Week 9 NCAA Football Buffet: Previewing All The Games Worth Consuming

I'd say that I hope Cincinnati, Boise State and TCU all go undefeated and don't qualify for the national title game because that will finally force the NCAA to change under the uncontrollable pressure from the media, fans and government.  But ... we all know it won't make a difference.  Especially if they end up with Florida vs. Texas or Alabama vs. USC or some combination therein.  The BCS has learned to live with its inadequacies and ... it's fine with them.

Let's find out what looks tasty and what might be worth pushing to the side of your plate in this weekend's college football buffet. (All times are Eastern.)

GIVE ME A HEAPING HELPING

No. 4 USC @ No. 10 Oregon (ABC/ESPN2, 8pm)

It feels like forever since the Trojans have had to prove their Pac-10 dominance this late in the season but...here we are.  A loss here and they can probably forget about the Rose Bowl.  That's what's on Oregon's mind, no small task against a team that hasn't lost by more than 7 points since 2002.

No. 3 Texas @ No. 13 Oklahoma State (ABC/ESPN2, 8pm)

The post-Dez Bryant Era officially begins in Stillwater.  Not that the Cowboys haven't already moved on.  The Longhorns will look to contain the OSU big-play and control the tempo of the game.

I'LL HAVE A SCOOP OF THAT, PLEASE

No. 1 Florida v. Georgia (CBS, 3:30pm)

If Florida wants to move to the next level and become unbeatable, they're going to need Evil Tim Tebow. If Evil Tebow shows up, Georgia has no chance.  And if the Bulldogs lose, they're going to have to start thinking about some tough decisions.

No. 24 Mississippi @ Auburn (SEC Network, Noon)

Do you know the definition of potential?  It's something both Ole Miss and Auburn possess but neither is reaching fully. In Auburn's case, in other areas besides football.

No. 20 West Virginia @ South Florida (ESPN2, 8pm)

To paraphrase Bill Simmons' old adage about the Dolphins, the South Florida yearly collapse is a little like the theatrical release of this year's Saw movie.  You're not exactly sure when it's coming but you know it happens in late October and you know there's going to be a lot of blood. Maybe it's a curse due to the fact that they're not actually located in south Florida.

I'LL TASTE IT FIRST...

Rutgers @ Connecticut (Big East Network, Noon)

This one will be all about honoring Jasper Howard as the Huskies play at home for the first time since his death.  If Rutgers has any chance of overcoming the emotions, they'll have to get their offense back into gear.

Michigan State @ Minnesota (BTN, 8pm)

Minnesota is reeling from the loss of WR Eric Decker but the 4-4 Gophers find themselves into a do-or-die match-up with the 4-4 Spartans.  Winner take all.  All being the Texas Bowl bid, I presume.

Central Michigan @ Boston College (ESPNU, 3:30pm)

Boston College has had trouble running the football.  The Chippewas have the 32nd best run defense in the nation.  That's what they like to call a harbinger.  Central Michigan is on the verge of being ranked as it is, a win here might not even be classified as an upset.

California @ Arizona State (ABC, 3:30pm)

Arizona State, with a reputation for notable quarterbacks, is in the middle of a troubling situation at the position.  Cal's passing D is among the worst in the nation, so that's something they probably want to sort out.

No. 18 Miami @ Wake Forest (ABC/ESPN2, 3:30pm)

It's a match-up of two ACC teams.  Would any outcome really surprise you at this point?  Wake Forest is hoping it's offense wakes up this weekend.  Miami is hoping to get a little revenge on Deacon OL Joe Birdsong, les he wander near the sidelines.

Kansas @ Texas Tech (ABC, 3:30pm)

As Kansas falls off the map, it would seem that Texas Tech has the edge in this one.  The Red Raiders can use a win here to springboard themselves back into the upper tier of the Big 12.

No. 21 South Carolina @ Tennessee (ESPN, 7:45pm)

So, what do we make of the new Jonathan Crompton?  The Gamecocks will be keyed in on Crompton and the UT running game if they want to escape Knoxville with the win.

I'LL KEEP THAT IN MIND FOR THE NEXT TRIP

Washington State v. No. 25 Notre Dame (NBC, 7:30pm)

Notre Dame isn't doing it pretty and they're causing their fans a lot of cardiac pain but for the most part they're getting the wins this year.  They truly are a Team On Wire.  However, the high from the recent Boston College win might be the right kind of situation for a Washington State upset.

Kansas State @ No. 22 Oklahoma (FSN, 7pm)

Are the Wildcats, who lost earlier this year to Louisiana-Lafayette, the best team in the Big 12 North?   Well, they're certainly one of the loudest.

No. 12 Penn State @ Northwestern (ESPN, 4:30pm)

Don't call it a comeback for Northwestern.  Well, actually, you should.  It hasn't been the year they expected but the Wildcats are starting to get it together.  They face no small task when the confident Nittany Lions come to town.

Purdue @ Wisconsin (ESPN2, Noon)

Madison is where you want to be this weekend if you're a college sports nut.  Purdue will be there and this one is critical to their slim Rose Bowl chances.

I DON'T KNOW...SMELLS KINDA FUNNY...

Indiana @ No. 7 Iowa (ESPN, Noon)

Iowa already makes it hard of themselves to find ways to win each wee.  Losing Adam Robinson for the rest of the year with an ankle injury doesn't help matters. Indiana might not seem like much but they have a way of biting the Hawkeyes in the rear when they least expect it.

Wyoming @ No. 19 Utah (MTN, 8pm)

Utah barely not by Air Force last week so they're going to need something extra this weekend against the Cowboys.  They're calling on a "blackout" from the fans.

Mississippi State @ Kentucky (SEC Network, 7pm)

Noth of these teams will have to put thre focus on the field Saturday and not on local reporters and officiating, as they have during the week.

Michigan @ Illinois (ABC/ESPN2, 3:30pm)

Michigan vs. Illinois was a marquee game in the Big Ten not too long ago.  Now it's just a battle between two teams treading water. Wolverine fans are trying to find parallels in their past to make them feel better.  I think a win here will do that even better.

San Jose State @ No. 6 Boise State (KTVB, 3pm)

Is it me or all we all just waiting for Boise State to get upset?  The Broncos aren't taking any chances as they study up on the Spartans.

Missouri @ Colorado (FSN, 1:30pm)

It's never a good sign when the AD is making comments on his head coach's weekly press conferences, good or bad.  Despite both offense's affinity for scoring, this one has been a defensive battle in recent years.

Nebraska @ Baylor (Versus, 12:30pm)

The Huskers will do their best to keep turnovers to under a baker's dozen in this one.  They're matching up with a Baylor team that is still stinging from the loss of it's leader, QB Robert Griffin.

North Carolina State @ Florida State (Raycom, Noon)

NC State fans are wondering if Tom O'Brien really knows what he's doing. Florida State fans are wondering if the Davey O'Brein votes really know what they're doing, leaving Christian Ponder off their list.

No. 5 Cincinnati @ Syracuse (ESPNU, Noon)

No Tony Pike?  No problem.  Zach Colloros will step in for the 2nd straight week and the Bearcats should have another easy win.  Syracuse's Quest For Toronto (to play in the International Bowl) may hang in the balance depending in whether or not they can pull the upset.

NO THANKS, PLATE'S FULL

Tulane @ No. 9 LSU (Tiger Vision PPV, 8pm)

The Green Wave isn't very good so this should be a "work out the kinks" type of game for the Tigers.  And believe me, they've got a lot of kinks.

No. 11 Georgia Tech @ Vanderbilt (SEC Network, 7:30pm)

Webster's Dictionary defines Vanderbilt Football as "a futile act or event."  Actually, that's how Georgia Tech fans are defining it.  I'm not sure any team in the ACC should be calling down the thunder against anyone this season.

Eastern Michigan @ Arkansas (ESPNU, 7pm)

It's time for Arkansas for Buck Up.  The Hogs have the most brutal part of its schedule out of the way and this week should provide a reprieve. 

UNLV @ No. 8 TCU (Versus, 4pm)

TCU has the fourth-longest win streak in the FBS and has won 11 straight games at home.  UNLV shouldn't present much of a challenge to that. The Horned Frogs will continue to make their case in the BCS standings.

Arkansas State @ Louisville (WHAS, 4pm)

Arkansas State almost beat Iowa earlier this season so there's no reason to think they can't beat an already suspect Louisville who may be starting their 3rd-string, walk-on QB.  Kragthorpe might not make it to Sunday.

Duke @ Virginia (ESPN360, 3:30pm)

Hell froze over last week as Duke crushed NC State and moved to 4-3.  Yeah, it's been that kind of year in the ACC.

Coastal Carolina @ Clemson (ESPN360, 1:30pm)

Thanks to their win over Miami last week, the Coaches put Clemson in their Top 25. A win over something called Coastal Carolina might not push them over the top in the AP but it will help a lot of their players move up the award-nomination lists.

Southern Mississippi @ No. 15 Houston (CSS, 1pm)

If this were any other year we might still be talking about the Cougars and their plucky-rise-to-notoriety.  But with the Mid-Major glut going on in the Top 25, they're just another party crasher.

New Mexico State @ No. 17 Ohio State (BTN, Noon)

What week is this? A Week 1 match-up for the Buckeyes who should be able to use the game as a workout for their much-maligned offense.