Another Saturday, another afternoon packed to the brim with quality college football match-ups for our perusal. We're almost too spoiled as American football fans, with two straight days of happiness to look forward to every weekend in the fall.
Like normal, we will begin with the Arizona schools, then expand into our headline events for Saturday.
Arizona Wildcats at USC Trojans kicks off at 12:30 p.m. PST on Fox Sports Arizona. The Wildcats have truly struggled in 2011, losing three of their first four games. Things won't get any easier for them against the Trojans, a team that will look for retribution after being pummeled by Arizona State last weekend.
Oregon St. Beavers face the Arizona St. Sun Devils at 7:15 p.m. PST on Fox Sports Arizona. ASU, at 3-1, is primed to make a run in the Pac-12 South. They get a break from their difficult schedule on Saturday, facing the winless Beavers at home. Regardless, Brock Osweiler and the Sun Devils must execute if they want to win this one.
Lets take a look at the best games of the Saturday buffet.
#14 Texas A&M Aggies at #18 Arkansas Razorbacks: 9:00 a.m. PST on ESPN. Talk about a way to start the day. I'm not used to seeing such a high profile matchup being held so early on a Saturday, but I will not complain. Future conference-mates face off against each other in what should be a great game.
Michigan St. Spartans at Ohio St. Buckeyes: 12:30 p.m. PST on ABC. Sparty and the Bucks are both 3-1, losing games to tough non-conference opponents (Notre Dame and Miami (FL), respectively). Neither team is ranked, which is an unusual sight for these Big Ten stalwarts. Expect an interesting game early in the afternoon.
#13 Clemson Tigers at #11 Virginia Tech Hokies: 3:00 p.m. PST on ESPN2. Clemson has taken on all comers this year, defeating two consecutive ranked opponents and catapulting up the national rankings. Tech, on the other hand, scheduled four cupcakes so they could get the best possible record at the end of the season. What is the result? We will find out if the Hokies are for real; we already know the Tigers are.
#17 Texas Longhorns at Iowa St. Cyclones: 4:00 p.m. PST on FX. No, Iowa State is not on the national radar. They have, however, defeated two BCS conference opponents in their first three games of the season and could be a sleeper in the Big 12. Texas, of course, would love to smash them in Ames. Either way, it should make for an entertaining game to watch on commercial breaks.
#8 Nebraska Cornhuskers at #7 Wisconsin Badgers: 5:00 p.m. PST on ABC. Wisconsin has played at an incredible level behind Russell Wilson. Nebraska hasn't looked quite so tough in close wins over Fresno St. and Washington. Inevitably, all these games on Saturday will determine who the contenders are in several conference races. I think the Huskers are the pretender in this game.
#3 Alabama Crimson Tide at #12 Florida Gators: 5:00 p.m. PST on CBS. The SEC counters the Big Ten with a primetime game of their own, sending 'Bama into Gator country on national television. Wondering what Charlie Weis will do against the Tide pass rush? Me too.
There you have it, folks. An incredible slate of football on your dish tomorrow. Eat up!