College Football 2011: Projecting 10 Best Championship Matchups, Week 1 Edition

Each week I will take a look at the top 10 and the teams that will make the most intriguing National Championship matchups. For the majority of the selections I will stay inside the top 10 but will make two selections from inside the top 15.

The one thing that has been proven time and time again in the past few years is that parity is sure to hit the college football landscape. If the title game was set to play today however, these 10 games could stand to be some of the best football of the season.

Non-auto qualifiers like Boise State and TCU would like to finally make a path to the title game but the auto-qualifiers like Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon and others look to stand in the way. The lines have been drawn and first kick is among us, the hunt is on.

Alabama vs. Oklahoma

Alabama and Oklahoma have become the two elite picks for the national title game entering this season.

Both of these squads return a wealth of starters and powerful defense. The one edge that the Sooners do carry is experience at the quarterback position.

Oklahoma has a strong passing game that would play against one of the strengths of the Alabama defense. Alabama would look to control the clock with a solid ground attack and maintain control of the game.

The overall record between the two teams is 2-1 with the lead going to the Sooners. Both teams have won a wealth of championships and plan to be in the hunt again this season. If they finish this season as they started this will be one of the best games of 2011.

Oklahoma vs. Boise State

This could be a sweet redemption game for the Sooners or another shocker for the boys in blue.

In 2007 the Broncos from Boise State did the unthinkable and beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. The Sooners and the nation stood by in shock as the hook and lateral play worked to perfection.

Boise State has been the non-qualifying darling of the major television networks the past few years and they may actually earn a shot at the title this season. They have a very winnable schedule and return a talented offense.

The big question for the Broncos would be brought to light in this game as they lost a number of starters on defense. By seasons end players should be up to speed but Oklahoma would likely shred the defense of Boise State in this matchup.

Boise State vs. Alabama

This would be another interesting matchup for the bowl season.

Boise State would likely say that they would like this matchup but this would likely be a more difficult game for the Broncos than if they faced Oklahoma.

The Alabama defense is set to be one of the best units that they have fielded in quite some time.

Combine that with the talent in the defensive backfield and the Broncos strength being the passing game, this matchup is easily tipped to the favor of the Crimson Tide.

Boise would have a size matchup problem as well which would limit their ability to stop the powerful Alabama rushing attack.

Oregon vs. Alabama

Oregon is a speed rushing team, and relies on their ability to use a fast ground game and motions to confuse defenses.

Auburn proved that solid assignment play can win the day and suppress any speed advantage that the Ducks may have. Of course against the SEC speed is not an argument.

Alabama would have a tough time in the beginning adjusting to the Oregon defensive scheme but if this matchup were to occur I would tip the hat to the Crimson Tide. They can match Oregon in the speed department and have the size advantage.

Oregon will continue to be a team in the national title discussion, but until they can combo size and speed it will be difficult to overcome the stronger faster SEC teams.

Stanford vs. Oklahoma

Stanford returns the most popular player in college football in Andrew Luck.

He is likely to be the first player taken in the draft after this season and has a hard nose playing mentality.

The Cardinal lose their coach and some depth on defense but look to return to form offensively.

Oklahoma would look to pick a part the Stanford pass defense in this game and maintain momentum. If Luck is given the chance to take over the game he would. This would be a close matchup and likely a very good football game.

In the end the edge has to go to Oklahoma simply for because the Sooners are the more complete team in the final week of preseason discussion.

Oregon vs. Boise State

Of all the matchups on this week’s list this is the game that would create the most fireworks.

Boise State would surely take advantage of open space in the Oregon defense and Kellen Moore would exploit holes that the Ducks didn’t know that they had.

The Broncos would struggle with handling the speed from the backfield that Oregon possesses, and the ability to use sweeps to mix in play action and play selection.

In the end defense would win this game. Oregon gets the nod because they not only have been in the game before but also play very physical.

Not saying that Boise is not a physical team and they have a big chance to change perception in week one, but as of today the Ducks get the edge.

Florida State vs. Stanford

These two teams are my sleeper teams that are currently in the top 10. Not many folks are discussing the ability and opportunity that the Seminoles have this season.

They have a stretch to overcome in the ACC and also play Oklahoma, but a win against the Sooners would surely settle them to the top of the heap.

Stanford and Florida State are very similar in their play and offensive scheme. I would expect that it would be a close and hard fought game between these two.

Florida State gets the edge in this game because of the coaching however. Losing Harbaugh is big for the Cardinal and having a staff led by longtime assistant Jimbo Fisher is a major plus.

Florida State vs. Alabama

Bobby Bowden built a tradition at Florida State that resembled the tradition found at his hometown favorite, the University of Alabama.

Bowden was born and raised outside of Birmingham, but never made it home to coach the hometown favorite.

Since Bowden’s departure Florida State has risen again to the heights it reached in the early 1990’s and looks to reclaim a spot in the title hunt.

Alabama has also risen to higher levels lately winning their last title just two seasons ago.

This game would match historic programs and southern football tradition at its best. Florida State has a big hill to climb however, before they are likely to knock of the SEC in the championship game.

They have 13 games left to prove they could knock off the Tide, until then Alabama win this matchup.

Arkansas vs. Wisconsin

Taking our first leap into the top 15 we find a stopping point with Wisconsin and Arkansas. These two teams are on the cusp of causing greatness.

Wisconsin picked up a big transfer in Russell Wilson this offseason. Couple that with an already established backfield and offensive system, and the recipe is dangerous.

Arkansas has some weapons of its own in the backfield, but the Razorbacks took a major blow when running back Kniles Davis was injured and is now out for the season.

Arkansas does return the most talented receiving corps in the country however and has the right guy in Tyler Wilson to get them the ball.

This game would come down to defense and speed.

Arkansas wins the speed battle easily but the defensive edge may go to Wisconsin. At this point I take Wisconsin. Russell Wilson is likely the missing cog in the team to move the Badgers like clockwork.

TCU vs. Texas A&M

Texas A&M is causing tons of ripples this offseason with their apparent separation from the Big 12.

The bigger news should be that the Aggies are a member of the top 10 nationally. The Aggies are surely being overlooked because of the talent found at Oklahoma.

TCU is a squad that finished the season undefeated and with a  BCS bowl win over Wisconsin. A major loss did occur however, when Andy Daulton departed for the NFL.

TCU still stands to win some games this season however, and are another possible non-qualifier that could bus the BCS.

These two teams would be a great matchup to watch as they both reside in Texas and are constantly found to be afterthoughts on the national stage.

A&M takes the edge in this one though as the leadership of a veteran quarterback wins the day.