25 Most Exciting College Football Games Remaining in September

With two weeks of college football games in the books, the rest of the season looks like it could be a special, one with strong top-five teams and plenty of other squads who might be able spoil the aspirations of some of the nation's best.

Here is a look at some of the most intriguing games left to be played in the month of September. 

Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks vs. Auburn Tigers

Date: September 15 at 12:21 p.m. ET

Fresh off of their stunning upset of the Arkansas Razorbacks in their last game, the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks will set their sights on another SEC foe this Saturday as they prepare to take on the Auburn Tigers.

Against the Razorbacks, junior quarterback Kolton Browning racked up 481 total yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winning 16-yard scamper into the end zone.

The Tigers are currently 0-2 on the season with losses to the No. 11-ranked Clemson Tigers and conference foe Mississippi State University, but they should be able to beat the Warhawks if sophomore quarterback Kiehl Frazier can execute the offense and avoid turnovers.

Navy Midshipmen vs. Penn State Nittany Lions

Date: September 15 at 3:30 p.m. ET

The Penn State Nittany Lions had a chance to upset the Virginia Cavaliers on the road last weekend, but they came up short after Sam Ficken missed a 42-yard field goal as time expired. It was Ficken's fourth missed field goal of the afternoon, and Penn State fell to the Cavaliers, 17-16.

The Navy Midshipmen will be tough to beat, even though they have to travel to Happy Valley. The Midshipmen were destroyed in their season-opening game against Notre Dame in Dublin, Ireland, but they had a bye last week and have had ample time to prepare for the Nittany Lions.

Navy's option offense could give Penn State's defense problems as well. Just ask the University of Michigan defense what it is like to play a service academy offense with only a week to prepare. 

No. 18 Florida Gators vs. No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers

Date: September 15 at 6:00 p.m. ET

The Tennessee Volunteers will try and defend home turf against their archrival, improve to 3-0 on the season and snap an 11-game losing streak against ranked opponents. The Volunteers' last win over a ranked team came back in 2009, when they routed No. 22 South Carolina at Neyland Stadium.

Junior quarterback Tyler Bray has completed close to 75 percent of his passes this season, in addition to throwing for 643 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions in Tennessee's first two games.

The Florida Gators have not lost to Tennessee since 2004 and will look to continue their dominance over the Volunteers behind another strong performance from senior running back Mike Gillislee, who has rushed for 276 yards and one touchdown so far this season.

The rest of the offense, led by sophomore quarterback Jeff Driskel, has struggled, and the Gators will need another outstanding game from their defense in order to escape Rocky Top with a 3-0 record.

Tennessee is also trying to get off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2004. 

Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Missouri Tigers

Date: September 15 at 7:00 p.m. ET

After being dealt a rude welcome to the SEC by the Georgia Bulldogs last week, the Missouri Tigers will look to bounce back against an Arizona State Sun Devils squad that hung 45 points on a stout Illinois Fighting Illini defense in their second game of the 2012 season.

Missouri's junior quarterback, James Franklin, looked efficient against Georgia, and he should be able to turn in another solid game against the Sun Devils with the help of his playmaking receivers L'Damian Washington and Marcus Lucas.

Meanwhile, Arizona State and first-year head coach Todd Graham will look to keep their offense rolling against Missouri's defense, which gave up 41 points in a losing effort against Georgia. 

No. 2 USC Trojans vs. No. 21 Stanford Cardinal

Date: September 15 at 7:30 p.m. ET

USC Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley came back for his senior season to win a national championship, and the Heisman Trophy contender will not be able to do it unless he can escape Stanford Stadium with a victory this Saturday.

The Trojans were defeated by the Stanford Cardinal, 56-48, last season in a three-overtime thriller. They will be looking to avenge that loss. 

Barkley and the Trojans put up over 40 points in their opening two games. Penn State transfer running back Silas Redd has been impressive as well, with 163 rushing yards and one touchdown on just 24 carries. 

Stanford's defense has been impressive, allowing an average of only 15 points in their first two contests. However, they have gone up against San Jose State and Duke, which are not exactly powerhouse offenses.

Barkley and his dynamic wide receiver duo of Marqise Lee and Robert Woods will provide the Cardinal defense with their first test of the season.

The real matchup to watch, though, will be Stanford's offense—led by junior quarterback Josh Nunes instead of former All-American signal-caller Andrew Luck—against the USC defense. 

The Trojans will find a way to score points against the Cardinal, so Nunes and running back Stepfan Taylor will have to be flawless in order for Stanford to improve to 3-0 and upset USC. 

No. 20 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. No. 10 Michigan State Spartans

Date: September 15 at 8:00 p.m. ET

Fans of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish can think of nothing but Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio's decision to run a fake field goal in overtime two years ago with his team trailing 31-28. The Spartans executed the trick play to perfection, and Michigan State won 34-31 as a result.

Notre Dame bested the Spartans in South Bend last year. However, it is Michigan State who enters this contest as the favorite to knock off the Fighting Irish due to the strength of their defense and the constantly churning legs of running back Le'Veon Bell.

Sophomore quarterback Everett Golson will have to avoid turning the ball over and hope his offensive line holds up against Michigan State's dominant front seven better than they did in their nail-biting win over the Purdue Boilermakers last Saturday.

The Spartans will look to establish the running game early with Bell and open things up with play-action fakes for junior quarterback Andrew Maxwell.

Additionally, the Fighting Irish will have tailback Cierre Wood back in the lineup for the first time this season, after he was suspended for two games due to a violation of team rules.

Utah State Aggies vs. Wisconsin Badgers

Date: September 15 at 8:00 p.m. ET

The Utah State Aggies defeated the Utah Utes, 27-20, in overtime last Friday for the first time in 15 years. The Wisconsin Badgers are returning home from Oregon State University licking their wounds from a 10-7 defeat in which their offense looked completely out of sync.

Wisconsin's running back tandem of Montee Ball and James White will look to get back to scoring touchdowns this weekend after the two were held scoreless and only managed 72 yards against a mediocre Oregon State defense.

Utah State is no stranger to competing against quality power conference opponents away from home. Last season, the Aggies traveled to Auburn University and took the nationally-ranked Tigers down to the wire before falling, 42-38. The year before, the No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners were nearly the victim of an inspired effort by Utah State, but they managed to hold off the Aggies, 31-24.

Quarterback Chuckie Keeton, along with running backs Joe Hill and Kerwynn Williams, could provide some problems for Wisconsin's defense. 

No. 25 Brigham Young Cougars vs. Boise State Broncos

Date: Thursday, September 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET

This has all the makings of a slow-developing slugfest between the rebuilding Boise State Broncos and BYU Cougars, who cracked the Top 25 this week.

The Cougars will be coming off of an emotional rivalry game against the Utah Utes. They will have a short week to prepare for the Broncos, who have been dominant at home for the past decade.

Meanwhile, Boise State will face a dismal Miami (Ohio) RedHawks squad this weekend, which means the starters will probably only play for the first three quarters of the game if the Broncos dominate as they are expected to. This could create some rust for Boise State as they gear up for a Thursday night tilt with the Cougars.  

Virginia Cavaliers vs. No. 16 TCU Horned Frogs

Date: September 22 at 12:00 p.m. ET

The Virginia Cavaliers will have a tough time slowing down TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Casey Pachall. If junior signal-caller Michael Rocco can take care of the football and toss a couple of touchdown passes, then they may have a chance at pulling off the upset on the road.

TCU has a tune-up game this weekend against Big 12 conference foe Kansas University and should be completely healthy when they take on the Cavaliers.

Missouri Tigers vs. No. 8 South Carolina Gamecocks

Date: September 22 at 3:30 p.m. ET

South Carolina Gamecocks starting quarterback Connor Shaw may not return this weekend against UAB, which means this Week 4 contest would mark the return of the junior signal-caller.

The Missouri Tigers will head to Williams-Brice Stadium in search of their first victory in the SEC, which will be difficult to do given how strong the Gamecocks have looked on defense up to this point.

Shaw and star running back Marcus Lattimore should be too much for the Tigers to handle, especially at home.

Oregon State Beavers vs. No. 22 UCLA Bruins

Date: September 22 at 3:30 p.m. ET

The Oregon State Beavers managed to shut down one of the nation's best running backs in a 10-7 upset victory over Montee Ball and the Wisconsin Badgers, but it looks as though stopping UCLA Bruins senior tailback Johnathan Franklin will be a much taller order.

The Bruins have been impressive thus far under new head coach Jim Mora Jr. They rode their resurgent offense to victory over the nationally-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers last weekend.

Even if the Beavers manage to slow Franklin down, freshman quarterback Brett Hundley has been efficient and should be able to outscore Oregon State to put another game in the win column.

No. 3 LSU Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers

Date: September 22 at 7:00 p.m. ET

The LSU Tigers have emerged victorious in four of their last five games against the Auburn Tigers, which does not bode well for Gene Chizik's struggling squad.

On paper, this is a total blowout, but in the SEC it does not always come down to who the best team is in the game preview pack.

The Tigers have to avoid an upset this weekend against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks before facing LSU in Week 4. However, the home-field advantage Jordan-Hare Stadium often provides could help Auburn make this an interesting game to watch. 

No. 17 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 20 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Date: September 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Michigan Wolverines star quarterback Denard Robinson has been like kryptonite for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish over the past two seasons.

Robinson has 948 total yards and eight total touchdowns in Michigan's last two victories over Notre Dame, which puts their winning streak against the Fighting Irish to three games.

Michigan's defense has looked sloppy so far in 2012, however, and Notre Dame's offense struggled to find its rhythm against the Purdue Boilermakers at home last weekend, so neither team is going to be coming into this game with a full head of steam.

The Fighting Irish cannot afford to look ahead to this game, as they must travel to East Lansing to play the Michigan State Spartans in a prime-time matchup this Saturday.

Plus, after watching last season's epic back-and-forth battle between the Wolverines and Fighting Irish, why would college football fans not want to watch these two duke it out again? 

Vanderbilt Commodores vs. No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs

Date: September 22 at 7:45 p.m. ET

The Georgia Bulldogs have failed to pull away from opponents until the fourth quarter of their first two games, which is not something they will be able to do when the Vanderbilt Commodores come to Sanford Stadium in less than two weeks.

The Commodores already took the nationally-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks down to the wire and had the Arkansas Razorbacks on the ropes last season. Do not expect anything different from Vanderbilt when they travel to Georgia.

Vandy may be a long shot to win this one on the road, but the Commodores will put up a solid fight and hang around for all four quarters.

No. 15 Kansas State Wildcats vs. No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners

Date: September 22 at 7:50 p.m. ET

Kansas State Wildcats dual-threat quarterback Collin Klein finally got some help carrying the load on offense this season with the emergence of junior running back John Hubert, who has rushed for 258 yards and two touchdowns through the first two games.

The Oklahoma Sooners will not exactly be trembling when Klein and the Wildcats roll into town in less than two weeks, though. The last time these two played, the defense only surrendered 150 total yards, while senior quarterback Landry Jones threw for 505 yards en route to a 58-17 blowout victory.

This season should be different though. Oklahoma's defense has been impressive, but their offense struggled against a sub-par UTEP squad.

If the Wildcats can establish a solid ground game and slow down the Sooners passing attack, they could leave Norman, Okla., with a victory. 

No. 11 Clemson Tigers vs. No. 5 Florida State Seminoles

Date: September 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET

The Clemson Tigers and Florida State Seminoles should both enter this Week 4 showdown with matching 3-0 overall records. The winner of this game will likely go on to win the Atlantic Division of the ACC this season.

Last year, the Tigers bested the Seminoles, 35-30, thanks to three touchdowns and over 300 passing yards from starting quarterback Tajh Boyd. Running back Andre Ellington also tacked on 71 yards and one touchdown on the ground.

It should be noted that Florida State had to play backup quarterback Clint Trickett due to an injury to starter E.J. Manuel, who is expected to play in this year's contest between the two squads.

This is sure to be one of the ACC's best games in 2012. 

Utah Utes vs. Arizona State Sun Devils

Date: September 22 at 10:00 p.m. ET

Utah Utes quarterback Jordan Wynn announced his retirement from football earlier this week after suffering another shoulder injury, which will not bode well for the Utes when they make the trip to Tempe, Ariz.

Senior running back John White should be able to run the ball effectively against the Arizona State Sun Devils, but if the Utes defense fails to slow down sophomore quarterback Taylor Kelly, it could get ugly.

Kyle Wittingham should have the Utes ready to face the Sun Devils, though, and they could surprise an upstart Arizona State squad. 

No. 24 Arizona Wildcats vs. No. 4 Oregon Ducks

Date: September 22 at 10:30 p.m. ET

Kenjon Barner and the Oregon Ducks will put up points on just about any defense in the country this season. However, will their defense be up to the task of stopping what looks to be a potent Arizona Wildcats offense?

Rich Rodriguez appears to have found his star quarterback in only his first season at Arizona. He hopes that senior dual-threat signal-caller Matt Scott can continue to pick apart opposing defenses. 

Scott has thrown for 707 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to 129 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Sophomore running back Ka'Deem Carey has also been impressive through the Wildcats' first two games this season with 273 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 46 carries.

Arizona's defense will not be able to stop Oregon's offense, but if the Wildcats find a way to score, then they will definitely take this game down to the final quarter of play.

Baylor Bears vs. No. 9 West Virginia Mountaineers

Date: September 29, TBD

Defense has not exactly been a forte for the Baylor Bears and West Virginia Mountaineers over the past several seasons, but these two teams know how to put up video game numbers on offense.

West Virginia and quarterback Geno Smith should be 4-0 heading into their first Big 12 matchup against Baylor, who should be 3-0 by the time this game kicks off, barring another upset from the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks.

Robert Griffin III is gone, but Nick Florence threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns in his debut at quarterback for the Bears.

This one should be a shootout of epic proportions.  

No. 12 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 10 Michigan State Spartans

Date: September 29, TBD

College football fans found out just how good the Michigan State Spartans defense was a year ago when they went to the Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio, and completely shut down the Ohio State Buckeyes' inept offense to come away with a 10-7 victory.

Unfortunately for Ohio State fans, the Spartans defense looks just as dominant as it did in 2011, and Michigan State has bottled up dual-threat quarterbacks in the past, which does not bode well for Braxton Miller.

The Buckeyes will make some plays early to keep pace with the Spartans, but Michigan State's defense will likely be too much for Ohio State to overcome in this Week 5 contest.

No. 14 Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Date: September 29, TBD

True freshman quarterback Wes Lunt and the Oklahoma State Cowboys could not keep pace offensively with the Arizona Wildcats in Week 2, but that should not be an issue when the Texas Longhorns come to Stillwater, Okla.

The Longhorns offense will rely on running backs Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron to produce most of the yards and points against the Cowboys, but if Oklahoma State can find a way to slow them down, this game is primed for an upset.

Lunt will struggle a bit against a stout Texas defense, but the Cowboys will score points. The main question is, will David Ash and the Longhorn running backs be able to do the same?

No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers vs. No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs

Date: September 29, TBD

This very well could turn out to be one of the better quarterback duels in the month of September, as quarterbacks Aaron Murray and Tyler Bray are both off to hot starts for their respective teams.

Murray and the Georgia Bulldogs look like a big favorite at this point, and all of the suspended defensive starters should be back in the lineup by the time this game kicks off—but do not count the Tennessee Volunteers out.

The Georgia defense has looked vulnerable, and Bray might just be the quarterback to bring down the Bulldogs this year.

No. 13 Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Cincinnati Bearcats

Date: September 29, TBD

Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Munchie Legaux totaled over 300 yards and two touchdowns in their season-opening victory over the struggling Pittsburgh Panthers and could put a scare into the Virginia Tech Hokies in Week 5.

The Hokies will be coming off of a couple of tune-up games and could get complacent with a few more lightweights on their schedule after the game with the Bearcats.

Logan Thomas should have a big game, but if Legaux can keep plays alive with his legs, then Cincinnati will have a chance to upset the Hokies at home.

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Date: September 29, TBD

The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Wisconsin Badgers suffered unexpected upsets in Week 2, but both teams should be able to right their respective ships and get back on track this season.

The Cornhuskers and Badgers should be 3-1 overall when they finally meet each other at Memorial Stadium.

After being embarrassed, 41-17, on the road last season by the Badgers, Nebraska will be looking for a little bit of revenge on their home turf this time around.

No. 21 Stanford Cardinal vs. Washington Huskies

Date: September 27, TBD

The Stanford Cardinal should be able to run all over the Washington Huskies defense in this one, much like the LSU Tigers did, and their defense has looked above average despite not being tested by the first two teams on their schedule.

Both teams will have a few extra days to prepare, as they have their bye weeks on Sept. 22, but the Thursday night atmosphere and big-play potential of quarterback Keith Price could be the deciding factors of this game.

Again, this contest seems to be primed for an upset special.