2009 NCAA Football Must See Matchups

The 2009 NCAA Football season kicks off the first weekend of September and with so many great players returning to college there are sure to be some highly anticipated matchups. Here is a list of some can't miss games of the 2009 season.

Oklahoma vs. BYU (Sept. 5) - The first Saturday of the season starts off great with this non conference game played on a neutral site. BYU finished last season with a 10-3 and should pose a threat to last season's BCS Championship runner up. Oklahoma is the clear favorite, but they'll have to show up prepared for their first test of the season.

USC at Ohio State (Sept. 12) - Ohio State has a lot to prove after falling to USC last season and having lost three straight BCS games, two in national championships. USC will come in with an unproven QB with the Buckeyes having Pryor starting for in his second season. The lack of experience for whoever the USC quarterback will be should even the playing field quite a bit. Ohio State can't afford another loss to a major BCS team if they want to make another run at a championship.

Tennessee at Florida (Sept. 19) - Tennessee's new head coach Lane Kiffin has been running his mouth a lot this offseason with some remarks geared towards defending BCS Champion Florida Gator's head coach Urban Meyer. Florida won last year's matchup 30-6 and this year it should be even worse. With 2007 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow looking to lead his team to a third championship in his tenor at Florida, I'm sure he'll have no problem taking his focus off a championship for one week to lay a beat down on the Volunteers. This should be one blowout that shouldn't have you flipping the channel to find a better game.

Oklahoma vs. Texas (Oct. 17) - Always one of the most anticipated games of the year, Oklahoma vs. Texas may decide who gets a spot in the BCS Championship game. With both Bradford and McCoy returning at quarterback for their teams this game should be an instant classic.

Ohio State at Penn State (Nov. 7) - Odds are one of these teams will be in the BCS Championship race come early November and this game should be do or die for both. These two are the clear favorites to win the Big Ten and a win in this game will probably be the deciding factor. Penn State won last year's matchup after a costly fumble by Pryor late in the game. Will another year of experience for the young QB prove to be the difference?

Alabama at Auburn (Nov. 28) - In one of the best rivalries in college football the Auburn Tigers will be looking to redeem themselves after the 36-0 beat down Alabama handed them last season. It's not expected for Auburn to be fighting for a national championship, but Alabama should be. Rivalry games often offer unique outcomes and a win against Alabama to knock them out of the championship picture would make Auburn's season complete.

Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida are the clear favorites to make a run at the 2009 BCS Championship. Each team has a Heisman caliber QB with Bradford (Oklahoma) and Tebow (Florida) already holding the hardware from season's past. The path won't be easy as every game counts in NCAA Football and each has a couple of tough matchups they must get by to reach their ultimate goal. At the same time they will have to avoid the inevitable upset we see every season, which makes college football the most exciting sport around.