Oklahoma vs. Florida State and the 4 Best Non-Conference Matchups of the Season

Later tonight, the rejuvenated fifth ranked Florida State Seminoles play host to the No. 1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners.  

This is by far the biggest contest Tallahassee has seen in years, and the excitement is palpable.

To get you set for the game, here is a brief preview of tonight’s action along with a look both back and ahead at the season’s top non-conference matchups.  

Oklahoma vs. Florida State

Despite all of their successes, the Sooners are just 19-15 in their last 34 road games.

In Norman, Bob Stoops’s teams are 37-1 over the same span.

Second-year Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher has the ‘Noles on the mend and Tallahassee is going to be rocking for tonight’s nationally televised Game of the Week on ABC.

Can quarterback Landry Jones and his Sooner mates avoid the slow starts that have plagued Oklahoma on the road over the last five years? Will Florida State continue their march back to national relevance? 

LSU vs. Oregon

During Week One, all eyes were on LSU and Oregon when the two powerhouses opened up the season in Dallas for the Cowboy Classic.

The Tigers and the Ducks didn’t disappoint.

Sloppy play aside, it was an entertaining, hard-hitting game full of big plays and big drama. 

LSU prevailed, 40-27, becoming an instant favorite for the BCS Title Game along the way. 

Ohio State vs. Miami

It is hard to find two bigger names in college football than Ohio State and Miami.

Both programs are rich with tradition, have populated NFL rosters for decades and, now, are synonymous with cheating.

Controversy is nothing new in south Florida (RE: Uncle Luther and The U), but the usually squeaky-clean image of Brutus the Buckeye took a hit this year when the face of Ohio State—Jim Tressel—was forced to resign amid a number of allegations.

Saturday’s matchup between the ‘Canes and Buckeyes might be in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, but both teams have enough talent to make it one of the season’s top contests. 

Notre Dame vs. Michigan

Before last weekend, there had never been a game played under the lights at Michigan’s iconic Big House.

It was worth the wait.

Notre Dame and Michigan gave college football fans an instant classic, playing a 35-31 thriller, complete with three scores in the final minute.

In addition to the on field-performance, the loss by Notre Dame opened up countless story lines surrounding Brian Kelly’s future and the Irish’s 0-2 start. 

LSU vs. West Virginia

Provided West Virginia can take care of business in Week Three against Maryland, next week’s game between the Mountaineers and Tigers is shaping up to be special.

Just three weeks into the season, LSU has established itself as a serious national title contender with arguably the best defense in college football.

On the other side, Geno Smith and the Mountaineers have been scary-good on offense.

Can the winner of next week’s game play for the Coach's Trophy at season’s end?