St. v. Oregon (Nov. 26^th) Before Stanford entered the picture last year, this game had settled the Pac-10 for two years straight.  The Civil War was for the title in 2009 (the 65-38 game) and Oregon stopped Oregon St. from going to the Rose Bowl in 2008 in a shootout.  Oregon St. hasn’t won in this series since ’07, but if they can find some consistency on (D), this game may help determine who gets to play in the inaugural championship game.

Houston v. Tulsa (Nov. 26^th) The No. 6 and 13 offenses from last year, respectively, get to duke it out in a rivalry game that features two of the best QBs in the nation. If you like 5-wideouts, 400+ yard passers and a 4-hour game because of all the scoring (like me), this will be the game for you. Tulsa won by 3 points last year, but the last time both teams were at full strength, there was over 1200 yards of offense, and Houston had a 1point win, a Heisman candidate and a BCS hope. This game should help decide who comes out of the slept on, ultra competitive C-USA (West).

Oklahoma v. Oklahoma St. (Nov.26^th) – Oklahoma St. secretly has not won a game in this series since 2002.  Nevertheless, since ’08, this has been one of the most exciting games with ramifications at the end of the year.  This year should be no different. A lot of offense on both teams comes back from the 47-41 game from last year, in which Oklahoma won to get the tiebreaker to win the division.

Honorable Mention

Utah v. USC (Sept. 10^th) - Welcome to the Pac-10 Utah! Many people have you in the inaugural Pac-12 championship, but let’s see how you can handle playing every week. They start their top-heavy schedule in Los Angeles.

Arkansas v. Alabama (Sept. 24^th) - Barring injury, this games showcases the best WR core in the nation against the best secondary in the nation. The winner of this game generally does big things in the season…

LSU v. West Virginia (Sept. 24^th) Another SEC Defense against another OOC Wild Spread offense; always interesting.

Clemson v. FSU (Sept. 24^th) – This is an early Bowden Bowl with no Bowdens actively involved Part II:   It is also a key game for tiebreakers later on in the season.

East Carolina v. Houston (Oct. 8^th) – Quite possibly a shootout in which someone will drop a 50 piece…at the half.

Virginia Tech v. Miami (Oct. 8^th) - Can this rivalry game help determine the Coastal champion?

Texas A&M v. Oklahoma (Nov. 5^th) – Say hello to the Class of the Big 12.

Florida v. South Carolina (Nov. 5th) – With a cloudy SEC East, this game is key to a Spurrier Bowl.

Surprise Teams in 2011

This is my third year writing about America's real pastime, college football. Just like previous years, I have decided to open up the season by giving you some squads to look out for. I am not saying that I'm the most knowledgeable college football person out there, but you generally do not see others in the field giving analysis of their picks after the season in regards to their accuracy. (See) Just like last year, I'll go out on a limb to mention teams you would not expect and why. Like every year, there will be shocking upsets and overtime thrillers that will change the landscape weekly. Here are MY teams that may do just that.



Arizona St. Why a Surprise? Should challenge Oregon for the "PAC-10" crown. All tough games are at home excluding the showdown with Oregon. ASU Moved to the passing version of the spread last year and averaged about 32 points per game. Everybody is back from the o-line and all the LBs are back making it one of the best cores in the nation. Went 6-6 last year but only one of those losses was over 11 pts, including Oregon.

Houston. Why a Surprise? Potential BCS Buster this year. Case Keenum is back along with an offense that came in as freshmen 3 years ago. Bryce Beall is a "scatback" but one of the most complete backs in the nation. Defense was horrible, but it brings back seven defenders so at least there is experience on that side of the ball. The most important fact is that no SEC or Big 12 team is on the schedule; so it is logical that Houston can beat every team it faces.

Missouri. Why a Surprise? Should challenge for the Cotton Bowl Spot aka being 2nd or 3^rd in the Big 12. Gary Pinkel is a good coach (not great), so Mizzou will not fall far. In the era of the spread, Mizzou's stand out due to the use of their TEs while being able to run just enough to keep you guessing on defense. QBs come and go in this system so Mizzou should be fine if James Franklin can stay consistent. Every RB and WR comes back. The difference from the Chase Daniel years is that Mizzou plays defense now. Most of its d-line and LBs return from the nation's 6^th best scoring defense. Impressive being that every Big 12 team runs some version of the spread (absent KSU).

Northwestern. Why a Surprise? Should make a run in the “Legends” division of the Big 10, behind Nebraska. Draws a great Big 10 schedule as they miss two of the co-champions from last year (No OSU, or Wisconsin.) Dan Persa is probably the best returning QB in the Big 10 and NW was literally competitive in every game that Persa was a part of. (Wheels did not fall off to after injury in Iowa game). 17 returning starters, including in all the offensive skilled positions. Defense is full of upper-classmen. Toughest game on schedule is at Nebraska; but Nebraska has to see Wisconsin and OSU before that.

Pittsburgh. Why a Surprise? Potential BCS Birth in Todd Graham's first year. Coming from Tulsa, Graham brings the same type of spread offense Gus Malzahn started at Arkansas while refining in Tulsa before leaving for Auburn. Only 4 road games including a toughie at West Virginia. Most of the defense (that was top 20 in every statistical category) is back.

Southern Miss. Why a Surprise? Potential BCS Buster this year. Returns 15 starters back from a team that went 8-5 last year. QB Austin Davis as well as four of the top five receivers come back sans DeAndre Brown, who was in the doghouse most of last year anyway. Like Houston, there are no Big 12 or SEC foes, which mean any losses (should) come in house. Last year, So. Miss lost 3 C-USA games by 8 pts, but also beat the eventual champion UCF by 10. Here's to a Houston v. So. Miss title game in December.

Teams that did not quite make the list but I will probably still take credit for since I put them in the article:
Baylor – 16 returning starters including 9 on one of the most balanced, prolific offenses in the nation. Only two tough road games, at Texas A&M and at Oklahoma St. Watch the TCU game.

Clemson – Suspect at QB, but 15 returning starters. Only tough games on road are at Virginia Tech and at South Carolina.

Kentucky – 14 returning starters, even though they lose Randall Cobb. Hopefully, Morgan Newton can have the QB spot to himself. Back 7 on defense all played last year, which can be good for a team that is in an unpredictable SEC East. Don't forget, in the last two of years this team knocked out Tim Tebow, nearly beat Auburn and beat South Carolina. Just saying, tough out.

Tulsa – Went 10-3 last year (all road losses), including losing only 2 C-USA games by a total of 5 points. Unlike the two previous mentioned C-USA teams, Tulsa has a HEAVY OOC schedule including both bigger Oklahoma schools and a trip to Boise. However, with 17 returning starters, including 8 on an offense from a team that was top 15 in every offensive statistical category, they will not be intimidated.