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Mark your calendars, football fans. The month of September could very well be the most important month for many teams vying for pushes in the polls and top-tier bowl bids...

Is September 20th Do or Die for College Football Teams?

by Lisa Horne (Senior Writer)

45

2,088 reads

Sports

July 22, 2008


Mark your calendars, football fans.  The month of September could very well be the most important month for many teams vying for pushes in the polls and top-tier bowl bids.

Usually most teams' entire seasons are decided late—think late November or early December.

Looking at last year, if West Virginia had beat Pitt, LSU would have been playing in the Sugar Bowl.  The year before, USC, not Florida, would have been playing for the title if it weren't for UCLA's upset over the Trojans.

Yes, the last few games are very important to many teams still posturing for bowl bids.  However, this year has some unexpected early season blockbusters which could determine the BCS pecking order.

Get a load of some of these games on September 20th and the implications for some BCS title contenders' entire seasons.

 

Florida @ Tennessee

Are you kidding me?  Florida's first road game against a division foe, and the only other tough road games they have (not counting the WLOCP in Jacksonville) are against a watered-down Arkansas, Vandy, and Florida State.

This game could be for all the marbles since Georgia's road schedule is a bit more daunting than the Gators.  The Gators have to have this win against the Vols to get ahead of the Dawgs.

The Vols, on the other hand, are pretty sneaky at flying under the radar.  While everybody is looking at Florida or Georgia to win the East, Phil may have a few tricks up his sleeve and throw a wrench into those two teams' postseason plans.

 

Georgia @ Arizona State

Although the Dawgs travel to South Carolina the previous week, the road to Arizona State will be brutal.  The Dawgs also have to travel to LSU and Auburn later in the season.  The game in Tempe, Arizona is the litmus test for determining just how good the Bulldogs and the Sun Devils are.

It's really simple for Georgia.  Win, and have a ton of confidence hosting 'Bama and Tennessee the following weeks.  Lose, and every SEC team will be studying the game film to put Georgia in the dog house.

Arizona State, on the other hand, can actually jump ahead of USC if they beat Georgia and the Trojans lose to the Buckeyes the previous week.

 

LSU @ Auburn

Another potential BCS dream-ender for either team.  After this game, Auburn still has the Vols, the Hogs, the Georgia Bulldogs, and the Tide on their schedule, plus a non-conference game at West Virginia.

The Auburn Tigers warm up with Mississippi State before facing the defending champs, and while they shouldn't have too many problems adjusting to the intensity of conference play, theirs is still a better warm-up game than LSU's.

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45 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. David Wunderlich 11 months ago

    Should be a great day. Worth mentioning: Florida has a bye before Tennessee, so I fully expect a win.

    Also worth mentioning: half of FSU's team will still be suspended against Wake. I fully expect a win for the Deacs.

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    • Lisa Horne 11 months ago

      David-

      I hope you're right. I am rooting so hard for the Gators, but this game makes me nervous so early in the season. I would like to have our secondary a bit more seasoned before facing the Vols.

      Good point on the FSU suspensions. I didn't think of that! ;p

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    • Mark Lenehan 11 months ago

      I agree that the gators should win this game. Florida shouldn't be too worried with where it falls in the schedule, as it is traditionally their conference opener.

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    • Tim Pollock 11 months ago

      I thought all the Noles were coming back week 3?

      Or am I confusing this with the Preston Parker deal...

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    • David Wunderlich 11 months ago

      All the players from the academic scandal are suspended for the first three games. Parker, who was not a part of the academic scandal, has a two game suspension for getting pulled over and allegedly having a loaded semiautomatic .45-caliber pistol and marijuana in his car.

      Don't worry about it; it can be difficult to keep up with all the Criminoles' suspensions ;)

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    • Justin Hokanson 11 months ago

      It is tough to keep up with the Criminoles I agree.

      Hey, I'm thinking about breaking into an impound to steal back my girlfriend's car, do you have Tony Joiner's number? I need some tips...: )

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    • David Wunderlich 11 months ago

      You're probably better off calling Dorian Munroe to forcibly remove the boot off of it. He'll even store it in his trunk for you.

      As a completely serious side note, the towing companies are completely out of control in Gainesville. I had my car towed from a spot it was legally parked once and several other occasions I found my car double parked in a different place than where I put it because a tow truck driver had to move it to get at another (probably legally parked) car. Don't ask me why; I parked between the lines every time.

      Not a single person who has lived any amount of time in Gainesville could blame Joiner for doing what he did. The city just seems content to let them do whatever they want.

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    • Justin Hokanson 11 months ago

      That's funny. Sounds like the Tuscaloosa police arresting every football player in site for disorderly conduct. Maybe a little power hungry or something.

      Nice on Munroe though.

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  2. Mark Lenehan 11 months ago

    Days like this are what college football fans pray for going into each season. Some years it seems a whole season can pass without that many good games, and then we are treated to a day like this. It should be an unbelievable day of games. I fully expect Florida and Georgia to both take care of business and set up a collision course for one of the biggest WLOCP games in memory. This could just be the appetizer for a potentially outstanding year of football.

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    • Lisa Horne 11 months ago

      Mark-

      heck ya...I can't remember a slate like this so early in the season...I'm fired up! I would kill to go the WLOCP......I have to go..it's on my bucket list!

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  3. James Doker 11 months ago

    My mouth was watering just reading this. A full day of good football in September? Now that's special.

    Good points there by David, also.

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    • Lisa Horne 11 months ago

      James-

      I know...I was looking at the media slate and said to myself, "wait a minute, all of these games are in September?" All on the same day? My gosh, I'm going to be whirring through stations like crazy....I might just have to watch the games from the newsroom...at least there's like 30 different TVs. :)

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  4. Tim McGhee 11 months ago

    Great, great read! My favorite is UNC-Va Tech. The Heels are begging for respect, and this is their way to earn it.

    You should be proud. Writing a piece like this one is difficult without simply giving in to the SEC and forgetting the remainder of the college game. The SEC is that good. It takes a good writer to admit that and find a way to make it interesting in spite of them.

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    • Lisa Horne 11 months ago

      Tim...I am riding the Tar Heel Express this season....I fully expect them to win their division, and finally give the ACC some respectability.

      I like Butch Davis a lot....he has two good recruiting classes under his belt after one year as HC. They have to beat Va. Tech. Heck, I think they give Notre Dame fits as well. They are a true sleeper! Thanks for the props!

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  5. Justin Goar 11 months ago

    sweet. i won't be able to make the trip to auburn so i'm glad i'll have plenty of great football to watch.

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  6. Lisa Horne 11 months ago

    Justin-

    This is one of those weeks where staying home has its benefits. It will be a fun-filled Saturday for sure!

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  7. Scott Taylor 11 months ago

    I am just glad I got an HDTV now, so I can clearly watch my Vols get some revenge... oh I picked UNC to beat VT too, but I still think VT will get into the champ game

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  8. Nic Gulas 11 months ago

    Have to throw in Alabama and Arkansas here. Winner normally dominates the rest of the season. Last year was an exception, but The winner of this game traditionally has at least an 8-win season. The loser usually goes into a tailspin.

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    • Timothy Croley 11 months ago

      Trying not to be biased, but I was going to make the same point, Nic. Most successful years for the Tide and the Hogs are determined by winning this game. Arkansas will be coming off a road trip to Austin to take on the Longhorns, and Bama will have just finished back-to-back cupcake games. This is the first SEC game for both teams as well, so it's sure to be interesting. So I guess, that's just one more to add to the list for Sept. 20th.

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    • Nic Gulas 11 months ago

      Not to mention that since its both teams first SEC game, that makes it Petrino's first SEC game.

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  9. Tim Pollock 11 months ago

    Great article.

    Only one problem: FSU can't beat anyone soundly, even WCU and UT-C.

    And this just in: Mark May likes Tennessee--and then every team the Gators play for the rest of the season.

    Just imagine what Lou Holtz is going to cook up for his pep talk on this glorious day of football.

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  10. Vincent Franco 11 months ago

    Two years ago ND pulled off a shocking come from behind victory in a monsoon at Michigan State... can they do it again... I certainly hope so

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    • Joe G 11 months ago

      It wasn't shocking when you consider that John L. Smith was coaching my beloved Spartans...I still can't watch that game on ESPN Classic. Can someone please explain to me how Jehuu Caulcrick can rush for 130 yards on 8 first half carries, and not even touch the ball in the second half? If he kept getting the ball, that game ends very differently.

      A few of the players in the season's game remember that affair (notably Javon Ringer.) They will be out for blood, and it's always an exciting game when MSU and ND get together.

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  11. Justin Hokanson 11 months ago

    Really? Could you have picked a different picture? Brutal.

    Yep, looks like a good weekend. I like the fact that Auburn will have a couple of bowl teams before we play LSU, Southern Miss and Mississippi State.

    But LSU does play a few spread teams like Appy State and Troy before us. So they will get a crash course in our new offense. At the same time, Auburn will have a chance to see how they will defend it.

    Thanks again for the picture and Jerraud Powers thanks you as well. : )

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    • Justin Goar 11 months ago

      what's wrong with the picture? ;)

      c'mon man,
      is there any doubt our game will be the best???

      look at recent history, i need a doctor after those games.

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  12. Michael Shibley 11 months ago

    I really think the Vols are going to throw a wrench into either Florida's or Georgia's season (I am hoping both LOL).

    Remember that the Vols O-line only allowed 4 sacks last year and 4 starters are back on the line. Add to that, Crompton can throw the deep ball, which Ainge really couldn't after his shoulder injury. So if the line holds, the Gators secondary better grow up quick.

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  13. Lisa Horne 11 months ago

    Dang it...sorry for the pic. I was going to use the LSU-Kentucky pic on 4th down....does that make the boo-boo better? I can't freaking please you SEC fans.

    Go Gators! Chomp chomp!

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  14. Cory Lawson 11 months ago

    Tech beat UNC while playing their single worst offensive game of the year last season. UNC is getting better but anyone who watched last years game would still have to give the edge to the Hokies. Butch Davis is doing great things with a few nice recruits but as a whole VT's team is still Much Stronger and about 10 times faster. That doesn't always equal a win but you always take Frank Beamer when he matches up against Butch...just look at the History. A close game but in the end talent trumps homefield.

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  15. Timothy Croley 11 months ago

    As always, great article, Lisa. You're making me nervous already for all the big games, and it's not even August yet!!

    As far as pleasing SEC fans, it's way too far gone now. Too much has gone to our heads, even when our team sucks. Simply because we are SEC fans. But personally I think it's great! SEC is so on top of the world right now, until something happens to knock the SEC off we gotta find something to complain about, even if it's a BR picture.

    Anyway, keep up the good work!

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  1. Edmon 11 months ago

    "Looking at last year, if West Virginia had beat Pitt, LSU would have been playing in the Sugar Bowl. The year before, USC, not Florida, would have been playing for the title if it weren't for UCLA's upset over USC."
    Lisa, shame on you for going with the "what ifs". If Florida would have beaten Auburn, USC could of lost that game and still went to the Rose Bowl..but they didn't.

    Sep 20 will shape the season, but we need to not pay so much attention to individual games and look at the season as a whole when it's done. All of this jockeying for position should cease to exist and then we can take one good look when it's done.

    Still loving the football talk. Won't be long before it's not when it happens, it will actually happen.

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    • Lisa Horne 11 months ago

      Edmon-

      For shame on you!!!!!! Those two games mentioned, WVU v Pitt and USC V UCLA, were the LAST games of the year for both teams.

      The story reads this way:

      "Usually most teams' entire seasons are decided late—think late November or early December.

      Looking at last year, if West Virginia had beat Pitt, LSU would have been playing in the Sugar Bowl. The year before, USC, not Florida, would have been playing for the title if it weren't for UCLA's upset over the Trojans."

      As you can see, I was referring to two particular games where the teams' bowl outcomes were determined by the last game of their season.

      Florida v Auburn was played early in the season (5th game of the season) and would not be relevant to the statement of "Usually most teams' entire seasons are decided late—think late November or early December."

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    • Edmon 11 months ago

      Lisa, don't you ever over exclamation point me. Hahaha...just kidding. I understand your reasoning, but aren't you playing a dangerous game? So a what if loss is better than a what if loss there. I know I'm in the minority, but I think the game should be looked at once the season is over. So many things change. Your big 21-20 against the #5 team looks impressive in Sep, but come Dec when they are 6-6, did it deserve the bump to the top?
      Good luck to your Trojans...

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  2. Kevin Paul 11 months ago

    Wow... potentially a pretty sick day of college football on the 20th. Hmm, I may need to go out and buy some more TV's. Hey, what about Penn State / Temple that day?! Just kidding...

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  3. Lisa Horne 11 months ago

    Edmon...well the whole point of the article was to show how the last games of the season aren't necessarily the best. That's all. I used those two games as an example as to how the last games can change a season for a team....but I also wanted to show some really great games in the beginning of the season.

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (just kidding!)

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  4. Mitch Rowe 11 months ago

    Looking forward to attending the Georgia vs ASU game in Tempe

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  5. Quantumt 11 months ago

    September 20 ? man, i just wanted college football to begin already. nice article by the way Lisa!

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  6. Appalachian Mann 11 months ago

    West Virginia @ Colorado is September 18. But if you look at all games that week, and not just those on Saturday, it certainly qualifies. The Buffs have been improving, and the Mountaineer defense has been totally reconstructed. The altitude is also a big factor in favor of the home team.

    Kansas State @ Louisville on September 17, and it qualifies too. Did you only pick Saturday games so that you could totally ignore The BEast in the article?

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  7. Lew Wright 11 months ago

    Hey Lisa,

    Great catch. You are right on in spotlighting the games of 9/20/2008.

    As a Pac-10 guy, I like Coach Belotti to have the Ducks ready to handle the speed and formations of the Broncos.

    Then there's Coach Erickson. Like him? Not so much. His team handling the Bulldogs at home? Carpenter will probably be hobbled already by then unless the O-line plays beyond expectations. So Sun Devils defending their house, not so much.

    Looking at the Wildcats and Bruins. There you have a first year coach versus a last year coach. 'Nuff said.

    Write on Lisa!

    Lew

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  8. Thomas Brown 11 months ago

    ASU!!!

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  9. Peter Fleischer 11 months ago

    No Missouri VS Buffalo? What the hell Lisa?

    Great read.

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  10. Alex O 11 months ago

    The 2 teams I dislike most USC and Florida. However Florida being SEC, they'd be better then USC.

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