College Football Predictions: Five Games in September You Can't Miss

With College Football season fast approaching, you know that September always has some great non-conference football games that will have some bearing on the BS—er—BCS standings at some point. But this year really gives us games that are going to be downright ugly battles.

So guys, here is your heads up for these games. I know your wives or significant others will be planning your Saturday afternoons or evenings with some mindless activities and dinner parties you would prefer not to attend anyway. At least let me give you some important dates to throw on your iCal or Google Calendar so that your DVR can be ready to go.

Most of these games will have National Championship implications. One of these teams may go undefeated. We could have BCS hell yet again.

Let's check out the games. SPOILER ALERT: Don't go anywhere September 11.

Boise State vs Virginia Tech, Sept 6

This Monday Nighter doesn't need an introduction. In fact, it's quite simple. Boise State has the highest rank in school history at No. 4. This game for Boise State is important for a couple of reasons.

First, If they win this game against the Hokies, this makes a case for Boise State in the BCS. The rest of their schedule is light so the probability of them going undefeated will be high.

Secondly, this is a road game for Boise State despite the fact that this game is on a neutral field. Truth is, Virginia Tech should flood the stadium with Hokie Nation being located close to DC. 

As badly as Boise State wants to prove that they are indeed a team that should be reckoned with, their first game willl make or break their season. And it's not an easy first game. Virginia Tech consistently puts a strong team on the field who play Beamer ball. 

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor, two tailbacks (Ryan Williams and Darren Evans), and a slew of other starters are back and could bring problems to the defensive front of Boise State.

But doesn't Boise State want this? Sure they do. Nobody wants to schedule Boise State, and you have a better chance of getting Obama to sing karaoke at your little sister's birthday party than have any major school go play them on the Blue Field. Whatever the case, it's Boise State's time to shine.

Prediction: Virginia Tech in a close one.

Florida State at Oklahoma, Sept. 11

God bless the schedule makers for this one. You may hate Florida State for various reasons, but there is one thing you can't deny: You cannot question or doubt the courage of Florida State.

They really don't care who you are, they'll play you. I remember four years ago when this game was first reported to have been scheduled, I thought the Seminoles were crazy. Bobbie had finally lost it which may have been correct. Where is the Citadel or Arkansas State? Oh, my bad. Samford is on the schedule.

But really this is a genius move. Imagine if the Seminoles win this game and beat BYU a few weeks later.

The intriguing thing about this game is that this is Jimbo Fisher's REAL first game as head coach.  (I don't count the scrimmage vs Samford). He's replacing an icon at Florida State in a sordid mess that just keeps getting uglier by the interview.

Bobby will not go quietly in the night, but all of that is something that has to stay OFF the field. If they have any hopes of beating Oklahoma,  quarterback Christian Ponder has to play well. The defense will have to play lights out and points will have to be scored. It's possible with a new secondary for the Sooners.

Is this a little too much to ask for a Florida State team that can't find more than seven wins in a season anymore? I think so. I'm not saying they will miss Bobby Bowden's coaching. He hasn't done that for years. But there is a distinct difference in the attitude at practice. Jimbo has the team believing they are BCS bound.

This is my upset special folks. I see FSU going into Norman and pulling a stunner.

Miami at Ohio State, Sept 11

Over the last few years, the Ohio State Buckeyes have added some teams to the schedule that have finally made me give them some credit.

Before I use to think they were the "Little Debbie's" of the NCAA. They had nothing but cupcakes on their schedule, and the Big Ten just isn't what it use to be. But they started adding the likes of Texas and USC, and the respect ratio has grown.

Now comes the Miami Hurricanes who are definitely returning to a semblance of their former selves.  Canes quarterback Jacory Harris can go a long way in making a statement for his Heisman candidacy if he can pull off an upset here. And this would be upset on all accounts because the Buckeyes don't play nice at home.

Gents, September 11 is a day you want to pay attention to. First FSU and Oklahoma at 3:30. And now this at 4:30. Even if you are sitting on the couch, you will need a good remote control and the DVR rolling.

Penn State at Alabama, Sept 11

As if September 11 couldn't get any better, it does. The reigning champs surprised me with this one.

Again, I am fan of the Crimson Tide schedule makers who prepared this delightful little battle. Alabama never shies away from a good battle. They play in the SEC which is football country.

This is a good battle, folks. I can't get out of my head that Penn State will come to play.  They usually do. This is the first time that Penn State and Alabama have played in 20 years and that didn't go so well for Alabama (9-0 loss), but things have changed—at least on the Alabama front.

Unfortunately, Penn State will probably be starting a sophomore at quarterback, and that doesn't bode well for the trip to Tuscaloosa against that Alabama defense. Alabama should win, but that doesn't mean this won't be a great game.

Think about the coaches in this game: Nick Saban and Joe Paterno. These two great football minds know how to game plan and how to get the most out of their players. I just think Nick can go deeper in the tank, and thus Alabama will win.

Oregon State vs TCU, Sept 4

After the great games I just mentioned, this may be sort of a let down, but hear me out before you close the box.

First of all, Oregon State has a pretty rough early season schedule. They play TCU, Louisville, Boise State, Arizona, and Washington in their first five out of six games.

Notice that TCU and Boise State are in the mix. Oregon State can play major spoiler this year. Last year, TCU and Boise State were the little darlings of the NCAA and gave us an anti-climatic finish in the Fiesta Bowl last year with a 17-10 win by Boise State. Now, Oregon State has a chance to put that first loss on TCU and potential the second for Boise State a few weeks later.

On the flip side, looking at TCU's schedule, this could be their only "real" test all year outside of BYU. So, we could have another undefeated team looking into the National Championship and maybe even the BCS.

Alas, that's why I give you Oregon State and TCU. Oh, and TCU will win.