To the universities and NCAA, I apologize.

Although we still have a few less than desirable non-conference college football matchups, the 2009 season, more than any other, makes a strong case for the benefit of the 12th game.

As for generating interest prior to the 2009 season, here are some of the schools who are taking advantage of the extra frame in their schedule.

Oklahoma Sooners

On top of playing in the Big XII, the toughest conference in America, the Sooners open the season against Brigham Young at the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium, which is home to the Red River Shootout October 17th.  The Sooners also head to South Florida to take on the Miami Hurricanes.  They will be well tested – and have experience in the Cowboys new stadium – by the time they take on Texas in mid-October.

Virginia Tech Hokies

The favorites to win the ACC won’t get a chance to catch their breath in week one.  They open the season just as last year’s ACC favorite, Clemson, did – against the Alabama Crimson Tide in Atlanta.  Although RB Darren Evans is out for the season, I expect the Hokies to try and make a statement against Nick Saban and company, representing the ACC in the process.

Georgia Bulldogs

Last year’s star tandem of QB Matthew Stafford and RB Knowshon Moreno have departed to the NFL, leaving head coach Mark Richt a couple of big question marks heading into one of the most intriguing non-conference matchups of the season.  The Dawgs open their 2009 season on the road against Oklahoma State and later play Arizona State in Athens.  This is not the kind of schedule you want when breaking in a new quarterback, but Richt has been through this before and should have his team ready to compete on opening weekend.

West Virginia

The Big East typically has a reputation as a weak conference who schedules cupcakes to inflate their overall record.  The Mountaineers have taken the lead in showing the Big East they aren’t afraid of anyone.  Their schedule includes games with Conference USA favorite, East Carolina (who defeated Virginia Tech last season), Colorado and Auburn.

USC/Ohio State

Kudos to these two power programs.  With respect to every other game scheduled, this is the best non-conference game of the regular season – hands down.  Whoever wins this game will make a significant case towards a spot in the BCS National Championship game.  With Florida and Texas garnering a lot of early praise, USC or Ohio State may have to run the table to play for the National Title.  That means winning this game.  Mark it down – this one is going to be BIG.

What do you think?  Did I leave anyone out – who do you think is giving us something to talk about heading into the season?