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

Wow.

Hard to believe there are only three weeks left in the college football regular season.  And, for most teams, only two.

Conference titles, bowl eligibillity, BCS Standings...it's all worth watching.

Here are five I'll be keeping track of:

KENT STATE (9-1, 6-0) AT BOWLING GREEN (7-3, 5-1)--  ESPN3  11AM

This one is for the MAC East division title and a berth in the championship game against Northern Illinois, who clinched their side last night.  Bowling Green started 1-3 (including a loss to Florida) but has won six straight.  The Golden Flashes are on an eight game streak.  Something has to give in this one.  Kent State's only loss is to Kentucky.  Think they'd like to have that one back?

HOUSTON (4-6, 3-3) AT MARSHALL (4-6, 3-3)

Everyone in the Sun Belt is a Thundering Herd fan, or should be.  The chances of Marshall getting bowl eligible are pretty slim, given they travel to East Carolina next week.  Houston, on the other hand, has Tulane at home next week, so if the Cougars win, they're in great shape.  If six Sun Belt teams wind up eligible this game could have a bearing on if someone has to stay home.

UTAH STATE (8-2, 4-0) AT LOUISIANA TECH (9-1, 4-0)--3PM ESPN3

Of the seven teams in the WAC, Louisiana Tech is getting the love.  They are nationally ranked, they've cracked the top 25 in the BCS despite a poor computer ranking, they lead the nation in scoring, and their quarterback has thrown 403 passes this year with 27 touchdowns and no interceptions.....and they're a home underdog this week.  Utah State has just two losses, one by two points to Wisconsin and the other by three points to BYU.  Unlike Tech and the rest of the WAC, the Aggies can defend.  I'm curious to see if USU can get this done in Ruston.  Something tells me no.  We'll see.

SYRACUSE (5-5) AT MISSOURI (5-5)--ESPNU 6pm

Syracuse is now in great shape to get to a bowl game after their stunning upset of Louisville last week.  They've got a game at Temple next week which should be win #6 even if they lose this week.  Mizzou, meanwhile really needs this one with Texas A&M on the horizon.  A Syracuse win here would probably open up a regional bowl to a Sun Belt team.  Along with Houston at Marshall, this is the big game for scoreboard watchers from the Sun Belt.

STANFORD (8-2, 6-1) AT OREGON (10-0, 7-0)--7PM, ABC

With a win, Oregon clinches a berth in the Pac-12 title game.  Stanford would not clinch with a win, as they must go to UCLA next week.  Stanford really should be 9-1 and would be if replay officials in South Bend had a clue.  But it's really going to be tough to win at Autzen Stadium.  Still, even at home, the Ducks, because of Stanford's defense, will have to work to get this one.