20 Great Non-Conference games of 2008

of this rivalry this year in Athens. The Bulldogs could also be playing for a BCS title game berth, and the Yellow Jackets new offense under Johnson should provide a good test.

7. Tennessee at UCLA
Tennessee has a habit of playing the west coast teams, playing Cal the last two years, and now matching up with UCLA. The Bruins will be under new coach Rick Neuheisel and will have their hands full with the Vols.

6. Miami at Florida
These two teams renew a great rivalry in Gainesville. This game might be a great one next year, but Miami just doesn't have enough firepower to hang with the Gators this time around.

5. Alabama vs. Clemson (played in Georgia Dome in Atlanta)
Nick Saban and the Tide look to make 2008 their year of resurgence, but an opening day game against the Tigers will be a tough test. Clemson will be looking to start the season off with a big win to catapult themselves into what they think could be a big year.

4. Illinois vs. Missouri (played in St. Louis)
This rivalry game turned into something bigger last year with the success of both Missouri and Illinois. Now with both teams looking for more success, this should be a really fun game to watch with Chase Daniel and Juice Williams going head to head.

3. Georgia at Arizona State
The Bulldogs travel to Tempe to face the Sun Devils in what should be a great one. Georgia will be looking to start their BCS championship run off with a big non-conference win, while the Sun Devils will be looking to prove that last year was no fluke and upset the Dawgs.

2. Auburn at West Virginia
This will be a battle of the spread offenses.  The Mountaineers run the spread to perfection with Pat White leading the way, while Auburn is implementing a more pass happy version of the spread as their new offense. New West Virginia coach Bill Stewart has a chance to make a statement with another big win, but the Tigers want to make a BCS run and a big non-conference win on a Thursday night would help them do that.

1. Ohio State at USC
This was an easy choice. This is the best non-conference match-up in the regular season in a long time. Both teams will no doubt be in national title contention all season and this could end up being a tie breaker of sorts. The winner of this game will have taken a huge step towards getting to Miami for the BCS title game.

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