Could the Midshipmen make it an even dozen over rival Army?
(Photo Courtesy: USA Today Sports)
The term independent in college football has been on a steady decline over the past two decades, but as we sit with just six teams playing as independents this season the college football fan will be treated to some great football by this group as well. There are rivalries, games against big teams, and important games to be played late in the season too. While this group may be independent, they offer the college football fan everything a conference is supposed to – mainly drama all season long.
So, before you think it's just about Notre Dame's ridiculous schedule, let us introduce you to the ten biggest games in independent football for 2013.
10. USC at Notre Dame (Oct. 19): Most years this game would be up at the top of the list. These two programs simply don't like each other and there are plenty of reasons for it, some of which have taken place in the past half a decade or so. However, after what was a disastrous season for the Men of Troy in 2012 and what has been a disastrous offseason for the Irish this game may not have the national significance that this one usually has. If the Trojans are going to be contenders in the Pac-12 this game could be a distraction to what is the ultimate goal. The questions around just how good these two teams will or won't be is what holds this one back from being a top game.
9. Army at Air Force (Nov. 2): This is one of the three games in the Commander-In-Chief Trophy and perhaps the one game that doesn't get the juices going as of late. However, for those of us who know the history of the Air Force even existing this is a game of "little brother" vs. "big brother" as the Air Force was once part of the Army – known as the Army Air Corp. You can also bet that Air Force is going to be hell bent on victory after the butt kicking they got by Army last year, losing 41-21. It was the Black Knights first win against either of the other two academies since a 2005 victory over the Falcons. This game could mean the difference between bowl eligibility and not for the Falcons and the difference between building something sustainable at West Point or just a fluke.
8. BYU at Notre Dame (Nov. 23): Alright, let's hear your best catholic vs. Mormon joke… Go. O.K., now that that is out of the way this game is between the two highest profile independent teams in college football. It doesn't hurt that both could be playing for bowl game position or even their bowl eligibility with this late season matchup. Both of these teams have QB issues heading into 2013 and if you look at how these teams stack up it is really like looking in a mirror. The question for the Cougars is how they will take to the transition on their offense with former Rich Rod assistant
7. Air Force at Navy (Oct. 5): We're back with the 2nd of the Commander-In-Chief Trophy games and this one, if Air Force is back to its normal self, could be way bigger in the grand scheme of things. These two teams have won every CIC Trophy since 1997, so ya this game is going to be big. The key is if now sophomore Keenan Reynolds can continue the hot streak his team was on when he took over for the Midshipmen, or does the bitter taste of the ass kicking they took in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl linger. Both of these teams have a ton to prove in Annapolis this season and the winner here is likely the winner of the Commander-in-Chief trophy.
6. Oklahoma at Notre Dame (Sept. 28): Two marquee names on the national college football landscape and Notre Dame stadium as the backdrop. Ya, I'm in. This game will be the third really tough game for the Irish to start the season and by the time we get to this one one of two things will happen – they'll be on the national title hunt again, or they'll be out of the race all together. That's the only thing that's keeping this game from being a top five game for me. In the grand scheme of the national landscape, where both of these teams reside more often than not, we just don't know that this game will have the meaning some are heaping on it already.
5. Utah at BYU (Sept. 21): The Holy War – it was supposed to be the annual game between these two in-state foes. It's been that way since a small hiatus for WWII, but this game is the final annual version and it will be interesting to see when this game comes back on the schedule. For many it smacks of Utah being scared of having to play another tough game, considering the fact that they've struggled in Pac-12 play so far since joining the league two years ago i could see why not. For BYU it deprives them of a potentially blockbuster matchup against a Pac-12 foe. To say this game doesn't have meaning on multiple layers is to not pay attention. On the field it should be a good game as well and that's what we really care about most. Expect the unexpected when these two rivals get together, especially since it ain't happening at least the next two years following 2013.
4. Notre Dame at Michigan (Sept. 7): Can you say charged rivalry, much? The war of words heaped on ND by both Michigan's AD and head coach certainly has given this game a ton of hype. With this game coming in week two it's massive for both teams. Michigan is looking to stay relevant on the national scale after sliding backwards last season and Notre Dame is looking to show 2012 wasn't a fluke. This game is going to be under the lights at the Big House, a rarity to say the least. Notre Dame will be looking to win in Ann Arbor for the first time since 2005 and will be looking to build a winning streak over the Wolverines for the first time since 2004-05. On the field this game has a ton of meaning for these teams, but it's hard to see how the off the field issues between these two schools aren't going take over.
3. Texas at BYU (Sept. 7): BYU has an early season chance to really make a statement against one of the 
alleged front runners in the Big 12, oh and Texas has a chance to win a game against a good opponent out of conference, which will certainly help them come time to play Big 12 football. This game could be a lot of fun to say the least and if you are a student of football you know this game could tell us a lot about each team. That's because in 2011 Texas could barely beat BYU, taking them down 17-16 at home and it told us that there were going to be some major troubles coming. BYU also set itself up for a pretty good season on it's own going 10-3 that season. So, if you are looking for an early season game that will tell you a lot about the rest of the season for each team then this is the one for you.
2. Notre Dame at Stanford (Nov. 30): This is usually a safe spot for USC vs. Notre Dame on an annual basis, but there's a new king in the Sunshine State and it's Stanford. The Cardinal took down Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl and are a likely Top 10 team entering the season. This is the final game of the regular season for both and it could be a chance for Notre Dame to pull off an upset, that is if the Cardinal are too focused on a potential Pac-12 Championship game coming the next weekend. That's the X-Factor in this game – will it actually mean much. Chances are both teams will have reputations to uphold and build for 2013. For Notre Dame this could be a chance for them to make a splash into the final BCS and for Stanford this could be their last chance to avoid a stumbling block and set themselves up for the Rose Bowl at a minimum. Of course, this is July and when we get to the actual game it could mean nothing, but following what has taken place the last few years between these two we can expect a great game at the very least – regardless of meaning behind the game for this season.
1. Army vs. Navy (Dec. 14): If you call yourself a college football fan and you don't pay attention to these teams at least once a season when they meet on a neutral field, shame on you. No, seriously, SHAME ON YOU. This game embodies so much about what makes the game of college football great and what makes our people great as a nation. It's got pageantry, pride, bitter rivalry, and it adds a lot of patriotism to make this game one of the top games on the college football calendar – regardless of record or bowl eligibility or anything. For some of those who play this game it's their last chance to play a simple game before they head off to lead men on a battlefield. Lately it's been Navy dominating the game on the field and it doesn't look like that will be stopping any time soon – but if Army becomes competitive once again this game has even more and more meaning. Right now the desperation of the Black Knights to beat the Midshipmen is the reason to watch this game. Simply put, for me, there isn't a single game that embodies what makes college football unique and great than this one.
