An Early Look at the Best Non-Conference College Football Games of 2009

As college football fans face the second of many consecutive Saturday's without action, diehards are ready to take an early sneak peek at the always-exciting non-conference portion of the schedule. Next season serves up some special showdowns with a fair share of interesting story lines. 

Here are 10 to mark on your calendar as the offseason begins:

Sept. 5^th:

Georgia at Oklahoma State:

An early showdown in Stillwater could answer a lot of questions about both these squads.  The Bulldogs have to go on the road early and it will give fans a look at how the Georgia offense does without Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford.  One key component of the offense is still around in wide receiver A.J. Green. 

Another key wide receiver featured in this game will be Oklahoma State standout Dez Bryant.  However unlike Georgia, the Cowboys will have no questions marks at quarterback as Zac Robinson returns in 2009. 

Early Prediction: In what will be an early season battle between teams from college football’s two premier conferences, expect to see the Cowboy’s experienced offense prevail.

Oklahoma State 31 Georgia 27

Oregon at Boise State:

The Ducks looked impressive in closing out the 2008 season and seemed to have finally found a reliable quarterback in Jeremiah Masoli.  Masoli will be the focal point of the Oregon offense as they look to be the only contender in the Pac-10 capable of slowing down Southern Cal. 

After an undefeated regular season, Boise State lost a heartbreaker against TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl.  A few losses on both sides of the ball shouldn’t slow down Chris Petersen’s side too much.  An early win against a BCS conference opponent should provide the Broncos with another chance to run the table in 2009. 

Early Prediction: If this game were back in Eugene I might have to go with Ducks, but playing on the blue turf of Boise I can’t see the Broncos losing this one. 

Boise State 35 Oregon 30

Alabama vs. Virginia Tech:

For the second season in a row the Georgia Dome plays host to week one’s most anticipated game.  After two disappointing late season losses, Alabama hopes to start 2009 the same way they did 2008, with a blowout in neutral setting.  If the Crimson Tide wants to win this one, they will have to do it with defense, as key losses for Alabama on offense could trouble Nick Saban’s crew all season.

Virginia Tech finally broke through and won a BCS game in 2008 and the Hokies hope to build on that momentum to start 2009.  Frank Beamer will be putting the offensive focus on quarterback Tyrod Taylor and sophomore running back Darren Evans, but everyone knows that defense will again be the key if Virginia Tech can win a third straight ACC title. 

The last time Virginia Tech ventured into SEC country the result was not pretty and on this same field last season Alabama crushed Clemson to start an improbable run for the Tide. This showdown between two of college football’s best coaches will come down to the wire and a prediction is probably not in order at this point.  But since it’s early enough to change my mind a few times I’ll take the Hokies because of their returning experience on offense. 

Virginia Tech 17 Alabama 13

Sept. 6^th:

Oklahoma vs. BYU:

In another early season neutral site match-up the Sooners and Cougars will face off in Jerry Jones new masterpiece stadium in Arlington, Texas.  Oklahoma received incredible news when Sam Bradford spurned the NFL for another chance at glory in Norman.  Oklahoma will again be a contender for the national championship and hopes to get things started off right by proving their high-octane offense is back for another season. 

On the other hand BYU has an early season audition at becoming 2009’s version of a BCS buster.  The Cougars are celebrating 25 years since their National Championship and will be relying on star quarterback Max Hall to lead them next season. 

BYU will again be a good team in 2009, but the Sooners will probably overpower them in what should be an entertaining game. 

Oklahoma 45 BYU 30

Sept. 12^th:

Notre Dame at Michigan:

Two coaches on the hot seat will need to win this game to quiet disgruntled bases in Ann Arbor and South Bend.  This game will work as an important springboard to lead one of these teams to a successful season (success in this case means eight or nine wins). 

Notre Dame impressed in their bowl game, but beating Hawaii is normally not something to write home about.  However, the Irish will take what they can get and what they got is Jimmy Clausen who should now show the form and consistency that scouts saw when he was in high school. 

Year two in the Rich Rodriguez era should be better than year one.  At West Virginia, Rodriguez impressed in his second season by leading the team to a nine win season and second place behind national runners-up Miami in the Big East.  However, WVU struggled early that season before turning it around and I expect Michigan to do the same. 

Notre Dame’s offense is in place while Michigan still suffers from the unknown.  The unknown may turn out positive for the Wolverines, but don’t expect it this early in the year. 

Notre Dame 27 Michigan 17

Southern Cal at Ohio State:

The Buckeyes will yet again get a chance to prove themselves on a big stage in a rematch of last year’s blowout in the Los Angeles.  After another disappointing close to a season Ohio State got some more bad news when Chris Wells decided to leave for the NFL.  Major losses on defense will make it even more important for Terrelle Pryor to come into 2009 ready to lead the offense. 

Pete Carroll was obviously disappointed when Mark Sanchez opted to leave for the NFL, but Carroll shouldn’t fret too much as the Trojans will reload as always.  While USC’s defense will undoubtedly not be as dominate as last season’s, they should still hold their own in the Pac-10. 

Ohio State will be eager to prove that they can in fact win a big game.  Playing in Columbus should provide the Buckeyes with a bit of advantage, but in the end Southern Cal’s athletic ability will shine through and the Trojans will win a closer version of last year’s game. 

USC 30 Ohio State 20

UCLA at Tennessee:

Disappointment rang wild, as neither team was able to secure a bowl berth in 2008.  The departure of Phil Fulmer was sad to see, but Lane Kiffin ushers in a new era of football in Knoxville.  The former Oakland Raiders head coach has hit the recruiting trail hard and expectations for Volunteer’s future are starting to rise. 

An early season win over Tennessee last season was supposed to be the springboard to a successful season for first year coach Rick Neuheisel.  However, the Bruins faded as the season progressed and the team failed to record a win over a single bowl eligible team.  Quarterback Kevin Craft will have to improve on the 20 interceptions he threw last season if UCLA hopes to return to a bowl. 

Much like Tennessee’s two game series with Cal, look for UT to win the home game in this series. The excitement surrounding the Tennessee program will make the already intimidating Neyland stadium a house of horrors for the Bruins. 

Tennessee 27 UCLA 10

September 19^th:

West Virginia at Auburn:

This game was built up in the preseason as one of last year’s biggest non-conference battles.  However, both teams quickly fell out of the top-10 leaving both fan bases unhappy. 

The Gene Chizik era begins with low expectations and many questions.  Losing defensive coordinator Paul Rhodes to Iowa State also could be a blow as that was about the only thing Auburn had going for it last season.  Not much is expected of Auburn, but talent on both sides of the ball should still make them a dangerous team in 2009. 

West Virginia begins life without Pat White in 2009, but Jarrett Brown proved a reliable back up for the often injured White. The offense should run more smoothly next season as the team looks to gain more experience in Bill Stewart’s new look passing game.  However, the Mountaineer defense may have to carry the load in the early going as the offense adjusts. 

It’s never easy to win road games in the SEC, but this early in the season West Virginia may be more put together than Auburn.  If Auburn can pull off the upset it will send an early message to Tiger fans that Chizik might have been a good choice after all.  Look for West Virginia to hang on and beat Auburn for the second year in a row. 

WVU 24 Auburn 20

Sept. 26:

South Florida at Florida State:

The Bulls and Seminoles will meet for the first time ever in 2009.  Florida State looked impressive in 2008 and has a great chance at returning to the ACC championship game for the first time since 2005.  Christian Ponder looks to lead the charge as one of last year’s youngest teams matures in 2009. 

South Florida has started fast and furious two years straight and worked their way up to the top-10 twice before falling fast as the season continued.  Matt Grothe is a good quarterback but suffers from some poor decision making at times.  The Bulls defense is glad to get George Selvie back and he should again be a force on the defensive line. 

South Florida usually starts red hot and then fades as the season progresses.  This season will be different as the Noles should send their southern neighbors back to Tampa with an early loss. 

Florida State 30 USF 23

Nov. 28^th:

Florida State at Florida

Fast forwarding two months, the Seminoles and Gators meet in their annual match-up in the Swamp for what should be the best game between the two teams in years.  Florida is riding high after their second National Title in three years and are getting back the best competitor in college football.  Tim Tebow could be on the verge of his second Heisman and third national title appearance. 

This game will match up two bitter instate rivals against each other with both in contention to be making appearances in the BCS.  Florida State is starting to close the gap on the Gators, but more time is needed as Tebow will not lose his final game in the Swamp.

Florida 41 Florida State 27