Why am I excited? I'm headed up to northern Minnesota for six days starting Tuesday to fish and get away from civilization. WCG will be taking over the Bears Den until my return. Hopefully, I'll come back a little less cynical and with enough fish to last a month.
Until training camp starts, I'll be detailing everything you need to know about the upcoming college football season and the 2010 NFL Draft.
This week, I'll be highlighting the best college football games to watch each week of the season. Please be aware that I am not including all of the traditional college rivalries (such as OSU - Michigan) because I'm more focused on highlighting the best games. All times listed are in CDT.
Week 1
Oregon @ Boise State
Thursday, September 3 at 9:15 PM
The #3 team in the Pac-10 faces off against the top WAC team.
Georgia @ Oklahoma State
Saturday, September 5 at 2:30 PM
The Bulldogs lost their stud QB and RB, but they return a lot of strong veterans at key areas. Oklahoma State is the team to crash the Texas - Oklahoma dominance of the Big XII South this year.
Alabama vs. Virginia Tech
Saturday, September 5 at 7:00 PM
Both teams have some deficiencies they must overcome to prove BCS-worthy, but it promises to be a good Week 1 game.
Western Michigan @ Michigan
Saturday, September 5 at 2:30 PM
GallopingGhost: Western Michigan is going to be a much improved team in the MAC West this year, as Ball State will not be as good and Central Michigan will be the team to beat.
Sleeper: Northern Iowa @ Iowa
Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 AM
Unless you get the Big 10 Network or live in Iowa, you most likely won't see this game. Northern Iowa was three minutes from the FCS championship when they collapsed against Richmond. They are returning most of their offensive and defensive starters. Add in Iowa's loss of RB Shonn Greene and DT's Mitch King and Matt Kroul, and there's a decent chance of an upset.
Week 2
USC @ Ohio State
Saturday, September 12 at 7:00 PM
Last year's game was a snoozefest early on. I expect this game to be different. Both teams lost substantial talent to the NFL. I'm giving the early edge to Ohio State.
Central Michigan @ Michigan State
Saturday, September 12 at 11 AM
GallopingGhost: I think this is Central Michigan's year with QB Dan Lefevour and a good run game. It will be fun to see how many wins against the Big Ten the MAC can rack up.
Week 3
Tennessee @ Florida
Saturday, September 19; Time TBA
This does not promise to be a good game. However, after Tennessee HC Lane Kiffin's remarks about Urban Meyer, it does promise to be full of revenge from the Gators.
Nebraska @ Virginia Tech
Saturday, September 19; Time TBA
Under Bo Pelini, Nebraska should be the king of the Big XII North for years to come. If Virginia Tech makes it through the Alabama game unscathed, this could be a big game early in the year.
Week 4
North Carolina @ Georgia Tech
Saturday, September 26; Time TBA
The ACC will be better than in past years, and these two teams are some of the ACC's best. Georgia Tech possesses a lethal running game and UNC should be better on defense.
Illinois @ Ohio State
Saturday, September 26; Time TBA
Illinois is my sleeper pick in the Big 10. OSU lost a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but a dangerous Terrelle Pryor returns to Columbus. This has the potential to be a great game and possible upset for OSU.
California @ Oregon
Saturday, September 26 at 2:30 PM
Mark my words: Cal will have the best defense in the Pac-10. Oregon will have an outstanding rushing offense. Combine those two and you have the mixture for an excellent game.
Week 5
LSU @ Georgia
Saturday, October 3; Time TBA
LSU has a question mark on the defensive line, but they won't be as bad as they were last year. Georgia has question marks of their own, which makes this game all the more intriguing.
USC @ California
Saturday, October 3 at 7:00 PM
Is this the year that Jeff Tedford beats Pete Carroll? This author thinks so.
Week 6
Alabama @ Mississippi
Saturday, October 10; Time TBA
LSU, Alabama, and Mississippi should all be in contention for the SEC West championship. Ole Miss has most of their defense and QB Jevan Snead returning, so I'm giving the early edge to Mississippi.
Week 7
USC @ Notre Dame
Saturday, October 17 at 2:30 PM
USC has a tough schedule in 2009. Notre Dame presents another stumbling block for the Trojans. I'm still leery of Notre Dame, but Jimmy Clausen has grown enough to warrant this a good game.
Central Michigan @ Western Michigan
Saturday, October 17; Time TBA
GallopingGhost: Tim Hiller vs. Dan Lefevour. This game could be epic. Both of these QBs are among the tops for next years draft, so this is a must-see game for college football fans.
Oklahoma vs. Texas
Saturday, October 17; Time TBA
Oklahoma will have weaknesses (or at least question marks) along its offensive line and safety spots while Texas must reload at DL. This should be a high-scoring affair, with both Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford having some veteran playmakers available for them.
Week 8
Iowa @ Michigan State
Saturday, October 24 at 6:00 PM
While this game most likely won't decide the Big 10 championship, it should be a good.
Buffalo @ Western Michigan
Saturday, October 24 at 1:00 PM
GallopingGhost: Last year's MAC champs visiting the MAC West's 2008 second place finisher. Buffalo lost its starting QB (Drew Willy) but has a young guy who saw action last season and should be ready to take over. This should be a good game.
TCU @ Brigham Young
Saturday, October 24 at 6:30 PM
BYU is tough to predict. They have enough to talent to succeed, but I don't see a repeat of their 2008 campaign. If BYU has lost once by this point, this will be an excellent game.
Week 9
North Carolina @ Virginia Tech
Thursday, October 29 at 6:30 PM
This game will help decide the ACC champion. I give the edge to Virginia Tech because North Carolina has too many question marks (at least on paper) to VT.
Georgia vs. Florida
Saturday, October 31; Time TBA
This will be the deciding game for the eventual SEC East champion. I have no doubt Florida will win, but it should be good regardless.
Texas @ Oklahoma State
Saturday, October 31; Time TBA
Both teams are fairly equal. The 2008 game between these two teams was a nailbiter and this should be no different. Expect a great game.
USC @ Oregon
Saturday, October 31 at 7:00 PM
If USC beat Cal, they can't rest on their laurels. Oregon looms ahead with a lethal rushing attack.
Week 10
Ohio State @ Penn State
Saturday, November 7; Time TBA
Most likely, these two teams will be fighting to be Big 10 champions. Both have dangerous offenses, so it should be a high-scoring shootout.
LSU @ Alabama
Saturday, November 7; Time TBA
These are two of the top three teams in the SEC West. Unless Mississippi has a monumental collapse this year, this game will help decide who takes the crown.
Week 11
Nebraska @ Kansas
Saturday, November 14; Time TBA
The two teams expected to battle for the Big XII North champion. My way-too-early guess is Kansas wins this tight one. Nebraska is replacing more people than Kansas at critical places.
Florida @ South Carolina
Saturday, November 14; Time TBA
If Florida didn't prepare for one game on their schedule, this would be the one. Potential, but unlikely, upset.
Utah @ TCU
Saturday, November 14 at 6:30 PM
Utah and TCU should be a great game. Utah won on a 4th quarter drive in 2008; 2009's version should be just as interesting.
Week 12
LSU @ Mississippi
Saturday, November 21; Time TBA
Ole Miss surprised a lot of people last year while LSU's play left something to be desired from Tiger faithful. Will Ole Miss be able to handle LSU at home?
Penn State @ Michigan State
Saturday, November 21; Time TBA
Penn State possesses a potent offense, led by Daryll Clark (Big 10 Offensive Player of the Year in 2008). This could be an upset game for Penn State; other games loom larger on the schedule than this one.
Central Michigan @ Ball State
Wednesday, November 8; Time TBA
GallopingGhost: I know BSU lost its best player in Nate Davis as well as a good chunk of the OL, but it returns a solid D and tailback MiQuale Lewis, who was top 10 in the nation in rush yards last year. BSU's new QB was an Oregon recruit and wanted a chance to start. Last years game was epic and this year's contest could still be a good fight.
Week 13
Oklahoma State @ Oklahoma
Saturday, November 28; Time TBA
Oklahoma is almost unbeatable at home. However, Oklahoma State has more talent than in previous years. I'm predicting a win for Oklahoma, but I wouldn't bet my life on it. I could see it easily falling either way. If Oklahoma does lose, it could be disastrous for the Sooners' BCS hopes.
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What games are you looking forward to?