Ohio State-USC, VT-Alabama Lead BCS Out-Of-Conference Schedule For 2009

The 2009 schedule has a plethora of out-of-conference games to keep the arguments going on which conference is better. Whether most of the games will turn out to be fan favorites is another issue all together. Here is a look at the best match-ups between the BCS Conferences along with a few non-BCS teams thrown into the mix (Home team in CAPS).

ACC vs. Big Ten

VIRGINIA vs. Indiana

What a way to start off...if this were the 1980s, and we were talking basketball, we would have something here. This game wins by default since it is the only ACC-Big Ten match-up this year.

ACC vs. Big 12

VIRGINIA TECH (home) vs. Nebraska

This is another early-season test for the ACC pre-season favorite Hokies. Nebraska is still trying to rebuild into a powerhouse, and this will give them a sense of what they have going into Big 12 play. If Miami had proven they were a little stronger in last year's match-up, Oklahoma-Miami would have been at this spot.

ACC vs. Big East

FLORIDA STATE vs. South Florida

South Florida is playing the Florida studs of the ACC this season. Their first test is against big brother FSU. South Florida has proven they can get off to a fast start. Could the Seminoles see this first-hand?

ACC vs. Pac-10

Maryland vs. CALIFORNIA

The better of the two ACC-Pac-10 matchups this season is a rematch of last season's surprise win by Maryland. This time, Cal will not have to fly across country and play before noon (their time) against a possible ACC spoiler.

ACC vs. SEC

Virginia Tech vs. Alabama (Georgia Dome)

The spot normally reserved for Florida-FSU has been replaced by the top-ten early match-up of the Hokies and Crimson Tide. The last time these teams faced each other was the 1998 Inaugural Music City Bowl where the Hokies easily won 38-7. This is the only Hokie victory over the Crimson Tide (1-10).

ACC vs. non-BCS

Florida State vs. BYU

Clemson-TCU was close, but with these two names on the docket, the nation will see if Florida State can play in the mountains against the Cougars. BYU will try to state its case early for a BCS Bowl with a possible win against the Seminoles.

Big Ten vs. Big 12

Illinois vs. Missouri (Edward Jones Dome)

The early-season kick-off has been one of the better games over the past few seasons with these two teams lighting up the scoreboard. This match-up should be no different for the Fighting Illini and the Tigers.

Big Ten vs. Big East

Illinois vs. CINCINNATI

Illinois faces off with last season's Big East Champs after they finish up with their Big Ten schedule. Though it is not for a conference crown, this could go a long way into determining each team's bowl location.

Big Ten vs. Pac-10

OHIO STATE vs. USC

This, by far, was the easiest selection to make. Ohio State will try to prove both the Buckeyes and Big Ten doubters wrong as they host the defending Pac-10 Champs, the USC Trojans. This will answer whether the Trojans and rebuilding, or in their usual case, reloading.

Big Ten vs. SEC

None vs. None (Nowhere Field)

For all the talk that is done between these two conferences fans, it is a shock that there is no Big Ten-SEC out-of-conference matchup this season. Unless they think a few bowl match-ups will answer the question, it is amazing that there is not even a Northwestern-Vanderbilt battle.

Big Ten vs. non-BCS

WISCONSIN vs. Fresno State

Though the Big Ten faces the MAC 14 times, a WAC-battle takes this spot. Fresno State continues its scheduling of the "big boys" by traveling to Wisconsin to take on the Badgers. Wisconsin managed to escape Bulldog Stadium with a 13-10 victory last year where both teams came in ranked.

Big 12 vs. Big East

Colorado vs. WEST VIRGINIA

This Thursday night home game gives the Mountaineers a chance to revenge their overtime loss to the Buffaloes last year. Perhaps if it is close this time, Coach Bill Stewart will be a little better with clock management in the last two minutes.

Big 12 vs. Pac-10

Kansas State vs. UCLA

The winner by default gives us the Wildcats and the Bruins in the only Big 12-Pac-10 match-up. It is not Stanford-Baylor, but then again, it definitely is not Texas-USC.

Big 12 vs. SEC

OKLAHOMA STATE vs. Georgia

We get our first look at Georgia without Stafford and Moreno in the backfield. Can the Bulldogs keep up with the high-scoring Big 12 Offense of the Cowboys? Can the Bulldog defense keep this to a field position-type of game?

Big 12 vs. non-BCS

Oklahoma vs. BYU (Cowboys new Stadium in Arlington)

We get to see a possible national championship contender along with a possible BCS-buster in a newly opened stadium. This might be the most intriguing out-of-conference game the Big 12 will have this season...though I did not say it will be close.

Big East vs. Pac-10

Cincinnati vs. OREGON STATE

Though this is it for the Big East-Pac-10, it gives us a look at the Big East Champs against a top-tier Pac-10 team. The Bearcats will lose a lot of starters...this is a good road test to see exactly how much they lost.

Big East vs. SEC

West Virginia vs. AUBURN

This looks more like a sugar bowl match-up than a regular season battle down in Tigerland. WVU will look to replace Pat White...and the Tiger faithful know this as they will be loud and in full effect for the visiting Mountaineers.

Big East vs. non-BCS

Louisville vs. UTAH

Utah gets to host a team from one of those "Evil Empire" conferences. Louisville will try to prove that they will compete in the Big East as they have their shot against the only undefeated team last year.

Pac-10 vs. SEC

UCLA vs. TENNESSEE

UCLA and Tennessee, Rick Neuheisel and Lane Kiffin...the coaching matchup is enough to draw in the regular viewers. The win over Tennessee with a third-string quarterback seemed to be the highlight of the 2008 season...do they have the magic to go to Tennessee and do it again?

Pac-10 vs. non-BCS

OREGON vs. Utah

Can Oregon give Utah its first loss in over a year? Oregon hosted a non-BCS team in Boise State last year and was not able to get the job done. Though they go to Boise State this year, Utah will be more of a draw until they get a loss on the board.

SEC vs. non-BCS

AUBURN vs. Ball State

There was not much to choose from in this category, so we are left with a "classic" MAC-SEC dogfight. Ball State had one of the few undefeated regular seasons going until they ran out of steam against Buffalo in the MAC Championship. This will be a true test for Ball State in SEC land.

non-BCS vs. non-BCS

Boise State vs. TULSA

This will be a great one to watch if you are a fan of offense and Wednesday Night Football. There is a possibility that the losing team could have a score in the 50s. Also, Boise State's quest at another undefeated season could hinge how they handle leaving the Blue Turf and travel to Tulsa.

Independent vs. non-Independent

NOTRE DAME vs. USC

To include the independents, we obtain the Fighting Irish taking on USC. To see how back the Irish are, USC will give them the litmus test at home. If the Irish can handle the speed of USC, then Notre Dame has taken a huge step forward in getting back to a national power.