USC vs. Ohio State, TCU vs. Utah, Michigan vs. Ohio State, Texas vs. Oklahoma: 2009's Most Disappointing Games

Do you miss it already?
I'm talking about the 2009 college football season, of course!
2009's season has come and gone with a blink of an eye it seems, most teams wrapped up their regular seasons this last Saturday.
Don't fret superfan, there's still the real season coming up, and that's bowl season, my friend.
Bowl match-ups are becoming clearer with every passing week, and those conferences with title games will soon have champions.
2009 has been a year of ups and downs, upsets and failures... just like any other year, that's why we love college football, right?
The Heisman race hasn't exactly been one to remember, but somebody's gotta win the darn thing.
It is enevitable, rankings/lists are always subject to opinion, producing such a piece always invites criticism and commentary, that's what I want.
I've watched countless college football games, much like yourselves, and I wanted to to create an article that highlights the most disappointing games of the year, according to MY opinion.
Please feel free to debate my choices, rip them apart, or otherwise.

Red River Rivalry: Texas vs. Oklahoma

College football has it's share of "Border Wars", Texas vs. Oklahoma is just about as big as it gets.
Since the inception of the Big 12 and BCS, this rivalry has typically lived up to it's billing.
Texas and Oklahoma always seem to find themselves squaring off in relevant, passionate games, usually deciding who's getting the Big 12 glory and a BCS bowl berth....
Sam Bradford was injured early this year, and again just weeks later. Sam was just not the same in his game against Texas, obviously reeling from injury. I would like to give credit where credit is due, and that's to Sam Bradford and his courage and willingness to play in the most important rivalry of his career.
Longhorns and Sooners... it just gives you chills, doesn't it? There are too many games to highlight in just one slide, but we all know there has been some barn-burners between the two. I was expecting to see another heralded shoot-out between two of college football's finest signal callers, but instead, we got a lackluster showing by both Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford.
Oklahoma was looking to turn their season around, Texas was rolling their way through their schedule as usual...
16-13, the Horns hooked 'em in a contest I'm sure they'd both (Texas and OU) like to forget.

"THE" Game: Michigan vs. Ohio State

The photo of Desmond Howard getting his "stiff arm" on is timeless. This is what the Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry is all about.
OH-IO against the men from the "state up north". The rivalry fueled by two of college football's finest, Bo and Woody.
The Buckeyes vs. Wolverines match up has decided Big Ten titles, Heisman Trophies, and National Championship berths.
2006's installment of the richest tradition in college football was arguably one of the NCAA's greatest games ever played... in any sport.
It showcased two undefeated teams, 1 vs. 2... oh yeah, it was OHIO STATE AND MICHIGAN at that!
2009 saw the rivalry at it's low point, Michigan was playing for pride, and Ohio State was playing for... well, just to rub it in I suppose.
The Wolverines sadlly completed their second consecutive losing season, while the Bucks will see roses in Pasadena.
Jim Tressel's Buckeyes took it to Michigan in the Big House last Saturday, 21-10, and no one really cared.

Last Year's "Real" Champ vs. BCS Hopeful: Utah vs. TCU

Horned Frogs vs. The Utes.
Great nicknames, even greater battle, so I thought.
Utah beat Alabama in impressive fashion in the 2009 Sugar Bowl, and TCU has been itching to prove themselves to the world of college football that they belong.
The stage was set for the ultimate battle between teams that felt they deserved to be in the national spotlight with the likes of the "premier programs", let's get it on!
Two prolific offenses, two top 25 schools, should've been a thriller, but it wasn't.
This game was over by halftime. The Horned Frogs were just too much for the depleted Utes, and they jumped out to a 38-17 lead at halftime, and they never looked back.
Utah was only able to cross the goal line one more time against the Frogs in the second half, it was just plain ugly to see the Utes' offense in the last frame of this one.
TCU and Andy Dalton really did a number to the confidence of Utah, they put up 21 points in just 2 1/2 minutes in the second quarter!
Balance was the key to victory for the Frogs, they trampled Utah to no end, and crushed my dream of seeing a competitive "anti-BCS" game.

Prelude to the BCS Championship?: USC vs. Ohio State

What else can I say?
We all witnessed the fall of Troy in 2009, as one of the decade's most dominant programs has taken a major plunge into mediocrity.
I was glued to my television to see Ohio State vs. USC, a game that was going to kick the college football season off right, or so I thought. The Trojans were making the trek to the "Shoe" to take on the Buckeyes... in primetime!
Tress vs. Carroll, Pryor vs. Barkley, it was supposed to go down!
I was expecting an aerial show courtesy of Matt Barkley and company, and an all around display of pure athleticism on Mr. Terrelle Pryor's part.... I received neither.
USC was ranked third in the nation, Ohio State was holding tight at number 8.
Although the game was close, I was anticipating offensive fireworks and bravado, but it wasn't meant to be.
Neither quarterback impressed the country with their performances, but Matt Barkley DID do well considering he was a true freshman. USC has been a disappointment to some, others welcome the fall of Pete's dynasty.
It doesn't matter how you slice it, I was not pleased with the Trojans and Buckeyes duel on September 12th.