By Aaron M Smith
“Summer is over, now it’s fall – just the nicest time of all. “
It’s a phrase I heard many of times in my youth. While not sure of its origins, I am confident that the person had the relief from summer’s heat and the changing colors in leaves in mind when they said it. For me, personally, it has always meant something different – the beginning of football. As students return to their respective campuses, this weekend marks the start of college football. It is time to stock up on charcoal, do a quick maintenance check on our favorite recliner and break out the game-time jerseys. Before we do that, let’s take a look at 10 games which might help determine the landscape of the 2012-13 college football season.
1. Michigan vs. Alabama (9/1/12) – The defending national champions have an early test as a revived Wolverine program comes to Tuscaloosa on the first weekend of the season. For Michigan head coach, Brady Hoke this will be an early litmus test for his program and a chance to return the former powerhouse to the forefront of the college football scene. A loss by the Crimson Tide could potentially be a devastating blow for a title defense that will eventually have to navigate through a grueling SEC schedule.
2. LSU vs. Florida (10/6/12) – For LSU this might prove to be an early test as they head to the Swamp for what could be a pivotal SEC match-up. Does Les Miles have his team ready for life without Tyrann Mathieu? Has Zach Mettenberger embraced the role as leader of the Tigers’ offense? Will the Gators have consensus on a starting quarterback, or will Florida faithful be calling for Coach Will Muschamp’s dismissal?
3. Georgia vs. South Carolina (10/6/12) – Coach Mark Richt’s Bulldogs have been long on promise, but short on results. Georgia comes into the season highly ranked and a visit to Williams-Brice stadium will be their first obstacle in reaching the National Championship. Junior QB, Aaron Murray, returns, but highly-touted Isaiah Crowell was dismissed from the team during the off-season. Ken Malcome will shoulder the load in the running game for the Buldogs. Has South Carolina star running back, Marcus Lattimore, returned to form from last year’s season-ending knee injury? How will Steve Spurrier’s defense follow up last year’s performance as the third best defense in all of college football?
4. South Carolina vs. LSU (10/13/12) – For the Gamecocks, it will be the second of a three game stretch against nationally ranked teams. How will Lattimore and Co. handle the stingy Tigers’ defense. This game will have serious implications on both team’s chances of playing in the SEC Championship game.
5. Oregon vs. USC (11/1/12) – The Trojans are the early favorite for a return to the National Championship, and the high flying Ducks will want to have a say in that matter. Matt Barkley returns for his senior year to lead a loaded Trojan offense. The Ducks will have their two headed running attack of Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas, but questions surround freshman quarterback Marcus Mariota and his ability to handle the reigns of the potent Ducks’ attack.
6. Alabama vs. LSU (11/1/12) – Last year this match-up was touted as the “Game of the Year” and failed to deliver on both occasions. Both teams could conceivably enter this game with a loss, making this game extremely important for both teams. National Championship implications will be on line for both teams.
7. Florida State vs. Virginia Tech (11/8/12) – What? An ACC game made it on this list? The Seminoles come into the season highly ranked and with a relatively week schedule – this might be the only roadblock on their schedule. Coach Frank Beamer will have the Hokies ready, but a win in Blacksburg could be the quality win that FSU needs to put itself in the National Championship picture.
8. Oklahoma vs. West Virginia (11/17/12) – Sooners come to West Virginia. This trip to Morgantown, WV will have serious BCS implications for Bob Stoops and Co.. If Landry Jones and the high powered Sooners’ offense can escape Moutaineer Field with a victory, it could be a huge boost for their National Championship resume.
9. Notre Dame vs. USC (11/24/12) – For USC this could the be last obstacle in its quest for a National Championship that hasn’t been stripped away by Reggie Bush. For Notre Dame fans, where will this Brian Kelly team stand at season’s end. With arguably the toughest schedule in all of college footbal, an upset of the Trojans will endear Irish fans to Kelly. A subpar seasoned topped of by a trouncing at the hands of Matt Barkely and Co. could be the final straw for alumni and fans alike.
10. Auburn vs. Alabama (11/23/12) – The Iron Bowl caps the season off for both teams and could very well have BCS implications for Nick Saban’s team. If the Crimson Tide loses a game early, a defeat here could end their hopes of a repeat.
Shhh…Do you hear that? It’s all the SEC haters. Once again, the best conference in CFB proves its worth. And not top-to-bottom because, after all, who cares who has the best all around conference. SEC determines the national championship every season for the past seven seasons. And I hate it, but I can admit it. LSU and ‘Bama will determine which plays for the championship again, and maybe perhaps it will be each other again.
I am pumped for USC-Oregon. Think that will be the other “whoever wins this is in the driver’s seat” type games.
Did Denard Robinson sign a 5 year contract with Michigan? It seems like he’s been playing there forever.
So now rethinking this list, it looks as though VT will not be able to handle FSU. Or, VT will look to redeem their season with such a game that they’ll surprise them. And now where will Oklahoma be when they visit WV? Geez – not LSU/’Bama again…
Happy to see the Irish finally figure out the scheme to stop Robinson: make him a pocket passer. Safe to say Robinson will need to play another position if he plans to continue his career on Sundays.
Somehow LSU keeps winning games despite trying t give them away. Haven’t we seen this before? They manage to overcome mistakes to get themselves in position for the national title. I only saw the highlights of yesterday’s game, but the red zone turnover on the snap would have doomed any other team, but not a Les Miles group.
If the BCS was truly about creating the most intriguing matchups, we should Louisiana-Monroe in one of those games. As good as Alabama’s defense is, something tells me they would be hard-pressed to slow down UL-M.
Props to NBC for their coverage of Ivy League football. How else would we learn about Luke Tasker, the son of NFL great- Steve Tasker?