IF YOU WATCH ONE GAME THIS WEEKEND …
Cal 31, Oregon 24
Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Why: Because this is the best game of the year so far. Because no one believes in shoot-’em-up Pac-10 teams, even though this might be the strongest conference in the nation right now. (Yes, SEC, I’m looking at you.) Because you need to see Justin Forsett, DeSean Jackson and Dennis Dixon.
Big question: What’s the over-under on total points, 110?
Read up: Jeff Tedford knows Autzen Stadium will be the toughest place Cal plays this season. … The Ducks lost one of their top wide receivers for the season, but Cameron Colvin filled the void last weekend as UO pulled away. … Corso & Co. are in town for the first time since 2001, and the buzz in Eugene is becoming a dull roar. … That feisty Duck will have to take on a Golden Bear this week. … Forsett and the O-line closed out last week’s win, but The Daily Cal wants to see more killer instinct from the Bears. … On MySpace, there’s a page devoted to UO backup running back Jeremiah Johnson’s stiff-arm. (Not that I can find it.) Dixon has some, uh, female fans.
IF YOU WATCH MORE THAN ONE …
South Florida 21, West Virginia 13
Friday, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Why: Because USF has taken Louisville’s place in the Big East’s “Big Three” — and it beat WVU last year. Because it’s about time the Mountaineers played somebody. Because maybe this guy will be there to root for his alma mater.
Big question: With a national TV audience and a sellout of the conference’s biggest stadium, how will the Bulls handle playing in front of the most eyeballs in program history?
Read up: The Mountaineers sort of had their season ruined by USF last season. … Some USF fans can’t believe how far the program has come. This is a moment the Bulls have been waiting for since joining the Big East. … Rich Rodriguez and at least one columnist were pretty darn pleased with the ECU win. … West Virginia’s anonymous receivers have been holding up their end of the bargain.
Wisconsin 37, Michigan State 34
Saturday, 3:30, ABC
Why: Because the Badgers have been on the cusp of a loss for weeks now, and the Spartans, for the first time in recent years, should give them a challenge. Because P.J. “Don’t Call Me ‘Ron Dayne’ ” Hill is worth a look.
Big question: Is Wisconsin slightly overrated or grandly overrated?
Read up: Freshman CB Aaron Henry and the Badgers love to blitz. … The Spartans have been here before, only to see it fall quickly apart. … Last week’s win against Iowa was true “Wisconsin football” — power running, defense and just-good-enough quarterback play. Remind me again how that differs from “Big Ten football”? … The Spartans fumbled on purpose last week. It confused even MSU linebacker Sir Darean Adams — again. … Joe Thomas, Wisconsin’s All-America left tackle last season, has been succeeded by a freshman. … Bret Bielema went to bat for Lance Smith, trying to get his No. 2 RB’s university suspension reduced. More troubling is the coach’s fondness for red-on-red uniforms. … Between all the red T-shirts and bathroom extracurriculars, Camp Randall Stadium is a fun place to be.
Kansas State 41, Texas 21
Saturday, 3:30, ABC
Why: Because we don’t know if the Longhorns are really good or just regular good, and K-State could give us a hint. Because the Wildcats’ thrilling upset last year in Manhattan was one of the best games of 2006.
Big question: The element of surprise is gone. Can the Wildcats compete with the Eyes of Texas upon them?
Read up: This was also the game last year where Colt McCoy got Lit Up. … Ron Prince is pretty damn impressed by Texas RB Jamaal Charles. Watch out also for K-State wideout Jordy Nelson, the primary weapon in a recent romp against I-AA Missouri State. … The Wildcats are coming off an open date, so expect some twists, wrinkles, etc. Prince claims they’ve been holding back some parts of the playbook to keep them off scouting tapes. The Longhorns say they’ll be ready. … After last week’s blowout of Rice, backup QB John Chiles has Austin agog. Everyone wants to use 2 QBs these days.
Auburn 20, Florida 17
Saturday, 8 p.m., ESPN
Why: Because Tim Tebow and the Gators are hella fun to watch. Because the Tigers — the last team to beat UF — know a win would save their sinking season, even if their odds seem slim. Because you never know who Tebow will kiss next.
Big question: How much will Florida win by?
Read up: Already missing WR Andre Caldwell, the Gators could be without WR Percy Harvin. … Other UF problems after a tight win at Ole Miss: pass rush, penalties and free safety play. Still, this is a defense that just about made the Vols cry. … Did you know “Auburn fans don’t boo“? They do now. Brandon Cox and the offense have not looked good. But then, the defense forced six turnovers last week. … The eternal question for an athletic quarterback: His running ability is what makes him so dynamic, but is his arm too important to risk? … Florida WR David Nelson really looks nothing like Chris Leak. Come on, Gators fans. Really.