[cjg11582]

What is the biggest non-conference game for 2006? It seems to be either OSU-Texas again or USC-Notre Dame. Both of those games played an integral part in how the 2005 season finished. Maybe a game involving the SEC? Though their conference schedule is so difficult we rarely see any big non-conference match-ups from the SEC schools, other than FSU-UF or UGA-Georgia Tech.

[Who Dey]

Most of my friends tell me that I am biased towards college basketball over college football because I went to a basketball school. I went to the University of Kentucky and I have several buddies that went to "The Ohio State University."
They may be correct, but I still have several problems with college football other than the fact my school has about as much chance at ever seeing a BCS game as a lab rat tossed into a tank full of starving pirahanas.
None greater than the very topic you have raised, "Big Non-Conference Matchups."
College football proponents scoff at the college basketball regular season... saying that it is meaningless. Well, maybe... But as a fan I enjoy watching my team get better as the season goes along... in preperation for the post-season. The regular season, as I see it, is a coach's opportunity to develop his team and make them better.
In College football equal of the basketball regular season is when a bunch of media get together in a room and determine which teams are the best. There is no real opportunity for a coach to develop his team through the season and put them in a position to win at the end of the year.
Case in point:
Last year, in what I think was the second week of college games, "The Ohio State University" played the university of Texas for what I feel was the national championship. Whoever won that game would be college footballs national champion for that year. Why?.... Well because they were the two best teams.
Even if you don't buy into this... you can certainly agree that OSU's national championship hopes were extinguished with the loss to UT. Now I'm sure Jim Tressel had his Buckeyes right where he wanted them in the second week of the season. I'm sure they didn't have any room for development, and played just as well as a team as they would have months later... I doubt it.
My buddies would say "Yeah, but why doesn't everyone play tough games like that early in the year?".... "If they did, then it would all even out."
Well... Maybe... but generally teams are not where they need to be 2 weeks into the season to play a national chamionship caliber game. Even with that, there are only a few teams that have the opportunity to play in those games.
In order to be able to schedule those games, you have to do well in the regular season, when all the geeks determine who is good and who is not.
Another Case in Point:
Two years ago Auburn went undefeated in the SEC... Quite an accomplishment... Well, I guess not good enough, because it was Oklahoma who was given the opportunity to be blown out by USC. What was the determining factor in that... A friggin' computer.

Maybe Texas really was a better team than OSU last year... I am not convinced, not based on a week 2 game anyway... And maybe Oklahoma really was better than Auburn 2 years ago... But again I am not convinced, at least not based on the word of a computer program.

Best Non-Conference Matchup? Akron v. Iowa

[cjg11582]

Haha, i'll have to be sure to Tivo that one.
But I do agree with you on the subjectivity of The BCS and it generally favors great teams who play easy schedules over great teams who play challenging ones. I can certainly attest that OSU was not half the team they were in week two that they were in the Fiesta Bowl, and neither was UT. Another example is FSU playing Miami in week one. That was probably the sloppiest game between two top tier college football programs I have ever watched. Definitely a sixteen team playoff is necessary to determine a true national champion. The common consent last year was USC and Texas were unequivocally the two best teams in college football. Were they? Quite possibly yes. But I don't think it was simply coincidence that they also played in the two worst power conferences in the country. Certainly the fact each team only had two potential losses on their schedules contributed to them being undefeated. Anyone who argues otherwise is delusional or else lives in Pac-10 or Big 12 country.

[desertrat]

Nebraska-USC could be a big game also. Huskers are a team on the rise and will return almost all of their 2-deep roster from last year.

ASU-LSU also could be a big one. ASU offense can score on anyone, their downfall has been their defense.

Oklahoma-Oregon will play at Autzen stadium in Eugene. This is by far the loudest and rowdiest venue in the west.

Ohio State-Texas if they come even close to last years matchup in Columbus, this will be a great game.

I list these because they are non-traditional out of conference games between traditional football powers. We see USC-Notre Dame and Florida-FSU every year so these game, while exciting, are not rare matchups.

[cjg11582]

Auzten Stadium is definitely a top three stadium I want to visit in the next few years. I am still waiting for the too follow up on that 2001 season, though.
And non-traditional match-ups are always more intriguing. Penn State plays Notre Dame this upcoming year. My concern is I just don't think the game will be anything to write home about, so it can't really be considered an important non-conference game.

[wvuauthor]

I agree that USC vs. Notre Dame happens every year, but I really think it could have huge implications this season. There is a chance that both teams could be undefeated heading into the game.

[Gipper]

Hello all. First post and I hope to add to all the relevant discussions. That said please allow me to interject my pick for game of the year..... ND-USC not just because it's ND/USC but because of the late season implications it will have toward the BCS.

[ThePundit]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo Gipper. I look forward to chatting with you...I totally agree with you on this. By the way, do you think that Anthony Fasano is going to be a good pro?

[Gipper]

Thank you for the welcome Pundit! I think Fasano can thrive within the right system. He is an excellent blocker, has great size and speed for a TE, and has great hands. I do however think another year in CW's system would have been beneficial to him. On the other hand, on a team with so many weapons he would have been hard-pressed to be a featured player, although there is little doubt that CW would have tried to feature him ( he loves the three TE set) so the rationale behind his coming out (not early as he has graduated already) leaves little room for argument.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Gipper

Hello all. First post and I hope to add to all the relevant discussions. That said please allow me to interject my pick for game of the year..... ND-USC not just because it's ND/USC but because of the late season implications it will have toward the BCS.

Welcome aboard, Gipper! Thanks for joining us here at GoTeamsGo!

I can tell from your name that you must be a big-time Notre Dame fan... we could use a few more around here

I have to disagree with your take on the USC - Notre Dame game, though. Don't get me wrong, the Irish-Trojans rivalry is great! I just don't think USC will be unbeaten at that point in the season. They've lost too much talent to the pros in White, Bush, Leinart, Justice, etc. Plus there's all kind of questions for them at QB, and now they may not have the currently ineligible Dwayne Jarrett at wideout. I just don't see where they can maintain the kind of success they've had over recent seasons.