What happens when you combine the finest thinkers of AOL's college football FanHouse and AOL Sports' college sports editor? You get almost one usable mind and 12 men all hoping for a federal bailout of their beer budgets. You also get a House Meeting. Check back each week for the latest installment.
This week, we run down the 10 games that will live up to the hype and not flop like the Buckeyes in the spotlight.
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
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Funny how Some of You CLOWNS want to rip on Ohio State every chance you get. Yet, which team has played in more BCS Bowl games than A-N-Y other teams? NOBODY wins all their Games....and after last night, even the Holy "Annoited "One Tim Tebow in all his "Glory to God Praises " c-h-o-k-e-d....and Boy Did I Love it. Seeing his "Beloved Gators" get ROLLED By The Tide and watching Saint Tebow CRY on National TV after such a dismal performance was Priceless!! Yea.....so Ohio State isn't the only one capable of 'pulling a Buckeye'. Some of you idiots must answer to the name of Mark May at espn.
you are right...he needs to be forced to hire a great offensive coordinator and have him call the plays
Tressel was the reason the Buckeyes lost the big game. AHe runs a highshcool offense.
Florida had a weak schedule this year. Texas and Alabama in the title game. Ohio State winning the Rose Bowl.
Talk about spelling..Parnellstephend..how about using the correct English..you have a double negative in your sentence..(doesn't and no do not belong in the same sentence...
The guy who wrote this is a joke. He doesn't even know it's 2009.
Look....My favorite teams are OHIO STATE and Who ever plays Michaigan.....ONE
GO OHIO STATE......We down here in TEXAS representin......WE LOVE YOU GUYS anyway......ONE WE out.....TexasviaOhio
You know you're great, when it takes the whole country to collectively hate on you - HAAAAAAAA Go Buckeyes, keep em hatin
first of all, learn how to talk and spell before you try to hate on one of greatest college football teams of all time, and take a bite out of that seed and watch what happens. Don't believe me ask Wolverine fans they hate us the most, because they can't beat us no more. Now we're coming for YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Dat 'cause evryone outside of Ohayo hates dem Buckeyes we all wish dayd lose evry game. "Pull a Buckeye" ist approriate, oviously da writer here is not from there.. They're always over-rated and always hated. Anyone that has a "seed" as a mascot has got to be seedy.
We may not win the big ones all the time, but at least we are playing in more big gmes than anybody else in the Tressell era. Number 2 is a lot better than 3 thru 122 for those other NCAA teams.
Buckeye Phil
omg. who picked these crappy games? gator fans beaware coach going to Notre dame!! Weise is is out after year.And for you jerks that rip the buckeyes
the florida nat. game was the only blow out, but becides that. FOR THOSE WANNA BE PROGRAMS, AT LEAST THERE GOOD ENOUGH EVERY YEAR TO BE IN THE BCS...And yes the Texas game was heartbreaker but was a instant classic
Would rather play for a national championship and lose than not be good enough to play for it at all!
"Pull a Buckeye".... Hah, that's hilarious........and incredibly appropriate. I need to start using that one!