| The Big Ones |
| So what makes a game big? Is it the combined talent of the teams involved? Is it a rivalry when both teams are at their peak? Is it a chance for a team to nip a powerhouse when they're down? Or maybe is it a game with huge Heisman implications? Does it have to have conference implications? National implications? I would say that none of these questions are as important as the following: is a huge question answered by the outcome of this game? That's where we'll find the shrimp, my boy. That's where we'll find the shrimp. Here are what I think will be the biggest, most anticipated 20 games of the year. |
| 1. Week 8: Oklahoma at Texas- The Red River Shootout is the game of the year. Oklahoma is one of the only teams with the ability to shut Texas� offense down. This could be Roy Williams vs. the entire Oklahoma offense. Which is more talented? 2. Week 14: Ohio State at Michigan- This game is huge, by virtue of who's playing. Ohio State and Michigan both are making believable pushes for the Big 10 champion. Now throw this game at the end of the season, and we have a standings-alterer. This game, at Michigan, may dethrone the mighty Buckeyes. 3. Week 11: Miami at Virginia Tech- How many home-field advantages are as big as Blacksburg? Tech definitely has talent all around the field that compares with the Hurricanes, but will it be enough? Might Captain Beamer mix things up at QB to battle Miami�s speedy defense? The stakes are huge, as the winner could go to the Sugar Bowl. 4. Week 7: Kansas State at Texas- A huge conference game between two likely top 12 teams. Can Texas� D contain Ell? Can the Wildcats stop Roy Williams without top CB Terrence Newman? Will Texas overlook Kansas State, to next week�s Red River shootout? If any positive light can be shone on this situation for Texas, it�s that both this game and next week vs. Oklahoma are both at home. 5. Week 13: Auburn at Georgia- Who doesn�t love games like this? Two teams, two rivals with huge traditions, seemingly peaking at the same time. This game will very likely shape the SEC championship. Also, who doesn�t like to see two groups of hicks supporting their teams and hating each other? 6. Week 8: Miami at Florida State- This was arguably the game of the year last year. It was infamous. The Seminoles would like another try after losing a won game last year. If Florida State can pull this off, it would strengthen the schedules of the ACC�s other three horsemen. Is there only one Florida team left at the top? 7. Week 13: N.C. State at Florida State- Will this game decide the ACC? It may not directly determine the winner, but it could clinch it for someone else. My guess is that it will neither clinch nor be insignificant. It will likely put someone in the driver�s seat for ACC champion. 8. Week 1: Washington at Ohio State- What an absolute treat to kick off the season with this game. The obvious thing to do would be to call this the Rose Bowl preview. Washington has a chance to take advantage of the �Clarett situation�, and might sneak out of Columbus with a huge BCS win. 9. Week 2: Maryland at Florida State- People get excited about the new kids on the block in the ACC and forget that Florida State never went anywhere. They have only lost the ACC title once, and return an experienced Chris Rix and a healthy Greg Jones. This game sets the tone for the ACC for the season. Who remembers that Maryland 'barely' lost the last two years? Who remembers that those games were lost by a total of 48 points? 10. Week 15: Pitt at Miami- We end the season as strongly as Washington-Ohio State kicked it off. What�s more, both teams could be undefeated at this point if the cards fall just right. VT will likely be very interested in the outcome of this one. Pitt may still not be quite there, but it will be great no less. 11. Week 10: USC at Washington- Cody Pickett gets a turn to make a Heisman statement against a very solid USC. If there is a solid pass defense in the Pac 10 to test Pickett, it�s right here. Will this game decide the Pac 10 champion? Probably not. Who knows. Asses. 12. Week 4: N.C. State at Ohio State- Could Ohio State start out 2-2? Probably not, but they certainly were not kind to themselves this year. At least they get another huge game at home. Watch super-sophs Maurice Clarett and T.A. McClendon compete for what is hopefully not the last time. 13. Week 8: Georgia at Tennessee- Tennessee thinks they�re back, and by this time in the year, they may have some believers. Auburn is tops in the rankings, but Georgia holds the title until proven otherwise. Could this game determine half of the SEC title game? 14. Week 12: Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh- Another team, now Pitt thinks that they�re ready for the big time. They will have proved themselves thus far. Virginia Tech has just come off the Miami game, and will either need to build on its huge win or plug the holes in the ship to stop the sinking. 15. Week 8: Ohio State at Wisconsin- Red and White. White and Red. Anthony Davis would like about 150 yards total on this game to jump ahead in the Heisman standings, but the Buckeyes will have something to say about that. Add to that the battle for the top of the Big 10, and we got us a doozy. 16. Week 7: USC at Arizona State- Both teams would like to be undefeated at this point. This game has big Pac 10 implications, but the focus of the game will be how Andrew Walter handles the big one. USC should be the better team, but must bring its game to the Devils� house. 17. Week 10: Auburn at LSU- The two SEC potential teams. They weren�t here last year, but they�ll be riding a wave of success at this point. Auburn is favored as of now, but they have to steal one away from LSU at home. It will come down to LSU�s run D, as Auburn will run it left, right, and center. 18. Week 4: Notre Dame at Michigan- Michigan will consider the season a failure if they do not go BCS this year. The Irish want to build on last year�s success. This game will shine some light on both teams� potential and abilities. John Navarre may turn some heads. 19. Week 2: Florida at Miami- This game obviously isn�t what it has been in the past, but Ron Zook would like to show the country that he�s bringing the Gators in the right direction. This will be enlightening if The Gators come within two scores. Otherwise, watch out Ron. 20. Week 16: Oregon State at USC- Derek Anderson? Steven Jackson? Is this some kind of San Antonio Spurs reunion? No. It might be the most crucial game in the Pac 10 this year. This game will be decided in the trenches, methinks, as many USC games may be decided this year. |