A look at the 20 most intriguing non-conference games of 2009

A look at the 20 most intriguing non-conference games of 2009


• USC at Ohio St. (9/12)
• Alabama vs. Va. Tech (9/5)
• Georgia at Oklahoma St. (9/5)
• Oregon at Boise St. (9/5)
• Oklahoma at Miami (10/3)
• Nebraska at Va. Tech (9/19)
• Florida St. at BYU (9/19)
• LSU at Washington (9/5)
• California at Minnesota (9/19)
• Nevada at Notre Dame (9/5)
• BYU vs. Oklahoma (9/5)
• Utah at Oregon (9/19)
• East Carolina at UNC (9/19)
• Texas Tech at Houston (9/26)
• Arizona at Iowa (9/19)
• Miami at South Florida (11/28)
• Boise St. at Tulsa (10/3)
• UCLA at Tennessee (9/12)
• Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (10/3)
• Fresno St. at Cincinnati (9/26)

1. USC at Ohio State, Sept. 12
With Mark Sanchez turning pro, this suddenly becomes a fascinating contest pitting two QBs who have little experience as starters. Mitch Mustain (or perhaps Aaron Corp) inherits a Trojan offense that returns almost entirely intact, including the nation’s top offensive line.
It’s Terrelle Pryor’s show in Columbus, but the sublime soph will miss tailback Beanie Wells and the pass-catching Brians, Hartline and Robiskie. His new favorite target? Dane Sanzenbacher!
With Florida and Texas both opting to avoid a non-conference juggernaut game to keep the blogosphere panting all spring and summer, this must suffice for the nearest facsimile to a game of the year. It won’t be. But it will be USC’s first visit to the Horseshoe since 1990, when they beat the Buckeyes 35-26 in a game shortened by lightning. In fact, USC has zapped Ohio State in its last six games dating back to the 1975 Rose Bowl.



I agree that it is the T.P. show in Columbus, but if Ohio State still has the same coaches calling the defense and offense, then it will be the same ol show for Buckeye fans. Meaning USC will put a thumping on OSU unless, the coaching staff has made some changes and they let T.P. be T.P. As of now, there have been no changes to the staff, which could mean a lot more L's and heat on Tressel.