2014 College Football Picks and Predictions: Top 5 Out-of-Conference Games

2014 College Football Picks and Predictions: Top 5 Out-of-Conference Games: While they may not always have the bad blood and decades of history of some of the top conference rivalries in college football, there is still something special about out-of-conference meetings between national powers. In fact, out-of-conference showdowns can be even more crucial when it comes to actually determining a national champion, especially with the switch to the college football playoff in 2014. When the selection committee decides to four teams that will compete for the national title, you can bet a big out-of-conference win is going to look a lot better than a landslide win over cupcake competition. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the best out-of-conference matchups for the 2014 college football season.

1. Michigan State at Oregon, September 6

Most years, a game of the caliber would be reserved for the Rose Bowl, but in 2014, these two heavyweights will clash in Week 2. The Ducks are arguably the best team in the Pac-12 and have one of the best offenses in the country, and the Spartans are likely the class of the Big Ten and have one of the top defenses in college football. The clash of styles will only make the game that much more interesting, and with both teams expected to contend for a spot in the college football playoff, the stakes can’t get much higher. Whichever side comes out on top in this one will be able to lay claim to the best out-of-conference win of any team in the country.

2. Auburn at Kansas State, September 18

The reigning SEC champs will into to Manhattan to face a Kansas State team with a knack for playing its best when it is the underdog. Head coach Bill Snyder is as good as any coach at getting the most out of his players, and you can bet the Wildcats will be motivated to end the Tigers’ national title hopes before the first month of the season is in the books. On the field, the game figures to be a war in the trenches as Auburn’s versatile ground attack tries to assert its will against a physical Kansas State defense. In the end, the game could come down to whether or not Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall can make enough plays to put his team over the top. Depending on the outcome, this could be a game that people look back on at the end of the year and point to as the start of Marshall’s Heisman campaign.

3. Michigan at Notre Dame, September 6

Does it get much better than a showdown between two storied programs under the lights on a Saturday night? Meanwhile, these long-time rivals will be taking a break from their annual series after this meeting, and you can bet that both sides will want to come out on top. More importantly, the game is an early test for two teams that will both be looking to bounce back from disappointing 2013 campaigns. Last year, the Wolverines emerged with a 41-30 win in a game that turned out to be a shootout full of big plays. Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner accounted for five touchdowns, and this time around, Notre Dame will have Everett Golson under center to put on his own offensive display. A repeat of last year’s entertaining battle seems like a given.

4. UCLA vs. Texas, September 13

This battle between the Pac-12 and Big 12 will provide both sides with an early opportunity to make a statement. For the Bruins, a victory would be proof that they truly are ready to take the next step and compete for more than just a conference title. It would also lift the label that Brett Hundley and company can’t win on the biggest stages. The game is equally crucial for the Longhorns, and new head coach Charlie Strong can take a big step toward restoring the program to its powerhouse stature by leading Texas to a win over a Top 10 team. The game could also provide UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley with an early chance to thrust his name squarely into the Heisman Trophy conversation. Either way, there are plenty of storylines to follow.

5. Florida at Florida State, November 29

These in-state rivals will clash at the end of the regular season, and while the Gators probably won’t be playing for a spot in the college football playoff, the Seminoles almost certainly will. All the pressure will be one Florida State, and the Gators will have plenty of motivation as they try to play the role of spoiler while avenging their ugly 37-7 loss in Gainesville last year. More importantly, Florida at last enters this season a lot healthier than last year, and if the Gators go into this showdown at full strength, the Seminoles are bound to get all they can handle. Assuming Florida State takes care of business leading up to this one, there will be plenty of interested parties watching this game and hoping the Gators can pull off the upset and open up a spot in the college football playoff.