In honor of College Football Live and dreamy Jesse Palmer reentering my life this week I decided to highlight the top Inter-Conference Games of ‘08. I’ve excluded Ohio State at USC for two reasons: 1) I have made it blatantly clear that I think that the Big Ten should be considered a mid major, and 2) I think we’ll have to choke down enough hype leading to that game without me adding to it.The games I’m highlighting also exclude traditional inter-conference rivalries that occur at the end of the season. Sorry Georgia Tech fans.

6) Illinois v Missouri (St. Louis, MO) August 30^th

What Makes This Game Good: Missouri is coming off a solid 12-2 season. They destroyed Arkansas 38-7 in their bowl game. And they return starting QB and Heisman hopeful Chase Daniel, who threw for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns last year.

Illinois and the Fighting Zookers went to the Rose Bowl last year. They return QB Juice Williams. He’s more of a threat with his legs than his arm at this point in his career, but the potential for a breakout season though the air still exists.

Need to Know Fact: These teams played last year with Missouri winning 40-34.

Key Matchup: The running back position. Going into this season Missouri loses Tony Temple who ran for over 1,000 yards and 12 TDs and Illinois loses starting RB Rashard Mendenhall who ran for over 1,600 yards and 17 TDs. Which team will get the balance in the run game to help out the guys behind center?

Booth’s Prediction: I think this game comes down to QB play. Missouri.

5) Miami at Texas A&M September 20^th

What Makes This Game Good: This game will be a program definer for two rebuilding programs.

Miami’s program is down. They go to Florida two weeks prior to this game. A trip to Gainesville followed up by a trip to College Station will really define where the Canes are in the rebuilding process.

Texas A&M returns senior, dual threat QB Stephen McGee, who threw for 2,300 yards and ran for another 900 last season. The Aggies brought in new Head Coach Mike Sherman and this would be a huge win to get his regime heading in the right direction early in the season.

Need to Know Fact: Miami beat Texas A&M 34-17 last year and it really wasn’t that close.

Key Matchup: Texas A&M fans vs. Miami’s Defense. A&M fans will show up hammered and screaming. Miami’s D LOVES the “Me Against the World Scenario.” Can The U’s defense swarm the A&M ground game?

Prediction: I like Miami on the road to pull off the upset. I still think the Canes have too much speed on defense.

4) Clemson v. Alabama (Atlanta, GA) August 30^th

What Makes This Game Good: There is no better way to kick off college football season than pitting two traditional southern teams against each other. Anticipate jean shorts, Busch Light, chewing tobacco, Dale Earnhart Jr. decals, and tons of Americans who refuse to go North of the Mason Dixon line.

Clemson returns starting Senior QB Cullen Harper who threw for almost 3,000 yards and 27 TDs last year, but struggled mightily against Auburn in Clemson’s bowl game.

Alabama returns Nick Saban as head coach.

Key Matchup: Clemson Offensive Line vs. Alabama Defensive Line. Clemson’s offensive line grossly underachieved last year and they lose 4 starters off last year’s subpar line. Will Clemson’s offensive line be able to come together in time for the season opener?

Prediction: No comment.

3) Kansas at South Florida September 13^th

What Makes This Game Good: Last year everyone complained that Kansas didn’t play anybody all season. This year they take on an interesting challenge in travelling to South Florida.

Kansas returns senior Heisman hopeful QB Todd Reesing who threw for 3,500 yards and 33 TDs last year.

South Florida returns senior QB Matt Grothe who threw for 2,300 yards and ran for another 900.

Both of these guys can play, but more importantly they are both great leaders. They refuse to let their teams quit.

Need to Know Fact: After starting the season 6-0, South Florida was ranked # 2 in the country, but they finished 3-4, including getting crushed by a Dennis Dixon-less Oregon squad in their bowl game.

Key Matchup: South Florida Secondary vs. Kansas WRs. Will South Florida be able to stand the constant pressure from the Kansas attack?

Prediction: South Florida squeaks out a hard fought, shootout victory at home.

2) Auburn at West Virginia October 23^rd

What Makes This Game Good: It is late in the season. Nowadays teams play their toughest out of conference game early in the year so they have time to recover in the rankings. This game falls after Auburn has already played LSU and Tennessee. How insane is Auburn’s Athletic Director?

West Virginia could be undefeated going into this game. It could easily make or break their season. If the Mountaineers go undefeated outside of this game, they might be wishing they didn’t schedule such a monster opponent late in the year.

Need to Know Fact: Despite losing superstar RB Steve Slaton to the NFL, West Virginia has another bullet left to fire in the form of RB Noel Devine. He averaged 8.6 yards per carry last year. His speed is blinding.

Key Matchup: Auburn’s Defense vs. Pat White. White is much more dangerous running the ball than throwing it, and he’s made a habit of wearing down over the course of a season because he takes such a pounding. Will he be able to handle SEC level hitting this far into the year?

Prediction: SEC.

1) Georgia at Arizona State September 20^th

What Makes This Game Good: Georgia should roll into this game #1 in the country. The Bulldogs’ SEC schedule alone is more than daunting, toss in a road trip to Tempe and they’re overall schedule is disgusting. This will be the country’s first look at whether Georgia will deserve that #1 ranking.

There are two things Dennis Erickson does well. One of them is drinking scotch. The other is coaching football. Erickson will have his pass happy attack ready to go when Georgia comes to town.

Need to Know Fact: After starting the season 8-0 last year, Arizona State finished the 2-3, including a 34-52 loss to Texas in their bowl game.

Key Matchup: Arizona State Defense vs. Georgia Offense. Georgia’s offense will be absolutely loaded. The Sun Devils will have to pick their poison by either letting Heisman Hopeful junior QB Matt Stafford throw it or Heisman Hopeful RB Knowshon Moreno run it.

Prediction: I think Georgia is the best team in the country. I don’t think they will go undefeated, but I don’t think they lose in this spot either.

Honorable Mention: Appalachian St. v. LSU August 30^th

For obvious maize and blue reasons…

Previous Editions of Turf Toe:

• 3 Steps for Enjoying the NBA Draft
• Big Brown v. Casino Drive
• Sports to Watch This Summer When You’re Not Watching the NHL Finals
• A Fond Farewell to Those We Will Never Hear from Again
• Booth Previews the Western Conference

Wicked Case of Turf Toe is Booth’s regular column dedicated to passing judgment on the world of sports. Click here for the full archives.

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