2009 College Football Preview - Day 1

I don't know about you but the wait for the football season has been UNBEARABLE. Thanks to the Indians and my awful fantasy draft, this baseball season has been one of the most boring yet. But thanks to football, I can turn my attention from America's pastime to America's presentime (that's not a word, I know.)

Like last year, I will have a weekly preview of each week (posted on Thursdays), including the top 15 games and predictions. I will also have a weekly recap on Sundays, with my Big Ten things we learned and other fun sections.

But this week is all about previewing the 2009 college football season. Here's the schedule for the blog:
TODAY: Best non-conference games and toughest/easiest non-conference schedules
TUESDAY: Conference predictions and Heisman predictions
WEDNESDAY: My Final Top 25 and BCS Bowl predictions
THURSDAY: College Football Week 1 Predictions

Now, as I stated last year, I am not a college football expert. I freely admit that. I am an avid college football fan. So while I may act like I know what I am talking about, I don't know it all. No one does. Many of my predictions are based on stats and such but the fan bias will show up. Oh, and finally, argue with me please. I appreciate a good argument about sports, because no matter what, no one is wrong.

TOP 10 NON-CONFERENCE GAMES 2009
(***NOTE: This does not count annual rivalry games such as UGA-GT, FSU-UF, USC-ND, etc..)

10. TCU @ Clemson (Sept. 26) - This one may not jump off the page for you but consider this. TCU has a good chance to go undefeated once again but to do that, they must get by this trip to Death Valley. Last year, the Horned Frogs fell at Oklahoma, crushing any BCS dreams. TCU would still have to get by BYU and Utah but this game comes first.

9. Utah @ Oregon (Sept. 19) - Oregon is going to a be a top-20 team all year. same probably goes with Utah. So when they meet in September, it will be an interesting matchup of two teams hoping to prove something. For Utah, it's another chance to prove they belong among the big boys. For Oregon, it's a chance that to face a quality opponent outside of the weak Pac-10 and at home.

8. Cincinnati @ Oregon State (Sept. 19) - A battle of Top 25 teams and a true road test for what is going to be a young, inexperienced Cincinnati defense. The Bearcats only return one starter and just 2 games into the season, have to try and contain RB Jacquizz Rodgers. Neither team will be making a BCS Championship this year but this should be a fun game to watch.

7. Nebraska @ Virginia Tech (Sept. 19) - Seems like every year, Virginia Tech has an outside shot of making a BCS Championship. This is one of those years, with 15 starters coming back. But Nebraska is not joke, especially with Bo Pelini as head coach. Last year, the Huskers lost 35-30 in Lincoln. This year, expect another close game with the winner gaining much-needed confidence before conference play. Oh, and respect across the nation.

6. Georgia @ Oklahoma State (Sept. 5) - Week 1 games don't get much better than this. OK State returns one of the most dynamic offenses in college football. UGA loses 3 big cogs in their offense but the defense should be solid. It's hard to read either team right now. UGA has a new QB and RB while OK State only has 6 starters returning from what was the 93rd ranked defense last year.

5. Illinois vs. Cincinnati (Nov. 27) - For the day after Thanksgiving, I think we should give thanks for such an attractive non-conference matchup. Both teams will be nearing the end of their regular season and probably, playing their best ball of the year. For both, this game won't determine bowl game locations but instead, bragging rights and poll position. Sometimes, those are the best kinds of games when the only thing on the line is pride.

4. Oregon @ Boise State (Sept. 3) - Really happy the college football season begins with a game like this one. Oregon lost to the Broncos last year in Eugene and now, they have to play on the blue turf. It's good to see a big-name school have the guts to travel and play a team of Boise State's caliber. I wish more teams would do it. This is a big one for Boise State. If they win, they probably run the table yet again.

3. BYU vs. Oklahoma (in Arlington, TX) (Sept. 5) - This will probably end up being an easy win for Oklahoma but there's a chance this could be close. First off, it will be played on a fairly neutral field. Secondly, BYU is led by a senior QB that racked up 444.8 ypg last year. They also return 8 starters on a defense that should be much improved. And because it is week one, who knows what could happen. Can anyone say Appalachian State-Michigan?

2. Virginia Tech vs. Alabama (in Atlanta) - Battle of two top-10 teams in the first week of the season. For one, a great chance to make a statement off the bat. For another, national title chances take a huge hit immediately. Last year, Alabama had a convincing win over Clemson in this game and then rattled off 10 more wins in a row. The intriguing matchup in this one is the Bama defense vs. the VT offense. Should make for a fun first Saturday.

1. USC @ Ohio State (Sept. 12) - Was there any doubt? Not because I am an OSU fan but because this game truly is the biggest of the year. Both teams know what's on the line. Both conferences are weak and both teams will probably win them. So winning this game shows voters that they are for real. Last year, USC demolished OSU, proving they were superior. This year, it's in Columbus and the Bucks are looking for revenge. A win for OSU could lead to an undefeated season, but does that mean a BCS title game shot? Same goes for USC, except if they go undefeated, they're in easily.


TOUGHEST NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULES
(***NOTE: Among BCS conference teams and Notre Dame)
5. Cincinnati - Sept. 12 @ SE Missouri State, Sept. 19 @ Oregon State, Sept. 26 vs. Fresno State, Nov. 27 vs. Illinois
4. Oregon - Sept. 3 @ Boise State, Sept 12 vs. Purdue, Sept. 19 vs. Utah
3. Virginia Tech - Sept. 5 vs. Alabama (in Atlanta), Sept. 12 vs. Marshall, Sept. 19 vs. Nebraska, Nov. 5 @ East Carolina
2. Florida State - Sept. 12 vs. Jacksonville State, Sept. 19 @ BYU, Sept. 26 vs. South Florida, Nov. 28 @ Florida
1. Georgia - Sept. 5 @ Oklahoma State, Sept. 26 vs. Arizona State, Nov. 7 vs. Tennessee Tech, Nov. 28 @ Georgia Tech

EASIEST NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULES
(***NOTE: Among BCS conference teams and Notre Dame)
5. Ole Miss - Sept. 6 @ Memphis, Sept. 19 vs. SE Louisiana, Oct. 17 vs. UAB, Nov. 7 vs. Northern Arizona
4. Kansas - Sept. 5 vs. Northern Colorado, Sept. 12 @ UTEP, Sept. 19 vs. Duke, Sept. 26 vs. Southern Miss
3. Northwestern - Sept. 5 vs. Towson, Sept. 12 vs. Eastern Michigan, Sept. 19 @ Syracuse, Oct. 10 vs. Miami (OH)
2. Penn State - Sept. 5 vs. Akron, Sept. 12 vs. Syracuse, Sept. 19 vs. Temple, Oct. 10 vs. Eastern Illinois
1. LSU - Sept. 5 @ Washington, Sept. 19 vs. UL-Lafayette, Oct. 31 vs. Tulane, Nov. 14 vs. Louisiana Tech

TOMORROW: Conference predictions and Heisman predictions