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Just like ESPN has stated, big non-conference games are hard to come by. Most of these schools like to schedule cupcakes instead of actually challenging themselves. I guess we can all thank the BCS for that. Now I'm neither for or against a playoff but if there is anyway a playoff system (or plus one for that matter) can somehow get more big non-conference games then I am all for it. Now we all know about USC @ Ohio State on September 12th. How about we take a look at some of the non-conference games that you may not know about in no particular order.

1. Utah @ Oregon. 9/19. Okay Utes. You shocked Alabama in the Sugar Bowl earlier this year and have congress talking about how wrong the BCS is. Now just win in Eugene.

2. Illinois @ Cincinnati. 11/27. Illinios is finished with Big Ten play. Will they be up for this non-conference game? Hopefully for the Big Ten.

3. California @ Minnesota. 9/19. I would love Minnesota for this one for the Big Ten if they could get a win. Some have Cal as one of the favorites in the Pac 10. It would be good for the conference resume Gophers.

4. LSU @ Washington. 9/5. LSU travels to Washington? Nice. Last and only meeting was in 1983.

5. Florida State @ BYU. 9/19. Hmm. This one will be interesting. BYU is a favorite to win the Mountain West and if they go undefeated they could make a BCS game. Florida State is just trying to get back to being Florida State.

6. Arizona @ Iowa. 9/19. Another game the Big Ten needs. I can't stress that enough.

7. UCONN @ Baylor. 9/19. Why watch this game? To see Robert Griffin. I hear good things about him.

8. Minnesota @ Syracuse. 9/5. If you make #3 happen I would forgive you for letting this one slip away. Maybe. Actually never mind. The Big Ten needs all the wins they can get.

Any of these games intrigue you?