The college football weekend has arrived, and we're here with your menu. So let's find out what games look tasty and which might be worth pushing to the side of your plate in this weekend's college football buffet. (All times for the television broadcasts and games are EDT.)
GIVE ME A HEAPING HELPING
No. 23 South Carolina at No. 22 Florida, ESPN (7:15 PM ET) - It's the SEC East Championship for all intents and purposes. Marcus Lattimore, Steve Spurrier and the rest of the Gamecocks would love to bear Florida in order to advance.
No. 19 Mississippi State at No. 12 Alabama, ESPN2 (7:15 PM ET) - While the ranks of teams wanting to ruin Alabama's aspirations to greatness have never been wanting for members, the Mississippi State Bulldogs have done a lot of desecrating over the years. MSU, though, has their hands full with this Cam Newton business.
I'LL HAVE A SCOOP OF THAT, PLEASE
No. 24 Kansas State at No. 17 Missouri, FSN-National (12:30 PM ET) - Kansas State is back in the BCS standings for the first time since 2006 The Wildcats' Power Trap is what Missouri has their eye on heading into this one.
Penn State at No. 9 Ohio State, ABC/ESPN (3:30 PM ET) - Joe Paterno won his 400th game last weekend against Northwestern. His reward is a game in Columbus against the Buckeyes. Don't know if you've noticed but, in the purest mathematical sense, Evan Royster is the greatest running back to ever wear a Penn State uniform.
No. 1 Oregon at California, Versus/Versus-3D (7:30 PM ET) - Stopping Cal's Shane Vereen early is the key to winning the day in Berkeley for the Ducks. The Bears do not want to see a repeat of last year's debacle.
I'LL TASTE IT FIRST...
Indiana at No. 7 Wisconsin, ESPN2 (12:00 PM ET) - Indiana clings to its hopes for bowl eligibility against Wisconsin, which remains in the hunt for the Rose Bowl. The Badgers are hoping running back John Clay can make it back for this one.
Georgia at No. 2 Auburn, CBS (3:30 PM ET) - Lost in the uproar over Cam Newton's alleged academic shenanigans and financial statements has been the fact that there's actually a football game being played in Auburn and Cameron Newton will be playing in it. Amidst the allegations, Auburn fans still cling to the hope they're untrue.
Texas Tech at No. 16 Oklahoma, ABC/GamePlan (3:30 PM ET) - Texas Tech continues to be pretty good at stopping the run. Not great, but good. They'll need to be great if they want to stop Doak Walker semifinalist DeMarco Murray.
No. 20 Virginia Tech at North Carolina, ABC/ESPN/GamePlan (3:30 PM ET) - The Hokies have gotten back on track but this is also Virginia Tech's first road game in well over a month. A win here not only helps themselves but also Boise State.
San Diego State at No. 3 TCU, Versus (4:00 PM ET) - With the demolition of the west side of Amon G. Carter Stadium scheduled for December 5th, this Saturday will mark the final home game in "The Carter" as we know it.
No. 25 Texas A&M at Baylor, FSN-National (7:00 PM ET) - Baylor needs to re-establish themselves after last week's blowout loss to Oklahoma State. Wrong time to play resurgent Texas A&M.
No. 6 Stanford at Arizona State, FCS-Central/FSN-AZ (7:30 PM ET) - The Cardinal are still clinging to a shot at BCS hopes. Arizona State is going to need better games from its kickers than last week if they want to win.
No. 10 Oklahoma State at Texas, ABC/GamePlan (8:00 PM ET) - A few years ago, Texas said stats are for losers. This year, Mack Brown is all about stats. Stats might not help them this week as the Cowboys try to seal a spot in the Big 12 Championship game.
USC at No. 18 Arizona, ABC/GamePlan (8:00 PM ET) - After really breaking out against Cal, the USC offense has looked stagnant/conservative against Oregon and ASU. It's a make-or-break week for both teams as they try to lock down Pac-10 seedings.
I'LL KEEP THAT IN MIND FOR THE NEXT TRIP
No. 13 Iowa at Northwestern, ESPN (12:00 PM ET) - NU is 22-46-3 against the Hawkeyes all-time but they're 8-5 since 1995. In other words, Admiral Ackbar is all over this one as his It's A Trap lock of the week.If any Iowa fans are heading to the game, don't worry, tickets are available...
Miami (FL) at Georgia Tech, ACC Network/GamePlan (12:00 PM ET) - This one is a battle of the back-up quarterbacks and which one makes the big mistake first. Georgia Tech would just love to cover up Miami with their Jackets.
South Florida at Louisville, ESPNU (12:00 PM ET) - QB Adam Froman won't play for the Cards in this one. They did just fine without him last week.
Wake Forest at North Carolina State, ESPN3com (2:00 PM ET) - Last year was a throwaway season for the Demon Deacons but Wolfpack fans remain wary due to recent history.
No. 14 Utah at Notre Dame, NBC (2:30 PM ET) - 20 years ago, there would have been little doubt which of these teams would be ranked and expected to win. My how things have changed. Brian Kelly is officially "under fire" at Notre Dame, but does it matter yet?
Syracuse at Rutgers, ESPNU (3:30 PM ET) - All of Syracuse's big wins have come on the road and this is their final road game of the season. A lot of people say this game has huge affects on recruiting but some aren't convinced.
Michigan at Purdue, Big Ten Network (12:00 PM ET) - Last week's game was a microcosm of the last three years for Wolverine fans. If Purdue wants any shot at playing in a bowl, this is a must-win.
I DON'T KNOW...SMELLS KINDA FUNNY...
No. 4 Boise State at Idaho, ESPN2/ESPN3D (Friday, 9:00 PM ET) - The Vandals will lose if they cannot get Boise State's defensive line under control. The Vandals are 117th out of 120 teams in sacks allowed this season.
Boston College at Duke, ESPN3com (12:00 PM ET) - There is a very realistic chance this could be a "first one to six points wins" kind of game.
Cincinnati at West Virginia, Big East Network/GamePlan (12:00 PM ET) - Hey, what IS a Bearcat and why does it have a wispy mustache? This one was supposed to be for Big East title consideration...not this year.
Minnesota at Illinois, Big Ten Network (12:00 PM ET) - Was Illinois' loss to Michigan last week just a weird game or was it a harbinger of doom? As far as Minnesota is concerned, this season is just filler until they find a new coach.
Mississippi at Tennessee, CBS (12:00 PM ET) - Derek Dooley will end his first season in Knoxville without a signature win. Ole Miss hasn't won many games either but they're still dreaming of their bowl chances.
Vanderbilt at Kentucky, SEC Network/GamePlan (12:21 PM ET) - Kentucky's win over Charleson Southern last week left more questions than answers for Wildcat fans. The question this week for the Commodores isn't so much "can they win" as much as it is "can they avoid another blowout loss?"
Iowa State at Colorado, FCS-Central (1:30 PM ET) - The Dan Hawkins Era is over and the Buffalos are already thinking about who will eventually replace him. Iowa State has a chance for bowl eligibility and are excited, but scared, for this one.
Maryland at Virginia, ESPN3com (3:30 PM ET) - A matter of days ago, Ralph Friedgen's job seemed fairly secure. The loss to Miami may have open those wounds again. A loss here would do it for sure.
Washington State at Oregon State, FCS-Atlantic/FSN-NW (4:00 PM ET) - Oregon St. needs two wins just to become bowl eligible, and with USC, a trip to #7 Stanford, and a visit from #1 Oregon still ahead, it's a must win for the Beavers. The Cougars are just hoping for some turnovers so they can stay in this one.
Kansas at No. 8 Nebraska, FSN-PPV (7:00 PM ET) - Other than the return of Turner Gill, it's hard for Husker fans to get that excited about this game. The Jayhawks just want to keep this one competitive...cause it could get ugly.
UTEP at No. 15 Arkansas, ESPNU (7:00 PM ET) - If things get a little crazy, the Hogs can still play for the SEC title. The Miners are no pushover, they're already bowl eligible.
Clemson at Florida State, ABC/GamePlan (8:00 PM ET) - This one is a battle of two pretty-good-but-nothing-special offenses.
NO THANKS, PLATE'S FULL
Ball State at Buffalo, ESPNU (Friday, 6:00 PM ET) - The complete collapse of both of these teams since 2008 takes a lot of the fun out of this contest. Both teams are out of any kind of meaningful race (save staying out of the basement).
Brigham Young at Colorado State, The Mtn. (2:00 PM ET) - There's a lot of similarities between these two. Both teams are starting true freshman quarterbacks and both defenses have improved week-to-week.
Louisiana-Monroe at No. 5 LSU, GamePlan (7:00 PM ET) - LSU comes to the final quarter of the season off of its best offensive performance of the season. So was that a peak, or just the start of another incline?
Wyoming at UNLV, The Mtn. (10:00 PM ET) - Two teams with five game losing streaks doesn't sound very exciting to most fans. But with defenses that each give up over 30+ points this should be a high scoring affair .