College Football 2011: The Biggest Game of the Season for Every FBS Team

In college football, you'll hear coaches say, "Well, every game week in and week out is the biggest game of the season." Yeah, that's really not the case. I highly doubt Florida will view the Furman and Alabama games respectively on equal footing.

For this read, I'm going to run down the biggest game of the season for every FBS team. Some games I have as a program's biggest may shock you, while others may be head-scratchers.

Just get to reading and debating!

Idaho

Top game: Nevada, Dec. 3

The Vandals' biggest game of the season will be their final game vs. the Wolf Pack.

This could be the game that decides if Idaho goes to a bowl game and will be vs. a highly touted opponent.

The Vandals should be running on all cylinders and be well prepared for this game.

New Mexico State

Top game: at Minnesota, Sept. 10

This is the biggest game for the Aggies due to it being their first road game. Minnesota is not expected to make much noise this year, so an early season win on the road could establish confidence going forward.

Louisiana Tech

Top game: at Southern Miss, Sept. 3

This is the first game of the season, and Southern Miss is expected to win the C-USA. 

An upset here could shape the season for a solid run, or a blowout could deflate the entire program.

Utah State

Top game: at BYU, Sept. 30

Utah State is always viewed as the "other" program in Utah in comparison to BYU and Utah.

A win over the Cougars would go a long way in getting some respect.

San Jose State

Top game: at UCLA, Sept. 10

San Jose State starts the season off with two road games, the first being at Stanford, followed by a trip to Pasadena.

The Bruins won't be good this year, so if the Spartans can pull off the upset, it would be a program-changing win.

Hawaii

Top game: at Washington, Sept. 10

This is the best chance that Hawaii will have to beat a BCS conference team in 2011. Washington is viewed as a program on the rise, and to beat the Huskies in Seattle early would be a huge win.

Nevada

Top game: at Boise State, Oct. 1

You don't think the Broncos will be waiting for the Wolf Pack? You don't think Kellen Moore wants revenge?

If your answer is no, then you need to stop watching college football. This is will be the biggest game for Chris Ault's team in 2011.

Fresno State

Top game: Boise State, Oct. 7

The Broncos come to central California in early October to take on Pat Hill's squad. Fresno State will be breaking in a new QB, but I'm sure Hill will have his full squad prepared for Kellen Moore and Co.

Huge game for the Bulldogs.

Arkansas State

Top game: at Illinois, Sept. 3

First game of the season, first for Hugh Freeze. Freeze has retooled the Ark State coaching staff, so Illinois really doesn't know what to expect from a tactical standpoint.

Maybe Freeze can pull out a few tricks for an upset.

Florida Atlantic

Top game: at Troy, Nov. 19

Howard Schnellenberger is trying to get the Owls back to a bowl game. Troy doesn't care, partly because the Trojans feel the Sun Belt conference is theirs.

This game could have bowl and conference title implications.

Florida International

Top game: UCF, Sept. 21

FIU got to a bowl game and won the darn thing last year, so you have to figure Mario Cristobal feels like he's making a breakthrough with the Panthers.

UCF beat Georgia last year in its bowl game, so you have to figure George O'Leary feels he's making progress with the Golden Knights.

This would be validation for the Panthers.

Louisiana-Lafayette

Top game: Louisiana-Monroe, Nov. 5

Rivalry game here. The Ragin' Cajuns are not going to be world beaters in 2011, so not much is expected of them.

But a win over LMU would make the season that much easier to withstand.

Louisiana-Monroe

See Louisiana-Lafayette...

Middle Tennessee State

Top game: at North Texas, Dec. 3

The Blue Raiders have their sights on going bowling this year, but it's going to be tough.

North Texas is a wild card as it begins the Dan McCarney era. This final game of the year could be for a bowl game for MTSU.

North Texas

Top game: at Alabama, Sept. 17

Well, no, the Mean Green have no shot in this game; you're right. But from a standpoint of Dan McCarney really assessing his program, why not play the best and see how they do it up close?

UNT will take its medicine in this one, but an opportunity to see just how much work needs to be done will help the Mean Green.

Troy

Top game: at Clemson, Sept. 3

The Arkansas game will also be a huge one the week after, but the Trojans can't get caught looking past the Tigers.

Dabo Swinney is coming in this year with guns blazing, and Clemson feels confident. Troy wants to branch out its pull nationally, and a win to start the season over a name like Clemson could launch the Trojans in 2011.

Western Kentucky

Top game: Kentucky, Sept. 1

This is the first game of the season, and Willie Taggart will be ready. A Hilltopper legend, what better way to start the year off right than to beat the big in-state school?

Huge game for WKU to open its 2011 run.

Akron

Top game: Ohio, Oct. 22

The Zips will be fresh off a bye week and should be ready to close out the second half of the season crisp.

This will be the game where we see what Akron really is and if progress is being made.

Bowling Green

Top game: at West Virginia, Oct. 1

The Mountaineers are the biggest, baddest and best team on BGSU's schedule in 2011, and this game is huge for the Falcons moving forward.

Why not aim big to knock off the Big East favorite in WVU if you're Bowling Green?

Buffalo

Top game: at Tennessee, Oct. 1

You're Buffalo. Sure, you know you're not going to win the national title, but you want some respect, right?

Well, what bigger way to make some noise than to beat an SEC team in its backyard?

Kent State

See North Texas...

Miami (OH)

Top game: Cincinnati, Oct. 1

Coach Don Treadwell's main two competitors for in-state prospects will be Ohio and Cincy. Ohio State-caliber recruits are more than likely going to Columbus.

But for the other prospects, Miami (OH) could begin to be a prime option if Treadwell starts beating Ohio and Cincinnati. This October 1 game begins that recruiting strategy.

Ohio

Top game: at Rutgers, Sept. 24

Frank Solich and the Bobcats head to North Jerz to take on the Scarlet Knights.

A win for Solich here against the most talented team he'll face in 2011 would be huge for the morale of the season.

Temple

Top game: Villanova, Sept. 1

This game has many interesting storylines. Temple begins the Steve Addazio era this year, the opening game of the season is against a Philly area rival and 'Nova is rising to FBS status from now on.

Addazio's first game as an Owl will be his biggest this year.

Ball State

Top game: Indiana, Sept. 3

Indiana has a new coach, and its defense will be changing schemes. So things will be shuffling for the Hoosiers, but so are things at Ball State.

A battle of young programs in the first game of the year is crucial for the Cardinals.

Central Michigan

See Buffalo...

Eastern Michigan

Top game: Howard, Sept. 3

Yeah, Ron English's team was not good last year, and things didn't go as planned for the most part.

This is a must win game for the Eagles, as a loss to start the season to a FCS team would spoil things real fast for the rest of 2011.

Northern Illinois

Top game: at Kansas, Sept. 10

This game can be won by NIU. Kansas is not expected to make a huge jump in the second year of Turner Gill's regime, so a chance to go knock a Big 12 team off on the road would be a good notch in the Huskies' belt.

Toledo

See Eastern Michigan, but substitute New Hampshire for Howard...

Western Michigan

Top game: Central Michigan, Sept. 17

A good rivalry game is always fun to watch. Michigan and Michigan State are the top dogs, but Western Michigan wants another notch over Central Michigan, like yesterday.

Air Force

Top game: TCU, Sept. 10

The Falcons host the Horned Frogs in the second of the season and surely smell blood with TCU losing some key players from last year.

No Andy Dalton means Air Force will have a rowdy crowd behind it daring Casey Pachall to throw TCU to a tough early-season road win.

Boise State

Top game: at Georgia, Sept. 3

The Broncos travel all the way for Athens to play an SEC team on the road in the first game of the season.

There's not much explanation needed here: Georgia-Boise State, first game of the season. Two teams with big-time aspirations for 2011. Enough said.

Colorado State

Top game: at Colorado, Sept. 17

The Buffaloes may have moved into the Pac-12, but to the Rams, they're still just Colorado.

This game is always huge for both teams since it's a heated rivalry contest.

New Mexico

Top game: Sam Houston State, Sept. 24

This is the only game that I really see the Lobos having a chance to win on paper. They're not very good, and SHS is a FCS school.

Let's go Lobos.

San Diego State

Top game: Washington State, Sept. 17

This will be the third game of the season for the Aztecs, and the following week they travel to Ann Arbor to visit an old friend in former coach Brady Hoke.

The Aztecs can't overlook the Cougars in this game, or Jeff Tuel could toss the rock all over them. What better way to come into the Michigan game than with a 3-0 record, including a win over a BCS school?

TCU

Top game: at Boise State, Nov. 12

The Horned Frogs travel to the Smurf Turf to play the Broncos in what could be the last time we see the two little big dogs play each other for a while.

Big game between two programs that have proved they run with the higher-ups.

UNLV

Top game: at New Mexico, Nov. 12

These two teams won't make much noise this year, and some may even call this the "Pity Bowl." But UNLV is the program with a brighter future, so a loss in this game can't happen for the Rebels going forward.

Wyoming

See UNLV but substitute Nov. 19 for the New Mexico game...

East Carolina

Top game: South Carolina, Sept. 3

You get an SEC team at home to start the season; that's huge. But to add to it, that SEC team is the reigning East division champion, and you know the game is huge for you.

Ruffin McNeill better have that defense ready for the Pirates, or Steve Spurrier will hang 50 on it quickly.

Marshall

Top game: at West Virginia, Sept. 4

Huge game for Doc Holliday and the Thundering Herd to open the 2011 run. This is essentially a rivalry game, as the two schools are neighbors in close proximity.

Memphis

Top game: at MTSU, Oct. 1

A battle of two mid-major Tennessee schools that both want to turn things around on the gridiron. This game will be about pride, passion and bragging rights.

Southern Miss

Top game: at Virginia, Sept. 24

The Golden Eagles are my pick to win the C-USA this year, and they can compete against some of the higher-ups if given the chance. Why not knock off an upstart Virginia team on its home field to make the rest of the country take notice?

UAB

Top game: at Troy, Oct. 1

UAB reminded me of the St. Louis Rams of the early 2000s last year: great offense, suspect defense.

But this game will be a challenge for the offense, as they feel they can score points at will. Well, so can Troy, so if UAB wants to win this game, this will be a rare contest for the Blazers where if they don't win, chances are it will be because the offense stalled.

UCF

Top game: Tulsa, Nov. 5

Tulsa will be a Top-25 team this year, as G.J. Kinne will be the leader of an offense that could set some serious marks in the record books.

George O'Leary has his program on the rise, and to really show everyone UCF is for real, the Knights need to handle their business when the Golden Hurricane come to town.

Houston

Top game: at Tulsa, Nov. 26

This will be a shootout game. Two great QBs in Tulsa's G.J. Kinne and Houston's Case Keenum, two great offenses and the final game of the season with postseason implications.

Would it be wrong to set the over/under of total points scored for this game at 100? You tell me.

Rice

Top game: at Southern Methodist, Nov. 26

Rice probably isn't going far this year, but Southern Methodist has chance to get to another bowl game. What better way to hinder that if you're Rice than to trip up the Mustangs in their final game to impress bowl committees?

Southern Methodist

Top game: at TCU, Oct. 1

You're June Jones, which means you are an offensive genius and can score points on anybody with anybody. Well, a good test to see if that's true is to go against a defensive genius like Gary Patterson on his turf.

Will you pass?

Tulane

Top game: SE Louisiana, Sept. 3

Tulane is not very good, and the program is searching for something to give it a boost. Well, it better get that boost before it loses to a school like SE Louisiana to open the season.

If not, then the countdown to Bob Toledo's dismissal will immediately begin.

Tulsa

Top game: at Oklahoma, Sept. 3

I've said it a few times over the past few months, and I'll say it again: Tulsa deserves to be a Top-25 preseason team this year.

If you're the Golden Hurricanes, you're confident in your offense, so a test, say, to open up against the No. 1-ranked team in the country would be a big one, right?

I think so.

UTEP

Top game: Houston, Sept. 29

Mike Price has made some whispers about questioning his team's work ethic and attitude over the winter and spring. This Houston game will be the first home game for the Miners in three weeks and is on a Thursday.

If you can't get up for a Thursday night home game vs. an in-state rival, then something is wrong with you, UTEP.

Army

Top game: Navy, Dec. 10

What else did you expect? It's Navy at Army; enough said.

Moving along...

BYU

Top game: at Texas, Sept. 10

Huge test for BYU and, more importantly, Jake Heaps. The next great BYU signal caller made a substantial jump down the stretch of the season, and seeing how he fares against Texas will be neat.

Manny Diaz runs an interesting 4-3 scheme, so seeing how Heaps makes adjustments and reads will really show us if "The Kid" is ready for prime time.

Navy

See Army...

Notre Dame

Top game: at Stanford, Nov. 26

This is the final game of the regular season for the Irish, as they travel to face perhaps the best player in the county in Stanford QB Andrew Luck.

The Irish defense has talent, and seeing how they perform against who people call the Peyton Manning of college football will be a key part of the overall college football season in 2011.

Cincinnati

Top game: NC State, Sept. 22

The Bearcats get the Wolfpack on a Thursday night thriller. Cincy is looking to rebound from a sour-tasting first year under Butch Jones.

Zach Collaros is also looking to bounce back. An early-season Thursday night game would be a great way to show everyone the Bearcats are back.

UConn

Top game: at West Virginia, Oct. 8

I chose this game for UConn for several reasons. This is the first game in Big East play for the Huskies, and it should be a point in the season where we know what we have in Paul Pasqualoni's first UConn squad.

Louisville

Top game: at Kentucky, Sept. 17

Heated rivals. Bluegrass State bragging rights. Two teams trying to prove their football programs are respectable and not just basketball-based schools.

Charlie Strong is looking to improve on last year's solid opening season for the Cardinals, and a win over Kentucky would easily make this season a success no matter what else happens.

Pittsburgh

Top game: at West Virginia, Nov. 25

Todd Graham gets his first taste as head coach of Pitt of what the Panther-Mountaineer rivalry truly is: nasty and vicious.

These programs don't like each other. Even if both were winless coming into this game, a win for either school would still make the season a successful one.

Rutgers

Top game: at UConn, Nov. 26

This is the final game of the season for the Scarlet Knights, a program looking to get to a bowl game. Things could go either way for Greg Schiano's squad each week, so this last game vs. UConn could be for a bowl game.

South Florida

Top game: at Notre Dame, Sept. 3

USF could be a dark horse team to get into a BCS bowl depending on how things go this year. I think WVU wins the Big East, but don't count out USF.

If the Bulls want to get the attention of the country right from the jump, then a win at Notre Dame Stadium during kickoff weekend would be the way to go.

Syracuse

Top game: at USC, Sept. 17

Syracuse is trying to make a rise up the ladder under Doug Marrone, and it seems to be making solid progress.

This is a crucial year, and the USC game is a crucial test. The Orange have to travel to LA and play a USC team that is also looking to get back on track.

West Virginia

Top game: LSU, Sept. 24

West Virginia is in some turmoil, as it will have Dana Holgorsen take over a year earlier than expected. He and Geno Smith are expected to score points immediately.

LSU has a talented team and will make the trip to Morgantown. This is a huge game for both programs.

Boston College

Top game: Florida State, Nov. 3

FSU is on its way back to, well, being "FSU." Boston College is a middle of the pack program that needs a signature win this year.

Florida State in Boston on a Thursday night. Prime time. Yeah, that's a big deal.

Clemson

Top game: at South Carolina, Nov. 26

The Palmetto State game is a huge deal around South Carolina, as the Tigers and Gamecocks aren't really the best of friends.

This is easily the biggest game of the season for Clemson.

Florida State

Top game: Oklahoma, Sept. 17

Yeah, I could have gone with Florida for this one, but I think the OU game is a bigger deal for the Seminoles. 

They get the likely No. 1 team in the nation in Tallahassee with a chance to beat it and jump up into serious BCS title game discussions.

This is one of the biggest games of the college football season.

Maryland

Top game: Miami, Sept. 5

Two programs that have first-year head coaches in Randy Edsall and Al Golden. Monday night football.

Obviously both coaches want to start their eras off on a great note, so a win for each head man is crucial. Who will have his team better prepared and more focused?

North Carolina State

Top game: North Carolina, Nov. 5

The rivalry between the Wolfpack and Tar Heels isn't as overly fierce on the gridiron as it is in hoops, but it is still a solid rivalry.

North Carolina has good talent, and the Wolfpack will hear it for a while how the Chapel Hill squad has passed them up in football.

Will NC State be up to the task of shutting everyone up?

Wake Forest

Top game: at Syracuse, Sept. 1

Well, this is the first game of the season for the Demon Deacons, and they didn't exactly set the world on fire last year.

They need to get off to a good start in 2011. If not, then Jim Grobe may lose confidence from his program. A win at Syracuse would change things around.

Duke

Top game: at North Carolina, Nov. 26

Yeah, Duke isn't too good in football. We all know that, but this game will be the last of the season for the Blue Devils, and North Carolina likely will be bowl eligible by now.

What better way to end the season than by playing free and having fun against a hated rival on the final game of the season if you're Duke?

Georgia Tech

Top game: Virginia Tech, Nov. 10

The Yellow Jackets play host to Va. Tech on a Thursday night game that should be an exciting matchup.

This is an intra-ACC matchup, so conference implications will be lurking around in this one.

Miami (FL)

There are a ton of big games on the Miami schedule, such as the Ohio State game and the Florida State game.

But the opening game vs. Maryland is the biggest game of the season for the same reasons it is for Maryland, as previously mentioned.

North Carolina

Top game: at Virginia Tech, Nov. 17

Another Thursday night game for the Hokies, another ACC opponent comes to Blacksburg.

North Carolina will be a bigger test for Va. Tech than Georgia Tech will be, especially with two bookend pass rushers like Quinton Coples and Donte Paige-Moss menacing the Hokie offense all night.

Virginia

Top game: Virginia Tech, Nov. 26

Mike London and the Cavaliers want respect, especially around the Atlantic region, for more purposes than one.

Well, if they want the respect they feel they deserve, then they need to beat the top dog school in the state in Virginia Tech in the final game of the season.

Virginia Tech

Top game: Clemson, Oct. 1

The Hokies open up ACC play by hosting the upstart Tigers at the start of October. They have their annual Thursday night home game this year vs. UNC, but this Clemson game earlier in the year is crucial.

Iowa State

Top game: Iowa, Sept. 10

The Cyclones don't get the attention nor respect that their fellow in-state program the Iowa Hawkeyes do. Paul Rhoads usually has his teams up for big games, as the Cyclones had a few surprising wins last year.

Beating Iowa would go a long way in getting the Cyclones back on the radar.

Kansas

Top game: McNeese State, Sept. 3

The Jayhawks lost to an FCS school in the opening game last year, as they lost to North Dakota State 6-3.

They open up again with an FCS school in McNeese State. History can't repeat itself, can it?

Kansas State

Top game: Miami, Sept. 24

You open up with two cupcakes in Eastern Kentucky and Kent State. Fine and dandy.

Then you have to go to Miami and face the Hurricanes, along with their defensive talent and speed. K-State feels it has a shot to make some noise this year, especially in the new Big 12, and a win here would get people's attention.

Missouri

Top game: at Oklahoma, Sept. 24

The Tigers figure to find themselves in the Top 25 this year early on and are another team with an offensive system proven to score points.

They have to travel to Norman in Week 4, which will be the biggest game of the season for them aside from playing Kansas.

Baylor

Top game: TCU, Sept. 2

The Bears take on TCU to kick off the season on a Friday night. Of course, as things stand right now, the better and more successful program over the past few years has been TCU.

Baylor feels as though it's time for a change and even thinks it's ready to contend in the Big 12. Win here in Week 1, Bears, and we'll start believing you.

Oklahoma

Top game: at Oklahoma State, Dec. 3

The Florida State game and Tulsa games are also huge games and could very easily have made this list.

But the Sooner-Cowboy game on the final weekend of the season is the biggest, because this could have not only Big 12 title implications, but BCS implications as well.

Mega-sized matchup.

Oklahoma State

Top game: at Tulsa, Sept. 17

The Pokes have to travel to Tulsa in Week 3 of the season, and this should be a fun one to watch, as two potent passing attacks go head to head.

How will Tulsa defend Justin Blackmon? How will Oklahoma State try to stop G.J. Kinne?

Texas

Top game: Oklahoma, Oct. 8

What else were you thinking would be the selection here? The Red River rivalry is always the biggest game of the season for both teams.

The stadium is split right down the middle. The game always features two great coaches and looming implications, and this year will be no different.

Texas A&M

Top game: Texas, Nov. 24

The Aggies finish the season out in usual style with the final game vs. Texas during Turkey Day time.

This year, it looks like A&M will come into the game as the favorite and better team, as Mike Sherman has a chance to make some noise with his squad this year.

This could have both Big 12 title and BCS bowl game stakes at play.

Texas Tech

Top game: at Oklahoma, Oct. 22

Texas Tech still runs its wide-open Air Raid-style passing attack in Lubbock under Tommy Tuberville, but it also still has a pretty suspect defense under Tuberville.

Landry Jones will be licking his New Mexico-born chops, as the Red Raiders and Sooners will simply try to outscore one another in this one.

Illinois

Top game: Arizona State, Sept. 17

Ron Zook's crew opens the season with two softballs in Arkansas State and South Dakota State at home. Then they get the Sun Devils at home.

Here's the week we find out if Illinois is for real or not after two expected blowout wins.

Indiana

Top game: Virginia, Sept. 10

The Hoosiers likely will beat Ball State in Week 1, so in Week 2, fresh off a win to start the year, will Kevin Wilson be able to refocus his team and have it ready for Mike London?

We'll see.

Ohio State

Top game: at Miami, Sept. 17

Well, Terrelle Pryor and Jim Tressel won't be there, but Ohio State fans keep eyeing the Nebraska game as the game they get their cavalry back.

Well, Miami could care less, because OSU beat them last year. The Buckeyes think they can go into the Nebraska game undefeated, but I think Miami objects to that way of thinking.

Penn State

Top game: Alabama, Sept. 10

Penn State gets the Crimson Tide at home in Week 2, and this should be a good one. Nick Saban respects Joe Paterno, but he will bring his Crimson Tide team to handle their business.

Will Penn State be able to match up with the Crimson Tide in early September?

Purdue

Top game: Notre Dame, Oct. 1

The Boilermakers start off with Middle Tennessee, Rice and Southeastern Missouri State. Yeah, I would classify those as easier games.

Notre Dame in Week 4 won't be such a pushover, and we'll learn in this one what Purdue really has going this year.

Wisconsin

Top game: Nebraska, Oct. 1

The Badgers got the Big Ten's Rose Bowl bid last season and are coming into this year with the same goal in mind.

Nebraska is coming into this season to establish itself as the premier team in the Big Ten.

I can't wait for this one because you get Wisconsin's rushing attack vs. Nebraska's elite defense.

Awesome matchup.

Iowa

Top game: at Nebraska, Nov. 25

The Hawkeyes travel to Lincoln on a Friday in late November in their final regular season game. Nebraska could be in Rose Bowl/BCS bowl contention, while Iowa will be aiming for a bowl game itself.

Neat game during Thanksgiving weekend.

Michigan

Top game: Ohio State, Nov. 26

Brady Hoke said it's the biggest game of the season, so I'm going with it too. Michigan will come into this game more confident than initially thought since Tressel and Pryor are both gone.

I think Big Blue could pull the upset.

Michigan State

Top game: at Nebraska, Oct. 29

The Spartans will head over to Nebraska on Halloween weekend and try to teach it a lesson on respect, as the Cornhuskers are surely coming into the Big Ten with intentions of taking over.

Depending on how things go, this could be for the conference title in actuality. 

Minnesota

Top game: at Michigan, Oct. 1

Michigan is not big, bad Big Blue right now, but Minnesota isn't too good either. However, the Wolverines pick on the Gophers any chance they get.

With Michigan being vulnerable right now, Jerry Kill could use this game to pull out some tricks to get an upset.

Nebraska

Top game: at Wisconsin, Oct. 1

This is a big game because it puts two powerhouse program on the field at once, with Nebraska making its Big Ten debut.

Wisconsin can run the ball down anyone's throat, while the Cornhuskers have a great defense. Something's got to give.

Northwestern

Top game: at Illinois, Oct. 1

The Wildcats lost to the Illini last year in an interesting game, to say the least (check out the photo). This year, they will definitely be looking to avenge the 48-27 loss last November.

California

Top game: at Stanford, Nov. 19

Cal doesn't like Stanford, and Stanford doesn't like Cal. These two are longtime rivals, and the Big Game is easily the top game on the Bears' schedule.

Oregon

Top game: LSU, Sept. 3

The Ducks open the season with the Tigers looking them dead in their eyes. LSU feels Oregon is standing in the way of starting a season that could end in a national title, and Oregon feels LSU is standing in its way of getting back to the title game.

Someone has to move out of the other's way.

Oregon State

Top game: at Oregon, Nov. 3

This may not be the biggest game for the Ducks this year, but it is for the Beavers. The Civil War game is huge every year, and 2011 will be no different.

Stanford

Top game: at USC, Nov. 29

This was a thriller on The Farm last year, as the Trojans had Stanford beat late in the game, but the Cardinal pulled it out in the end.

You can bet that USC will be ready for another thriller in Hollywood in 2011 as Stanford travels to L.A.

Washington

Top game: at Nebraska, Sept. 17

The Huskies and Cornhuskers will have played each other three times within a year after this one is over. But this is a huge game for Washington, as quarterback Keith Price will really be tested by the Blackshirts.

Washington feels it's on the verge of breaking out. A win here could put it over the top.

Washington State

Top game: at Washington, Nov. 26

The Apple Cup is a huge game for both programs for bragging rights around the Pacific Northwest. Wazzu is a program that is in the bottom part of the Pac-12 hierarchy and looking to make some progress this year.

What better way to show that things are on the come up than to beat your rival at the end of the year?

Arizona

Top game: at Oklahoma State, Sept. 10

The Wildcats feel as though they're overlooked when you discuss top teams in the Pac-12. They feel they are on the same level as Oregon, USC and Stanford.

Well, they may be, but how about the Wildcats beat Oklahoma State on the road and then we'll talk, OK?

Arizona State

Top game: Missouri, Sept. 9

Arizona State keeps pointing to how many close games it lost last year and how things were close to being different for it last year. Then the Sun Devils talk about their defense, especially LB Vontaze Burfict.

Missouri doesn't care, and Gary Pinkel will force Dennis Erickson to defend his spread offense. Will Burfict and ASU be up for it?

Colorado

Top game: Colorado State, Sept. 17

The Buffaloes are not going to be that good this year as Jon Embree takes over, and changes are needed everywhere. But the CSU game is always fun and will basically be the Buffs' bowl game for 2011.

UCLA

Top game: Texas, Sept. 17

The USC game could have been the selection, but the Bruins went to Texas and beat the Longhorns last year 34-12.

Texas is coming to Pasadena intent on getting some sweet revenge. Rick Neuheisel may be on the hot seat, but another victory over Texas could buy him another year in Westwood.

USC

Top game: at Oregon, Nov. 19

The Trojans told everyone who could listen that the Oregon game last year was their bowl game. Well, this year will be the same, as USC treks up to Eugene in mid November for another bout.

The loud crowd. The uniforms. The fast-paced offense. Will USC be ready?

Utah

Top game: at BYU, Sept. 17

Heated rivals meeting up once again. This is not a civil rivalry or a pleasant one, and really, this game is fitting for an end of the year type of game.

Interesting chess match between Kyle Whittingham's defensive scheme and Jake Heaps.

Vanderbilt

Top game: Ole Miss, Sept. 17

James Franklin gets his first taste of SEC play against Houston Nutt, and while Vandy won't be too good in 2011, the Rebels could actually be vulnerable.

Could Franklin win his first SEC game ever?

Ole Miss

Top game: at Mississippi State, Nov. 26

The Egg Bowl is always a neat game to watch, but Dan Mullen has made things more interesting from now on by saying that MSU will never lose to Ole Miss again.

That has to irk Houston Nutt and Rebels. It just has to. Huge game that also is the final one of the regular season.

Kentucky

Top game: Louisville, Sept. 17

Kentucky needs to be ready for WKU in Week 1, but the Louisville game is always huge year in and year out. Joker Phillips is trying to get the Wildcats over the hump, and of course, beating Louisville would make things that much easier.

Mississippi State

Top game: at Auburn, Sept. 10

The Egg Bowl game vs. Ole Miss would be obvious choice, but Week 2 brings the champs hosting the Bulldogs.

Dan Mullen and the Bulldogs feel their program is ready for the jump into the discussion of top-tier SEC teams. Beating Auburn would validate that claim.

Tennessee

Top game: LSU, Oct. 15

The Vols had the Tigers beat last year, but a controversial finish deprived them of a well-deserved victory. This has to be a revenge game for Derek Dooley. They get the Tigers at home in Knoxville and will be fired up.

Another interesting note to this game will be to see how Tyler Bray handles LSU's defensive speed and intensity.

Arkansas

Top game: at Alabama, Sept. 24

Bobby Petrino takes his show on the road in Week 4 against the top team in the SEC in Alabama. Arkansas feels it can win the conference this year and could have the horses to do so.

Beating 'Bama in Tuscaloosa will be a large task though.

This is one of the biggest overall games of the season.

South Carolina

Top game: Clemson, Nov. 26

The Gamecocks feel they can repeat their performance of winning the SEC East and getting to Atlanta and even think they can crack the BCS table.

I believe they can, but they can't falter this late in the season, especially against Clemson, of all teams, as the Tigers are the Gamecocks' main rival.

Florida

Top game: Alabama, Oct. 1

The Gators have a new head coach in Will Muschamp, and he is a disciple of Nick Saban. Muschamp gets his first chance to match Saban wit for wit as a head coach while also being the home team.

Florida as a program feels it can compete for the SEC title this year. Beating Alabama would prove that theory true.

Georgia

Top game: Boise State, Sept. 3 (Atlanta)

A wonderful matchup to kick off 2011 right. Bulldogs and Broncos in Week 1. Aaron Murray vs. Kellen Moore. Mark Richt vs. Chris Petersen.

Georgia is ready for a bounce-back season, which has to get off on the right foot. Just so happens that it opens with a game vs. Boise State.

Huge deal.

Auburn

Top game: Alabama, Nov. 26

Auburn is expected to take a step back this year, but it may not be as far a step back as originally thought. Yet the champs will be young almost everywhere and inexperienced.

However, they will be up for Alabama in the final game of the regular season. The Iron Bowl is the biggest game this year for Gene Chizik.

LSU

Top game: Oregon, Sept. 3 (Dallas)

Huge game. Two likely Top Five-ranked teams. This could shape each program's entire season. LSU feels it can make a title run, while Oregon wants to get back to the title game and win it this time.

I would even say this game is bigger than the Georgia-Boise State game.

Alabama

Top game: LSU, Nov. 5

This game takes the cake for me. I think whoever wins this game will win the SEC and earn itself a spot in the BCS title game. This may be the biggest game of the year sans the actual BCS championship game.

Alabama hosts the Tigers, as both teams feel they are more than capable of making a title run this year.

SEC football. Two powerhouses. Great coaches. Speed and athletes all over the field.

How will Jordan Jefferson handle Alabama's star-studded defense?