Major Impact: Defining games in 2008

FPS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Hard to believe but the college football season is already upon us.

Last year was one of the most topsy-turvy seasons from start to finish in recent memory. It was a season that witnessed Kansas (yes the Jayhawks!?!) not only play in a BCS game but win. A season in which South Florida achieved a No. 2 ranking only to be one of six teams ranked in that spot victimized by unranked opponents. And of course, it was another year with championship melodrama.

So while the pundits didn’t expect the Stanford-USC or Appalachian State-Michigan games to have any meaning, here’s a quick look at five (or so) games that will impact the 2008 season…

5) BYU at Utah, Nov. 22 – The “Holy War,” as its nicknamed, may have no higher stakes than this year. Both teams have BCS-busting aspirations, as the Cougars are 22-4 over the past two seasons and the Utes were red hot winning eight of their last nine games a year ago. This should be the non-BCS conference game of the year.

4) Florida vs. Georgia, Nov. 1 – When the Dawgs challenge the Gators it’s one giant cocktail party. This year, the national hype surrounding the game will probably be off the charts. While Florida has won 15 of the past 18 years, someone’s national championship hopes will be gashed.

3) SEC “Armageddon” Day, Sept. 20 – Can Georgia survive a trip to Arizona (State) and the desert heat? What happens when Florida and Tennessee clash again in a battle of orange? And you can’t forget about the Tiger-Tiger match up? It’s the biggest day of reckoning for the SEC. LSU at Auburn is probably the most important conference game, the winner of that match up has gone on to claim the West Division title in six of the past eight seasons.

2) Oklahoma vs. Texas, Oct. 11 – The Red River Shootout should live up to the name this year, although the game probably means more to Oklahoma and their title-race ambitions. Whoever wins will have the inside track to another Big 12 championship (as five of the past six crowns have been split by ‘Horns and Sooners).

1) Ohio State at USC, Sept. 13 – Some think this game could be a preview of the national title bout. But it’s safer to say the game is about credibility. USC wants to show the nation it’s the preeminent power in college football, while the Buckeyes want to show they belong after being run off the field in big games. No matter who wins we’ll see a lot of those players again, on Sundays.