With the 2010 College Football season set to start this Thursday, every team has something in common: they are all undefeated and have a chance to be crowned champs on January 9th. Of course any realistic fan can immediately eliminate at least 90 percent of those teams from the get-go. However, there are still plenty of teams that will be chasing the Alabama Crimson Tide for the rights to be called "National Champs".
Looking at the 2010 college football regular season schedule, there is at least one game every week that not only should be a great game, but will undoubtedly have BCS Title implications. Considering that online sportsbooks already has point spreads live for these games, it makes looking into these games even more interesting. And of course, it lets us know who the experts (Vegas) believe has the inside track on hoisting the BCS Trophy.
Boise State vs. Virginia Tech (Sept. 6th)
The premier match-up for the first weekend of college football occurs Monday night. The Boise State Broncos are coming off an undefeated 2009 season, including a convincing win over TCU at the Fiesta Bowl.
Almost the entire starting team on both sides of the ball returns so another flawless season is in their sites. Virginia Tech will be the Broncos biggest test of the season. Win and they could easily go undefeated again which would most likely lead to a shot at the BCS title. Lose, and there is no way a team from the WAC can win it all. Currently the Boise State is 2.5 road favorites versus VA Tech.
Penn State vs. Alabama (Sept. 11th)
The top ranked team in the country and defending champs host Joe Pa's Penn State Nittany Lions in week two. The Tide will be playing in the role as ‘the hunted' all season long and from week two through week five, they'll be playing three ranked opponents. PSU is a legitimate top twenty team. However, it will be interesting to see how the Lions respond to actually playing a good out of conference team this early in the season.
This game just got a lot more difficult for the Tide as it is doubtful that Heisman winner Mark Ingram will be ready to go. The odds-makers don't think Penn State will respond well to the challenge as they are 11.5 point underdogs.
Oregon State vs. Boise State (Sept. 25th)
As long as the the Broncos get past VA Tech 19 days earlier, their next biggest test of the season will be against Oregon State Beavers. The Beavers are a borderline top 25 team but were just 1-4 against ranked teams last year.
Unlike their game versus the Hokies, Boise State get to play this game at home on the ‘smurf turf'; a place they haven't lost a regular season game since September of 2001. The bookies are expecting Boise State to pound the Beavers as they are 14 point favorites.
Florida vs. Alabama (Oct. 2nd)
This game should be circled on every college football fans schedule as two top five teams and legit contenders to win the BCS title square off. The SEC is littered with ranked teams but these two are the cream of the crop.
We already know Alabama's impressive credentials, but what about Florida? Tim Tebow may be gone but plenty of talent returns on both sides of the ball including four starters on the offensive line. Florida will look to avenge last year's embarrassing 32-13 loss to the Tide. Vegas expects a better game on October 2nd as the Gators are just 3 point road dogs.
Texas vs. Oklahoma (Oct. 2nd)
Another huge match-up on the first Saturday of October occurs in the Big 12. One of the best rivalries in college football, the Red River Rivalry should be extra special this season as this game could have implications on the Big 12 Championship and the BCS title. Despite be ranked higher in most polls, the Texas Longhorns are field goal underdogs versus the Sooners.
Texas vs. Nebraska (Oct. 16th)
After their bye week, the Longhorns step right back in the fire as they take on conference foe, the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska has a very favorable schedule with this being their toughest test of the season, by far. If they can notch a ‘W' against Texas, an undefeated regular season is quite possible. The Cornhuskers should have one of the best defenses in all of college football. Texas is 2.5 point underdogs.
Ohio State vs. Wisconsin (Oct. 16th)
Believe it or not, Alabama isn't Sportsbook.com's favorite to win the BCS Championship, that honer goes to the Ohio State Buckeyes at +450. Ten starters return on offense for the Buckeyes including Heisman candidate Terrelle Pryor at quarterback.
The Wisconsin Badgers are a borderline top ten team led by stud running back John Clay. This should be a good one as the Buckeyes are 3.5 point road favorites.
Oregon vs. USC (Oct. 30th)
The Oregon Ducks are the reigning Pac-10 champs. They return many key stars from last year's team including 1500+ yard rusher LaMichael James and all five offensive linemen. In all, 18 of 22 starters return.
USC is looking to get back on track after last year's disappointing season which included a 47-20 loss to the Ducks. This will be Oregon's biggest test of the year as they are currently 3 point underdogs.
TCU vs. Utah (Nov. 6th)
Let's face it, thanks to their weak schedule, the TCU Horned Frogs have zero room for error if they are going to contend for the BCS title. Even if they do run the table, there is still no guarantee they'll be playing in January 9th.
TCU had the fifth ranked offense in the country last season and should be right at the top again as most of their offensive starters return. Utah always has an able team and were the only team to score over 21 points against TCU last year; the bad news is they gave up 55. Don't expect the same result this season as Utah hasn't lost at home since September 8, 2007. TCU is currently 5.5 point road favorites.
Ohio State vs. Iowa (Nov. 20th)
We already know that the Buckeyes are a legit contender, but don't sleep on the Iowa Hawkeyes. After all, they won 11 games in 2009 and have eight starters returning on a defense that only allowed one opponent to score over 24 points. They have a favorable schedule with their toughest games taking place at home, including this one.
Don't be surprised if this game is for the Big Ten title. Currently Iowa is very dangerous 3.5 point home underdogs.
Looking at the 2010 college football regular season schedule, there is at least one game every week that not only should be a great game, but will undoubtedly have BCS Title implications. Considering that online sportsbooks already has point spreads live for these games, it makes looking into these games even more interesting. And of course, it lets us know who the experts (Vegas) believe has the inside track on hoisting the BCS Trophy.
Boise State vs. Virginia Tech (Sept. 6th)
The premier match-up for the first weekend of college football occurs Monday night. The Boise State Broncos are coming off an undefeated 2009 season, including a convincing win over TCU at the Fiesta Bowl.
Almost the entire starting team on both sides of the ball returns so another flawless season is in their sites. Virginia Tech will be the Broncos biggest test of the season. Win and they could easily go undefeated again which would most likely lead to a shot at the BCS title. Lose, and there is no way a team from the WAC can win it all. Currently the Boise State is 2.5 road favorites versus VA Tech.
Penn State vs. Alabama (Sept. 11th)
The top ranked team in the country and defending champs host Joe Pa's Penn State Nittany Lions in week two. The Tide will be playing in the role as ‘the hunted' all season long and from week two through week five, they'll be playing three ranked opponents. PSU is a legitimate top twenty team. However, it will be interesting to see how the Lions respond to actually playing a good out of conference team this early in the season.
This game just got a lot more difficult for the Tide as it is doubtful that Heisman winner Mark Ingram will be ready to go. The odds-makers don't think Penn State will respond well to the challenge as they are 11.5 point underdogs.
Oregon State vs. Boise State (Sept. 25th)
As long as the the Broncos get past VA Tech 19 days earlier, their next biggest test of the season will be against Oregon State Beavers. The Beavers are a borderline top 25 team but were just 1-4 against ranked teams last year.
Unlike their game versus the Hokies, Boise State get to play this game at home on the ‘smurf turf'; a place they haven't lost a regular season game since September of 2001. The bookies are expecting Boise State to pound the Beavers as they are 14 point favorites.
Florida vs. Alabama (Oct. 2nd)
This game should be circled on every college football fans schedule as two top five teams and legit contenders to win the BCS title square off. The SEC is littered with ranked teams but these two are the cream of the crop.
We already know Alabama's impressive credentials, but what about Florida? Tim Tebow may be gone but plenty of talent returns on both sides of the ball including four starters on the offensive line. Florida will look to avenge last year's embarrassing 32-13 loss to the Tide. Vegas expects a better game on October 2nd as the Gators are just 3 point road dogs.
Texas vs. Oklahoma (Oct. 2nd)
Another huge match-up on the first Saturday of October occurs in the Big 12. One of the best rivalries in college football, the Red River Rivalry should be extra special this season as this game could have implications on the Big 12 Championship and the BCS title. Despite be ranked higher in most polls, the Texas Longhorns are field goal underdogs versus the Sooners.
Texas vs. Nebraska (Oct. 16th)
After their bye week, the Longhorns step right back in the fire as they take on conference foe, the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska has a very favorable schedule with this being their toughest test of the season, by far. If they can notch a ‘W' against Texas, an undefeated regular season is quite possible. The Cornhuskers should have one of the best defenses in all of college football. Texas is 2.5 point underdogs.
Ohio State vs. Wisconsin (Oct. 16th)
Believe it or not, Alabama isn't Sportsbook.com's favorite to win the BCS Championship, that honer goes to the Ohio State Buckeyes at +450. Ten starters return on offense for the Buckeyes including Heisman candidate Terrelle Pryor at quarterback.
The Wisconsin Badgers are a borderline top ten team led by stud running back John Clay. This should be a good one as the Buckeyes are 3.5 point road favorites.
Oregon vs. USC (Oct. 30th)
The Oregon Ducks are the reigning Pac-10 champs. They return many key stars from last year's team including 1500+ yard rusher LaMichael James and all five offensive linemen. In all, 18 of 22 starters return.
USC is looking to get back on track after last year's disappointing season which included a 47-20 loss to the Ducks. This will be Oregon's biggest test of the year as they are currently 3 point underdogs.
TCU vs. Utah (Nov. 6th)
Let's face it, thanks to their weak schedule, the TCU Horned Frogs have zero room for error if they are going to contend for the BCS title. Even if they do run the table, there is still no guarantee they'll be playing in January 9th.
TCU had the fifth ranked offense in the country last season and should be right at the top again as most of their offensive starters return. Utah always has an able team and were the only team to score over 21 points against TCU last year; the bad news is they gave up 55. Don't expect the same result this season as Utah hasn't lost at home since September 8, 2007. TCU is currently 5.5 point road favorites.
Ohio State vs. Iowa (Nov. 20th)
We already know that the Buckeyes are a legit contender, but don't sleep on the Iowa Hawkeyes. After all, they won 11 games in 2009 and have eight starters returning on a defense that only allowed one opponent to score over 24 points. They have a favorable schedule with their toughest games taking place at home, including this one.
Don't be surprised if this game is for the Big Ten title. Currently Iowa is very dangerous 3.5 point home underdogs.
