2007 Football Schedule Planner - Week 8

Over the summer, CSTV.com will be taking a look at the college football schedule, highlighting the top matchups, the can't-miss games and the storylines that make certain contests so intriguing. Check in every Thursday for the heads-up on what games are shaping up to be the best each week, the top offensive matchups, Heisman showcases and a few others that have piqued our interest.

Another week, another batch of weeknight games that are worthy of can't miss status, despite the fact they're from two conferences most people don't give enough credit to. But Saturday sees one of the best SEC rivalries renew their hostilities along with one of the game's most revered rivalries kick-off in South Bend.

Thurs., Oct. 18 - South Florida at Rutgers

Two up and coming Big East programs - although some Scarlet Knight apologists would argue that Rutgers has already arrived - square off in Piscataway in an early season elimination match for the Big East title. Yes, you read that right. The Bulls are fully capable of beating Rutgers, Louisville and West Virginia. Now the likelihood of that happening seems a little remote, but don't put it past Jim Leavitt to do some unexpected things with his best squad yet. The Bulls get the Cardinals and Mountaineers at home so this is their toughest conference road game. Pass this test, after beating West Virginia a few weeks earlier, and South Florida could be playing Louisville late in November for the league title.

BCS Buster of the Week

Thurs., Oct. 18 - Utah at TCU

BYU is probably the second best team in the MWC behind TCU, but Utah is dangerous and could easily derail the Horned Frog's bid for a BCS berth. But one we know for sure in this game, points are going to be at a premium for the Utes, despite the fact that they're returning nearly all their starters from 2006. TCU's returning nine starters from one of the nation's best units last season, including all-world defensive end Tommy Blake.

Sat., Oct. 20 - Cal at UCLA

The best Pac-10 game of the week features two schools fighting it out for second fiddle to USC. This should be a great game between two Top 25 talents but hopefully better than last year's installment. Anyone remember DeSean Jackson's scintillating 72-yard punt return against the Bruins last season? It put the kibosh on UCLA's chances thanks in large part to Thomas DeCoud's concussion-inducing block on Korey Bosworth. Think the Bruins will be kicking to Jackson this year? Don't count on it.

Sat., Oct. 20 - Auburn at LSU

The matchup between the two best teams in the SEC West will be a physical battle, to say the least. You'd be hard pressed to find two teams that hit harder than these two in the country. Last year's contest in Auburn was a throwback 7-3 win in favor of Tommy Tuberville's Tigers thanks to that controversial pass interference call that was overturned. So what can we expect from this year's game? How about more hitting and plenty of pounding? LSU's defense is going to be one of the best in the country and Auburn's won't be far behind. But I think you'll see a little more scoring in this year's version of one of the best rivalries in the SEC.

Rivalry of the Week

Sat., Oct. 20 - USC at Notre Dame

Yes the Irish aren't going to be as good as they were last year and USC is going to be a juggernaut this season, but in terms of traditional rivalries in college football, there are only a couple others this game takes a backseat to. And you don't think Charlie Weis and his team aren't going to be jazzed up to face that great Trojan defense on a fall afternoon in South Bend? Of course they will be. Plus, Notre Dame will be donning the green jerseys in this one as they pay tribute to the 1977 team that won the national championship, defeating USC on the way, 49-19.

Heisman Showcase of the Week

Sat., Oct 20 - Texas at Baylor

Anyone remember Colt McCoy's performance against the Bears last season? Does six touchdowns on 21-of-32 passing and 275 yards passing ring a bell? That's what the freshman did in just his seventh game as the Longhorns' quarterback. And as for this year, I'll put it this way: Baylor's defense didn't get any better during the off-season.