Five Intriguing Games This Weekend

An SEC East showdown, a chance for a school to make a statement and the first of two road tests for the Pac-12 favorite are highlighting my games this week. (Honorable mention to Wisconsin-Michigan State as the Badgers begin a stretch of five brutal games in a row, four against teams currently undefeated.

Here are the others to keep an eye on:

#13 FLORIDA STATE (2-1) at SOUTH FLORIDA (3-0) (+5') 11am ABC--I can hear it now: "Man, I'd hate to be South Florida this week. Florida State is really mad." I don't think I feel that way at all. South Florida gets a home game, and Florida State, still smarting from that embarrassment at Louisville, has an important ACC game against North Carolina next week. And, even without all that, the Bulls are good. Willie Taggart's squad is solid and they've outscored their opponents 149-50. They already have a decisive win over an ACC school.and this team is flying under the radar as much as any team in America. USF will be favored in almost every game the rest of the way. It's early...but who knows what happens if the Bulls can get this one.

#19 FLORIDA (3-0, 1-0) at #14 TENNESSEE (3-0) (-6) 2:30 pm CBS--We can't say the winner of this game will win the SEC East--Georgia will have plenty to say about that. We also can't say the loser of this game is out of the race. But here's one of those early season showdowns in the SEC, which will seem to have a showdown just about every week between now and the end of the season. Florida's schedule has been weak, but they've only allowed 14 points so far this season. The Gators will need that defense: QB Luke del Rio (762 yards, 6 TD) is out this week.

#18 LSU (2-1, 1-0) at AUBURN (1-2, 0-1) (+3') 5pm ESPN--This one is being dubbed the "Buyout Bowl," and while that may be premature, reality is both fan bases are up in arms right now. Auburn's question is, can they get their offense untracked against a good LSU defense after being held under twenty points by both Clemson and Texas A&M? LSU's question is, does quarterback Danny Etling continue to improve? LSU has yet to cover in a game this year. This would be a pretty good time to start. One thing is certain: Sportstalk radio is going to be very interesting the rest of the season for the team that loses.

#7 STANFORD (2-0, 1-0) at UCLA (2-1) (+3) 7pm ABC--Everyone in the south undervalues the Pac-12. Unless we stay up late, we don't watch them a lot and, hey, it's not the SEC or ACC, right? Well, here's a clue for you. Stanford is really, really, really good. It doesn't mean, however, they're simply going to win by showing up. The Cardinal has a chance to make its impression in the next two weeks, with this game and a showdown at Washington next week Win those and watch the CFP projections when they come out next month.

#10 TEXAS A&M (3-0, 1-0) vs.#17 ARKANSAS (3-0) (+6) 8pm, ESPN--A neutral site game in Arlington and the first true sign of the strength (besides Alabama) in the SEC West. Texas A&M certainly has the better resume with wins over UCLA and Auburn. But this looks to be one of Bret Bielema's better teams. And, the Hogs always seem to get better as the season goes on. This has a chance to be a really good way to wrap up your Saturday.

(lines courtesy of vegasinsider.com)