NCAA Football: The 25 Best Remaining Games
The North Carolina Tar Heels and the Miami Hurricanes are both 4-2 and 2-1 in the ACC. Both teams came into the year ranked in the AP Top 25 (Tar Heels No.18 and Hurricanes No.13).
The Tar Heels were the talk of the NCAA earlier in the season but for the wrong reason. After starting the season without 13 players, North Carolina ultimately dismissed star DT Marvin Austin and WR Greg Little, and DE Robert Quinn were determined to be permanently ineligible by the NCAA.
The Hurricanes have been erratic this year just like the play of their star QB Jacory Harris. When Harris is good so too are the Hurricanes but in games against Ohio State and the Florida State Seminoles 41/86, 487 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions.
This game has big importance in the ACC standings, as both teams are currently tied for third in the Coastal Division of the ACC, trailing the Virginia Tech Hookies (3-0 in conference).
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25. North Carolina Tar Heels Vs Miami (FL) Hurricanes 10/23/2010
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The North Carolina Tar Heels and the Miami Hurricanes are both 4-2 and 2-1 in the ACC. Both teams came into the year ranked in the AP Top 25 (Tar Heels No. 18 and Hurricanes No.13).
The Tar Heels were the talk of the NCAA earlier in the season but for the wrong reason. After starting the season without 13 players, North Carolina ultimately dismissed star DT Marvin Austin and WR Greg Little, and DE Robert Quinn were determined to be permanently ineligible by the NCAA.
The Hurricanes have been erratic this year, just like the play of their star QB Jacory Harris. When Harris is good so too are the Hurricanes but in games against Ohio State and the Florida State Seminoles 41/86, 487 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions.
This game has big importance in the ACC standings, as both teams are currently tied for third in the Coastal Division of the ACC, trailing the Virginia Tech Hookies (3-0 in conference).
24. No. 20 West Virginia Mountaineers Vs Connecticut Huskies 10/29/2010
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West Virginia is having a stellar season at 5-1 overall and their only loss coming against the Louisiana State Tigers. The Mountaineers are looking to continue their success against the Huskies.
The Huskies are having a continued drop off after a stellar season a couple years ago. UConn sits at 3-3 and 0-1 in the Big East.
The Mountaineers look to be the class of the Big East this year, but they must not overlook Connecticut, as they try and reclaim the Big East Title.
23. No. 18 Arizona Wildcats Vs Washington Huskies 10/23/2010
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The Washington Huskies came into the season with a lot of hype thanks to the play of QB Jake Locker. The Arizona Wildcats came into the season as a contender for the Pac-10 conference title.
Through three conference games, both teams are currently 2-1 in conference.
The Huskies are coming off a great win against the Oregon State Beavers over the weekend and are looking to ride that momentum through the rest of the season.
The Wildcats are looking to get to the Rose Bowl and capitalize on a great season.
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22. No. 5 TCU Vs UNLV 10/30/2010
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The TCU Horned Frogs are one of two BCS busters (Boise State, the other) that have caused a lot of drama over the last couple of years, and they are doing it again now.
They come into this game undefeated and ranked No. 5 in the initial BCS Rankings released Sunday.
The Horned Frogs schedule has often been talked about as to why TCU should not be considered for the national title, however this may be the year for TCU.
With all the disparity this year, they may be able to finally get their chance against one of the "big name" schools in the BCS National Championship.
21. Army Black Knights Vs Navy Midshipmen 12/11/2010
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Army and Navy will always be a game worth paying attention too. Maybe it's too high on this list but it normally makes for a great game.
These two teams are not having the greatest of seasons, Army is 4-3 and Navy is 4-2 currently. However, both teams know how to run the football. Navy ranks ninth in the FBS in rushing yards per game and Army is right ahead of them at eighth.
This game will be a battle on the ground and it will show the people who put their lives on the line for us in a different light for a couple hours.
20. No. 12 Stanford Cardinals Vs Washington Huskies 10/30/2010
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Stanford is a team on the rise in the Pac-10. After a great year last year, they're doing even better this year at 5-1 and second in the Pac-10.
This game will be a matchup of two of the premier quarterbacks in the Pac-10, as Jake Locker of Washington will face off against Stanford's Andrew Luck.
This game will be won through the air so be prepared to see a high-scoring finish to this Pac-10 game.
19. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Vs No. 25 Virginia Tech Hookies 11/4/2010
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The Hokies had a rough start to the season, after a close loss to the No. 3 Boise State Broncos in the first week, they followed up by not showing up against James Madison and losing.
Georgia Tech has one bad loss to the North Carolina State Wolfpack, 45-28 and a close call against Kansas. The Yellow Jackets are still in the race for the ACC Costal title at 3-1 in conference.
This game will be a battle of the top two teams in the Coastal division if both teams win their games before their meeting in November.
The winner of this game will probably represent the ACC Costal division in the ACC Conference Championship.
18. No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide Vs Tennessee Volunteers 10/23/2010
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Alabama is one of the best teams in the nation, but they suffered a tough defeat at the hands of the South Carolina Gamecocks. If the Crimson Tide can right their ship and make a run to the SEC Championship game, they may be able to become a national title contender.
Tennessee is under a brand new regime after previous head coach Lane Kiffin ditched the program for Southern Cal after only one year. New coach Derek Dooley has faced a tough schedule facing ranked teams such as: Oregon Ducks, Florida Gators and Louisiana State Tigers.
However, as seen by the game with South Carolina, Alabama isn't unbeatable and if the Volunteers can get the momentum and execution that the Gamecocks had last Saturday, then this game could spell trouble for the Crimson Tide once again.
17. Fresno State Bulldogs Vs No. 3 Boise State Broncos 11/19/2010
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Boise State doesn't have many tough games left on it's schedule, but Fresno State could poise as a potential threat to upset the Broncos.
Fresno State is third in the WAC at 2-1 in conference and has won four of their 10 total meetings, with Boise State Winning six of the last seven.
If the Bulldogs can put up a great game through the air, they might be able to hang in with Boise State this year.
16. No. 17 Florida State Seminoles Vs North Carolina State Wolfpack 10/28/2010
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Florida State is having a great season under new head coach Jimbo Fisher. In the first season of the Post Bobby Bowden Era, the Seminoles are 6-1 and 4-0 in the ACC—their only loss coming against the now No. 1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners.
North Carolina State started off the season with four straight wins, but they have lost two of their last three games. The Wolfpack have a strong passing attack led by QB Russ Wilson. However, the Wolfpack are 2-1 in conference and second to the Seminoles.
This game will be critical in determining the winner of the ACC Atlantic division. Florida State and North Carolina State are both quality teams, and it should make for a great game.
15. Colorado Buffaloes Vs No. 16 Nebraska Cornhuskers 11/26/2010
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The Cornhuskers have one of the most dominant rush offenses in the nation. They rank fourth overall with an average of 302.2 yards per game. Their defense isn't too bad either as they are holding teams to just 14.0 points per game.
However, Colorado isn't the greatest of teams in the Big 12. They only average 19.3 points per game, but with the way this season has been going upsets are coming a dime a dozen.
This game should be watched because of stud quarterback Taylor Martinez. He was gaining points in the Heisman race but with Saturday's loss to Texas he isn't as hot of a name right now.
14. No. 2 Oregon Ducks Vs Southern California Trojans 10/30/2010
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The Oregon Ducks have been one of the most prolific teams in the country this year. They're averaging a FBS best 54.3 points per game. They probably have the best situation right now being second in the BCS polls released Sunday.
The Trojans are holding their own in their first year under Lane Kiffin at 5-2 overall and 2-2 in conference. This game would be a big statement if Southern Cal was able to get a win against the Ducks.
Oregon needs to merely win the rest of their games and write themselves a ticket to the BCS National Championship game. Southern Cal is one of the five Pac-10 teams in their way. This game could make for great television.
13. ACC Conference Championship Game 12/4/2010
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The ACC might not be the most dynamic of conferences, but they have a few quality teams. The title game will be an intriguing one.
The winner of this game will find themselves tasting oranges as they receive a bid to the FedEx Orange Bowl.
If the top teams in the ACC can hold their own for the remainder of the season, then this game may have deserved to be even higher on this list.
12. Michigan Wolverines Vs No. 10 Ohio State Buckeyes 11/27/2010
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Michigan and Ohio State is a rivalry that dates back as far as 1897. These two teams, fan bases and communities have absolutely no love for each other.
These teams have met 106 times with Michigan winning 57 of those games. This year, the ball looks to be in the Buckeyes court.
Michigan started the season off on fire but have since lost their last two games against Michigan State and Iowa. If they come focused, this will definitely be a game to keep an eye out for beyond the rivalry.
11. No. 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys Vs No. 16 Nebraska Cornhuskers
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These two teams have had great seasons, Oklahoma State comes into the game undefeated and Nebraska is 5-1 after a loss to Texas.
This game will be a ground versus air battle, as the Cowboys rank third in the country in pass offense and the Cornhuskers are fourth in the country in rush offense.
This is a game with big implications in the races in both the Big 12 North and South divisions.
10. No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers Vs No. 15 Iowa Hawkeyes 10/23/2010
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Wisconsin is coming off a huge win against Ohio State and is looking to carry that with them into Iowa City.
This is going to be a game of great offense facing great defense. The Badgers are ranked 16th in FBS in points per game, averaging 36.3. The Hawkeyes are sixth in FBS only allowing 13.2 points per game.
The Big Ten doesn't have a championship game so this game will have a tremendous effect on who comes out on top of the Big Ten this season.
9. No. 7 Michigan State Spartans Vs No. 15 Iowa Hawkeyes 10/30/2010
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The Hawkeyes have two rough games back to back. After facing Wisconsin, they get to go up against the undefeated Michigan State Spartans.
The Spartans are playing outstanding and have kept it up even with the health problems of their coach Mark Dantonio.
Iowa can't afford any let down whether they win or lose against Wisconsin, and if they can do that, they may be able to stay a top the Big Ten conference rankings.
8. No. 18 Arizona Wildcats Vs No. 2 Oregon Ducks 11/26/2010
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These two teams are currently one and two in the conference standings. Oregon is on a tear this year and doesn't seem to slow down anytime soon.
The Wildcats are a tough team that has more than held their own against stiff competition in the Pac-10, including a win against Big Ten power Iowa.
These two teams are trying to get to the Rose Bowl, and for the Ducks, this game has national title implications on the line as well.
7. No.1 Oklahoma Sooners Vs No.14 Oklahoma State Cowboys 11/27/2010
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The Cowboys and the Sooners have produced some great games throughout the years. Both teams have gotten off to impressive starts and are sitting on top of the Big 12 standings and 6-0 overall.
Oklahoma has been playing great including a 47-17 win over No. 17 Florida State. The Sooners are No. 1 in the BCS polls just released Sunday.
Oklahoma State however, is trying to show everyone that they are definitely a force to be dealt with and have upset on the brain. With the luck of the No. 1 team the last few weeks, the Cowboys may not be able to take down the Sooners when they are the top seed.
6. Big 12 Conference Championship Game 12/4/2010
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The Big 12 is the second best conference in college football behind the phenomenal SEC. But don't think for a second that the Big 12 teams will be outmatched against any team they face, in and out of conference.
The championship game will be the highlight for this conference (unless the Sooners can hold onto that number one ranking). And they have a number of quality teams that can make for a great, great, great, game on December 4th.
5. No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners Vs No. 11 Missouri Tigers 10/23/2010
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Speaking of the Sooners, their other real test left on their schedule is against the Missouri Tigers. Both teams are undefeated just like Oklahoma's later matchup with the Cowboys.
That could change if the Tigers have anything to say about it though. Their defense is tough and gritty and only allows an astonishing 10.8 points per game.
The Sooners have a barely balanced attack in the ground and air and a defense that is not to be overlooked either.
No. 4 Auburn Tigers Vs No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide 11/26/2010
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Alabama was the talk of the town going into the season, and why shouldn't they have been? They came off an undefeated season and pretty much weren't faced with any type of challenge throughout the 2009-10 season.
However, the same can't be said this year. They have been tested and lost one of them to South Carolina.
The Auburn Tigers are doing great and have rode star quarterback Cam Newton to a 7-0 record and 4-0 in the SEC. If the Tigers can keep it rolling against the Crimson Tide, then look out.
3. No. 6 Louisiana State University Tigers Vs No. 4 Auburn Tigers 10/23/2010
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Alabama isn't the only big name team that Auburn has to face this season, but they also get to the team they are tied with for first place in the SEC West, the Louisiana State Tigers.
LSU isn't particularly great on offense at one thing, but they have a great defense and a special teams unit that is capable of pulling off the big play.
This battle of "tigers" will be one where both teams are scratching and clawing for everything they get.
2. SEC Conference Championship Game 12/3/2010
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The SEC has been the best conference in college football for the past few years, they have produced the national champion since 2006.
This year the conference is flooded with high quality teams, currently they have five teams in the BCS and three teams in the the top ten.
This game will be a contested and hard fought as these five teams have the opportunity to be championship caliber teams.
1. BCS National Championship Game 1/10/11
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This year is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. The team everybody thought would win the title, Alabama, is not looking as impeccable as everybody thought. The next best team, Ohio State, only sat a top the polls for a week after having a stinker against Wisconsin.
This game SHOULD (I don't trust the BCS computers to make a more definitive statement) be the best game of the year. Everyone is looking forward to it and hoping their team will be the one that makes it there.
Brandon Jefferson is a student at High Point University and a Bleacher Report Writing Intern. You can follow him on Twitter @Dotcom_2.
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