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See the original image at sportsillustrated.cnn.com —

10 College Football Season-Defining Games for '08

sportsillustrated.cnn.com — A year ago this time, no one would have predicted a Thanksgiving weekend game between Missouri and Kansas would wind up one of the most highly viewed of the season. But we're still going to circle certain games on the calendar months before their arrival with the anticipation that these showdowns will carry monumental stakes when played.

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  • btrues, on 07/08/2008, -19/+17I think you always have to include Ohio State vs. Michigan as a season defining game. No matter what, these two teams will always be contenders
    • justdont, on 07/08/2008, -19/+17contenders in their OWN conference. I was hoping the past two national champtionships would have silenced the Big10 crowd. I guess I can only dream. Go SEC!
      • roflmaololstorm, on 07/08/2008, -8/+17Runner up in the National Title game is still better than 115 other teams. Including 11 SEC teams.
      • paulvq, on 07/09/2008, -2/+4Yeah, but you're leaving out the fact that Ohio State was runner up to two SEC teams.
      • lordmike, on 07/09/2008, -7/+5Even crappy Michigan beat Heisman Tebow and Florida, so don't get so cocky...
      • yourfaceah, on 07/09/2008, -1/+8UGA would have whipped that ass too
      • floodman, on 07/09/2008, -5/+1Michigan fans would be better silenced by the SEC if the SEC could actually beat their team.

        Oh wait, I didn't realize you were unknowledgable about college football.

      • BetterOffEd, on 07/09/2008, -0/+4@roflmaololstorm:

        Once the Big 10 actually plays a conference title game and decides it on the field, I'll give your argument some credence. Not until then...
      • paulvq, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2I guess I was buried by Buckeye fans who are disappointed after two highly anticipated seasons ending in blowouts in the championship game.
      • roflmaololstorm, on 07/10/2008, -1/+1---BetterOffEd As a fan I have no fear of a conference title game. I would love to see to it. Regardless it is irrelevant to my point and further more paulvq you just doubled my point OSU is better than 228 (that's right I accounted for the fact they added 2 teams in 2007)
    • SOS84, on 07/09/2008, -6/+6The problem is Michigan is going to enter the showdown at the shoe with a 4 and 7 record. The Big Ten championship will already have been long since decided. The Big Ten title will be decided between Ohio State and Penn State Columbus.
    • mhunter2, on 07/09/2008, -7/+8Or not...all of the games on that list are more important in the national scene...now that Michigan blows you will finally realize that nobody outside of ESPN and the two states involved could care any less.
    • mjsteinbaugh, on 07/09/2008, -2/+2Exactly. It will be a season defining game for Michigan. The USC match up will be a bigger one for Ohio State. Arizona State vs. Georgia ranks higher than than the rivalry game? I think not.
    • garyi113, on 07/09/2008, -2/+3A Buckeye win vs Mich will put them in their 3rd National Championship game in a row. No other game will be bigger. Which is true pretty much true every year.
      • diggitydoc, on 07/09/2008, -1/+4and they will get destroyed by some SEC team...also pretty much true the last couple of years...
      • BetterOffEd, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2You're right this will be be WAY bigger than UGA vs.Florida or LSU vs. Bama in both the talent on the field and the drama/hype.

        /s
    • scaliacheese, on 07/09/2008, -1/+0Rich Rod will almost certainly run some variant of the spread option, and tOSU has trouble against the spread and mobile offenses (see: Illinois), so it will be an interesting game and a portent of things to come in the Big 10. As far as defining games go, though, it will only truly matter to the conference if Michigan comes in at 8-3, maybe 7-4 if things had fallen apart before then.
  • TwistyMcFister, on 07/09/2008, -17/+1Notre Dame.......come back soon.......you are missed
  • CDWMobile, on 07/09/2008, -11/+910. BYU at Utah, Nov. 22.

    Anyone that watched it would probably agree that it should be higher up the list. College football doesn't get any more intense.
    • limestarch, on 07/09/2008, -0/+5The most intense rivalry that no one knows about or understands, ask Urban Meyer who left Utah for Florida. Just last two games played were classics. The rivalry at least made the NYT top 5 list. It's too bad these two teams play in the MWC with a horrible TV contract.
      • CougarDavis, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2A tremendous rivalry game matchup to be sure. If these schools were in a BCS conference and got the related media coverage this rivalry would be arguably considered the best rivalry in the nation over the past 15 years. No other rivalry has produced more nail-biting spectacular finishes over that span.

        This, however, is not an article about top rivalries, its about defining games this season. A mid-major busting the BCS party is always one of the top storylines in a college football season. This game features two candidates that if they survive their early season schedule (Utah at Michigan being the toughest) could enter this matchup both undefeated and playing for a BCS game.
    • garyi113, on 07/09/2008, -5/+0Ummm. I think you overlooked at least one:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan-Ohio_State_r ...
    • stevo3131, on 07/09/2008, -0/+6This game should be awesome for tailgaiting. Lots of Cokes and Capri Suns will be consumed that day.
    • Czechxican, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2I wanna know where the Tulsa games are? We killed BYU....
  • danielrh9, on 07/09/2008, -10/+4Watch out for Auburn this year. Once Kodi Burns gets into a rythym, you may be looking at a potential Heissman winner sometime in the next few years. WAR EAGLE!
    • bclinton, on 07/09/2008, -6/+3Your coach looks like a big eared rat....All your talent comes from Arkansas. You stand no chance in winning the west.
    • BetterOffEd, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1I'd agree. They'll finish 2nd in the West.

      Tigahz will do it again...
    • GoatMonkey2112, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1He needs to get into a rhythm in the first game to do well this season. I've got my fingers crossed.
    • smackydoodle, on 07/09/2008, -0/+0Auburn can't do much worse now that Brandon "Interception" Cox is out of there. War Eagle!
  • dafragsta, on 07/09/2008, -8/+17Here's to another 5 years of beating the Longhorns!
    • utexas112, on 07/09/2008, -6/+5Your mom is still your sister. Your coach is still an *****. And by god, its 10:15 A.M. and OU still sucks. Hook em horns.

      BTW, when did they get teh inturnets in Okli-homar?
      • dafragsta, on 07/09/2008, -1/+3My mom may be my sister, but coach Stoops is one of the highest regarded coaches in all of football. He's not a walking press circus, his kids graduate in very high percentages compared to the national average and he put the smack down on boosters for trying to screw with his clean program. I assume you must be a Longhorn fan. Will your team be out of jail by the time the season starts?

        BTW, I live in Austin. ;)
    • SoonerDude, on 07/09/2008, -1/+3Boomer!
    • katiekatekate, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1Boo, hook 'em horns. That game is one of the few I get to watch since I live in the SEC zone. Can't you let me watch my team win?
  • Narrwald, on 07/09/2008, -10/+2No Michigan? What?
  • HookmasterCH47, on 07/09/2008, -16/+12TUCK FEXAS!
    • utexas112, on 07/09/2008, -6/+3Poor sooner doesn't even know how to spell :(
  • Linkin4, on 07/09/2008, -8/+1Go... Uconn... Football...??
  • Schrodinger2, on 07/09/2008, -17/+1sports are no fun unless you're in them. watching sports sucks and it's boring. Seriously it's the same ***** every time.
  • mhunter2, on 07/09/2008, -4/+12The Cocktail Party is always a heated intense drunk-fest of hatred...but this year it will be amazing. God I can't wait for football.
    • garyi113, on 07/09/2008, -5/+0I think the article is about the biggest football games... not biggest hangovers.
      • stevo3131, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3You obviously have no idea what you are talking about. The World's Largest Cocktail Party is the name of the Georgia-Florida game that is played annually in Jacksonville, Fl.
  • slogged, on 07/09/2008, -14/+3Why is anything related to sports on the front page? Lame.
    • bclinton, on 07/09/2008, -2/+7Just because you're a non sports loving queer doesnt mean everyone else is too.....
  • sterva, on 07/09/2008, -14/+1Who the hell cares about football when our Constitution and Our Freedom are at stake!!!!!
    • Zegarek, on 07/09/2008, -0/+6Sports are one of our releases from the usual ***** that goes on in our every day lives. Yes the Constitution is important, but it's nice to just take a breather and watch some good ol' football.
  • aabernathy, on 07/09/2008, -8/+10Florida vs. LSU?
    Michigan vs. Ohio State?

    clearly lacking a few considerations.
  • bclinton, on 07/09/2008, -9/+7Wow! BYU and Utah - I cant wait for that one.

    What idiot thinks that is a top 12 season changing game?
    • mhunter2, on 07/09/2008, -4/+5Agreed...sure all rivalries are fun to watch/command respect but it is not as important as LSU/FLA, any SEC rivalry, Big 10 rivalry, etc.
    • CougarDavis, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2The implications and media coverage for that game are going to be huge. I would bet money on it. Gameday will be in Salt Lake City that day. Mark my words.
  • jjohnson16, on 07/09/2008, -1/+10The OSU Michigan game is a fantastic tradition, but seriously people UM is going to be pretty awful this year.

    Let reality set in and consider that the Wisconsin OSU game will be far more important this season. And let's not forget the Penn State Nittany Lions factoring into the mix at the top of the Big 10 this year.
    • garyi113, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Forget Michigan's record...beating OSU will make their season by knocking them out of a third consecutive National Championship game. Not that they have a chance. College football at it's finest.
    • nittanylion06, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Amen.
  • mlrigsby, on 07/09/2008, -0/+17ARGGHHHH!!!

    Can't wait until September!!!
  • evo8ftw, on 07/09/2008, -12/+1Yawn.
  • imightbewrong, on 07/09/2008, -0/+9Rutgers vs. South Florida
    • BurnTees, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2hell yes...i'll be down in Tampa supporting RU for my bachelor party...making a weekend out of it.
      • jseres, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Don't get your hopes up.
      • gmlongo, on 07/09/2008, -1/+0Why shouldn't he get his hopes up? RU beat USF 2 years in a row. And USF lost its 2 starting CBs, so the RU offense with its two 1000 yard receivers (Britt, Underwood) should have a field day.
    • rakovlam, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1I'm more looking forward to Rutgers @ West Virginia. There's a good chance RU get blown out by them, but I'll never forget the game the last time they were in Morgantown. If RU beats WVU, I don't care how they do the rest of the year.
      • Chirp08, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1That would be insane, that overtime loss was ***** believable, what a game though. I'm sure they want vengeance for that more then anything.
    • sovereign3, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1What about USF vs. West Virginia in December? That game could determine the Big East champion!
    • brettg102, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Big East FTW. Cincinnati guy myself....I've got hope that Kelly will continue carrying this team towards respectability...(Rutgers and USF were no problem last year for teh CATS...)
  • sterva, on 07/09/2008, -3/+1Wow I didn't know diggleague was Christian Bale in disguise!
  • aguynamedben, on 07/09/2008, -10/+2Hook 'em Horns!
  • lordmike, on 07/09/2008, -2/+4That reminds me, I have to put my preorder in for EA Sports NCAA '09 Football!
    • LordHelmet, on 07/09/2008, -1/+3$60 roster updates? No thanks.
      • Chirp08, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1The only difference between EA Sports NCAA and Madden is that they dont hit as hard and are 100% more likely to drop the pass or fumble.

  • Zegarek, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2I cannot wait for the game against UT and Texas Tech. I will be in the Red Raider student section cheering while we shock the world! WRECK'EM!

    Ok now that that's out of the way; after the absolute chaos that was the college football season last year I can only imagine what we'll see in August and the months that follow.
    • utexas112, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2Doubtful. But no matter what happens.. at the end of the day, you will still be in Lubbock :(

    • FriedTurkey, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Texas Tech needs to develop a defense first. Something it hasn't done in 20 years.
    • katiekatekate, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Well wait no longer, here's how the game will go: Tech will pass the ball, then they'll probably throw it again, then maybe a pass... field goal/first down/touchdown. Then they'll screw up defense. Then they'll pass the ball 3 more times. Lather, rinse, repeat. ;)

      And yes, last year was wild, wasn't it?
    • Zegarek, on 07/10/2008, -0/+1Just so you know after Ruffin McNeil took over the defense midway through the season Tech went on to have to top defense in the Big 12 throughout the last 6 or however many games it was.

      And Lubbock being a bad town is a total rumor. Once you live here and feel the place out it's actually really great. We have some excellent bars, restaurants, a drive in movie theater ($5 for two movies), like it said once you take the time to appreciate it it's a fun place.
  • clemsontiger, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3No love for the ACC, but its understandable with the power houses you have in the other conferences.
    • ZEROCOOLIV, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1It's all about Clemson this year! They just don't know it yet!
      • BetterOffEd, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3I gotta concur. Clemson will be bigger than people are anticipating...
      • ClemsonPoker, on 07/10/2008, -0/+2I only half expected Clemson/Alabama to be on the list, oh well.

        Go Tigers!
    • burntlungs, on 07/09/2008, -3/+1ACC = All Crap Conference.
    • Chirp08, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2VT v. Miami tends to be a make-it or break-it game each year for those teams, but Miami sucked hard last year. This year VT has an uphill battle losing 11 of its starters, so the game should be pretty good between two mediocre teams.
    • brettg102, on 07/09/2008, -2/+1The ACC is *****. The Big East will gladly take our teams back kthxbye.
  • jkr801, on 07/09/2008, -1/+3Utah is going to plow BYU into the ground this year
    Can you say overrated??
    College Football is hands down the best sport its like a playoff every saturday!! 10 am to 10 pm baby!!!!
    • limestarch, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2Beat Michigan first before you say anything. Besides Utah completely choked away 2 sure wins 2 years in a row.
  • garyi113, on 07/09/2008, -3/+3Sept 13 - OSU at USC
    Sept 14 - squealerz @ Browns

    What a weekend!
    • gwgrayson, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Nice. Squealerz? Oh wait. You mean the team that has owned the Browns for the past 40 years?
  • pathouston22, on 07/09/2008, -6/+1FCS (I-AA) football is the best

    They play for the game. Not for the money, the million dollar coaches salaries, or the illegal payments players get. Playoffs rock, Bowls suck. The fans of FCS are true fans. Not bandwagon fans that make up a lot of the BCS programs.
  • mlvassallo, on 07/09/2008, -6/+3Hook 'em!
  • madisonskyline, on 07/09/2008, -1/+7I take it Michigan doesn't play Appalachian State this year.
    • garyi113, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Or Stanford - USC


      BWAAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAA!
    • Narrwald, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Shh, you can't talk about that.
    • scaliacheese, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Appalachian State -- a harder team to beat than Florida.
    • snowpunter, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Utah will beat them at home, mark it down :)
  • awa1ct, on 07/09/2008, -3/+5PSU... LETS GO STATE
  • greenamp, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2And yet another media type person hanging on the nuts of Ohio State and USC, neither of whom will be big contenders next year. Go ahead and digg me down Cali bois.
    • utexas112, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1I wish Herbstreet would get it over with and f*#% Pete Carroll already.
    • Zacee, on 07/09/2008, -1/+0"And yet another media type person hanging on the nuts of Ohio State and USC, neither of whom will be big contenders next year. Go ahead and digg me down Cali bois."

      Not contenders? You do know Ohio State comes in with one of the best offenses in NCAA, top 5 quarterback and Heisman favorite at tail back right? You realize they have the best linebacker in the game and their defense is rock solid every year right? You do know most all of the experts have Ohio State in the title game right? USC is always in the discussion for the title every year.

      Maybe YOU should stop swinging on the nuts of YOUR team and realize your comment is full of retard.
      • utexas112, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Blah blah blah, and they'll probably go undefeated until they lose, again, in the national championship.

        Your comment highlights his point -- they are media "title favorites" year in / year out whether or not they deserve it.
  • MalaysianMafia, on 07/09/2008, -1/+65. Ohio State at Wisconsin, Oct. 4.

    Hell yeah, I've got tickets
  • skrowl, on 07/09/2008, -3/+8Go Bucks!
  • Maveone, on 07/09/2008, -5/+3IT GETS NO BIGGER THAN USC VS OSU. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE GAME OF THE YEAR TAKES PLACE Sept 13.

    USC will win by 14pts
  • BetterOffEd, on 07/09/2008, -1/+5Replace LSU/Auburn with LSU/Bama.

    Nick Saban's return to Tiger Stadium will be raucous to say the least...
    • burntlungs, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Agreed. Ready to see how many of those legendary freshman Nick Saban will go with
    • th3w00d, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1HAHAHAHA! The both teams must compete in order to be mentioned. LSU kills little Nicky
    • otbeverly, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3The Tide must show they're relevant first. Until then, they're just irrelephant.
      • BetterOffEd, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1You sir have the pun of the day on the internets.

        Dugg.
    • luckizt, on 07/10/2008, -0/+2Bama is scrub team these days. Getting your ass handed to you 6 years in a row by your archrival is pathetic.
    • brunevm, on 07/25/2008, -0/+1What does a Bama fan and a vulture have in common?

      They can both live off a dead bear for several years!

      WAR EAGLE
  • Vindicoth, on 07/09/2008, -3/+5You'll hate me but.. Go Gators.
    Also go any SEC team against another conference
    • scaliacheese, on 07/09/2008, -1/+341-35
      • Vindicoth, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Yeah, it was a good game. I know it doesn't matter to you, but that was our weakest defense in 10 years, running after losing 17 Seniors and Several Juniors to the NFL.

        and also

        2006 National Champions baby :-D
      • scaliacheese, on 07/09/2008, -0/+0Then again, you had the Heisman winner who was held to 154 yards on 17/33 completions. So you've got that going for you. ;)
    • twist, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1GO DAWGS!
  • gwgrayson, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1What an awful list. Auburn vs. West Virginia? Please. And while LSU vs. Auburn has been an important game in the past, it's hardly a rivalry. Other than the past few years neither of those teams have an inkling of history behind them besides losing and Bo Jackson.
    • vperez, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Sure, its a fairly recent rivalry, but these two play each other for the division title almost every year now. Add that to the fact that all the recent games have been close and you easily have one of the must watch games of the season. It's not really a list of historically important matchups.

      I'm still pissed about that 7-3 loss a couple years ago. Total BS. :p
      • Chirp08, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1VT vs. WV or RU vs. WV are way more intense rivalries.
    • mhunter2, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2Anyone dumb enough to say Auburn LSU isn't a rivalry is either retarded or a Big 10 fan...

      Are you kidding me?!
    • brunevm, on 07/25/2008, -0/+1^Depressed Bama Fan

      still mad about pissing money away for a crooked coach
      still depressed about forgetting the feeling of beating auburn
      still scared
      still running their mouth

      WAR DAMN
  • awesomeric, on 07/09/2008, -1/+12Dugg for College football
    now i have something to do on saturday other than porn and digg
    • mikethejohnson, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Good to hear that porn and digg will still be priorities....
    • jkr801, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1CFB on the TV
      Porn on the Mag
      Digg on the computer

      you can have them all at the same time even...
  • Codasco07, on 07/09/2008, -1/+2Mizzou-Illinois is a bigger game than Mizzou-Kansas
  • ThatGuyGreg, on 07/09/2008, -3/+5Number 1 and 5

    Go BUCKS!
    • brettg102, on 07/09/2008, -0/+2Buried due to my deep seeded hate of the BUCKS.
    • crhein, on 07/10/2008, -0/+1OSU won't get another chance to embarrass themselves in the National Championship after Number 1 and 5 are played.
  • burntlungs, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1What about Kentucky - Louisville?
  • smackythefrog, on 07/09/2008, -0/+3war eagle bitches... lsu and georgia are always tough, but bama? please...it'll be 7 come this november
  • ThaSmoov, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Auburn is on here twice! SWEETNESS!!!
  • otbeverly, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1Auburn in two of those games. Look out for the Tigers!

    Woot! .... can't believe I said that. Bury please.
  • rjwisniewski, on 07/09/2008, -1/+1Go Bucks!
  • jellydoughnut21, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1Meh, we had a ***** end to last years season, but ***** it, I'm still stoked for every game and can't wait to drink my ass off beforehand. Go Bears!
  • ensta2, on 07/09/2008, -0/+1How can they tell this early on what games will be important
  • g00dbye, on 07/09/2008, -0/+4How about LSU's first game of the season?

    Appalachian State vs. LSU - Battle of the Champions.

    Epic.
    • scaliacheese, on 07/09/2008, -0/+0Can't wait for this. Maybe is App St. pulls it out, people will stop talking about the *other* App St. game. Then again, maybe not.
  • ADAMWK, on 07/10/2008, -0/+0OSU Vs. Michigan is Usually a pretty big deal... But this coming year I would not think that Michigan would be as good as usual. So there for that game would not be a very big deal... RIght?
  • luckizt, on 07/10/2008, -0/+1I've got a feeling USC is going to be in the national title game this year. Even though I ***** hate them so much, they've got so much talent it's unreal.
  • ScholarPreps, on 07/11/2008, -0/+0Season can't start soon enough!.....Would love to see another Appalachian type surprise
  •  

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