Circle the Dates: Most Explosive Matchup from Each Week on the 2011 CFB Schedule
The majority of the schedules for the 2011 College Football season have been released.
It's a whole new year with different matchups, players, rivalries, and storylines. It's the always changing personnel that keeps College Football fresh and exciting every year.
Here is a list of games to particularly keep an eye on, all with the potential of being the most explosive games of the year.
Week 1: LSU/Oregon
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Week one is usually a cupcake game for most teams. A nice and easy start to a long season.
That won't be the case for Oregon and LSU. The teams will face each other in week one action. In week one, either Oregon or LSU will have their dreams of a National Championship greatly diminished.
Oregon is returning the majority of their team from last year. They were one of the most explosive teams in the nation and are expected to be similar, if not better, this year.
Jerry's World didn't just get the Super Bowl; it will be the host of this great matchup to start off the college football season.
Week 2: Alabama/Penn State
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Last season Penn State traveled to Alabama and was handed a marginal defeat at 24-3.
This year, Alabama will make the trip up to Happy Valley for a rematch in week two.
Penn State is a maturing team and will be improved from last season. Alabama lost some talent to graduation and the NFL Draft, but has the depth to make up for it. The team did lose some key pieces in McElroy and Ingram.
It's hard to predict what will happen in this game. It could be a blowout, or it could come down to the final seconds. That said, it's one of the most exciting matchups in week two.
Week 3: Miami/Ohio State
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In the 2003 National Championship, the Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Miami Hurricanes 31-24 in double overtime.
Ever since that game, this is a matchup that just has a different kind of energy to it.
The Hurricanes may not be the top team they were a few years ago. They surely aren't on the same level as Ohio State, but they will come to play in week three.
The recent firing of Randy Shannon and hiring of Al Golden leaves a lot of question marks heading into the 2011 season for Miami.
Week three could be when they show what they are made of.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Week 4: Missouri/Oklahoma
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Week four doesn't have too many matchups that really stand out to me.
One that does is Missouri and Oklahoma. Both teams have recently fallen off the top of their game. The Big 12 is no longer considered to be quite the powerhouse it was a few years ago.
Blaine Gabbert from Missouri will likely be the top quarterback chosen in the NFL Draft this year. The star of the team is gone.
In 2010, Oklahoma suffered just two losses. One of the losses came from Missouri. A 12-2 record may not look bad, but it was actually a disappointing season for Oklahoma.
Both teams will enter the week four matchup hoping to once again rise to the top of the Big 12.
Week 5: Alabama/Florida
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The Swamp wasn't quite the same last year without Tim Tebow. It's going to feel even more weird this season without Urban Meyer.
The Will Muschamp era begins, and his first real challenge will come in week five when Alabama comes to town.
As mentioned earlier, the Crimson Tide have taken shots to the roster this year, but they will still be a top team in the nation.
This will be a very anticipated matchup. It should be interesting to see if Muschamp can start off his time in Florida by rolling over the Tide.
Week 6: Nebraska/Ohio State
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The Legends versus the Leaders.
That sounds just as bad as I thought it would. Despite the awkward title, the week six matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Nebraska Cornhuskers will be the beginning of a storyline for years to come.
The Buckeyes are probably the top team on the side of the Leaders in the new Big Ten division alignment.
The Cornhuskers are probably the top team on the side of the Legends.
Michigan needs to step up its game, or Nebraska could take their place as Ohio State's biggest rival for years to come.
Week 7: Florida/Auburn
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Halfway through the season. Teams are now going to be starting to make that final push towards winning their conferences.
This game is going to make or break for both Auburn and Florida.
It's likely that both teams will have already suffered at least one game, so a win in week seven will be very important for both parties.
Auburn won't have Cam Newton to lean on, and Florida could be considered as a rebuilding team.
At this time, I couldn't even make a prediction as to who wins this game. It's a toss up, and with everything on the line, it should be an exciting game.
Week 8: USC/Notre Dame
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Two of the biggest teams in the nation, and neither are at the top of their game.
USC is suffering from mistakes from past players and coaches, and Notre Dame has fallen after the Charlie Weis debacle.
Despite this, the two teams are loved nation wide.
Notre Dame's toughest opponent all year will be USC. Neither team may not be the top in the nation, but they are almost evenly matched.
The game will likely be nationally televised, and it may be the most exposure either team gets all season. For that reason alone, expect an intense, hard fought game.
Week 9: Wisconsin/Ohio State
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The addition of Nebraska to the Big Ten has caused many people to forget about Wisconsin. They did just play in the Rose Bowl.
At this point in the season, I expect Wisconsin to be 7-0. The only team that may give them trouble is actually Nebraska.
If they can stay undefeated up until this point, a victory over Ohio State will all but solidify them as the top team in the Big Ten.
I don't think Wisconsin likes being forgotten. They will take this opportunity to remind everyone that they were the best team in the Big Ten last season.
Week 10: LSU/Alabama
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With the season winding down, the picture for conference winners is getting clear. One conference that never has a clear picture is the SEC.
The week 10 matchup between LSU and Alabama will be a pivotal one in deciding a champion.
LSU had a lot of close battles last year, so it's almost forgotten that they finished with a 10-2 record along with a victory in the Cotton Bowl.
In week nine last year, LSU beat Alabama 24-21, eliminating the Tide from the picture at the conference championship.
It could be a similar story this year, or it could be the opposite setting.
Week 11: Penn State/Nebraska
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A rivalry revamped? I think so.
The younger generation may not understand the history, but Nebraska and Penn State have some bad blood dating back into the early 80s.
Husker fans believe they were robbed of a National Championship in 1982, and Lion fans feel the same happened to them in 1994.
Both happened the the hands of the opposition.
Ohio State already has Michigan.
This could be the rebirth of a rivalry in the Big Ten. It should be exciting to see how it all goes down.
Week 12: Oregon/USC
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As stated earlier, the Oregon Ducks are basically losing nothing from last season. That's a recipe for success.
If there is any team in the PAC-12 that could hand the Ducks a loss, it's Southern California.
USC doesn't have too much to play for in terms of the postseason, but they could ruin a top team's run at a National Championship. A team that recently stole USC's place as the best in the Pac-12.
Oregon will be playing for postseason implications. USC will be trying to prove a point.
Both teams are going to leave it all on the field, and it will probably come down to a shootout.
Week 13: Alabama/Auburn
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Week 13 consists of some of the best rivalries in college football.
Florida will face Florida State. Georgia will match up against Georgia Tech. The in-state rivalries have always been big in college football.
None have been bigger than Alabama and Auburn.
Both teams can go through the season winless, and this would still be one of the most exciting games all year.
Not to mention the game also has major implications in regards to the SEC Championship.
Week 14: Hawaii/BYU
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There isn't a huge selection of matchups to choose from in week 14.
Actually, there is only two. You can tune into the game between San Diego State and Fresno State or Hawaii and BYU.
Neither are going to cause an overwhelming excitement for anyone. but the Hawaii and BYU matchup could turn into a good game.
Hawaii finished last season 10-3. They even beat No. 19 Nevada.
The team doesn't get much time on the national stage. They run a very pass happy offense that could result in a fun, high scoring game.
Week 15: Army/Navy
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You will be provided with even less choices in week 15. The annual Army-Navy game will be the only game held in week 15.
That being said, it's usually an exciting game. The rivalry has been tradition for the last 81 years. Navy leads the series 55-49-7 and have won the last nine meetings.
It's a fun way to conclude the college football regular season.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
