As the college football season gets into full swing, the national focus seems to be as jumbled as ever. There are many questions that still need to be answered before it will be evident who will stand atop the polls when Bowl Season rolls around.
Most of these questions will be answered on the field, as uncountable big time showdowns are just around the corner. Here is a rundown of the big games that will ultimately determine who will end up playing Jan. 3 in Tempe for the national championship.
When the No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners invade No. 2 Texas next weekend, everyone will be ready for what could be the best game of the 2002 season. The winner will undoubtedly be the front-runner for the Big 12 championship and most likely be on their way to a berth in the Fiesta Bowl. Factor in the intense rivalry that accompanies this game every year and this Big 12 matchup will be as close to an early season classic as is possible.
Could there be a better time to decide the Big East title than the last game in the regular season? No. 4 Virginia Tech travels to Miami to visit the No. 1 Hurricanes Dec. 7 to put an end to an otherwise lackluster Big East season. With both teams looking extremely impressive in nonconference games, this could easily be a game that pits No. 1 vs. No. 2 in both teams' last game before their bowl game.
Any time Florida State and Miami take the field there are three things that are certain. One: the memories of wide right field goals by Florida State kickers will once again be resurrected. Two: there will be no love lost when these teams meet. Three: the winner will most likely go on to compete for the national title. Thus the matchup Oct. 19 will give both teams an opportunity to solidify their place among national contenders.
Iowa State has made an early season statement in 2002. They are still far from being a national contender, but after hanging around against Florida State and destroying Nebraska, Iowa State will get a chance to flex its muscles in October. No. 15 Iowa State has the nearly impossible task of traveling to the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in back-to-back weekends Oct. 19 and 26. Although back-to-back wins would put the Cyclones in the hunt for a national title, the fact remains that Iowa State has the chance to make a large impact on the national picture.
One of the most anticipated annual matchups throughout the '90s will be renewed when the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame travel to Tallahassee to take on the Seminoles Oct. 26. Notre Dame has surprised college football, getting off to an impressive 4-0 start and establishing themselves as a possible title contender, and if the 'Noles hold up their end of the bargain this game could be as meaningful as it was in the '90s.
Oregon will be all too familiar with powerhouse football teams from its neighboring state of Washington in November. The No. 7 Ducks travel to No. 17 Washington State Nov. 9 and then turn around and host No. 12 Washington the following Saturday at Autzen Stadium. With both being late season Pac 10 showdowns, both games will go a long way in deciding who represents this conference in the Bowl Championship series.
After rebounding from an early season loss to Miami, No. 6 Florida looks poised to make its usual run for a national title. Standing in their way is a new face atop the national rankings, the No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs. Florida travels to Georgia Nov. 2 to complete its rigorous three week span when it plays three consecutive ranked SEC opponents.
When all the dust settles towards the end of the Big Ten season, two teams will likely be in their usual positions on top of the conference. As the last game in the Big Ten season the No. 13 Michigan Wolverines travel to the Horseshoe to take on the No. 6 Buckeyes in what is the most storied rivalry in the Big Ten. No matter what the rankings of these two teams, when they meet in late November, it will no doubt live up to Michigan-Ohio State games of the past.
