College Football Schedules: The Best September Non-Conference Matchups

We’re just a little over a month away from the start of the 2010 college football season and the anticipation and excitement is surely starting to build. The ball officially gets kicked off on Thursday, September 2, and we won’t have to wait long for the big games to start popping up.

Even though September is usually a time when many schools pad their schedules with cupcake games before they have to endure the rigors of conference action, it seems that this year we will be treated to an unusual abundance of high quality non-conference matchups.

The strong September slate involves many highly ranked teams going head-to-head, but there are a few games that stick out in particular.

Let’s take a look at some of the best non-conference matchups of the early part of the college football season.

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10. Michigan at Notre Dame: September 11

A battle that features two of the most storied programs in the sport that have both fallen on hard times over the last few years.

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly comes to South Bend with lofty expectations after a highly successful stint at Cincinnati and a win over the Wolverines early in the season would be a real tone setter.

On other side, Rich Rodriguez enters his third year as Michigan’s head man with a win or else memorandum. Coach Rod needs to pile up as many meaningful wins as he can this season and there aren’t many games on the schedule as big as Notre Dame.

If this game resembles last year’s 38-34 last-minute thriller, then we should all be in for another treat.

9. Oregon at Tennessee: September 11

Considering the Vols have to break in a brand new quarterback, running back, and offensive line, it's hard to imagine that Tennessee will be truly in sync offensively by just the second week of the season. But it’s also possible that Oregon may have some cohesiveness issues on offense as well.

The Ducks will have a new starting QB behind center after the dismissal of Jeremiah Masoli. Plus, they will be trying to get star running back LaMichael James up to speed after he serves a one-game suspension to begin the season.

Tennessee may not look like the most formidable opponent on paper right now. But there very few venues in college football that are as imposing as Neyland Stadium on a hot Saturday night. If the Ducks play like they did in last year’s road opener—a dismal showing at Boise State—then Chip Kelly’s bunch could be in for a long night down in Knoxville.

8. Clemson at Auburn: September 18

This will be the first big test for both schools and there are some intriguing keys to watch on both sides.

For Clemson, they need to show that running backs Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper can combine to replace the production of the departed C.J. Spiller. Auburn had one of the worst rush defenses in the SEC last season, and it’s a must that Ellington and Harper exploit that weakness. It won’t be easy considering most of Auburn’s front seven, which includes standouts DT Mike Blanc and LB Josh Bynes, returns intact for 2010.

For Auburn, it’s all about Cam Newton. It should be interesting to see if the superbly talented signal caller is ready for such a big test early on in this season. There’s a big step up from the junior college defenses that the 6'6" QB was playing against just a season ago to Clemson’s defense, which includes a dynamic defensive line led by Da’Quan Bowers and a secondary that features All-American safety DeAndre McDaniel.

7. Iowa at Arizona: September 18

When this game took place in the early part of the season last year, neither of these two teams were ranked in the top 25. That will be different this year as Iowa will be ranked in the Top 15 going into this season.

How will the Hawkeyes handle those expectations in their first road game of the year?

Arizona was a stellar 5-1 at home last season, and the team looks to be remarkably solid with junior QB Nick Foles under center.

Iowa may have breezed through a workmanlike 27-17 victory over the Wildcats in 2009, but expect things to be much tougher in this year’s contest.

6. Nebraska at Washington: September 18

This trip up to Seattle looks like one of the only true tests Nebraska has to face before their mid-October showdown with Texas.

Washington QB Jake Locker comes into the season brimming with hype, and second year Husky head coach Steve Sarkisian looks like he’s molding the Washington program into a contender.

Nebraska should have its hands full with a Husky team that returns 18 starters from last year including the entire offense.

If Locker really wants to solidify himself as the No. 1 quarterback in the country, a big showing against an unforgiving Nebraska defense would certainly help his cause.

5. Penn State at Alabama: September 11

This is the start of a daunting five-game stretch for Alabama that includes road games at Arkansas and South Carolina, and the all-important SEC title game rematch against Florida.

Nick Saban’s defense is restocking the talent this year and it will be interesting to see how much pressure they can put on Penn State’s new starting QB (presumably sophomore Kevin Newsome).

The two old foes haven’t played in 20 years, but things haven’t changed much since then. Joe Paterno still roams the sidelines for the Nittany Lions and Alabama still looks as dominant as they were during their glory days.

4. Florida State at Oklahoma: September 11

New Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher won’t have much time for a breather in his first year taking over for Bobby Bowden. He’ll be asked to bring his Noles squad into Norman for a rematch of the 2000 Orange Bowl in just the second week of the season.

The Sooners have gone four full seasons without losing at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, and it will take a concerted effort from an improving FSU defense to change that trend.

The Noles have what it takes to compete, especially with star QB Christian Ponder back and healthy. But can Fisher handle the pressure of a game of this magnitude so early on in his tenure?

3. North Carolina vs. LSU: September 4

Talent wise, North Carolina’s defense will be the most stacked unit in college football this season. They have a future pro at every turn of the head, but what they don’t have is an offense that can mirror their performance.

While the Tar Heels dominated defensively in 2009, the offense faltered time and time again, finishing near the bottom of the ACC cellar in most every important statistical category. It’s like when a pitcher throws a gem but can’t get the run support needed to win.

If North Carolina really wants to contend for a conference crown in 2010, they undoubtedly need a major improvement from their offense. We’re looking at you T.J. Yates!

This opening weekend showdown in Atlanta will go a long way into showing us if North Carolina’s offense is ready to step up to the plate and help out their tremendous defensive counterparts.

2. Boise State vs. Virginia Tech: September 6

Boise State wanted their shot to show they belong and they got it with this Monday night matchup in Landover, Maryland.

The Broncos have Top Five preseason respect for the first time in their history and now it’s up to them to back it up.

It won’t be easy. With the return of running back Darren Evans, the Hokies look to have one of the best backfields in the nation. Senior quarterback Tyrod Taylor is talented and experienced and running back Ryan Wiliams is a true workhorse.

If Boise wants to make a statement, they need to stop Tech’s three-headed monster and take advantage of an inexperienced Hokie defense that could be without key cog LB Barquell Rivers (torn quadriceps).

If Boise can pull this one out and reel off another undefeated regular season, it will be hard for the BCS brethren to shut them out of the National Title game once again.

1. Miami at Ohio State: September 11

The 2003 Fiesta Bowl—the last time these two teams met—is still fresh in the minds of both fan bases. For Ohio State, it was the beginning of a remarkable seven year run that has included BCS game after BCS game. For Miami on the other hand, it was the end of an era of dominance and a slide into the abyss.

Now it’s the Canes who come into this year’s game as the underdog ready to take back what they feel the Buckeyes stole from them with a phantom pass interference call back on that crazy Arizona night years ago.

This will surely be one of the best defenses Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor faces all season.

If the junior wants to prove he is really capable of leading his team to a National Championship, this would seem to be the perfect opportunity.

Five other games that are worth a look

1. West Virginia at LSU, September 25

2. UCLA at Texas, September 25

3. Miami at PITT, September 23

4. South Florida at Florida, September 11

5. Oklahoma at Cincinnati, September 25