Written by Alexandra McClain
As Major League Baseball pennant races heat up entering the final month of the regular season and college football kicks off this weekend, I can say with full confidence that this is the best time of the year.
Growing up, whenever someone asked me what my favorite sport was, my response was always, “Whatever’s in season.” That answer has changed as I have grown up, but the top two are professional baseball and NCAA football.
Both conjure up memories of family road trips to games or lazy Saturday afternoons with the windows open and the sound of the radiocast of my favorite team drifting from room to room.
With baseball winding down and my team securely in first place, I’ll highlight five football games that no self-respecting sports fan should miss this season.
- Bosie State vs. Virginia Tech on Sept. 11. Although this game is only in the second week of play, Bosie State is coming off an undefeated season and both teams are ranked in the preseason Top 10. This game is sure to have serious ramifications on this year’s bowl season. Prediction: Virginia Tech
- Arkansas vs. Alabama on Sept. 25. This matchup, between what I believe are the two best teams in the SEC West, will carry serious weight in the SEC Championship game and probably the National Championship. The matchup between Bobby Petrino’s offense and Nick Saban’s defense will present one of the tightest SEC games of the season. Prediction: Alabama
- Florida vs. Alabama on Oct. 2. Yes, Alabama made the list twice. This regular season matchup between the 2009 National Champion Crimson Tide and 2008 National Champion Gators is a game that cannot be overlooked. These teams will, in all likelihood, meet again a few weeks later in the SEC championship game with the winner going to the BCS National Championship game. Prediction: Alabama.
- Texas vs. Oklahoma on Oct. 2. No must-see list would be complete without arguably the greatest rivalry in college sports. This is a big weekend for college football. With the SEC contenders battling it out at the same time as the Red River Shootout, the stage for the National Championship will be set on October 2. The shootout always has an effect on the bowl season, and this year is no different. Prediction: Texas
- USC vs. UCLA on December 4. The rivalry between these schools is always hot, but after last year turned ugly and resulted in a three touchdown victory for the Trojans, it’s worth tuning in this year to see if Lane Kiffin, USC’s new head coach, keeps up Pete Carroll’s old fight with UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel. Prediction: USC
Of course, there are other games to watch like Texas vs. Texas A & M, Alabama vs. Auburn, and Arkansas vs. Louisiana State, all played on Thanksgiving weekend, but the games listed should definitely be watched.
