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. 3 TCU at No. 5 Utah, CBS College Sports (3:30 PM ET) - You know the college football landscape has shifted when ESPN's Gameday crew will be here and not the SEC or Big Ten. The winner puts themselves in prime position for a BCS bowl, possibly more. If the Frogs want to beat the Utes, perhaps they should look at what Air Force did against them.
No. 6 Alabama at No. 10 LSU, CBS (3:30 PM ET) - In Les Miles' first three years at LSU, the team's November record was 11-1. The last two years, the Tigers have been 3-5. Injuries are what keep Alabama fans up late at night, concerned over how much their team can accomplish.
No. 18 Arkansas at No. 19 South Carolina, ESPN (7 PM ET) - One of the big narratives going into this game is the state of the Carolina pass defense against Arkansas's, to put it mildly, highly successful passing game. The Hogs still have dreams of a BCS bowl but that would mean winning every game from here out.
No. 15 Arizona at No. 13 Stanford, ABC/GamePlan (8 PM ET) - Wildcat fans are tired of hearing about how "overrated" their defense is. The Zona-Stanford rivalry might not be among the nation's elite but there's certainly a lot of great games in their history. This one might join that group.
I'LL HAVE A SCOOP OF THAT, PLEASE
No. 21 Baylor at No. 17 Oklahoma State, FSN-National (12:30 PM ET) - Robert Griffin is having a monster season, throwing 2,373 yards and 18 touchdowns, though to be fair he's done most of that against Sam Houston State, Buffalo, Rice and Kansas.
Hawai'i at No. 4 Boise State, ESPNU/ESPN-3D (3:30 PM ET) - The Broncos welcome the Warriors to town in what is likely their toughest test before the Nevada game. Hawaii is 7-2 and technically in first place in the WAC...for now.
No. 12 Missouri at Texas Tech, ABC/GamePlan (8 PM ET) - Texas Tech's 20 sacks (third in the Big 12) seems like a testament to defensive coordinator James Willis, but in fact, the Red Raiders sacks per game rate has dropped from 3.08 a year ago to 2.5 per game in 2010. The Missouri rushing game isn't great, but the Tigers are 23rd in the nation in passing and 33rd in the nation in scoring offense.
I'LL TASTE IT FIRST...
Illinois at Michigan, ESPN (Noon ET) - Michigan actually got a bit of good news for once as they were cleared of any wrongdoing in their NCAA compliance hearing. Unfortunately, there's bad news in the form of Nathan Scheelhaase coming their way this weekend.
Maryland at Miami (FL), ESPNU (Noon ET) - Canes star QB Jacory Harris definitely won't start and probably won't play in this one. At the mid-season point it been a year of starkly-contrasting images for Miami.
No. 8 Oklahoma at Texas A&M, FSN-National (7 PM ET) - Is it possible to have a breakout year when you've already been good for two seasons? Ryan Broyles is trying to prove its possible. Mathematically the Aggies still have a chance to win their division although the logistics might make your head spin.
Louisville at Syracuse, Big East Network (Noon ET) - Basement Bowl, no longer. The Orange are one win away from clinching their first bowl bid since 2004. The Cardinals are going to have a heckuva time stopping that without their QB and RB.
I'LL KEEP THAT IN MIND FOR THE NEXT TRIP
No. 16 Iowa at Indiana, Big Ten Network (Noon ET) - IU had its way with Iowa earlier in the decade, upsetting the then-ranked Hawkeyes in 2006 and beating them again the next season. Since then, however, the Iowa program has rebounded. Iowa should win, assuming Angry Iowa Running Bank Hating God doesn't strike down Adam Robinson for good.
No. 25 North Carolina State at Clemson, ACC Network/GamePlan (Noon ET) - The sobering reality is that NC State has not found success often in the ACC. Clemson will have to run the football this week to win and cannot deviate too far from the running game.
No. 7 Nebraska at Iowa State, ABC/GamePlan (3:30 PM ET) - Last year it took eight Husker turnovers and an anemic Nebraska offense for ISU to pull off the upset. The Cyclones are going to have to attack with the run if they want any chance to do it again. Eight more turnovers wouldn't hurt either.
Northwestern at Penn State, ABC/ESPN2 (3:30 PM ET) - Penn State looks to avoid the big game hangover this week as the Wildcats come to Happy Valley. Regardless of this game, its a fair bet that Northwestern will go bowling.
Oregon State at UCLA, Versus (7 PM ET) - UCLA's offense is having issues. The passing offense is ranked 117th, scoring offense 96th and our total offense is ranked 103rd in the nation. The Bruins are hoping a rally like the one they had against the Beavers last year will catapult them in the right direction.
Texas at Kansas State, ESPN2 (8 PM ET) - What was once Game of the Year in the Big 12 is now an afterthought. Doesn't mean the Wildcats can't dream of a bowl game and Texas fans can have insane dreams of still winning the National Title this season.
Arizona State at USC, FSN-National (10:30 PM ET) - It's been over a decade since the Arizona St. Sun Devils defeated the USC Trojans, something Dennis Erickson is surely keeping in mind as his job might hang in the balance. USC is hoping Matt Barkley is ready to bounce back from his worst game of the season.
I DON'T KNOW...SMELLS KINDA FUNNY...
Central Florida at Houston, ESPN2 (Friday, 8 PM ET) - Worth noting if only because within two years this could end up being a Big East matchup.
No. 9 Wisconsin at Purdue, Big Ten Network (Noon ET) - Ball security remains a top priority for the Badgers. Still, with the No. 2 scoring defense in the Big Ten, Wisconsin shouldn't have any issues in this one.
Minnesota at No. 14 Michigan State, Big Ten Network (Noon ET) - The Spartans gets to rebound from last Saturday's horror show by welcoming the lowly Gophers to town. Minnesota has so many coaching possible people in mind for their next coach, they've created a bracket.
Virginia at Duke, ESPN3com (Noon ET) - The Blue Devils still searching for their first win in league play. They'll also try to narrow Virginia's 32-29 series lead.
Air Force at Army, CBS College Sports (Noon ET) - Air Force is looking to wrap up it's first Commander-in-Chief's Trophy since 2002 and 17th overall. They defeated Navy earlier in the season.
Florida at Vanderbilt, SEC Network/GamePlan (12:21 PM ET) - Despite it being a down year, the Gators still control their own destiny to win the SEC East. Destiny seems on their side as well, knocking Vandy's top rusher out for the year with a wrist injury.
Colorado at Kansas, (2 PM ET) - This game might be the Jayhawks last hope of getting a win in conference. The Buffs still hope for a bowl but they're going to have to play a more complete game if they want it.
Washington at No. 1 Oregon, ABC/ESPN2/GamePlan (3:30 PM ET) - Jake Locker is out, redshirt freshman Keith Price is in. Don't expect any mercy from Oregon, in case you didn't know they really, really hate Washington (and the feeling's mutual).
North Carolina at No. 24 Florida State, ABC/GamePlan (3:30 PM ET) - Which Tar Heel team will square off against FSU on Saturday? If it's the one that only beat William & Mary by four, then it's the one going home with a loss.
Boston College at Wake Forest, ESPN3com (3:30 PM ET) - BC's Luke Kuechly is averaging 14.8 tackles per game in his last 5 games, a pace that will break the school single-season record. Not bad considering his defensive-minded coach is officially on the hot seat.
California at Washington State, CSN-CA/FSN-NW (4 PM ET) - Cal's on the road and that usually spells doom for them this year. Last year's Cal game was something of a coming out party for the then-freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel, who's trying get something, anything going for the Cougs.
NO THANKS, PLATE'S FULL
Idaho State at Georgia, WSB (GA)/GamePlan (12:30 PM ET) - The Bulldogs are coming off an emotionally-draining loss to Florida, so believe it or not there is reason for concern again Bengals.
Chattanooga at No. 2 Auburn, PPV (AL)/GamePlan (1 PM ET) - You may have heard some rumors about Heisman front-runner Cam Newton in the last day or so. Newton remains eligible and with that, Auburn remains a National Title contender.
UNLV at Brigham Young, The Mtn. (2 PM ET) - UNLV is looking for only it's 4th win ever over the Cougars. That's not going to be easy considering the Rebels have more than a dozen starters out with injury.
Temple at Kent State, (2 PM ET) - This one's a deceptively important game and could tangle up the MAC East.
No. 23 Nevada at Idaho, WAC Network/GamePlan (5 PM ET) - Kaeperneck was back to his fleet-footed wrecking-ball ways last week against Utah State for 190 passing yards, 102 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Wyoming at New Mexico, The Mtn. (6 PM ET) - The Wyoming Cowboys are looking for the cure to what ails them: losses. The win-less New Mexico Lobos look to be perfect medicine for teams that need a boost in the Win column.
Louisiana-Lafayette at Mississippi, ESPNU (7 PM ET) - When MSU comes to town, it's Hate Week. So when ULL comes to town...does that make this Love Week?
Tennessee at Memphis, CBS College Sports (8 PM ET) - As bad as its been at times this year for Tennessee, they really should beat Memphis on Saturday. Should being the operative word.