8 Electrifying College Football Games You Can't Miss in 2012

The 2011-2012 season is officially over, which means it is time to start talking about next season's slate of exciting games.

I personally can not wait until the polls are released, but we kind of already have a feeling where most teams will be ranked. 

Still, we can throw out the rankings once the season gets underway. There are always a few overrated teams that do not find their breaks and a few under the radar teams come out of nowhere.

Well, all of that should be decided in my eight most electrifying regular season games in the 2012 college football season.

Notable Early Season Games To Watch

There are a few games that are too good to mention, so I thought it would be thoughtful to name nearly every single big game around the nation.

Boise State at Michigan State - Aug. 31

How about some Friday night football in August? Chris Petersen loses a ton of stars and you can count on his Broncos being counted out by a Spartans squad that has a ton of momentum.

Clemson vs. Auburn - Sept. 1

Clemson showed the nation they were capable of playing big boy football, but then they let us down in the Orange Bowl. Which Clemson will we see in 2012, the one that play like good ole Clemson against West Virginia or a team that pretty much (offensively speaking) destroyed Auburn, Florida State and Virginia Tech?

Notre Dame at Michigan State - Sept. 15

I swear I am not purposely picking out Spartan games, but they have a boatload of swing games that can send them packing for Pasadena or perhaps Texas or Arizona. The Irish better not lose another game or two in September or else they really will become the laughing stock and or punching bag of college football.

Michigan at Notre Dame - Sept. 22

Last season's night game at the Big House was quite entertaining, but this game in South Bend is a true litmus test on which program is truly headed for great things. If Michigan wants to live up to their top-10 billing in August, they better pull this one out.

Ohio State at Michigan State - Sept. 29

The Buckeyes cannot participate in a postseason bowl or even the Big Ten Championship, but they can still prove to the nation that they are one of the elite programs in the country. Getting eight home game helps, but they need to most of their road games if they want to become the 2011 version of the USC Trojans.

Note: Some games dates have yet to be determined Ex: Clemson vs. Florida State

Notable Late Season Games to Watch

Michigan at Nebraska - Oct. 27

Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead will be looking for some revenge after getting demolished by four touchdowns.

Ohio State at Wisconsin - Nov. 17

Braxton Miller only has four road games for the entire season, but this one could be the toughest. Wisconsin wants to get back in the Big Ten Championship so they can get back to Pasadena where the state of California has not been kind to the Badgers.

Notre Dame at USC - Nov. 24

Can the Irish pull off the upset or will USC be destined for a BCS game that has some importance involved in it? 

South Carolina at Clemson - Nov. 24

Clemson was eaten alive against the fierce SC defense last season and things could get even uglier if they do improve up front. Luckily, the Tigers return a ton of players and revenge should be on the minds in Death Valley.

Florida at Florida State - Nov. 24

The Noles and Gators annual battle was once some of the fiercest games of the entire season, but there has been lopsided matchups for the past several years. Things look like they will be improving with a solid Florida State squad and a Gators team showed some promise in their bowl victory.

Auburn at LSU - Nov. 24

Some believe that Auburn can rise above their brutal schedule once again. If they do, this game could play a huge factor in the SEC West as the winner of this Tiger battle should at least bolster their New Year's bowl.

Michigan at Ohio State - Nov. 24

One of the best rivalries in all of sports is always must see television and this time it should determine if the Wolverines have a shot to play in the Big Ten Championship and ultimately Pasadena.

9/1/12 Michigan Wolverines vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

If Michigan wants to get the respect they feel they should be getting, it starts with a big W in the big state of Texas.

The Crimson Tide may be the defending national champions, but they will likely be losing a ton of players. Nick Saban reloads and he will not allow any type of a BCS hangover next season.

Brady Hoke needs a better season from Denard Robinson and he hopes he will have a few more playmakers emerge on offense to keep up with an Alabama defense that can win games just on defense and special teams alone.

9/8/12 West Virginia Mountaineers at Florida State Seminoles

I think the West Virginia Mountaineers just scored another touchdown, but maybe it is just me. Geno Smith, Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey will be loaded next season.

Dana Holgorsen is that mad scientist you don't want to see clicking on all cylinders because of what they are capable of doing. We saw that against the Clemson Tigers in the Orange Bowl.

Coming off a 70-33 upset victory, West Virginia could be close to the top 10 next season when (or if) they travel to Tallahassee against the Florida State Seminoles.

We know West Virginia has the offensive weapons, but do they have the defense to slow down E.J. Manuel and Rashad Greene?

Regardless, the machup to watch for clearly is West Virginia's dynamic receivers against the ball-hawking secondary of Florida State.

9/15/12 Alabama Crimson Tide at Arkansas Razorbacks

You want an early season SEC battle that could effect the national championship race?

Well, you got one with these pair of teams from the West division and if Arkansas is ever going to become a relevant national team, they better beat Alabama when they get them at home.

Bobby Petrino is a tremendous offensive mind, but we know that Nick Saban is all that and more in terms of defense. Something has got to give as Petrino looks for his first win against Saban (lost last four).

10/6/12 Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners

We know TCU is coming to the Big 12, but so many are unsure on whether or not the West Virginia Mountaineers will be coming.

As of right now, these two programs are still the cream of the crop in the conference and they will likely be the favorites to represent the Big 12 in the BCS next season.

The Longhorns should improve with Bryan Harsin (second season) and Major Applewhite, but Manny Diaz' defense will be vastly improved next season.

Plus, Oklahoma buried them alive (55-17) last season and you know they will be counting down the days before the Red River Rivalry once again takes stage on the first Saturday of October.

10/27/12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Oklahoma Sooners

Maybe you are not looking forward to this game because you think the Sooners will smoke the Irish in this matchup.

Not so fast my friend!

I am not predicting an upset in this one since OU rarely loses at home, but Notre Dame has freaks coming back on defense whereas the Sooners lose quite a bit up front.

Sure, they reload but the preseason hype will not nearly as high for Bob Stoops as it was this past season.

Maybe that will be a good thing, but this is huge for both teams. Notre Dame needs a great showing before they lose all of their credibility.

They face USC, Stanford, Michigan, Michigan State and Oklahoma in what will likely be five games that will be extremely tough.

If Brian Kelly cannot get his Irish in the BCS in 2012, people will start to wonder if he can ever get them there.

11/3/12 Alabama Crimson Tide at LSU Tigers

A third meeting in just under a year should be special, especially since the Crimson Tide and Bayou Bengals will likely both be in the top 10.

Maybe Alabama and or LSU will have a loss, but there is also a decent chance that one or both of them are undefeated. This could be yet another game with national championship aspirations and the loser will likely fall out of the BCS and SEC championship picture.

Plus, Les Miles had previously knocked off Nick Saban two times in a row. Will Saban now make it two in a row?

11/3/12 Oregon Ducks at USC Trojans

Throw in the Pac-12 Championship as a great possibility with these two teams playing each other, but the first matchup could be a "Game of the Century" if LSU were to lose a game or get passes in the polls.

Matt Barkley, De'Anthony Thomas, Robert Woods, Kenjon Barner, Marquis Lee, Darron Thomas, Dion Bailey, John Boyett, T.J. McDonald, the stars are endless!

If you were a fan of the Rose or Fiesta Bowls, this game could and should be better than both of them with these powerhouse offenses likely getting a national spotlight type of game.

The atmosphere will be electric at the L.A. Coliseum with ESPN's College Gameday a safe bet to be in appearance, but there will be so much at stake in this game.

The Heisman, NFL draft stock, Pac-12 impact on top of BCS title dreams will be on the line in this one. 

The question is, who do you have winning?

11/23/12 LSU Tigers at Arkansas Razorbacks

Bobby Petrino has had solid success against Les Mile (2-2), but he was not too pleased with him last season after he thought the "Mad Hatter" was running up the score on his Hogs.

Arkansas really is running out of time in terms of becoming a national powerhouse or relevant team if they continue to lose to the boys. It is now or never and with Tyler Wilson returning for his senior season, the Razorbacks may actually have a punchers chance in this one.