Week 6 College Football Buffet: All the Saturday Games Worth Consuming

Inevitably, there's a point in every college football season when we're truly reminded how insignificant and silly preseason prognostication is.  It's fair to say we've reached that point in 2009.

The most obvious place to look is the polls.  Everyone was falling over themselves to talk about how good Oklahoma, Ohio State, Penn State, Mississippi, Oklahoma State, Cal and Notre Dame were two months ago.  Of that group only Ohio State remains in the top 10 and no one I know takes them seriously.  Certainly, Florida, Alabama and Texas hold on to the top spots at the moment, but do any of them seem to have a firm grip on the top spot?  It's pretty easy to imagine each of them getting beat any given Saturday.  Same goes for LSU, Virginia Tech and USC. 

And then there's the Heisman race.  Obviously you can't predict how injuries will affect things like this, but as far as anyone call tell, the injury to Sam Bradford has all but taken him out of the race and Tim Tebow's concussion might have just done the same.  After an entire off-season listening to every pundit talk about how the Heisman would undoubtedly go to one of these guys (or Colt McCoy), it looks like it's as wide open as ever.

I'm not complaining, mind you.  It's just something to remember around April when experts and prognosticators begin making it sound like they've got their finger on the pulse of the 2010 college football season. 

Anyway...it's time to eat. The food trays are piping hot, the bread is warm and flaky, the omelet bar chef is prepped and the butter dish is ice cold.  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. 1 Florida (4-0) at No. 4 LSU (5-0) - 8 p.m., CBS

Will the messiah rise?  Or will it be another seven days and nights without his guidance in Gainesville? If Tebow is resurrected in Baton Rouge it will fit the story nicely, considering it was against LSU that he "arrived." LSU knows that no matter who's at QB, it really doesn't matter.  Florida's offense is Florida's offense.

No. 3 Alabama (5-0) at No. 20 Mississippi (3-1) - 3:30 p.m., CBS

The way Bama fans see it, Ole Miss isn't quite the marquee matchup it was before the season started, but could certainly turn into one further down the road. The Rebels might not be where they hoped, but they're not above a little taunting of mighty Alabama even now.

I'LL HAVE A SCOOP OF THAT, PLEASE

Baylor (3-1) at No. 19 Oklahoma (2-2) - 3:30 p.m., ABC

Do the Sooners deserve to be ranked?  Most seem to think yes...barely. Of course, if Andre Ware keeps giving them bad juju, they'll be defunct in no time. With Sam Bradford now set to return, things might be looking up again for Oklahoma.

Wisconsin (5-0) at No. 9 Ohio State (4-1) - 3:30 p.m., ABC

One team is undefeated.  The other has a loss.  One isn't ranked.  The other is.  Of course, this is college football and things are never as they seem.  We don't know much about the Badgers except that they're a disciplined football team.  Hopefully they're disciplined enough to stock up on Robitussin cause the flu has his grips on Ohio State.

No. 17 Auburn (5-0) at Arkansas (2-2) - 12 p.m., ESPN

How is Auburn perceived around the country?  They're 5-0, but is it a quality 5-0?  A win this weekend will cease some second-guessing, plus it will avenge a 2008 loss to the Hogs.

FINAL SCORE: Arkansas 44, Auburn 23

Boston College (4-1) at No. 5 Virginia Tech (4-1) - 12 p.m., ESPN 360

The Eagles are a 12-point dog to the Hokies in Blacksburg. VT fans are just hoping that their ongoing success doesn't mean DC Bud Foster will be jumping ship to be a head coach soon.

FINAL SCORE: Virginia Tech 48, Boston College 14

No. 15 Oklahoma State (3-1) at Texas A&M (3-1) - 12:30 p.m.

Oklahoma State's loss of Dez Bryant was one of the big stories of the week in college football.  Apparently Deion Sanders is Texas A&M's 12th man.

No. 13 Oregon (4-1) at UCLA (3-1) - 3:30 p.m., ABC

UCLA is going to try to stretch the field, take advantage of opportunities and do the specific job each player is required to do.  Oregon is just going to try and stay healthy.

Michigan (4-1) at No. 12 Iowa (5-0) - 8:05 p.m., ABC

In their hearts, Michigan fans knew last week's loss was coming.  The timing isn't all that great, considering now they have to take on the stingy D of Iowa and they'll probably have to do it without RB Carlos Brown. Despite their ranking, Iowa fans aren't taking anything for granted, especially with Tate Forcier lining up against them.

LET ME TASTE IT FIRST...

West Virginia (3-1) at Syracuse (2-3) - 12 p.m., ESPN 360

The Schwartzwalder Trophy is once again up for grabs.  If West Virginia can hold onto it for the eighth consecutive year, it should do wonders for Bill Stewart's approval rating.

Georgia (3-2) at Tennessee (2-3) - 12:21 p.m., ESPN 360

Sometimes a match-up of ranked powers, this year's UGA-UT game will be between two middle of the pack SEC teams.  For both of them every win is crucial from here on out and the little things are going to make all the difference.

No. 22 Georgia Tech (4-1) at Florida State (2-3) - 8 p.m., ESPN2

It will be interesting to see how FSU responds to the head coaching coup that almost took place this week.  Especially as they'll be facing a Georgia Tech team that isn't relying on the run as much as you might think.

UConn (3-1) at Pittsburgh (4-1) - 3:30 p.m., ABC

A huge game for both teams in the Big East.  UConn is trying to prove they belong in the discussion for the conference crown while Pitt is trying to remind everyone they're already there.

Arizona (3-1) at Washington (2-3) - 10 p.m.

Arizona picked up a bye at exactly the right time this season.They've had a week to prepare for the Huskies, who are coming off a tough loss to Notre Dame but remain frisky.  This one may come down to Arizona's run game vs. Washington's defense.

I'LL KEEP THAT IN MIND FOR THE NEXT TRIP

Michigan State (2-3) at Illinois (1-3) - 12 p.m., BTN

The Illini are benching Juice Williams that might end up being the biggest decision Ron Zook makes at Illinois.  For the Spartans, the road ahead looks a lot better this week than it did before beating Michigan.

Houston (3-1) at Mississippi State (2-3) - 12:30 p.m., ESPNU

And with one ill-timed loss to UTEP, Houston dropped out of the polls and out of our hearts.  How quickly you go from BCS Buster to probably-can't-beat-MSU.

Iowa State (3-2) at No. 16 Kansas (4-0) - 12:30 p.m.

The tale of the tape says Kansas should roll on this as they quietly continue to climb the polls.  The last time ISU beat a ranked team on the road?  1990.

FINAL SCORE: Kansas 41, Iowa State 36

Kentucky (2-2) at No. 25 South Carolina (4-1) - 12:30 p.m., ESPN 360

Every year, South Carolina looks like they're about to fall off a cliff only to somehow end up ranked at some point.  It usually doesn't last long so savor it, Cock fans.  Kentucky fans can't help but look at the litany of mistakes that have cost them victories in this and past seasons.

FINAL SCORE: South Carolina 28, Kentucky 26

Maryland (2-3) at Wake Forest (3-2) - 6:30 p.m., ESPN 360

The Demon Deacons are gaining momentum just in time for this crucial game for both teams in ACC play.

Stanford (4-1) at Oregon State (3-2) - 7 p.m.

Oregon State better stock up on Beaver Soda before this one.  The winner will have an inside track to the top of the Pac-10.

Kansas State (3-2) at Texas Tech (3-2) - 7 p.m.

If Texas Tech's defenders can stuff the run while their offensive line remains intact, they should win this one.  Of course, if they give KSU opportunities and let them control the flow...maybe not.

No. 10 TCU (4-0) at Air Force (3-2) - 7:30 p.m.

If nothing else, TCU will be tested by the rough, mountain weather.

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

Colorado (1-3) at No. 2 Texas (4-0) - 7:15 p.m., ESPN 360

The Buffaloes' running attack and the Texas run D is the marquee match-up in this one.  Still, if Dan Hawkins has any chance of fulfilling his promise of 10 wins this season, he's got his work cut out for him.

Purdue (1-4) at Minnesota (3-2) - 12 p.m., ESPN2

Purdue fans are asking themselves What Would Joe Tiller Do in this situation?  Gopher fans might have the better record but they're still wondering what went wrong against Wisconsin last week.

Vanderbilt (2-3) at Army (2-3) - 12 p.m.

It looks like last season was an aberration as Vandy returns to the bottom of the SEC pile.

Indiana (3-2) at Virginia (1-3) - 3:30 p.m., ESPN 360

These two down-but-not-out programs will duke it out for the right to desperately hold on to bowl berth hopes.

Duke (2-3) at North Carolina State (3-2) - 4 p.m., ESPNU

I can assure you, despite the reasonable record, Duke still has a long way to go.

Utah (3-1) at Colorado State (3-2) - 6 p.m.

It wasn't that long ago that CSU gave Utah a hard time on a regular basis.  Without their star RB, the Utes will try to put that behind them and continue making their case for the MWC title.

No. 18 BYU (4-1) at UNLV (2-3) - 10 p.m.

When he's not busy calling out his own fans, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall will have to worry about the injuries and violations that are piling up as he prepares for the Runnin' Rebels.

NO THANKS, PLATE'S FULL

Miami, OH (0-5) at Northwestern (3-2) - 12 p.m., BTN

The Wildcats could use the reprieve the RedHawks provide.  Each of their last four games have been decided by six points or less.  In theory, that trend should cease.

Eastern Illinois (4-1) at No. 14 Penn State (4-1) - 12 p.m., ESPN Classic

Not much to say here as the Nittany should role.  So let's watch JoePa yell at a reporter.

FINAL SCORE: Penn State 52, Eastern Illinois 3

Arizona State (2-2) at Washington State (1-4) - 5 p.m.

Last week the Arizona State offense got shut down by Oregon State.  They'll try to knock down the dam this week, shouldn't be too hard given the Cougars' injury situation.

Southern Miss (3-2) at Louisville (1-3) - 7:30 p.m., ESPNU

Kragthorpe Stays!  For now...  If Louisville loses this one, they'll wish they hadn't squashed the report.

Georgia Southern (3-2) at North Carolina (3-2) - 3:30 p.m., ESPN 360

This cupcake can't come soon enough for the Tar Heels and their suspect offensive line.

Texas Southern (1-3) at Rutgers (3-1) - 3:30 p.m.

Rutgers will continue it's march through the sofy underbelly of NCAA scheduling.  If they don't score at least 50 there should be cause for concern.

Florida A&M (4-0) at No. 11 Miami, FL (3-1) - 7 p.m., ESPN 360

Well, at least the halftime show will be entertaining.

Top 25 Bye Week: No. 7 USC, No. 8 Cincinnati, No. 23 South Florida (No. 21 Nebraska and No. 24 Missouri played Thursday night.