Every year, there are some games that non big 6 conference teams win that put them on the national map. This year, here are ten of the top opportunities for the non big 6 to stand up and show the world that there are alot of great teams in college football beyond the big 6.
10. UCLA at Houston-- Case Keenum is back after his devastating injury and looks to be fully healed and ready for the fall. He has thrown for over 5000 yards in his junior and sophomore seasons to go with 40+ TDs in both seasons. This is also special to Keenum because the injury came against UCLA in 2010.
9. Nevada at Oregon-- Kaepernick is in the NFL and Nevada may not be as good as 2010 but Oregon will not enjoy seeing them come visit Eugene. This game comes after a big boy clash between LSU and Oregon in the previous week. TRAP GAME for Oregon.
8. San Diego State at Michigan-- Michigan looked dreadful as the season rolled to an end in 2010 and the Aztecs looked to be world beaters as they ended their 2010 with a pounding on Navy in their bowl game. SDSU coach Brady Hoke left the Aztecs to take over Michigan and now SDSU gets their shot at the big boys. If the atmosphere does not get to SDSU, I would not be surprised to see them win.
7. California versus Fresno State-- This game is being played at a neutral site (Candlestick Park) and gives Pat Hill the chance to wake up the college football world with an early win versus a Cal team that is talented but lost a lot of parts from 2010. Fresno has the chance to pull the upset but has struggled early in some of the big games last season digging themselves into unmanagable holes to start a game.
6. North Carolina at East Carolina-- While UNC had taken care of the Pirates the last two times they met, the last time they went to Greenville they were upset. ECU plays much better for the most part against top teams at home and that home field advantage will be evident on October 1st. If ECU can get a few early stops and show that their defense is improved, they could easily beat the Tar Heels.
5. BYU at Oregon State-- Credit OSU coach Mike Riley for the willingness to play non big 6 teams in big games that everyone wants to see. This BYU team struggled in 2010 but should be much improved in 2011 with another year in the system and a great batch of recruits coming in. Oregon State had a bad 5-7 season and will look to show everyone that was a fluke and they can beat the trouble teams for BCS squads.
4. Oklahoma State at Tulsa-- Points will be scored. Defenses will be ran over. Both teams are masters at scoring points in bunches and that should be the case in 2011 in this matchup. Tulsa lost their coach from last season but should still be able to find enough in them to compete. Both finished the 2010 season in the top 25.
3. Colorado State versus Colorado-- While neither team has been very good lately, this is just a good old fashioned rivalry game in which two teams hate each other immensely and want to destroy each other mentally and physically. Just being a football fan, you should want to watch this game for the pure emotional play of the teams. As a betting line, this is as close to a toss up as you can get.
2. TCU at Baylor-- The post Andy Dalton era begins with a nice matchup versus a very talented Baylor squad that gave several teams fits in 2010. One of the teams that Baylor did not give fits was TCU who rolled the Bears 45-10 in route to a 13-0 finish and a win in the Rose Bowl over Wisconsin. 17th year senior Robert Griffin will be there to run the offense yet again and Baylor has to open strong and take an early lead to have a real chance in this game.
1. Boise State versus Georgia-- The kickoff classic was memorable for the Broncos in 2010 with a win over an up and down but very talented Virginia Tech squad that led to BCS hopes that were dashed by Nevada. Georgia had a down year making it to the Liberty Bowl and losing to UCF 10-6 in a pathetic show of offense by the Bulldogs. Now losing AJ Green to the draft and I am pretty sure they are down to the water boy at running back, Boise actually has the talent advantage at several positions. Boise returns 7 starters on offense and 7 starters on defense including all everything quarterback Kellen Moore. Still, Georgia is a solid SEC team and the game is being held in Atlanta so it is a nice hill for the Broncos to climb to start the push to the national title game.
please call it what it is, AQ vs Non-AQ. We are all BCS schools. The more we use and accept that term, Non-BCS, the more it plays into the elitist hands.
ReplyDeleteIt was my fault, I go with big 6 versus non big 6 and I got the idea from another site that had it listed as BCS versus non BCS and for some reason, typed it in like that.
ReplyDeleteIt's all good. Looks like you might have a nice little blog here. I like what I have seen so far.
ReplyDeleteOh please change the Southern Miss Logo. While I love that old logo,(I have it as a tattoo) it is not what we use any more.
NIU vs Wisconsin @ Soldier Field - Tons of story here... You have Coach Doeren playing against his old boss and team. You have a possible top 15 (IF 2-0) Wisconsin team meeting a possible top 25 (IF 2-0 & other things go just right) NIU team. The last time NIU and Wisconsin played in 2009 it was an 8pt game @ Camp Randall. You have the game in Chicago @ Soldier Field. You have the top ACC QB joining the defending (Co) B1G champs. This game will be the best gauge for NFL scouts as to where Chandler Harnish should be drafted.
ReplyDeleteThis should beat out at least one of the above games.
But first things first...BEAT ARMY!