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Defining Games of 2008

10. Wake Forest at Florida State, Sept. 20: Unless the ACC decides to call it an early season and hand out participation ribbons, this battle between Jimbo Fisher's rejuvenated offense and Wake Forest's opportunistic defense could mean a trip to the Orange Bowl.

Mark Humphrey, AP

9. Arizona State at Oregon, Oct. 17: The road to the Rose Bowl runs through Eugene, Ore. The Ducks just hope Justin Roper is back for the ride. If he returns, then it's up to the Sun Devils to protect Rudy Carpenter, who spent enough time on his back last season that he might've been arrested in any state other than Nevada.

Paul Connors, AP

8. Texas at Texas Tech, Nov. 1: Last year's 59-43 shootout was only the beginning. The Longhorns' porous secondary has gotten younger, so if new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp can lock down the Red Raiders, put him for the Broyles, Nobel and any other award you can think of.

Chris O'Meara, AP

7. Alabama at LSU, Nov. 8: With Auburn's offense in a spread sputter, the SEC West will come down to an old-fashioned grudge match between LSU and their former coach. Last year, the Tigers barely clawed their way to victory, converting a key fourth down and picking up a fumble deep in Alabama territory to seal it.

Butch Dill, AP

6. Kansas at Missouri, Nov. 29: With a border rivalry that runs longer than Joe Paterno's football career, there's probably nothing the Jayhawks would rather do than upset the Tigers' title hopes. With two Heisman Trophy candidates at quarterback, expect a shootout with a winner earning a spot in the Big 12 title game.

Orlin Wagner, AP

5. Penn State at Ohio State, Oct. 25: Sure, the Nittany Lions have stocked up on more cupcakes than Shawn Kemp's diet, but the team's new Spread HD offense looks like a solid bet to challenge the Buckeyes for Big Ten supremacy, which marks the way to the Rose Bowl against a team from a down Pac-10 (presumably not USC).

Carolyn Kaster, AP

4. Georgia vs. Florida, Nov. 1: The Bulldogs have plenty of pitfalls before they reach the yearly Cocktail Party, but the November game will be an eliminator for one of these two teams. Either the Bulldogs' offensive line or the Gators' untested defensive line will give way. Dancing will likely ensue.

Stephen Morton, AP

3. Oklahoma vs. Texas, Oct. 11: The battle for the most famous hat in college football this side of Les Miles might as well be a de facto eliminator for the Big 12 title. One of these two teams has won the Big 12 South for the last nine seasons.

L.M. Otero, AP

2. South Florida at West Virginia, Dec. 6: The Bulls don't play a ranked team until this season finale against a team they've upset in the each of the last two years. Win here and watch a BCS controversy erupt like baking soda meeting vinegar.

Chris O'Meara, AP

1. Brigham Young at Utah, Nov. 22: The "Holy War" has never meant so much, as these two could meet undefeated with a BCS spot on the line. The only thing more certain than the lack of coffee in the stands is that there will be drama. The last three games have been decided by a touchdown or less.

Douglas C. Pizac, AP