Best OOC Games in 2005, etc - ask CFN | TigerFan.com

BB · Feb 18, 2005

I guess the "SEC teams schedule way too weak out of conference" argument is out the window for 2005. What will the Pac-10'ers hang their hat on when they doubt the SEC this year...

Q: I have to say right off the bat that I love college football and I am a huge Fresno State fan. I am very excited to hear that my Bulldogs are going to play USC next season and even though most people won't give them a shot I think they will make it a game. My question is which do you think are the top 5 to 10 non-conference games of the 2005 season? -Derrick in Fresno

A: That Fresno State-USC battle might not be top ten, but it’ll sure be worth watching. I wouldn't be the slightest bit shocked if the Bulldogs pulled it off (but they still have to prove they can take care of WAC business and beat Boise State the week before). The ten non-conference games I’m most looking forward too …

1) Texas at Ohio State, Sept. 10. If you’re not drooling right now, you’re not the college football fan I thought you were.
2) Florida State at Florida, Nov. 26 – An argument could be made that this rivalry has produced the most exciting games over the last several years.
3) Arizona State at LSU, Sept. 10 – Don’t laugh, but Arizona State might have one of the five best teams in America. A win at LSU would set the tone for a monster season and get someone to start FireLesMiles.com. An LSU win would show that Miles has the program ready to compete for a national title.
4) USC at Notre Dame, Oct. 15 – Can you possibly imagine how humongous this game will be if the Irish turn out to be good with an upset over Michigan?
5) Oklahoma at UCLA, Sept. 17 – UCLA should be an interesting team. The Karl Dorrell era needs something to hang its hat on. This could be it.
6) Notre Dame at Michigan, Sept. 10. - The Charlie Weis era can get its first really, really big win. Don’t forget that Ty beat the Wolverines last year.
7) Boise State at Georgia, Sept. 3 – Boise State just wants its shot at the big boys. This would be the win that finally makes the program one of the true big-time players. The D.J. Shockley era at Georgia could have a hard time getting off to a bang.
8) Georgia Tech at Auburn, Sept. 3 – This Yellow Jacket defense should be a killer and could chalk up a huge early win for the ACC.
9) Texas A&M at Clemson, Sept. 3 – The loser of this season-opener will have one mega-ticked off fan base to deal with.
10) Tennessee at Notre Dame, Nov. 5 – I know I have three Notre Dame games on here, but they’re all going to be among the biggest stories of the season.

Q: What do you think of new head coach Ed Orgeron at Ole Miss? Even if not this year, do you think that he can take them in the right direction in the next few years? - CM

A: What exactly is the “right direction”? David Cutcliffe had the program rocking and rolling two years ago with Eli Manning at the helm and had one down season before being unfairly canned. Welcome to life in the SEC. If you’re talking about becoming an SEC West champion, I’m not sure anyone can do that with Ole Miss in the next few years considering what a monster LSU is and how good Alabama and Auburn should be. Add Florida, Georgia and Tennessee to the mix and the Rebels will have a mega-hard time getting to the next level. Coach Orgeron is a tremendous line coach and brings plenty of fire and passion. He’s not going to be your button down good ol’ boy southern head coach; he’s going to be a butt-kicker.
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smoovedog · Feb 18, 2005

BB said:

I guess the "SEC teams schedule way too weak out of conference" argument is out the window for 2005. What will the Pac-10'ers hang their hat on when they doubt the SEC this year...

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Yeah I agree, that OOC schedule toughness is crap. I don't think that it should matter if the tough games you play are in conference or out of conference. SEC teams do not theoretically need to schedule a tough OOC game (kudos to LSu for ASU and to Tenn for ND). But USC NEEDS tough OOC games b/c their conference schedule is crap. SEC definetely did schedule some tough OOC games this season when they really didnt have to.

That Georgia vs Boise State game is going to be very interesting.

marcnbc · Feb 18, 2005

You're right about the Boise/UGA game. Would not be shockLEYed at all if UGA gets snake bit.

MarineTiger · Feb 18, 2005

UGA's D is going to have a field day with Boise State who looked over-matched against Louisville.

I know Louisville gave up a lot of points but most of that was due to insane turnovers very close to their goal-line. I was not that impressed with BSU's offense against a decent defense.

Maybe its me

mcmikel · Feb 18, 2005

As much I snicker at UT's chances for 2005, UGa scares me. From my point, LSU and Georgia are head and shoulders over the rest of the conference. These are 2 of the top 5 nationally, even with the QB questions out there.

MarineTiger · Feb 18, 2005

McMikel, I agree 100%.

I think UT had a great recruiting class but I still believe UGA will win the East this year....as LSU will win the West.

cajdav1 · Feb 18, 2005

MarineTiger said:

McMikel, I agree 100%.

I think UT had a great recruiting class but I still believe UGA will win the East this year....as LSU will win the West.
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I think UGA is the team to beat in the east as well unless DJ implodes.