College Football 2011: Ohio State vs. Miami and the Top 25 Interconference Games

While conference play is always exciting during college football season, some of the most interesting games on paper this fall are from match ups of teams in the out-of-conference portion of teams' schedules. 

The Southeastern Conference enters this season as the top dog of all of the FBS conferences with the newly branded Pac-12 on the silver podium and the newly expanded Big Ten taking home the bronze with the eight conferences looking up at these three power leagues in 2011. 

With that, let's check out the biggest interconference games of the upcoming 2011 college football season that will have fans across the country buzzing.

Oregon vs LSU

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks reacts during their game against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by

Last Meeting: October 22nd, 1977 - LSU 56, Oregon 17
Date: September 3rd

As both of these clubs have a great deal of speed on the roster, LSU should have the edge of the defensive side of the ball, whereas Oregon might have some problems controlling offenses with holes in certain key positions.

Boise State vs Georgia

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LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos warms up before playing against the Utah Utes in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State Won 26-3. (Photo by Et

Last Meeting: September 3rd, 2005 - Georgia 48, Boise State 13
Date: September 3rd

As the Broncos take their ball and go to the Mountain West Conference in 2011, Boise State will have a harder slate of games than when the program was a member of the WAC and starting the season out with a game against Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs just makes things tougher for the boys from Boise.

TCU at Baylor

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Gary Patterson of the TCU Horned Frogs stands on the sidelines against the Wisconsin Badgers during the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Last Meeting: September 18th, 2010 - TCU 45, Baylor 10
Date: September 3rd

While the accomplishments of TCU in recent years have been well documented, people need to take a look at the Baylor Bears over in Waco, as the program is definitely on the upswing after being the doormat of all the major college football programs in the state of Texas.

South Florida at Notre Dame

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SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 13: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish watches as his team takes on the Utah Utes while Brian Castello #15 signals a play at Notre Dame Stadium on November 13, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated

Last Meeting: First Meeting Between Programs
Date: September 3rd

Head coach Skip Holtz and the South Florida Bulls will try to duplicate the success of fellow Big East member Connecticut in making the trip to South Bend and returning to Tampa with a win over Brian Kelly's Fighting Irish.

Southern Methodist at Texas A&M

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AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 25: Mike Sherman, head coach of Texas A&M, joins players in a post-game singing of the Aggie War Hymn following Texas A&M's 24-17 win over the University of Texas at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Au

Last Meeting: September 17, 2005 - Texas A&M 66, SMU 8
Date: September 3rd

With SMU rebuilding under the view of head coach June Jones, the Mustangs are slowly coming back to prominence after the death penalty in 1987. With a good showing against a talented Texas A&M, the program can get back in the national spotlight much quicker.

Minnesota at USC

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Head Coach Lane Kiffin and Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans react to a 3rd and 1 conversion against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 16, 2010 in Los Angeles,

Last Meeting: September 18th, 2010 - USC 32, Minnesota 21
Date: September 3rd

While the game between USC and Minnesota was closer that the experts believed, the Trojans will likely run away from the Golden Gophers this season as the Minnesota program is in a bit of transition period with new coach Jerry Kill taking over in Minneapolis.

Marshall at West Virginia

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LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 20: Geno Smith#12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers throws a pass during the Big East Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy

Last Meeting: September 10th, 2010 - West Virginia 24, Marshall 21 OT
Date: September 3rd

After the Mountaineers escaped Huntington with an overtime win over the Thundering Herd, head coach Doc Holliday and Marshall were able to pull the best recruiting class from outside the six BCS conferences so the program can more closely compete with their northern rival.

Arizona at Oklahoma State

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STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Brandon Weeden #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys looks for an open receiver against the Oklahoma Sooners at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Image

Last Meeting: December 29th, 2010 - Oklahoma State 36, Arizona 10 at the Alamo Bowl
Date: September 10th

Even with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen gone to West Virginia, the Oklahoma State offense should still be effective as senior quarterback Brandon Weeden and junior wide receiver Justin Blackmon return for a team that could make run at the Big 12 conference championship in 2011.

Texas Tech at TCU

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: The TCU Horned Frogs kneel prior to playing the Wisconsin Badgers in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Last Meeting: Septermber 16th, 2006 - TCU 12, Texas Tech 3
Date: September 10th

This game should be a pass-fest when the two programs meet in Fort Worth but the breaking point in this game could be how effective the running games for the Horned Frogs and Red Raiders this fall.

Alabama at Penn State

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Trent Richardson #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Nick Fairly #90 of the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Last Meeting: September 11th, 2010 - Alabama 24, Penn State 3
Date: September 10th

In the marquee game of the weekend just as it was last season, Nick Saban and Alabama will travel to Happy Valley to square off with the Penn State Nittany Lions in a game the Crimson Tide will likely win just as they did in Tuscaloosa last September.

Oregon State at Wisconsin

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Wisconsin Badgers yells at a referee on the field during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/G

Last Meeting: October 14th, 1961 - Wisconsin 23, Oregon State 20
Date: September 10th

As most of the preseason predictions have these two programs finishing at opposite ends of their respective conferences, Wisconsin will likely use their great bruising running game to overpower the Beavers as Oregon State makes their second trip to Camp Randall.

BYU at Texas

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AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Mack Brown of the Texas Longhorns during a game against the UCLA Bruins at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Last Meeting: September 8th, 1988 - BYU 46, Texas 6
Date: September 10th

With these two historic programs only meeting for the third time in history, BYU has dominated the first two meeting outscoring Texas 69-23 but with the Longhorns being one of the best programs in the country today, expect Texas to avenge their losses in the late '80s to the Cougars.

Oklahoma at Florida State

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 01: Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws the ball against the Connecticut Huskies during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Peters

Last Meeting: September 11th, 2011 - Oklahoma 47, Florida State 17
Date: September 17th

After the most unanticipated blowout of the 2010 season, Oklahoma and Florida State will square off (this time in Tallahassee) and it should be a very even contest, with the winner being pushed into the middle of the National Championship hunt in 2011.

Ohio State at Miami (Fla.)

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COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 30: Head Coach Jim Tressel speaks to the media during a press conference before the start of Spring practices at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center at The Ohio State University on March 30, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/

Last Meeting: September 11th, 2011 - Ohio State 36, Miami 24
Date: September 17th

In the best game of the weekend, the Buckeyes will be without their head coach, starting quarterback and four other players as Ohio State makes a trip to South Beach for the rematch of the 2010 game in Columbus that could blow up a National Championship season in 2011 for the scarlet and gray.

Texas at UCLA

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TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Rick Neuheisel of the UCLA Bruins during the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Bruins 55-34. (Photo by

Last Meeting: September 25th, 2010 - UCLA 34, Texas 12
Date: September 17th

After the beatdown the Bruins laid on the Longhorns, Texas will be locked and loaded as they make the trip to Los Angeles looking to make up for the embarrassing performance against UCLA last season.

Auburn at Clemson

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Head coach Gene Chizik of the Auburn Tigers reacts on the sideline against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo b

Last Meeting: September 18th, 2010 - Auburn 27, Clemson 24
Date: September 17th

Without the services of quarterback Cam Newton this fall, Clemson will attempt to avenge the close loss the Tigers suffered on the plains last fall as one of the speed bumps on the road to Auburn's national championship.

Pittsburgh at Iowa

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 11: The new University of Pittsburgh head football coach Todd Graham speaks to the media during a press conference at the University of Pittsburgh Panthers South Side training facility on January 11, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylv

Last Meeting: September 20th, 2008 - Pittsburgh 21, Iowa 20
Date: September 17th

With the Panthers going through a coaching change and the Hawkeyes losing a large portion of talent from 2010, Pittsburgh and Iowa might look at this game as a chance to catch up and work out some things as both clubs will be working out new quarterbacks among the other positions.

West Virginia at Maryland

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BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Bill Stewart of the West Virginia Mountaineers talks with his team during a timeout against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers de

Last Meeting: September 18th, 2010 - West Virginia 31, Maryland 17
Date: September 17th

As former Connecticut coach Randy Edsall takes the head coaching job at Maryland from Ralph Friedgen, Edsall will face off with a familiar Big East foe in West Virginia that features new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, who will try to light up the scoreboard on the road at Byrd Stadium for the Mountaineers.

Syracuse at Southern California

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 30: Syracuse Orange head coach Doug Marrone yells at the referee against the Kansas State Wildcats during the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 30, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Image

Last Meeting: August 31st, 1990 - USC 34, Syracuse 16
Date: September 24th

In a game that could expedite the rebuilding process for the Orange, Syracuse shown a great deal of improvement in 2010 and will look to compete with the Trojans in a game that could feature the eventual conference champions from the Big East and new Pac-12, respectively.

Notre Dame at Pittsburgh

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Brian Kelly and quarterback Tommy Rees #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish embrace after the game against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. No

Last Meeting: October 9th, 2010 - Notre Dame 23, Pittsburgh 17
Date: September 24th

With former Tulsa coach Todd Graham taking the head job from Dave Wannstedt for the Panthers, Pittsburgh will have a chance to make a statement win for Graham in his first year as Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish come to the Steel City.

LSU at West Virginia

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Head coach Les Miles of the Louisiana State University Tigers reacts to a field goal during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo b

Last Meeting: September 25th, 2010 - LSU 20, West Virginia 14
Date: September 24th

While Morgantown isn't as crazy as Baton Rouge on a Saturday night, Mountaineer Field will be at its best in years as the Mountaineers will look to upset the Tigers, in turn, bringing a great deal of attention to the lackluster Big East Conference.

Colorado at Ohio State

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to hand the ball of to Dan Herron #1 against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Last Meeting: September 20th, 1986 - Ohio State 13, Colorado 10
Date: September 24th

The call for an upset alert needs to be called for this game as the Buckeyes will be without Jim Tressel and the five suspended players. The Buckeyes will be coming off a big road game against the Miami Hurricanes just a week before, which could lead to a huge win for a Colorado searching for some momentum after struggling for the last several seasons.

Arkansas at Texas A&M

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Head coach Bobby Petrino of the Arkansas Razorbacks reacts in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by

Last Meeting: October 9th, 2010 - Arkansas 24, Texas A&M 17
Date: October 1st

With former Arkansas Razorback and current Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reviving the old Southwest Conference rivalry between the two programs, Texas A&M and Arkansas have found a home at Cowboys Stadium every year with a deal that could have the two schools meeting for the next 10 years—and could be extended to 30 years with different variations of extensions.

BYU Vs. TCU

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Safety Colin Jones #28 of the TCU Horned Frogs breaks up a pass to tight end Jacob Pedersen #48 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty

Last Meeting: October 16th, 2010 - TCU 31, BYU 3
Date: October 28th

In the series between the Cougars and Horned Frogs, the two programs have split their 10 meetings at this point, with BYU dominating the early meetings but losing the last three as coach Gary Patterson has been building a football power this past decade in Fort Worth.

Maryland Vs. Notre Dame (FedEx Field)

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COLLEGE PARK, MD - JANUARY 3: Randy Edsall speaks as he is introduced as the University of Maryland Terps new head football coach as Athletic Director Kevin Anderson (L) of the University of Maryland looks on during a press conference on January 3, 2011

Last Meeting: August 31st, 2002 - Notre Dame 22, Maryland 0
Date: November 12th

Like previously mentioned in another meeting for the Terrapins, the new regime of Randy Edsall in College Park will make for a tough game for Maryland as Brian Kelly has brought a top-10 recruiting class to South Bend and is well on his way to bringing the Irish back to prominence.