2007 College Football Games of the Year

The 2007 College Football season schedules officially came out earlier this week, so now we'll take a look at the best of the best of all the games.

September 1
Tennessee at California

This game should be at least better than last years game with the Vols drubbing the Golden Bears. Both teams are heavy contenders to win their own conferences and are legitimate contenders for a BCS Bowl game as well.

Early Prediction: California

September 3
Florida St. at Clemson

Bowden Bowl IX will take place on Labor Day Weekend. Tommy has handled his dad pretty well recently winning the last two and three of eight overall. This is a huge early game to get a jump start in the ACC and FSU cannot afford a loss here with their tough schedule as it is.
Early Prediction: Clemson

September 8
Virginia Tech at LSU

Two of the countries top defenses will meet at one of the most hostile environments on CBS. Both teams return a lot of talent; this should be a great game with players such as Matt Flynn, Jacob Hester, Early Doucet, Ali Highsmith of LSU and Sean Glennon, Branden Ore, Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi of V-Tech clashing on the field.

Early Prediction: LSU

September 15
Tennessee at Florida
This is definitely one of the greatest rivalries in College Football. It seems like the winner usually comes out as the SEC East Champ. I love the QB matchup here with Tim Tebow vs. Erik Ainge. The big thing for Florida is their inexperienced defense being able to handle the Vols' big WR's; the good thing for the Gators is that their playing in their backyard.
Early Prediction: Florida

USC at Nebraska
This will be a little closer game than last year, I believe Nebraska will win the Big 12 North again and have a decent shot at a BCS Bowl bid. The Cornhuskers will be improved but USC is the pre-season national champion favorite. USC returns a lot and will have one of the best defenses in the country.
Early Prediction: USC

October 6

Florida at LSU

This will be one of the biggest games of the year and definitely the biggest in the SEC. Look for these two teams to both be ranked in the top 5 coming into this game. LSU looks to get revenge after the Gators embarrassed them last season at the Swamp.
Early Prediction: LSU

Texas vs. Oklahoma

The Red River Shootout is always an intense and fierce game. Texas has won the last two over the Sooners; expect this to be one of the best of the last few seasons.
Early Prediction: Too close to call right now

October 20
USC at Notre Dame

Remember the Bush push two years ago? This game should be similar to last years game in So. Cal, USC scoring at will and ND sucking it up and looking overrated. With Jimmy Clausen at QB the experienced USC D will tear him up. Even if this is a blowout it is still one of the biggest games of the year.
Early Prediction: USC

October 25
Boston College at V-Tech
These two teams always have great games against one another and don't be surprised to see these two teams in the ACC Championship either on Dec. 1.

Early Prediction: V-Tech

October 27

Florida vs. Georgia

The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party should be a good one again. The two super sophomore QB's Tim Tebow and Matthew Stafford will be clashing again. Expect Florida to continue their dominance of this rivalry.

Early Prediction: Florida

November 3
Wisconsin at Ohio St.
Two early Big 10 favorites will meet at the Horseshoe as OSU tries to get back to the national title game. OSU won't be near the team they were last year but will be one of the top teams in the Big 10. In my opinion, Wisconsin is the Big 10 favorite and if both teams are undefeated come this date, this will be one of biggest games of the year.
Early Prediction: Ohio St.

November 8
Louisville at West Virginia
Both teams should be undefeated by this game and the winner could be in that BCS National Title Game. The best backfield in the nation will take on a very good L'Ville defense. I encourage you to mark this date on your calendar.

Early Prediction: West Virginia

November 10

Michigan at Wisconsin
From my stand point, these two will be the top two teams in the Big 10. This is no doubt the Big 10 Game of the Year. The winner will play in the Rose Bowl and possibly the BCS National Championship Game.
Early Prediction: Wisconsin

USC at California

Early Prediction: USC

November 17
Ohio St. at Michigan

Well, it won't be as big as last seasons game, but this is arguably the greatest rivalry in all of sports.

Early Prediction: Michigan

November 23
Arkansas at LSU
The winner of this game will be heading to the SEC Title Game.
Early Prediction: LSU

November 24
Rivalry Week
State rivalry day. Alabama vs. Auburn. Virginia vs. Virginia Tech. Georgia vs. Georgia Tech. Florida vs. Florida State. Washington vs. Washington State. Clemson vs. South Carolina.
Early Predictions: Auburn, V-Tech, Georgia, Florida, Washington St., and Clemson.

December 1
UCLA at USC
This game will be huge because of last years game; could we possibly have the same scenario as last season?
Early Prediction: USC

What games are you looking forward to? Any big games I missed?

NCAA Spring Football Top 10

Some teams have proven themselves quite a bit so far this spring and with some key additions and early enrollments, teams such as West Virginia, LSU, and Louisville have soared close to the top.

Top 10 Rankings for Spring
1. USC- The Trojans won't miss a beat and will have one of the top defenses (if not the top defense) in the country. The return of QB John David Booty, WR Patrick Turner, and T Sam Baker on the offense will help a lot. With freshman sensation Vidal Hazelton filling in at WR, Jarrett and Smith won't be missed as much as people say. Plus, it helps to have a deep backfield, which they can go 6 RB's deep.

2. LSU- The Tigers will also have one of the top defenses in the country. With physical players such as DT Glenn Dorsey and LB Ali Highsmith anchoring the D, it will be tough to run on them. Even with Jamarcus Russell gone, Matt Flynn has the potential to be a great QB. They have a lot of amazing young talent coming up as well. LSU won't miss a beat.

3. West Virginia- WVA will have the best and fastest backfield in the nation. QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton (inset) return and recruit Noel Devine will make an immediate impact (if he's accepted). If the defense can pick it up, this team will win the Big East and may earn a spot in that BCS National Championship game.

4. Florida- The defending national champions will have one of the top offenses in the country, but will the defense be able get them back to the title game or win the SEC for that matter? Tim Tebow returns to fill in for record breaker Chris Leak. WR's Percy Harvin and Andre Caldwell along with 4 starting linemen return on offense. The Gators lose 9 starters on defense with DE Derrick Harvey and SS Tony Joiner back. Florida has a lot of shoes to replace on defense but with the last 2 recruiting classes it shouldn't be too bad. But still, this Gator team will be young and need the experienced sophomores to step up.

5. Wisconsin- The Badgers, yes, the Badgers will be the top team in the weak Big 10 (for now). 16 starters return overall from a team that defeated a good Arkansas team in the Capital One Bowl. Losing Joe Thomas will be tough to replace. RB P.J. Hill, TE Travis Beckum, DE Matt Shaughnessey, LB Jonathan Casillas, CB Jack Ikegwuonu all return. The Badgers loaded defense can take them to the next level, but the offense needs to improve after a mediocre spring so far.

6. Michigan- I would love to have this team in the top 3, but struggling in the Rose Bowl vs USC drops them back (Damn, they should have been in the BCS Title Game). The Wolverines return a load of amazing talent, but lose some key players as well, more specifically on the defensive side (Alan Branch, Lamar Woodley, and Leon Hall). QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart, T Jake Long, WR Mario Manningham, LB Shawn Crable just to name a few returnees. With offensive weapons all over the field, there's no doubt that they will be able to score at will, but the defense is what will be holding them back.

7. Louisville- The Cards will compete again for a berth in the BCS Title Game. QB Brian Brohm, WR's Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia, C Eric Wood, LB Malik Jackson are all key returnees, but they need to find some depth on the defensive front.

8. Texas- Texas will once again have one of the best passing games in the country with sophomore QB Colt McCoy back and healthy, as well as Limas Sweed and every other key receiver. The Horns' challenge will be patching up its secondary under a new defensive coordinator.

9. Virginia Tech- I believe 17 starters return, including the majority of the nation's top-rated defense. QB Sean Glennon, RB Branden Ore, LBs Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi, CB Brandon Flowers all return with just about every WR back as well. Glennon needs to prove himself if this Hokie team wants to win the ACC.

10. Arkansas- The Razorbacks return the majority of the offense and have some key returnees and additions on the defensive side as well. With their QB Casey Dick back and the best RB tandem of Heisman favorite Darren McFadden (inset) and Felix Jones in the country returning, they will be one of the top rushing teams in the country again. Also, WR Marcus Monk will be one of the best in the SEC.

Other teams to keep an eye on:
Boise St., Rutgers, Oklahoma, Auburn, Ohio St., and Nebraska

Just felt I had to do a College Football article. I'll be back tomorrow with an NBA Article.