College Football 2011: 20 Must See Live Games for the Upcoming Season
Let's see here. The NBA and NHL regular seasons nearing their end, March Madness is fast approaching, spring training is in full swing, and the NFL Draft is going to be here before you know it.
Yeah, I'd say it's high time we talked a little college football.
Indeed, it's a year-round obsession folks, and it already feels like we've been without college football for far too long. But instead of moping about it, why not look forward to the 2011 season instead? After all, it's only six months away.
Our objective today is to do a little bit of daydreaming. We're going to imagine that money is no object, and that we have a choice to attend as many college football games as we so please. It's a tough task, mind you, as there are few things more exciting than a live college football game.
Nevertheless, we managed to narrow things down to a nice, neat list of 20 college football games we'd love to attend in 2011. With a bit of luck, you would be glad to come along for the ride.
Please keep in mind that this is nothing if not a subjective list, so try not to hate me if the game you want to see live isn't on the list.
Honorable Mention: Utah at BYU (9/17)
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In what is one of the cooler monikers in college football, they call this one "the Holy War," and it's a matchup that always makes for a good time.
This year, the ramifications surrounding the game between the Utah Utes and BYU Cougars are a little different. Both teams are no longer members of the Mountain West conference, as BYU has gone independent and Utah is now a member of the Pac-12.
After a rough road swing through Ole Miss and Texas to start the season, this will be BYU's first home game of the season, which of course makes it their first home game as an independent.
So why is it only good enough for an honorable mention? Well, the honest answer is because there are 20 games I'd rather be at, but I didn't want to neglect this one either.
20. Oklahoma at Texas (10/08)
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There are few rivalries in college football that have as many historical overtones than the Red River Rivalry. It goes all the way back to 1900, and the series has provided plenty of great moments.
Thus, even for somebody like myself who is entirely unaffiliated with either Texas or Oklahoma, I think it pretty much goes without saying that being there would be sweet
So why am I putting this game so low on this list?
Simple. I'm a man who likes good football as much as the next man, and I'm just not entirely convinced at this point that the Longhorns are going to not suck as bad in 2011 as they did in 2010. And considering the fact that the Sooners could very well be the best team in the country next season, this game could come with blowout implications.
19. West Virginia at Pittsburgh (TBD)
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After what happened in 2010, there really aren't that many reasons to be excited about Big East football in 2011. Unless, of course, you're counting the days before TCU joins the conference in 2012.
Still, when one is weighing his options as far as what rivalry games he wants to see in person, the Backyard Brawl cannot be ignored. It goes back even further into history than the Clemson-South Carolina rivalry, as the Panthers and Mountaineers first squared off in 1895.
However, I am hesitant to get my hopes up for this one because of the state of Pittsburgh's program. They had a rough start to their offseason, and I'm just not sure they'll be able to avoid sucking in 2011.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
18. Clemson At South Carolina (11/26)
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Here's yet another that goes back quite aways, as Clemson and South Carolina first butted heads way back in 1896. The Gamecocks won that one by the thrilling final score of 12-6. Brent Musburger can probably tell you all about it.
In any case, it should be a fun game, and I for one would be very interested in seeing that kind of havoc Jadeveon Clowney might cause on one of the teams he burned by choosing South Carolina.
17. Florida State at Florida (11/26)
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Ah yes, who wouldn't love to take in a game at the Swamp? And if you're going to do so, you may as well be their for one of the best rivalry games in all of college football: Florida and Florida State.
I'm expecting big things for the Seminoles in 2011. Jimbo Fisher had himself a heck of a debut season, and I'm of the opinion that E.J. Manuel could develop into a star.
As for the Gators, watching Will Muschamp's progression in his first year is obviously going to be worth watching. One of the reasons I want to be at this game in particular is because it's always interesting to see how he handles his first game against Florida State.
Fisher won in his first season last year, can Muschamp do the same? I want to be there to find out.
16. Utah at USC (9/10)
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Welcome to the Pac-12, Utah! To welcome you into the neighborhood, your first conference game will be against the USC Trojans. Congratulations.
Yes, the Utes will square off against the Trojans in their first ever game in a major conference. Put simply, what we have here is the new kids on the block against the most traditional powerhouse team in the conference.
Despite the fact none of their efforts will matter (which is delightful, if you ask me), Lane Kiffin's team should be pretty dangerous in 2011, which is going to make life difficult for any team with a mind to claim the South Division.
Regardless, it's all going to start in this game for either team in this game, and I daresay it would be pretty sweet to be there.
15. Boise State at Georgia (9/03)
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For the second year in a row, the Broncos will open their season on the road against a traditional college football power. And once again it will be at a neutral site.
Last year, it was Virginia Tech at FedEx Field, and it was a heck of a game. This year, the Broncos get to face the Georgia Bulldogs at the Georgia Dome.
Boise State should continue to annoy all the old guard programs in 2011, but the Bulldogs can put a stop to all the BCS-buster chatter with a win in this game. To boot, Mark Richt went out and got himself a heck of a freshman class, and we should see some (if not all?) of those guys in action.
14. Oregon State at Oregon (11/26)
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I suppose I can understand it if you've never really felt the need to attend the Civil War, but I suspect that even the most disinterested college football fan wants to know what taking in a game at Autzen Stadium is like.
Of course, sweetening the deal is the fact that the Ducks are probably going to have one of the most explosive offenses in the country again, and the Civil War could definitely end up being their last hurdle before the Pac-12 Championship Game.
As for the Beavers, well, I suppose there's some sort of fun to be had in watching them chase the Ducks up and down the field.
13. Ohio State at Nebraska (10/08)
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I don't want to spoil things, but this is where we starting getting into the good stuff.
There are all sorts of storylines surrounding the matchup between Ohio State and Nebraska. For starters, this is the first game that Terrelle Pryor and the other suspended Buckeyes will be eligible to return to action. It is also Nebraska's first Big Ten contest at home, which should have the fans all riled up.
Moreover, the Buckeyes and Cornhuskers are in separate divisions in the Big Ten, so there is a chance that this game could serve as a preview for the very first Big Ten Championship Game.
Sounds like fun, right?
12. Cal at Stanford (11/19)
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I'm a Cal alum, it's the Big Game, and those Stanford bastards have the Axe. In other words, I'm probably going to be at this game anyway.
Of course, because Cal is probably not going to be very good in 2011, this is yet another game that has major blowout implications, so you're excused if you don't share my enthusiasm.
However, keep in mind that this will be Andrew Luck's last Big Game, and chances are that the Cardinal is going to be in the mix for a spot in a BCS game.
11. USC at Notre Dame (10/22)
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It's beyond doubtful at this point that Notre Dame will ever be able to contend for national championships again, but I'll be damned if a pilgrimage to South Bend still doesn't sound like a fun idea.
Naturally, if one is going to travel to South Bend to take in the Fighting Irish, one may as well do so when the Trojans are also set to pay a visit.
As far as rivalries go, USC and Notre Dame is as storied as it gets. And in 2010, the Irish managed to get of the shnide against the Trojans (thanks in large part to the Trojan wide receivers' butter fingers). Additionally, the Irish did win their final four games last season, which included a convincing win over Miami in the Sun Bowl.
10. SEC Championship Game (12/03)
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Yes sir, this may be a list of regular season games, but I consider conference championships to be in play.
In 2011, we'll have four of those to concern ourselves with, and the SEC Championship is always a pretty big deal.
Last year, the matchup between South Carolina and Auburn turned into the Cam Newton show, and because of that it ended up being pretty boring.
Still, there's obviously some very good teams in the SEC, and I'm willing to bet that next year's matchup won't be as much of a stinker. I can definitely dig being there.
9. Oklahoma at Oklahoma State (11/26)
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For the first time in seemingly forever, the Bedlam game was actually relevant in 2010. It was basically a play-in game for the Big 12 Championship, and the Sooners and Pokes ended up playing a hugely entertaining game.
As I'm sure you well know, the final score was 47-41, and there was all sorts of offense in the fourth quarter. Both programs are returning plenty of big name players in 2011, so we could be in for more of the same.
And yes, I'd rather be here than at the SEC Championship Game. Feel free to tell me how stupid I am.
8. Oregon at LSU (9/03)
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Another place I'd rather be than the SEC Championship Game is at Cowboys Stadium for the Cowboys Classic in the opening week of the college football season.
For one, it means being at the most extravagant stadium in sports. Secondly, it also means seeing a matchup between the Oregon Ducks and LSU Tigers.
'Nuff said. Next slide, please.
7. TCU At Boise State (TBD)
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This will be the first matchup between Boise State and TCU as Moutain West opponents, and it will also be their last matchup as Mountain West opponents.
Like many people, I suspect, I think that's kind of a bummer, as I thought it would have been cool if the Horned Frogs and Broncos could have been in the same conference for the foreseeable future.
Still, this should be a pretty good game. It's a rematch of the Fiesta Bowl from two years ago, and both teams should be in the hunt for a spot in a BCS bowl game.
Plus, I've always wanted to pay a visit to the blue turf at Bronco Stadium.
6. Navy at Army (12/10)
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Army and Navy will be meeting for the 112th time in history this December, and the Black Knights will once again be looking to snap Navy's nine-game win streak in the series.
True, the Black Nights and Midshipmen may not play the best brand of football, but you're not going to find a rivalry that is more heated than this one. Being right in the middle of it would be awesome.
5. Oregon at Stanford (11/12)
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When Stanford and Oregon hooked up in early October of 2010, it looked for a while like the Cardinal was going to be able to pull off the upset.
Obviously, that didn't happen. Nevertheless, a seed was planted for another epic clash in that game, and it's finally going to bloom in November this year.
When it comes down to it, either one of these teams should represent the North division in the Pac-12 Championship Game, and this matchup could determine which one it will be.
4. Ohio State at Michigan (11/26)
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For many, Ohio State and Michigan is hands down the best rivalry in college football, and there are some who think that it is actually the best rivalry in all of sports.
I'm not so sure I buy that myself, but the Buckeyes and Wolverines are definitely not fond of one another. And despite the fact that I don't really know what to expect out of Brady Hoke's team, methinks there are few rivalry games that I'd rather attend in person than this one.
3. Pac-12 Championship Game (12/03)
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Let's face it, whenever something is done for the first time in sports, you want to say that you were there.
Yes indeed, 2011 will give us the first ever Pac-12 Championship Game, and we may as well take it for granted that it's going to be a good one.
The North division is obviously pretty stacked thanks to Oregon and Stanford, and it's questionable whether or not any of the teams in the South are going to be able to hold their own with either one of them.
Still, a first is a first is a first, and I daresay it would be fun to be there.
2. Big Ten Championship Game (12/03)
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Indeed, the Pac-12 Championship won't be the only conference championship game being played on Dec. 3rd. There's the Big Ten Championship Game too.
Now, I'm obviously a big Pac-12 homer, but even I can recognize that the Big Ten is a much deeper conference. That means better football, which should mean a better overall game.
In the Leaders Division, you've got powerhouse teams like Ohio State and Wisconsin. In the Leaders Division, you've got Nebraska, Michigan, Michigan State, and Iowa. Clearly, all sorts of possibilities for an intriguing matchup.
1. Alabama at Auburn (11/26)
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Will the 2011 Iron Bowl be as good as the 2010 Iron Bowl? That's asking a lot.
Can it still be a good game? Absolutely.
To be sure, of all the rival teams that will once again but heads in 2011, few teams seem as evenly matched as Auburn and Alabama. The Tigers are of course your defending national champs, and the Crimson Tide will be favorites to win it in 2011. Watching them go at it should be epic.
Also, keep in mind that there is some ongoing drama between these two teams at the moment thanks to that jackass who poisoned the trees on Toomer's Corner. There could be a little extra tension between the two sides because of that, but there could also be some buddy-buddy action going on.
Either way, I think I'd rather be there than anywhere else.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
