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Welcome back to the College Football Weekly Buffet here at SB Nation.
Every week, I break down the weekend schedule, separating the tasty morsels from the leftovers with the help of SB Nation's college bloggers. By the time you wake up Saturday morning, grab your plate and head for the food line, you'll already know exactly what you're going to chow down on.
So 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. 9 Oklahoma at No. 8 Kansas State, ESPN/ESPN3 (3:30 PM) - Oklahoma defensive tackle Stacy McGee will be given the honor of Austin Box's #12 jersey this week against Kansas State. Coming off the loss to Texas Tech, expect the Sooners to unleash hell.
No. 11 Michigan State at No. 14 Nebraska, ESPN/ESPN3 (12:00 PM) - The Spartans are all about preventing a letdown this week, though they've got a pretty tough opponent to do it against. Expect the Blackshirts to focus in on MSU running backs Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell.
I'LL HAVE A SCOOP OF THAT, PLEASE
No. 6 Stanford at USC, ABC or GamePlan/ESPN3 (8:00 PM) - While many have marveled at the production of the Stanford offense, no one should go to sleep on the Stanford Defense. USC doesn't lose big at home often, but this might just be one of those times.
No. 15 Wisconsin at Ohio State, ESPN/ESPN3 (8:00 PM) - The Badgers still have their eye set on winning the Big Ten despite their loss. The Badgers must now travel to Columbus and beat Ohio State to maintain their berth in the Big Ten title game.
No. 5 Clemson at Georgia Tech, ABC or GamePlan/ESPN3 (8:00 PM) - The numbers don't lie, Clemson fans show up at Georgia Tech for this game. They also don't lie about Georgia Tech's rushing yardage.
No. 22 Georgia vs. Florida @Jacksonville, FL, CBS (3:30 PM) - The Georgia Bulldogs enter this weekend ranked 47th overall in the passing game, and 55th overall in the rushing game. The Gators' defense is somehow 6th overall against the pass, and 34th overall against the rush. Georgia fans would love to turn this rivalry on its head starting here and now.
Baylor at No. 3 Oklahoma State, ABC or ESPN2 or GamePlan/ESPN3 (3:30 PM) - Oklahoma State's defense has been a model of consistency all year. They're gonna have to keep that up with Robert Griffin III lining up against them.
I'LL TASTE IT FIRST...
No. 13 South Carolina at Tennessee, ESPN2/ESPN3 (7:15 PM) - Is South Carolina's defense overrated? Might not matter if Tennessee can't figure out its QB situation.
Arizona at Washington, FSN-National (10:30 PM) - Thanks to that massive brawl last week, young players like Cortez Johnson are going to have to step up for Arizona. Expect a lot of scoring and not a lot of defense here.
Illinois at No. 19 Penn State, ABC or ESPN2/ESPN3 (3:30 PM) - Illinois finds itself in a must-win game after back-to-back losses ruined a perfect start. They'll do well to mind outside linebacker Gerald Hodges, who had an absolutely monster game last week.
Purdue at No. 18 Michigan, ESPN2/ESPN3 (12:00 PM) - The Wolverines are learning that they live and die with Denard Robinson. Michigan presents an interesting challenge for the Purdue defense, but one that they can handle if last week's win over Illinois is any indication.
Missouri at No. 16 Texas A&M, FX (12:00 PM) - It's a match-up of current Big 12 teams that will soon be a match-up of SEC teams. Despite the fact that Missouri comes into this game unranked and 3-4 on the season, they match up fairly well with A&M.
I'LL KEEP THAT IN MIND FOR THE NEXT TRIP
Mississippi State at Kentucky, SEC Network (Regional)/ESPN3/GamePlan (7:00 PM) - These two teams are pretty similar statistically and could make for a good game. It might even be good enough to get Kentucky fans to pay attention as basketball season starts up.
Mississippi at No. 23 Auburn, ESPNU (7:00 PM) - Trovon Reed could be the key to victory for Auburn over Ole Miss. With questions surrounding the Ole Miss defense, quarterback and offensive line, this could be a prime opportunity for a classic Houston Nutt surprise.
Iowa State at No. 20 Texas Tech, FSN-National (7:00 PM) - Iowa State came within inches of beating Texas A&M last week. Will they be able to get that close to Oklahoma-killer Texas Tech?
No. 25 West Virginia at Rutgers, ABC or GamePlan/ESPN3 (3:30 PM) - This game might be more important for what's happening off the field (West Virginia to the Big 12, Eric LeGrand running with the Knights) than what's happening on it.
Syracuse at Louisville, Big East Network/ESPN3/GamePlan (12:00 PM) - The surprising Orange are led by quarterback Ryan Nassib, who is emerging as a real threat. Surprising Louisville is hoping to make this Homecoming a memorable one.
North Carolina State at Florida State, ESPNU (12:00 PM) - The Seminoles were supposed to be back this season--maybe not quite mid-1990s back back, but still they had a lot of believers after last year's run to the ACC championship game. FSU is coming off a dominant performance against Maryland and while N.C State has not been better than Maryland, but they are likely better right now.
Brigham Young vs. TCU @Arlington, TX, ESPN/ESPN3 (Friday, 8:00 PM) - In the last three match-ups between these two, we've seen very different teams on the field. This year, TCU lacks an iron-tight defense this season; BYU lacks a very dangerous passing game this season. So expect something different yet again.
I DON'T KNOW...SMELLS FUNNY...
Kansas at No. 24 Texas, Longhorn Network/Jayhawk Sports Network (7:00 PM) - This game will be on the Longhorn Network, if you can find it. If Kansas and Turner Gill are going to start working to cool that seat that has recently heated up, they will have an opportunity to compete.
Oregon State at Utah, KJZZ (UT)/Root-Northwest (8:00 PM) - Utah football is having a very tough first year in the Pac-12.Last week's win gave Oregon State a chance to see their own potential.
California at UCLA, PrimeTicket (7:00 PM) - The Cal defense and the UCLA defense has something in common, they've both given up a ton of yards.
Colorado at No. 21 Arizona State, FSN-Arizona/Root-Rocky Mountain/FCS-Pacific (6:30 PM) - Vontaze Burfict is an All-American candidate in his play and in finger-pointing. Looking at the numbers, he shouldn't have any problems keeping it up against the Buffs.
Navy at Notre Dame, NBC (3:30 PM) - Navy has the chance for their first-ever three-game winning streak against the Irish.
Washington State at No. 7 Oregon, FSN-National (3:00 PM) _ The Ducks defense might be able to shut down WSU QB Marshall Lobbestael but can they do better on a test than WSU receiver Jared Karstetter?
No. 12 Virginia Tech at Duke, ACC Network (National)/ESPN3/GamePlan (12:30 PM) - There's a light at the end of the tunnel for the beaten and battered Hokies. Get by the Blue Devils and a bye week awaits them prior to a difficult November slate.
No. 10 Arkansas at Vanderbilt, SEC Network (National)/ESPN3/GamePlan (12:21 PM) - Vanderbilt faces their last opportunity to pull a monumental upset this Saturday when they host #8 Arkansas at Dudley Field. Arkansas fans seem to be looking past this one, could the team be as well?
NO THANKS, PLATE'S FULL
Iowa at Minnesota, BTN (3:30 PM) - When it comes to the Iowa offense and Minny defense, this is a match-up of the movable object and the stoppable force. At least it gives us an excuse to look at funny pictures.
Boston College at Maryland, ACC Network (Regional)/ESPN3/GamePlan (3:00 PM) - Two ACC bottom-dweller fight for a rare piece of momentum in a game likely to be held in terrible weather and in front of a small crowd. Yeah, this isn't gonna be a masterpiece. But hey, at least players are graduating.
Northwestern at Indiana, BTN (12:00 PM) - It's a testament to where the 2011 Hoosiers stand that a game in which IU is a 9 point home underdog may be IU's best remaining chance for a win. Meanwhile, Northwestern's season hasn't gone according to plan...