College Football 2011: Predicting the Title Busting Games for 2011
The story of a championship season often hinges upon a few extraordinary games where one team moves on to glory while the other languishes in a defeat that costs more than a mere “L”.
Indeed, these are the contests, when we look back with the clear vision of hindsight, were absolutely decisive in determining who holds the crystal football aloft in January.
Some title dreams will be busted early in the season at the hands of a tough non-conference opponent while some aspirations will be squashed in November when a hated rival cruelly shatters a perfect record.
These are the games that college football aficionados, regardless of team or conference affiliation, will anticipate with great fervor and then digest with sated satisfaction.
Yes, these contests are those that we will gallantly and bravely try to shake off the youth soccer tournament, the wedding shower or the dreaded in-law-a-thon for. Viewing these precious matches will make all the consequences of our “poor choices” totally worthwhile.
The following slideshow attempts to pinpoint 20 such games that in 2011 may have deliciously provocative national title implications.
Boise State vs. Georgia
1 of 20
When: Saturday, September 3, 2011, 8PM EST
Where: The Georgia Dome in Atlanta
This contest is destined to be one of the best two games of Week 1 of the 2011 college football season.
Once again, and let’s all chant it together in unison, “is Boise State for real”? Can Georgia rebound from their disappointing performance in 2010? Will the SEC fans get the satisfaction of at least temporarily shutting down the talk of non-AQ teams being good enough to beat an SEC team?
This game is a must win for both teams if they have any hopes of a Cinderella run at the BCS title; beyond that Georgia can afford to lose the game and still win the SEC and earn a BCS bid, for the Broncos everything is on line in this Week 1 barnburner.
Fun Facts:
The SEC is 9-6 against teams from the Mountain West.
Georgia has never faced a Mountain West team but the Bulldogs are 4-4 against teams from the WAC (the Broncos former home).
Boise State is 0-4 against SEC teams; this includes a 48-13 spanking by Georgia on September 3, 2005.
Ironically, this year’s contest between the two will be played exactly six years after their only meeting.
Oregon vs. LSU
2 of 20
When: Saturday, September 3, 2011
Where: Cowboy Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Both the Ducks and Tigers have realistic national title aspirations in 2011; this game will leave one team still in the running while the other will try to “salvage” their season and settle for a conference crown and a BCS bowl bid.
This Week 1 game should have college football fans (who have sat through endless steamy months of baseball) quite literally foaming at the mouth.
Fun Facts:
LSU is 2-1 against Oregon.
The two last met in 1977 when the Tigers shelled the Ducks 56-17.
The only time that Oregon bested LSU was in December of 1932.
The SEC is 64-39-5 all-time versus Pac-10 teams.
LSU is 13-3 all-time against Pac-10 teams while Oregon is 3-4 overall versus the SEC.
Alabama at Penn State
3 of 20
When: Saturday, September 9, 2011
Where: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
It’s no secret that the Crimson Tide have their eye on another BCS crystal football but don’t be surprised if Joe Pa and the Nittany Lions don’t have similar aspirations.
Penn State will be a member of the new Leaders division of the Big Ten which is also home to Ohio State and Wisconsin, both who have huge question marks to stare down in 2011.
This Week 2 extravaganza will make an early ruling on which of these teams can start looking on Orbitz for hotel rooms in New Orleans in January.
While the Crimson Tide will surely be the favorite don’t count Penn State out at home.
Fun Facts:
Alabama is 9-5 all time versus Penn State.
The two last met last season in Tuscaloosa where the Tide rolled 24-3.
The teams met every year from 1981-1990 where the Crimson Tide again held the advantage 6-4.
Before the 1980’s series the teams faced each other in the 1975 and 1979 Sugar Bowl’s (Alabama winning both) and the 1959 Liberty Bowl (Penn State won).
The SEC is 71-50-2 against the Big Ten.
Alabama is 7-4 all-time against the Big Ten while Penn State is 16-18 overall versus the SEC.
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LSU at Mississippi State
4 of 20
When: Thursday, September 15, 2011, 7:30PM EST
Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS
This critical Week 3 SEC match-up will be the conference opener for LSU and the second conference game for Mississippi State.
LSU comes into this game after the Week 1 meeting with Oregon and straight off hosting FCS Northwestern in Baton Rouge.
The Bulldogs will have travelled to Memphis in Week 1 and then already hosted Auburn in Week 2 before the “other” Tigers come calling.
This is a key match-up for who will take the lead in the SEC West division (besides Alabama) but the big unknown is whether either of these teams will be undefeated going into the actual game.
If either is indeed unblemished and then can manage a win it will prove a critical step on the steep staircase winding towards the big platter of enchiladas.
Fun Facts:
LSU is 66-35-3 all-time versus Mississippi State.
The two last met last season in Baton Rouge, a game which LSU won 29-7.
LSU has won the last 11 meetings; the Bulldogs last bested the Tigers in October of 1999 in Starkville by a score of 17-16 (the Bulldogs, coached by Jackie Sherrill, went on to a 10-2 record including a Peach Bowl victory over Clemson).
Oklahoma at Florida State
5 of 20
When: Saturday, September 17, 2011
Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
This much anticipated Week 3 showdown will be another game that leaves one team primed for the rest of the season while the other lays on a curb outside of their ex-girlfriends’ house (wondering how they screwed it all up).
The Seminoles and Sooners should both be undefeated coming into this game and both have a real shot at a conference crown, a BCS bid and possibly a title game appearance.
Can the Sooners win on the road? Is all the hype about the Seminoles rooted in any fact? Will the Seminoles get revenge or will Landry Jones move one step closer to another Heisman for the people of Norman?
The two have a whopping 14 BCS appearances between them; saying this game “should not be missed” is a colossal understatement.
Fun Facts:
Oklahoma is 5-1 all-time versus Florida State.
The two last met in 2010 when the Sooners destroyed the Seminoles 47-17 in Norman.
Previous to last years’ game the Seminoles and Sooners have only met once in the regular season, in 1976 when Oklahoma beat FSU 24-9 in Norman. This was Bobby Bowden’s third game as the head coach at Florida State.
The two have faced one another in four bowl games; the 1980, 1981 and 2001 Orange Bowl’s (all Sooner victories) and the 1965 Gator Bowl (which is FSU’s only win over Oklahoma).
The Big 12 is 43-38 all-time against the ACC.
Oklahoma is a whopping 19-2 versus the ACC while Florida State is 23-10 against the Big 12.
LSU at West Virginia
6 of 20
When: Saturday, September 24, 2011
Where: Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, WV
Week 4 presents yet another early season challenge for the LSU Tigers as they head into Appalachia to face the newly retooled Mountaineers.
If the Tigers have bested both Oregon and Mississippi State they may be relieved going into this game. However, they shouldn’t discount what will be a formidable foe that could be offensively dangerous with Dana Holgorsen wildly flipping offensive levers.
West Virginia is a great dark horse candidate in both the Big East and nationally for 2011.
Other than a Week 3 visit to face a good Maryland team the Mountaineers have a realistic chance of being undefeated going into this game.
Fun Facts:
LSU is 1-0 all-time versus West Virginia.
The only game ever played between the two was last season when the Tigers won 20-14 in Baton Rouge.
Shockingly, the SEC is 21-23 versus the Big East; which marks the one and only conference the SEC doesn’t have a better overall record against.
LSU is 1-1 all-time versus the Big East while West Virginia is 14-17-1 against the SEC.
Tulsa at Boise State
7 of 20
When: Saturday, September 24, 2011, 8:00PM EST
Where: Bronco Stadium, Boise, Idaho
Chances are not a lot of folks are including the big “Tulsa versus Boise State” game on their list of “times to opt out of visiting the Fondue restaurant” but that might be a big mistake.
Obviously, the only team out of these two with any sort of national title hopes is Boise State who must go completely unblemished (and earn important style points with ribbon sticks).
Scanning the Bronco schedule (other than Georgia and TCU) opponents such as Nevada and Air Force might seem more formidable than . . . Tulsa?
But, consider this; Tulsa finished 2010 10-3, finished in the final AP poll for the first time in 20 years and they return eight starters to each side of the ball in 2011.
Now, Boise State will have had to beat Georgia in Week 1 for the Week 4 clash with Tulsa to even get on the radar, but, it could happen.
As far as the Golden Hurricane is considered they will be well seasoned by the time they hit the blue turf; Week 1 at Oklahoma, Week 2 at Tulane and Week 3 vs. Oklahoma State in Tulsa.
Fun Facts:
Boise State is 5-0 all-time against Tulsa.
The two last met in 2009 when the Broncos won 28-21 in Tulsa; all four previous meetings occurred in the last decade.
Conference USA is 14-23 against Mountain West teams and 27-20 versus the WAC.
The Broncos are 5-2 versus C-USA teams while the Golden Hurricane is 3-2 versus the MWC and 33-59 against the WAC.
Nebraska at Wisconsin
8 of 20
When: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
Week 5 marks the first time ever that Nebraska will play a Big Ten Conference game. Beyond the absolutely tantalizing prospects of the old guard of the Big Eight facing the older guard of the Big Ten in conference play this game has certain title ramifications.
Regardless of the fact that Wisconsin and Nebraska are not divisional foes in the new Big Ten format (the Badgers are a “leader” while the Huskers are a “legend”) this game may help answer some early Big Ten contender questions.
Beyond that both these teams should at least be considered among the second tier of squads with realistic BCS title hopes; a loss squashes all of that.
Other than a Week 3 visit from Washington the Cornhuskers should be fairly confident of being unblemished travelling to Madison while Wisconsin has a Week 2 visit from Oregon State to deal with in order to be perfectly perfect on the first day of October.
Fun Facts:
Nebraska is 3-2 all time versus Wisconsin.
The two last met in September of 1974 when the Badgers got the better of the Cornhuskers 21-20 in Madison.
Other than two home/away series in 1965/1966 and 1973/1974 Wisconsin and Nebraska have only faced off once which was in 1901.
Even though both teams are technically now part of the Big Ten the Big 12 is 164-228-14 against the Big Ten.
Nebraska is 68-59-7 all-time versus Big Ten opponents while Wisconsin is 16-12-1 overall versus Big-12 opponents.
Texas vs. Oklahoma
9 of 20
When: Saturday, October 8, 2011
Where: The Cotton Bowl, Dallas TX
Just because Texas went 5-7 last year doesn’t mean that the Red River Rivalry is suddenly meaningless.
First, if Oklahoma has managed to beat Florida State (and Missouri) by the time they play Texas wouldn’t the Longhorns love to play the spoiler in the Sooners championship run?
Secondly, Texas is flat stacked with talent and if they can adjust quickly to the coaching changes and find some leadership the Longhorns also stand a chance of being undefeated going into this game.
Texas opens their season at home versus Rice, hosts BYU, travels to play UCLA, has an open date and then hits the road to face Iowa State before the Week 6 showcase showdown in Dallas.
Don’t be surprised if Texas suddenly becomes a front runner in both the Big 12 and national races; it could very well happen.
Any way you slice it, the Red River Rivalry is just as big and significant as always.
Fun Facts:
Texas is 59-41-5 all-time against Oklahoma.
Oklahoma won last year’s meeting by a score of 28-20.
Ohio State at Nebraska
10 of 20
When: Saturday, October 8, 2011
Where: Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska
It’s hard to picture a more thrilling college football moment than Ohio State taking the field in Nebraska as the two face-off as conference opponents for the very first time.
Even if you detest both programs it would be hard not to get all juiced up at the thought of the two clashing; if nothing else tickles your fancy . . . somebody has to lose this game.
Will Ohio State survive the first five games without the “Tat 5” and Coach Tressel? Will the sweater vest even be the Buckeye’s coach next season? Will Nebraska have been able to handle their road trip in Week 5 to Wisconsin? Will Taylor Martinez call his Dad?
Yes, will either of these teams even be worth considering by Week 6?
My guess is yes, at least one will still be the hunt so this game will have lots of meaning above and beyond the fact that it marks an actual historic event.
Fun Facts:
Nebraska is 0-2 all-time versus Ohio State.
The only time the two met was a two game series in 1955-56. Both games were played in Columbus and Ohio State won 28-20 in 1955 and 34-7 in 1956.
Even though both teams are technically now part of the Big Ten the Big 12 is 164-228-14 against the Big Ten.
Nebraska is 68-59-7 all-time versus Big Ten opponents while Ohio State is 22-5-1 overall versus Big-12 opponents.
LSU at Alabama
11 of 20
When: Saturday, November 5, 2011
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
If the Tigers and Crimson Tide can manage to make it to November undefeated this game may be the game of the year in the SEC.
But, those are some big nasty “ifs”; the Tide will need to have survived the road trip to Penn State, beaten Arkansas and Tennessee at home and won on the road at Florida and Ole Miss.
LSU, on the other hand, will have had to survive Oregon in Arlington, road trips to Mississippi State, West Virginia and Tennessee and have been victorious at home versus Kentucky, Florida and Auburn
Seriously, I hope it all happens just so we can see Les Miles get all weird and Nick Saban go intensely insane.
Fun Facts:
Alabama is 45-24-5 against LSU.
LSU won 2010’s meeting 24-21 in Baton Rouge.
Texas A&M at Oklahoma
12 of 20
When: Saturday, November 5, 2011
Where: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma
Well, if the Aggies defense can hold up against visits to Texas Tech and Iowa State along with home games versus Oklahoma State, Baylor and Missouri (oh yeah and that pesky little game against Arkansas in Arlington in Week 5) then they could actually still be in the “Cinderella” hunt when they travel to Norman in Week 10.
To do their part Oklahoma will have to have bested Florida State, Texas, Missouri, Texas Tech, and Kansas State; if it all comes together then suddenly you have the biggest game in the Big 12 in 2011.
Though Texas A&M managed to knock the Sooners off in 2010 that game was played in the relative safety of College Station while the 2011 contest will be featured in Norman; where the Sooners haven’t lost in 36 games (the longest home winning streak in college football).
Fun Facts:
Oklahoma is 18-11 against Texas A&M.
The Aggies won the 2010 meeting 33-19 in College Station; previous to this win Texas A&M hadn’t beaten the Sooners since 2002 in College Station.
The last time Aggies beat the Sooners in Norman was November 15, 1997 when they blasted Oklahoma 51-7. R.C. Slocum coached Texas A&M and John Blake coached the Sooners.
Alabama at Mississippi State
13 of 20
When: Saturday, November 12, 2011
Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS
Now, if the Tide can roll through their first eight opponents, then stave off LSU at home, Week 11’s clash with Mississippi State is the next “game of the year” in the SEC.
Or, will it be the Bulldogs that finally find a way to magically maneuver through their perilous slate of games perfectly?
Either way, this sets up to be a huge game within, if nothing else, the SEC West division. My guess is it will mean far more.
Fun Facts:
Alabama is 75-17-3 all-time against Mississippi State.
The Tide rolled to a 30-10 victory over the Bulldogs last season in Tuscaloosa.
Mississippi State last beat Alabama on November 10, 2007 by a score of 17-12; this game was played in Starkville.
TCU at Boise State
14 of 20
When: Saturday, November 12, 2011, 3:30PM
Where: Bronco Stadium, Boise, Idaho
The Week 11 meeting between BCS Busting TCU and Boise State will mark the only time the two will meet as Mountain West conference members.
This game will more than likely decide the 2011 conference championship but if either or both of the two can enter the contest undefeated this game will become huge.
If the Broncos or Horned Frogs want a shot at the Coaches Trophy in they must go undefeated which means winning this game (and realistically only one BCS-AQ school can come out of the regular season unscathed).
Will 2011 finally, at long last, after much gnashing of teeth be the Broncos year to reach pay-dirt? This game will be a hinge on which the championship door swings either open or shut.
Fun Facts:
Boise State is 2-1 all-time against TCU.
The two last met in the 2010 BCS Fiesta Bowl when the Broncos triumphed 17-10.
The Broncos and the Horned Frogs have never before met in the regular season (their other two games were in the Poinsettia Bowl and the Fort Worth Bowl).
Oregon at Stanford
15 of 20
When: Saturday, November 12, 2011
Where: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California
Both Oregon and Stanford have a reasonable chance to make it to this game undefeated.
Oregon has the very real threat of the opener vs. LSU in Arlington but then the road becomes easier (but not without challenges).
Stanford’s season will start out easier (versus San Jose State and at Duke) but then things heat up with road trips to Arizona, USC and Oregon State.
It is unfortunate that what might be the best two teams in the Pac-12 in 2011 are both in the same division (the new North). Regardless, this game will more than likely decide who plays in the first ever Pac-12 championship game.
If either team is undefeated; the meaning and drama will increase substantially.
Fun Facts:
Stanford is 44-29-1 against Oregon.
The Ducks soared over the Cardinal in 2010 52-13 in Eugene.
Stanford last beat Oregon in 2009; previous to this the Ducks had beaten Stanford seven times in a row.
Pittsburgh at West Virginia
16 of 20
When: Friday, November 25, 2011
Where: Mountaineer Field, Morgantown, West Virginia
This is another game that might not make any pre season “must see” or “impact” lists but again, that could be a mistake.
If nothing else this contest will have Big East title implications which means it has BCS ramifications.
Beyond this if either of these teams can make it to Thanksgiving undefeated then this game becomes monumental.
The Mountaineers will need to have beaten Maryland, LSU and everyone in the Big East with the exception of USF who they play in the finale.
For the Panthers part they will need to have survived Notre Dame, Iowa and then the balance of Big East foes with the exception of Syracuse who they face in the season ender.
The Big East offers the perfect launching pad for a surprise BCS attack; and with exciting coaching changes on teams that were talented in 2010 both Pitt and West Virginia are perfect dark horse candidates.
Don’t be surprised if you suddenly find yourself feigning a hacky cough the day after Thanksgiving so you don’t have to go shopping and can watch the biggest Big East contest in years.
Fun Facts:
Pitt is 61-39-3 all-time versus West Virginia.
The Mountaineers bested the Panthers last season 35-10 in Pittsburgh.
Notre Dame at Stanford
17 of 20
When: Saturday, November 26, 2011
Where: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California
Where would a delusional title busting list be without throwing Notre Dame into the mix?
Don’t answer that.
If Stanford can run the tables, including beating Oregon on November 12 and then ultra-rival Cal the following weekend then the season finale versus Notre Dame looks downright titillating.
And, of course, what if the Fighting Irish streak through 2011 unblemished? Well, NBC is wearing adult undergarments and every sports cliché is being emoted in true Jim Nance fashion.
Either of these teams could win every one of their regular season games which makes the finisher a title buster for sure.
Fun Facts:
Notre Dame is 17-8 all-time versus Stanford.
Stanford has won the last two meetings but previous to their victory over the Irish in 2009 the Cardinal dropped seven straight to Notre Dame.
The Irish and Cardinal have only met in a bowl game once; the 1925 Rose Bowl which Notre Dame won 27-10.
Ohio State at Michigan
18 of 20
When: Saturday, November 26, 2011
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
It seems a pretty huge reach to have Ohio State national title bound when we still don’t even know who will be stalking the sidelines in Columbus in 2011.
But, don’t count the Buckeyes out of anything; this is a team that has been to the BCS nine times which is more than any other college football team and, misdeeds and transgressions are quickly forgotten in O-H-I-O.
The other side of this shiny coin is the fact that if Michigan’s new coaching staff can find a defense the Wolverines might be the squad talking titles.
Will it be a preview of the first ever Big Ten Championship game that will be played the next weekend? Will the Buckeyes finally be vanquished by the Wolverines? Will the word “championship” even be mentioned once during this game?
My guess is a definite . . . maybe.
Fun Facts:
Michigan is 57-44-6 against Ohio State.
The Buckeyes have won the last seven consecutive games over the Wolverines.
The last time Michigan beat Ohio State was November 22, 2003 when they won 35-21 in Ann Arbor.
Florida State at Florida
19 of 20
When: Saturday, November 26, 2011
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida
This is yet another game that could mean something big for either team but since it represents both teams season finale we’ll no doubt know exactly what’s on the line before the first whistle.
Florida State is, at least in the preseason, the team that has the most realistic championship hope and if they manage to beat Oklahoma in Week 3 the rest of the schedule is somewhat manageable.
There are obviously more question marks for Florida who also has the burden of playing an SEC (not ACC) schedule.
If all the stars align this game could seal Florida State’s fate and either herald their return to prominence or spell their ugly demise.
Oh, the drama . . .
Fun Facts:
Florida is 33-20-2 all-time versus Florida State.
The Seminoles won last year’s contest 31-7 in Tallahassee but dropped their previous six games against the Gators.
The last time Florida State beat Florida in Gainesville was on November 29, 2003 when the Seminoles triumphed 38-34.
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State
20 of 20
When: Saturday, December 3, 2011
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma
If Oklahoma manages to run the tables this game is big, especially given there is no Big 12 championship game in 2011; yes, this is the Sooners final game of next season.
But, if Oklahoma State also runs the tables and wins all of its games (less likely but still possible) then the 2011 edition of Bedlam becomes one of the biggest games in the State of Oklahoma football history.
It’s delicious to consider the Cowboys getting an opportunity to beat the Sooners at home and go to the BCS . . . and maybe the BCS championship.
Who’s the big bad ass in the Sooner State now?
Fun Facts:
Oklahoma owns Oklahoma State with an 82-16-7 overall record against the Cowboys.
The Sooners have beaten the Cowboys the last eight years in a row; the last Oklahoma State victory came in 2002 when the Cowboys (under Les Miles) beat the Sooners 38-28 in Stillwater.
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