With the ESPN hype machine running on all cylinders, I'm starting to get excited for USC vs. Ohio State this Saturday. It's not often that you see two big powers going head to head unless it's a bowl game anymore. And it got me to thinking.......which out of conference matchups would I like to see year in and year out? We've already got USC vs. Notre Dame and Florida vs. Florida State, but here are four that I think would great to watch year after year.
USC vs. Florida - The Sunshine Showdown
The speed of the SEC against the speed of the Pac-10. Urban vs. Pete. Hollywood meets Gatorville. East coast meets West coast. The talent of Florida vs. the talent of southern California. Tommy Trojan spears Albert the Alligator while Snoop Dogg raps on the sidelines. This would be an epic clash and a good match every single year. Even a down year for these schools still means a BCS game.
Alabama vs. Oklahoma - The Redneck Romp
Two schools with LOTS of history. Two religiously zealous fan bases. Two strong personality coaches. And two dang good football teams. There aren't many fan bases out there that take their football more seriously. It would be a very passionate game as cousin breeding rights would be on the line every year.
Miami vs. Oregon State - The Bail Bond Battle
Both teams have been just average on the field lately, but 3-to-1 odds says that someone gets stabbed during this game. I wouldn't be watching for the football, but more for fight, penalties, and endzone celebrations. Note to any spectators: remember the 2nd Amendment.
BYU vs. Notre Dame - The Brotherly Brouhaha
Notre Dame's been down the last couple years, but they're still Notre Dame. This is a good old fashioned Catholics vs. Mormons brawl. We respect them, they respect us, but not on the football field. The legend of Knute Rockne against the Legend of LaVell. Too much respect vs. too little respect. The Prophet vs. the Pope. Touchdown Jesus vs. Touchdown Joseph. It'd be fantastic. I say we award papal supremacy for a year to the winner.
In the BCS era teams have really dumbed down their schedules, but I think football fans everywhere want to see big out of conference matchups as much as possible. Remember, it was beating #1 Miami that launched Ty Detmer towards the Heisman Trophy and a season-opening victory over #3 Pitt that began our national championship run in 1984.
Which out of conference matchups would you like to see become a regular occurrence?
4 comments:
I think BYU should just schedule out of conference games with other religious institutions, like SMU, Notre Dame, and even Holy Cross. I don't know what others there are, but that would at least bring missionary opportunities for the traveling fan base.
How about Ohio State, Florida? Or Ohio State, LSU?
Oh wait, Big 10 football sucks donkeys.
Hmm... how about a South Carolina, Pittsburgh "Civil War Showdown"?
I want to see the SEC play some decent out of conference games and quit whining about how hard it is to be in the SEC.
Or line up BYU and Wisconsin every year so we can get a "quality" win over an upper Big Ten team.
I love a good game between two BCS conference teams, but they don't come along often enough.
Three teams I'd love to see on the schedule more often would be (in no particular order) Notre Dame, Boise State and Fresno State. I think if they would be schedule more often it'd provide more respect (assumin the Cougs do well against them). Great post entry!
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