This college football season has plenty of intriguing non-conference match-ups, several of which have BCS and National Championship implications. But those are not the only factors that go into determining an interesting game. Coaching match-ups, rivalries, conference match-ups, and many other factors go into making an intriguing match-up. This is the list of the 25 games that are sure to get you excited about the 2008 non-conference season.
25. Oregon State at Penn State
This will be the first ever meeting between these two schools. In what will likely be a defensive battle, with the Penn State defense always playing tough and the Oregon State defense leading the nation in rushing defense and ranking eighth in total defense last season, Coach Mike Riley will have to find some offense in this game if the Beavers have any chance of winning.
This will be the first ever meeting between these two schools. In what will likely be a defensive battle, with the Penn State defense always playing tough and the Oregon State defense leading the nation in rushing defense and ranking eighth in total defense last season, Coach Mike Riley will have to find some offense in this game if the Beavers have any chance of winning.
24. Colorado at Florida State
Even though last season’s meeting was a snoozer, it is still an interesting non-conference match-up. Both teams were once college football powers who have recently fallen on harder time and are trying to pull themselves back up. That alone makes this an interesting battle, but this season both teams are rebuilding their offensive lines and Florida State will have 10 players returning from suspension to play for the first time in this game. It could get very interesting.
23. Notre Dame at Boston College
The Eagles are on a five game winning streak in this heated rivalry which is the longest streak in the series. The Irish do lead the series narrowly 9-8, but the game is at Alumni Stadium and the Eagles would like nothing more than to even up “The Holy War”.
The Eagles are on a five game winning streak in this heated rivalry which is the longest streak in the series. The Irish do lead the series narrowly 9-8, but the game is at Alumni Stadium and the Eagles would like nothing more than to even up “The Holy War”.
22. Miami (FL) at Florida
The ‘Canes get exactly one game to figure out their quarterback situation and then it’s the big time when they travel to Gainesville to take on the Gators who have their quarterback situation figured out. It seems like these two teams play each other every season, but the last time they met was in the 2004 Peach Bowl and the Gators have not beaten the ’Canes since 1985.
The ‘Canes get exactly one game to figure out their quarterback situation and then it’s the big time when they travel to Gainesville to take on the Gators who have their quarterback situation figured out. It seems like these two teams play each other every season, but the last time they met was in the 2004 Peach Bowl and the Gators have not beaten the ’Canes since 1985.
21. Oregon State at Utah
These teams met in last years season opener and Utah left Corvallis with not only a loss but an injured starting quarterback and running back who would miss the entire season. This season the Utes are looking to make a statement (and keep their starters healthy) when the Beavers come to Salt Lake City.
These teams met in last years season opener and Utah left Corvallis with not only a loss but an injured starting quarterback and running back who would miss the entire season. This season the Utes are looking to make a statement (and keep their starters healthy) when the Beavers come to Salt Lake City.
20. BYU at Washington
After two straight 11 win seasons, BYU is looking to prove that they belong in the BCS party at the end of the season and Washington is looking to prove that they are improved and ready to win. This game may get lost in the early season shuffle, but it is an interesting match-up. BYU has a high octane offense and the Huskies defense last season was abysmal giving up 31 points per game. But the defense should be improved with the hiring of Ed Donatell as the new defensive coordinator. The Washington offense should be better this season and quarterback Jake Locker should be hard to stop.
After two straight 11 win seasons, BYU is looking to prove that they belong in the BCS party at the end of the season and Washington is looking to prove that they are improved and ready to win. This game may get lost in the early season shuffle, but it is an interesting match-up. BYU has a high octane offense and the Huskies defense last season was abysmal giving up 31 points per game. But the defense should be improved with the hiring of Ed Donatell as the new defensive coordinator. The Washington offense should be better this season and quarterback Jake Locker should be hard to stop.
19. Fresno State at UCLA
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