No. 1 Oklahoma vs No. 5 Texas - 12 p.m. EST on ABC

This year's Red River Rivalry features two top five teams poised to make a run at the national championship. Oklahoma and Texas are playing as well as anyone in the country, as evidenced by their prolific offenses. Both teams are ranked in the top 20 nationally in total offense and in the top 10 in points scored. Look for this one to be a track meet from start to finish. The only drawback to this game is the early kickoff; it kind of robs this marquee match up of that "big-game" feel that comes along with a 7:45 or 8 p.m. kickoff.  So, set your alarm clocks all you late sleepers - this isn't a game to miss.


No. 4 LSU at No. 11 Florida - 8 p.m. EST on CBS

The Bayou Bengals travel down to the Swamp to meet the Florida Gators in what has become the SEC's premier matchup. This game is already not lacking in bulletin board material. LSU defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois was quoted earlier in the week as saying that the LSU defense was going to knock Florida quarterback Tim Tebow out of the game. Jean-Francois later recanted that statement and apologized. Nevertheless, this one should live up to the billing: two fast, talented, dominating football teams with gambling coaches and the two wildest fan bases in the SEC meeting in one of the nation's best venues. Oh, and the game time forecast - hot and a chance of thunderstorms. How appropriate.

 
Notre Dame at No. 21 North Carolina - 3:30 p.m. EST on ABC

It's a traditional power trying to climb back into the limelight versus a traditional underachiever looking to surge into national prominence. Notre Dame (4-1) has had mixed success in the last decade and is coming off its worst season in program history. If they want to win 11 games, as ESPN's Senator Lou Holtz said they would, they will have to navigate against a gritty North Carolina team (4-1) led by one of the games best coaches in Butch Davis. Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen has played well of late, throwing for 622 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions in his last two games. To win, he will have to be at his best against a UNC defense that held a then-ranked Connecticut team to just 12 points last week.

 
Tennessee at No. 10 Georgia - 3:30 p.m. EST on CBS

It's make or break time as Tennessee (2-3) sputters into Athens, trying to save its season. They will undoubtedly receive no pity from the Georgia Bulldogs, who look to avenge both a humiliating loss last week to Alabama and two consecutive humiliating losses at the hands of the Vols. Star fullback Brennan Southerland makes his awaited return for the Dawgs to add a physical presence in the Georgia rushing attack. New Tennessee signal-caller Nick Stephens has one game under his belt, but is going to be thrown into the fire that is the Georgia defense led by a vicious hitter in Rennie Curran. For the Vols to have a chance, Stephens will literally have to play the game of his life. Two weeks ago, I said that Auburn was a "must win game" for Phillip Fulmer. If that was a "must win" game, this is a must win times 1000 for the embattled UT coach. A loss here, and it's curtains for Tennessee.

No. 6 Penn State at Wisconsin - 8 p.m. EST on ESPN

Joe Paterno evidently still has it and Penn State (6-0) is working to prove it's a true national title contender. They face a Wisconsin team (3-2) that is dealing with having its preseason expectations dashed, but is nonetheless a potent foe. The Badgers are looking to avoid an 0-3 Big Ten start. Penn State travels to Madison with the nation's ninth ranked offense in total yards, and is the No. 7 scoring offense. Badgers tailback P.J. Hill is averaging 4.7 yards per carry and has rushed for 512 yards. He will have to have a big game to offset whatever performance the Nittany Lions have.