September's Top Games
By Judd Hall
If there is one thing that we all can agree on it’s that there is no sleep for bettors looking forward to college football. And there is no shortage of big non-conference games for us to get ramped up for in September. Let’s take a look at those contests.
Sept. 2, Pittsburgh at Utah
The Panthers were literally 33 seconds away from a Big East championship and BCS berth last season in a 45-44 loss to Cincinnati in their league finale. Pittsburgh now comes into this season with high hopes after last year. They also enter the 2010 campaign with a brand new starting quarterback in Tino Sunseri and a completely rebuilt interior to the offensive line.
Utah comes into this game after a strong 10-3 record in 2009. But the Utes also bring an offense that is returning nine starters. That’s important considering Pitt is bringing back a strong stopping unit for this contest. A win here for Kyle Whittingham’s program will cement them as a strong BCS contender once more. That is, of course, they can run through the über-tough Mountain West.
Pittsburgh does have the added benefit on knowing it is 3-1 straight up and against the spread in its last four regular season non-conference road tests. Of course, the Utes are 7-1 SU and 2-6 ATS in their last eight games against non-conference foes coming to Salt Lake City.
Sept. 6, Virginia Tech vs. Boise State at FedEx Field
Any game for the Broncos against a BCS Conference school is going to be a big deal. But this season opener takes on a new meaning. Boise State will undoubtedly be ranked no worst than 10th in the preseason AP Poll. Hell, they could be in the Top 3 when you really think about it. A win in this contest could practically punch a ticket for the second BCS tilt in Glendale – a game with a national championship on the line.
Boise State has the pieces to contend with all but tight end Richie Brockel returning to one of the nation’s best offensive attacks. And you can’t forget about the Broncos’ underrated defense that effectively shut down TCU in January’s Fiesta Bowl.
The only thing Chris Petersen’s team doesn’t do well is rush opposing quarterbacks. They’re going to get baptized by fire against Virginia Tech’s Tyrod Taylor. The Hokies’ starting signal caller has the ability to make smart throws with three years of experience under his belt. Add that to a guy that has blazing speed to improvise out of the pocket, and you have a QB that will make life a living hell for BSU. As good as it might seem on the attack, remember Frank Beamer’s squad will be going into this game with a heavily rebuilt defense (especially in the secondary) and brand new kickers. A win here for the Hokies will also give them a chance at the national championship.
The Hokies have gone 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in their last four non-conference battles. But you also have to consider that Boise State is 4-2 SU and 3-3 ATS in its past six non-conference games. Another thing to think of is Virginia Tech’s only other game at FedEx Field was a 24-13 setback to the Trojans back in 2004 as a 17-point pup.
Sept. 11, Miami at Ohio State
This is the first rematch between these schools since they squared off the national title in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl.
Miami comes into the contest looking for a modicum of revenge for that game. Jacory Harris has made strides for the ‘Canes as their starting QB. However, he was also prone to making some really dumb mistakes last season. That’s not a good thing when going against of the deepest defenses in the nation like Ohio State possesses. The Buckeyes will be going up against something similar on offense as well.
Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor did a lot for his college stock in the Rose Bowl against the Ducks. Yet we can’t overlook that OSU had the 106th ranked passing game. A Pop Warner squad was airing it better than Jim Tressel’s team. And Pryor will be taking on an extremely deep Miami defensive line that helped in allowing just 329.6 yards per game last year.
This game is extremely important to the Buckeyes’ national title hopes, but also their morale. Remember this is a team that’s lost tough home tilts to the Longhorns and Trojans in the recent past.
Sept. 11, Penn State at Alabama
The first thing I thought of when I saw this matchup was Coastal Carolina must have been busy for the Nittany Lions to meet up with the defending national champs.
Penn State will have a brand new QB in Kevin Newsome. But the plus side is he’ll have Evan Royster joining him in the backfield. And the Lions have one of the more experienced offensive lines returning in 2010. That will come into play in this contest with Alabama running out a brand new starting defensive line.
The Crimson Tide will be sending out an offense that remains largely untouched from the group that was gifted a national title last year. Mark Ingram will still be in the backfield to defend his Heisman Trophy winning season of a year ago. But he’s going against one of the most stout stopping units in Penn State.
History shows this could be a problem for Nick Saban as ‘Bama is 1-2 SU and ATS in its last three games against teams from the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions, on the other hand, are 3-2 SU and ATS since 1998 versus the teams of the Southeastern Conference.
Sept. 25, Oklahoma vs. Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium
The Sooners went through an impromptu rebuilding process last year with Landry Jones taking over for Sam Bradford under center. It was a roller coaster for Jones against top shelf teams last season, but he’s ready to take control with Ryan Broyles as his top receiver. That’s great considering that the Bearcats were ripped early and often by Florida in the Sugar Bowl.
Cincinnati also comes into the year with Butch Jones as its head coach; once again gripping onto Brian Kelly’s coattails (replaced him at Central Michigan after Kelly to Cincy job). The cupboard isn’t bare for the Bearcats with Zach Collaros already proving to be a quality QB in Tony Pike’s absence last season. Plus Ben Guidugli and Armon Binns will pick up the slack for the recently depart Mardy Gilyard.
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