50 College Football Matchups We'd Love to See

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

As college football fans, we don't always get see all of the games we'd like to.

These are the games we wish we were watching instead of a top five team beating up one from the FCS. These games revisit old rivalries, match-up the best players, prove points and are enough to make any college football fan take the day off.

So, what games would we like to see if we could re-arrange the schedule? Read on.

Arkansas vs. Oregon

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

If Oregon wants to win a national championship, they're going to have to beat somebody from the SEC.

Enter Arkansas.

And don't think that the Razorbacks are going to be much easier than LSU last year or Auburn the year before that. With Tyler Wilson maturing nicely and Knile Davis returning from injury, Arkansas is filled with offensive weaponry. 

Oregon's pretty loaded themselves despite the loss of LaMichael James to the NFL with De'Anthony Thomas stepping to the front of the pack.

Sounds like an old fashioned shoot out.

Clemson vs. Nebraska

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The Cornhuskers fell flat against South Carolina, so Nebraska may want to get revenge on the state.

Clemson is the next best thing.

But Nebraska best beware if this game were to come to pass. Taj Boyd has shown more in practice in one year than Taylor Martinez has thus far in two.

Oklahoma vs. Alabama

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

One year ago, this is the game we thought we'd be seeing in the 2011 BCS National Championship Game.

Well, we got one out of two those teams right.

Still, it would be interesting to see how the Crimson Tide defense handles Landry Jones and the Sooner Offense.

BYU vs. Washington

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

These two teams have the makings of a good rivalry. After all, Washington resents BYU's winning the national championship in 1984, and the last two meetings between the Cougars and Huskies were rather chippy.

Not to mention the fact that Washington's head coach is Steve Sarkisian, a former BYU QB.

It would make for great drama.

Boise State vs. Ohio State

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Chris Petersen and Urban Meyer are an interesting contrast. Both coaches brought great success to a non-AQ program. 

But Meyer left for Florida and then Ohio State, while Petersen has stayed in Boise although I'm sure he's gotten offers from much more prestigious programs.

I'd be curious to see how these two match-up on the football field.

Michigan vs. Arizona

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Brady Hoke accomplished in one year what Rich Rodriguez wasn't able to do with three, and that's win a BCS Bowl at Michigan.

However, it might be said that Rodriguez recruited the majority of the players on Hoke's Sugar Bowl winning team.

I'm not sure if I'd like to see this game right away, but I would like to see Rodriguez take on Hoke. It would be very instructive.

Texas vs. Oregon

Sarah Glenn/Getty Images

It's amazing to think that Texas and Oregon could be in the same conference. 

Then again, Hawai'i and East Carolina about to be part of the same conference, but I digress...

It would be interesting to see how Longhorns would have held up in the Pac-16, and this game would give us the best indication of that. 

Kansas State vs. Georgia

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The secret is out: Kansas State can't fly under the radar in 2012. Bill Snyder is still a college football mastermind.

But his loss to Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl hurt.

Playing and beating Georgia will help Kansas State's cause, and this should be a pretty evenly matched game. 

Alabama vs. USC

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Although the defending national champions lost an awful lot of talent to the NFL, including Trent Richardson, Courtney Upshaw and Dont'a Hightower, I wouldn't be surprised to see this as our 2013 BCS National Championship Game. 

And USC would prove to be a worthy opponent, particularly since Matt Barkley didn't follow Trent Richardson et al. to the NFL.

Houston vs. Texas A&M

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

I always find it fascinating when a coach takes on his old team. Kevin Sumlin made Houston into an offensive powerhouse and almost took the Cougars to a BCS Bowl.

And he's certainly got his work cut out for him at A&M.

Georgia vs. TCU

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Although Georgia had a good enough year to secure Mark Richt's job, they got embarrassed by non-AQ power Boise State to start the season.

So, if the Bulldogs want to avenge that loss without taking on the Broncos again, TCU would be the logical choice. The Horned Frogs aren't going to be a non-AQ next season, but they've just emerged from the MWC. It would be the way to establish SEC superiority. 

Or to prove it false.

Florida State vs. LSU

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Florida State's rumored return to glory got delayed after a disastrous encounter with Oklahoma last season. The buzz out of Tallahassee is much subdued compared to last season.

Playing LSU would build up the excitement again. But, as the Seminoles learned last season, playing with the best isn't enough. You have to win.

Or, at the very least, you can't let your team get decimated by injury.

Alabama vs. Notre Dame

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Every year for who knows how long, we hear that Notre Dame is back.

If they could find a way to beat the likes of Alabama, then their boast would be true.

Or, at the very least, we'd find out quickly that Notre Dame's return to glory is postponed yet again.

Oklahoma State vs. Oregon

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

If you like games with a lot of offense, this is the game of your dreams.

Both of these teams averaged more than 45 points per game last season. However, both of these teams lose key players, such as LaMichael James for Oregon and Justin Blackmon for Oklahoma State.

But there's still plenty of offensive firepower left, such as De'Anthony Thomas for the Ducks.

I bet the Duck is happy that he wouldn't have to do push-ups for both teams should this game come to pass.

Boise State vs. USC

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

If there was going to be a regional playoff in college football, I'd suspect that these two teams could very well make the Western US finals.

Too bad Kellen Moore is already gone. I would have love to have seen him go head-to-head with Matt Barkley.

Virginia Tech vs. Wisconsin

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

If you love good old-fashioned ground churning running backs, this is the game for you.

You have David Wilson who rushed for 1,709 yards and 9 TDs for Virginia Tech. 

Then you have Montee Ball of Wisconsin, who came within 77 yards of 2K rushing yards and 33 rushing TDs.

Boise State vs. South Carolina

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

You know, South Carolina and Boise State have a lot more in common than you might think. Both teams are trying to break through into national championships under great coaches, but they just haven't been able to do it.

Besides, I'd like to see how a seasoned veteran like Steve Spurrier does against a great young talent like Chris Petersen.

Nebraska vs. LSU

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Nebraska's been consistently a top 15 team under Bo Pelini, but they struggle to break into the very top of college football.

A win against LSU would do just that.

Besides, Nebraska's famed Blackshirt defense could learn a thing or two from a quality SEC defense. 

Ohio State vs. TCU

Most university presidents don't stir up much controversy in college athletics, but Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee certainly did.

He claimed that his school does not play the "Little Sisters of the Poor" in a slam to an undefeated TCU. The Horned Frogs proved themselves worthy by beating Wisconsin in 2010. 

I'm sure that TCU would love to show Ohio State what playing the "Little Sisters of the Poor" means.

Florida vs. Texas

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Will Muschamp used to be Mack Brown's "head coach in waiting." 

The fact that Muschamp went to Florida instead shows how great of an idea having a head man in waiting these days really is.

Both of these once proud programs have gone through some rocky years, but it would be interesting to see which coach would get the upper hand if they went head-to-head.

Ohio State vs. Alabama

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Urban Meyer and Nick Saban had a great rivalry going between the Crimson Tide and the Gators up until Meyer stepped away from Florida.

So, why not keep this rivalry going between these two great coaches? I don't want to see just one game between these two coaches. 

I want to see it happen every year.

BYU vs. West Virginia

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

I can't think of more polar opposites in college football. They're on opposite sides of the country. BYU's got a reputation for being straight-laced while West Virginia is notoriously wild.

But BYU and West Virginia might be in the same conference someday. Such is the wildness of college football.

And the opposites would serve as great fuel for on-the-field greatness.

Arkansas vs. USC

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Just the prospect of having Tyler Wilson and Matt Barkley on the field is exciting in and of itself. These two QBs combined for 63 TDs in 2011. 

But throw it Knile Davis coming back, and you have a offensive all-star game.

This game would have no trouble at all selling out.

Clemson vs. LSU

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

It's true that Clemson faces at least one SEC team every year in South Carolina, but if Clemson really wants to establish itself as a top notch team, they're going to have to face the best of the SEC West.

Enter LSU.

Coincidentally, it would be interesting to see which Tigers and which Death Valley would come out on top, which means a home-and-home would be in order.

Why hasn't this happened recently?

Michigan State vs. Virginia Tech

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Despite beating "Big Brother" Michigan head-to-head in the regular season, the Wolverines went to the Sugar Bowl instead of the Spartans. 

That just doesn't seem fair, does it?

The least we can do is see how Michigan State would have done against Virginia Tech. 

Arkansas State vs. Auburn

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

This game isn't your blockbuster between two top ten teams, but it's certainly interesting.

After all, Auburn's former offensive coordinator (Gus Malzahn) as well as their best offensive player in 2011 (Michael Dyer) now coach and play for the Red Wolves.

And Arkansas State isn't a pushover despite being in the Sun Belt. I wouldn't underestimate them if I were the Tigers.

Clemson vs. USC

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

So, you've got two QB in Tajh Boyd and Matt Barkley who finished 2011 with a combined 7,356 yards and 72 TDs if this match-up were to happen.

And don't forget that Boyd was only a sophomore last season.

Sign me up!

Oklahoma State vs. LSU

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

This is the game we would have seen had Iowa State not stunned the Cowboys in double overtime.

And while we'll never really know if Oklahoma State should have gone instead of Alabama, I'd love to see this game anyway. It would be a great match-up between a top offense vs. a top defense.

Arkansas vs. Michigan

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Arkansas' only two losses in 2011 were against Alabama and LSU, which just happened to be the top two teams in the nation.

So you can understand why Arkansas may feel slighted if a team ranked seven places lower in the final BCS ranking got to play in the Sugar Bowl. 

I say: Let the boys play.

Kansas State vs. Virginia Tech

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Despite finishing three spots higher in the final BCS rankings, the Hokies got the Sugar Bowl bid over the Wildcats.

That didn't sit well with Kansas State.

The best way to solve these kind of problems is to let them play out on the gridiron. Televise it, and everyone wins.

Alabama vs. TCU

Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images

The Horned Frogs are shedding their non-AQ status as they move into the Big 12, but most of these players should still have a chip on their shoulder after getting left out in 2010 despite going undefeated.

In 2012, TCU has a great chance of going to the national championship if they go undefeated, and they can now make it to a BCS Bowl without running the table.

And what better team to give TCU a proper BCS welcome than the Crimson Tide?

Nebraska vs. Oklahoma

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

OK, so it hasn't been that long since these two teams faced off, but this is too good of a rivalry to just let die.

In fact, adding the fact that these two teams are in different conferences may intensity things a bit.

Sounds like great football would be the result.

BYU vs. SMU

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Hey, the last time these two teams faced off, we got the best bowl comeback ever in the 1980 Holiday Bowl.

SMU is certainly not where they were in the early '80s, but they've finally been able to pick themselves up out of college football's gutter under June Jones.

Maybe it's time to put these teams back on the field together again. Something great might happen.

Notre Dame vs. Cincinnati

Frank Polich/Getty Images

Despite having nearly unlimited resources, a top name and just about everything you need to build an elite program, Notre Dame hasn't been an elite program since Lou Holtz left. There's been a long string of coaches that have tried to bring the Fighting Irish back to glory since Lou Holtz, but no one has been able to accomplish that.

And that includes current head coach Brian Kelly.

Now, Kelly took Cincinnati to a BCS Bowl when he coached the Bearcats. Can Kelly take down his former team with his new resources?

That's an interesting question.

LSU vs. USC

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

There's a good chance that we just might see this one in a BCS game or even the BCS National Championship Game.

And for good reason. Both of these teams are loaded with talent for next year. USC has a top-notch offense led by Matt Barkley and LSU has an elite defense with Tyrann "Honey Badger" Mathieu returning.

I'd certainly be happy with this match-up.

Kansas State vs. Michigan

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Kansas State has every right to be miffed about getting left out of the Sugar Bowl in favor of the Wolverines. After all, Michigan didn't even win their division.

Besides, having two of the best dual-threat QBs in Collin Klein and Denard Robinson is certainly appealing.

Tennessee vs. USC

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Lane Kiffin seems primed to do something at USC that he didn't do during his short time at Tennessee:

Win championships.

And I'm sure no one would enjoy getting in the Kiffin's way than the Volunteers. Even though Tennessee is still a shadow of its former self, the extra motivation would make this game more interesting.

Virginia Tech vs. Alabama

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Every year the Hokies roll through the ACC only to get beat up in a BCS Bowl. For the last two years we've had to ask ourselves just how good are the Hokies until the postseason rolls around.

If the Hokies played a team like Alabama, we'd find out in a hurry.

Michigan vs. West Virginia

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

West Virginia and Michigan have something in common:

They've both been let down by Rich Rodriguez.

Still, I don't think that the Mountaineers have forgiving the Mountaineers for stealing away their most successful coach in a long time. And with both of these teams winning BCS Bowls last season, it would also make for great football.

Boise State vs. Alabama

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

As good of a coach as Nick Saban is, he once made the mistake of letting his team underestimate a non-AQ team. And that mistake cost him a Sugar Bowl victory against Utah.

I doubt Alabama would make the same mistake twice.

Boise State, on the other hand, is always looking for a chance to prove themselves, and there's no better team to take on than the Crimson Tide.

Texas vs. USC

Harry How/Getty Images

The last time the Longhorns and Trojans met on the field, the 2005 national championship was on the line.

And they put on one of the best national championship games in college football history.

These two teams were almost conference rivals, but there's the makings of a rivalry between these two teams...

Alabama vs. Oregon

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Chip Kelly and Oregon haven't had too much luck against the SEC. They weren't able to beat Cam Newton and Auburn in 2010 and also failed to stop LSU in 2011.

Maybe the third time would be the charm against Alabama?

I'm not sure I'd go so far as to pick the Ducks in such a matchup, but I would definitely tune in.

Ohio State vs. Utah

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Much ado was made about the "Urban Meyer Bowl" between Ohio State and Florida, even though Meyer hadn't yet taken the sideline for the Buckeyes.

But what about seeing Meyer take on his old protege Kyle Whittingham and his Utes?

After all, many thought that Utah would drop off of the national stage when Florida stole Meyer away, but Whittingham took the Utes to their second undefeated season and BCS win in the BCS era. And now Utah's part of the Pac-12.

Can the former student take the pebble out of the master's hand? I'd like to find out...

Boise State vs. Oklahoma

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

If there's a rematch I'd be dying to see, it's the classic 2007 Fiesta Bowl between the Sooners and the Broncos.

After all, the last time these two teams met, we saw a hook and lateral, a HB pass and a Statue of Liberty.

There was even a marriage proposal.

Oklahoma must be itching for a chance at revenge.

Arizona State vs. Pitt

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Todd Graham's departure from Pitt to Arizona State was...less than graceful. Graham's old players got nothing but a text message likely crafted by a PR expert from their old coach.

These players no doubt want to deliver a message to their own coach, and what better way to send it than on the field?

And I wouldn't expect Graham to just lay down for his former team...

Arizona vs. West Virginia

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Rich Rodriguez and West Virginia parted on less than friendly terms when he spurned his hero-status for the Mountaineers to try his hand at Michigan.

I bet there's still an old couch on fire with Rich Rod's name on it somewhere in the great state of West Virginia.

And such fires off the field can lead to such intensity on the field. And while coach Rodriguez is at Arizona instead of Michigan, that shouldn't make the Mountaineers despise their former hero any less.

Boise State vs. LSU

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

SEC fans complain that Boise State is overrated due to a softer strength of schedule, while Boise State fans complain that they can run with SEC teams if just given the chance.

While this game surely wouldn't silence all of the complaining, it would go a long way in settling the matter. And with master tricksters Les Miles and Chris Petersen on the sidelines, we're almost sure to see a fake punt or maybe a Statue of Liberty.

Who wouldn't want to watch this game?

Texas Tech vs. Washington State

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

After getting his first head coaching job after getting unfairly fired from Texas Tech, Mike Leach must be itching to have a go at his former program.

I certainly wouldn't blame him if he did.

Oh, and I think that the battle between the actual players on the turf would be interesting too...

Oklahoma vs. USC

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Crazy to think that these two teams were almost members of the same conference.

And while I don't see the Sooners and Trojans becoming conference rivals anytime soon, I do hope we get to see them square off on the gridiron. Just the idea of seeing Matt Barkley and Landry Jones on the same field should provide all the excitement you could want.

Oklahoma State vs. Alabama

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Personally, I would have liked to have seen this instead of the rematch between the Crimson Tide and LSU. I think that the Cowboys would have put up more of a fight than the Tigers did, particularly on offense.

This game would give Oklahoma State to prove that they could run with SEC teams, and it would give Alabama the chance to quiet their Cowboy detractors.

And I would personally guarantee that this game wouldn't have a final score like 9-6.