Five Intriguing Games This Weekend – From the Bird’s Nest

Another Saturday off for the Cajuns' means more football watching.  However, while I'm not going to say pickins are slim....well....pickins are slim.

But there are a few this weekend worth paying attention to.  These are mine.

N. C. STATE at FLORIDA STATE (Saturday 2:30, ESPN/ABC, check local listings) - How many times have I talked about this:  A team gets a huge emotional win and then can't get it done the following week.  It happened last week in Oxford.  Seminoles need to make sure they're prepared as the Wolfpack isn't a terrible football team.  Playing at home could make the difference  for FSU.

TEXAS TECH at OKLAHOMA (Saturday, 2:30, FOX) - Kliff Kingsbury has been a great story this year.  The 34 year old alumnus has people excited about the Red Raiders, who are still undefeated.  But the tough part of the schedule begins with this game in Norman.  And, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Baylor and Texas are waiting on deck.  That could be a bit much for the Raiders to handle.  And, the wailing and gnashing of teeth just might start on the caprock beginning tomorrow.

TROY at WESTERN KENTUCKY - (Saturday, 3pm, ESPN3) - This is the marquee Sun Belt matchup.  WKU already has two losses in the league, but Troy has just one, and that was to Arkansas State.  Troy's pass defense is abysmal...but they can move the football.  Turnovers could be the difference.  WKU has turned it over 22 times.  But Troy has only four takeaways (thanks to Chad Bishop of the Bowling Green Daily News).  Note to Bobby Petrino:  If you have fourth and goal from the one, give it to your bell cow.

SOUTH CAROLINA at MISSOURI (Saturday, 6pm, ESPN2) - South Carolina got caught last week against Tennessee, while MIzzou just keeps rolling.  Like the FSU/NC State game, a team with an emotional win is playing at home.  But South Carolina is a lot better than NCSU.  And the Gamecocks aren't happy.  All over the state they're shouting MIZZOU-RAH!  We'll see Saturday if that continues.

UCLA at OREGON (Saturday, 6pm, ESPN) - Back to back tough ones for UCLA, who drew the short straw when it came to playing the PAC-12 north.  Jim Mora's squad has kind of been the forgotten team while Oregon and Stanford get all the publicity.  But now the Bruins go to Autzen Stadium.  That's not good.