Five Games to Watch Before the College Football Bowl Season

Strategic Insights -

College football's first half is over, and it's been a wild ride, but with the Southeastern Conference and national title races heating up, five games will dictate the rest of the season. The Florida-Georgia matchup on October 28 will be a critical contest for the Gators' title hopes, and West Virginia's showdown with Louisville on November 2 will greatly impact the national title picture. California's visit to USC on November 18 could decide the Pac-10's destiny, and the Michigan-Ohio State game on the same day will be the season's biggest matchup. Lastly, Notre Dame's trip to USC on November 25 will be a chance for the Irish to prove themselves against a team they've struggled against in recent years.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Florida-Georgia game on October 28 will be a crucial matchup for the Gators' title hopes, as a win would send them to the Southeastern Conference title game against Steve Spurrier's Florida.
  • West Virginia's game against Louisville on November 2 will be a pivotal contest in the national title picture, as a win would catapult the Mountaineers into contention.
  • California's visit to USC on November 18 could decide the Pac-10's destiny, with the winner likely earning a spot in the national title game.
  • The Michigan-Ohio State game on November 18 will be the season's biggest matchup, pitting two unbeaten teams against each other.
  • Notre Dame's trip to USC on November 25 will be a chance for the Irish to prove themselves against a team they've struggled against in recent years, with a win ensuring a spot in the national title game.
  • Harvard's season has been marred by off-field incidents, including a team captain's domestic assault charge, a quarterback's suspension, and a player's dismissal for misbehavior during "Skit Night."
  • The Ivy League will continue its trend towards playing on non-traditional days, with the first Friday night game in official Ivy history being Brown at Princeton on ESPNU.
  • Twenty-one years ago, Florida reached No.1 for the first time in school history, and receiver Ray McDonald landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated after beating Auburn 14-10.
  • The Big East is the only I-A league with three undefeated teams, with No.4 West Virginia, No.7 Louisville, and No.24 Rutgers all being 5-0.
  • Penn State faces its third team ranked in the top five in as many games, with a matchup against No.5 Michigan on the horizon.
  • No.20 Nebraska aims for all-time win No.800 at Kansas State, joining a select group of I-A programs to achieve this milestone.

Statistics:

  • The Florida-Georgia game on October 28 will be the 83rd meeting between the two teams.
  • West Virginia's game against Louisville on November 2 will be the 43rd meeting between the two teams.
  • California's visit to USC on November 18 will be the 77th meeting between the two teams.
  • The Michigan-Ohio State game on November 18 will be the 111th meeting between the two teams.
  • Notre Dame's trip to USC on November 25 will be the 71st meeting between the two teams.
  • Harvard's team captain was charged with domestic assault, a quarterback was suspended for violating team rules, and a player was dismissed for misbehavior during "Skit Night."
  • The Ivy League will play its first Friday night game in official Ivy history, with Brown at Princeton on ESPNU.
  • Twenty-one years ago, Florida reached No.1 for the first time in school history.
  • The Big East has three undefeated teams, with No.4 West Virginia, No.7 Louisville, and No.24 Rutgers all being 5-0.
  • Penn State faces its third team ranked in the top five in as many games.
  • No.20 Nebraska aims for all-time win No.800 at Kansas State.

Sources:

  • ESPN
  • Sports Illustrated
  • US Presswire
  • College Football Data Portal
  • Ivy League Public Relations