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| | Thursday, August 31 Picking top 25 games never easy | ||||||||
| By Howie Schwab ESPN.com College football fans have a lot to look forward to during the 2000 regular season. Picking the top 25 games to watch is never easy, as several rivalries have been left off this list. Alas, this is one man's opinion of the biggest games of the campaign, in chronological order: Alabama at UCLA, Sept. 2 The last time Alabama opened a season with a non-league road game was 1988 (a 37-0 rout at Temple). This will be a lot tougher, though Crimson Tide fans will be happy to note the team hasn't lost a season opener since 1990 (Southern Miss.). The last time Alabama opened the season with a road loss was 1976 (10-7 at Mississippi). That year, the Bear Bryant-led Crimson Tide beat the Terry Donahue-led Bruins in the Liberty Bowl, the lone prior matchup in this series. How much will 'Bama miss Shaun Alexander and Chris Samuels. We'll find out here.
We will see if the Luck of the Irish really exists! If this is a rout, you can start the countdown on the Bob Davie Farewell Tour. A respectable performance by Notre Dame may lessen the heat on the embattled head coach. This game will also impact on Eric Crouch's Heisman hopes. Miami (Fla.) at Washington, Sept. 9 Back in 1994, Washington went into Miami and stunned the Hurricanes, snapping the host school's record 58-game home win streak. Don't think Miami fans have forgotten. This is easily the most difficult road test for the 'Canes (Florida State and Virginia Tech visit Miami). This is also a tough spot for the Huskies, who travel to Colorado one week later. Florida at Tennessee, Sept. 16 This game always has a major impact on the SEC East race. It has also developed into one of the most intense rivalries in the sport. You will see a sea of orange rooting on the Vols. The last two meetings were decided by a total of five points; expect another close call. Washington at Colorado, Sept. 16 Rick Neuheisel returns to Boulder. His Huskies beat the Buffs last year in Seattle. The rematch figures to be more bitter given Neuheisel's coaching departure to the Pac-10. Colorado is coming off a game against another tough Pac-10 foe, USC. Penn State at Ohio State, Sept. 23 Since most experts have Michigan, Wisconsin and Purdue ahead of these two in Big Ten prognostications, the loser here could slip. Penn State held Ohio State to 11 first downs and 35 rushing yards in last year's meeting. It's tough for Joe Paterno and John Cooper to have such an important league game this early. Kentucky at Florida, Sept. 23 Get the calculators out! We will find out what Jared Lorenzen is really made of, playing on the road in The Swamp. Florida has dominated this series (13 straight wins), so this has added meaning for Hal Mumme and his troops. Wisconsin at Michigan, Sept. 30 The winner of this game could be the Big Ten champion. The Wolverines have been virtually unbeatable at home in this rivalry, losing just once in Ann Arbor since '63. If the Badgers prevail, watch out as the schedule is pretty favorable after this for Barry Alvarez and company. Wisconsin has won just three times in the last 29 meetings (Michigan has won the last three years, when Ron Dayne was a Badger). Florida State at Miami (Fla.), Oct. 7 Now that the Hurricanes are back in national prominence, this game figures to be a more competitive war. The last seven showdowns have been decided by double figures. The Seminoles have won the last five meetings (the longest FSU series win streak since seven in a row, 1963-72). This will show how far Butch Davis' program has come back. Tennessee at Georgia, Oct. 7 This will be an important test for the Bulldogs since they've dropped the last nine meetings. Tennessee has been dominant, winning the last four matchups by an average of 18.3 ppg. Playing between the Hedges has to be a plus for Jim Donnan's squad. Texas at Oklahoma, Oct. 7 There are experts who believe Texas is a darkhorse contender for the national championship. Whether it is Chris Simms or Major Applewhite, Oklahoma's secondary will have its hands full. The Longhorns had 553 yards total offense in last year's confrontation. Texas has captured the last three meetings. Michigan at Purdue, Oct. 7 Tough for the Wolverines to face Wisconsin and Purdue in consecutive weeks. Michigan has won 10 of the last 11 meetings. Drew Brees has plenty of incentive here after struggling to complete 20 of 49 pass attempts in last year's game. Alabama at Tennessee, Oct. 21 It's the third Saturday in October...enough said. The Vols have won the last five meetings and this could be a preview of the SEC Championship game. OK, Florida and Georgia are among teams which may not agree with that possibility. Purdue at Wisconsin, Oct. 21 Each of the last two years, the victor has prevailed by just one touchdown. This figures to be another close call. It doesn't have the glamour of Ohio State-Michigan, but Joe Tiller and Barry Alvarez are two of the best coaches around. Also worth watching is the matchup of Brees against Badgers All-America cornerback Jamar Fletcher. Nebraska at Oklahoma, Oct. 28 Most observers feel Nebraska's toughest road test is at Kansas State. Oklahoma will be very emotionally-charged up for this one. It's the first meeting of this rivalry since '97. Nebraska has rolled in its last seven meetings, including an amazing 179-28 edge in the past three. Bobby Stoops may remind his team of that.
Oct. 28 The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party could decide a berth in the SEC Championship game. Florida has won nine of the last 10 in this series. Quincy Carter has a lot to prove after a dismal 6-of-23, 76-yard performance in the '99 clash. Iowa at Penn State, Nov. 4 On paper, this game doesn't look like one worth watching. However, this could be the contest which pushes Joe Paterno past Bear Bryant and into the record books on the all-time win list. Remember the words 'could be.' Virginia Tech at Miami (Fla.), Nov. 4 These are the two best teams in the Big East and a BCS bowl berth could be on the line. The Hokies have won the last five meetings, and the Hurricanes' defense will be fired up for the challenge of Michael Vick. Nebraska at Kansas State, Nov. 11 Nebraska has won 30 of the last 31 meetings, its only loss a 40-30 defeat in Manhatten in '98. Last year, the Huskers rolled to a 41-15 win and if K-State wants to be taken seriously, it needs to knock off Nebraska here. Ohio State at Illinois, Nov. 11 Illinois scored 46 points at Columbus last year. Ohio State hasn't lost to Illinois in consecutive years since 1991 and '92. Florida at Florida State, Nov. 18 Bowden vs. Spurrier! Florida State won the last two meetings, including 30-23 at Gainesville last season. Chris Weinke completed 24-of-36 for 263 yards vs. the Gators in '99. This will be the regular-season finale (health willing) for the 28-year old quarterback. Michigan at Ohio State, Nov. 18 John Cooper doesn't like hearing about Michigan's 9-2-1 record in the last 12 meetings. Ohio State is 2-1-1 vs. Michigan in the last four showdowns at Columbus. Auburn at Alabama, Nov. 18 Alabama has beaten Auburn three of the last four years. The Iron Bowl remains as fierce a rivalry as there is. Texas A&M at Texas, Nov. 24 Last year's terrible bonfire tragedy took a lot away from last year's contest. This should again impact on the Big 12 race. | |||||||||
