The Five Questions That Will Be Answered This Week In College Football

Outside of the PAC-10, there are not any big games in college football this week. Even the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry isn't demanding the attention it has commanded in past years, due to a struggling Michigan team.

Although your eyes may not be glued to the television Saturday, there are a few story lines that you have to be aware of. Here are five questions that will be answered this week when it's all said and done.

5. Is No. 17 Stanford The Real Deal?

The No. 17 Stanford Cardinal are college football's hottest team, coming off of a dominating 55-21 victory over perennial PAC-10 power USC. Jim Harbaugh's squad has scored 106 points in big wins over Oregon and USC on the strength of quarterback Andrew Luck and running back Toby Gerhart.

An impressive win over No. 25 Cal will almost guarantee an at-large big in a major bowl. With some help from Oregon and Arizona next week, the Cardinal will may get their first trip to the Rose Bowl since 2000.

4. Can Clemson Running Back C.J. Spiller Win The Heisman?

The most electrifying player in college football will have an opportunity this week to make his case for the Heisman Trophy, although he only has three 100-yard rushing games this season.

Spiller's versatility and impact on his team is unmatched. Spiller has 1,952 all purpose yards and 14 touchdowns. An impressive outing this Saturday against Virginia, will almost certainly guarantee Spiller an invitation to the Downtown Athletic Club.

If No. 23 Clemson can win, it will give Spiller the opportunity to perform under the bright lights of the ACC Championship against No. 7 Georgia Tech, the type of stage where Heisman Trophies are won.

3. Will Michigan Head Coach Rich Rodriguez Hush His Critics?

Rich Rodriguez and the Michigan Wolverines come into one of college football's biggest rivalries with a 5-6 record, one win shy of becoming bowl eligible.

The Wolverines haven't defeated the Buckeyes since 2003, which is not much of a rivalry in my book. An upset victory over No. 10 Ohio State will guarantee Rodriguez at least one more season. A loss for Rodriguez will put him one step closer to being ousted from Ann Arbor.

2. Will Texas Quarterback Colt McCoy Lock Up The Heisman?

This season McCoy has completed over 72 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,628 yards and 19 touchdowns. McCoy will become the winningest quarterback in college football history if he can lead No. 3 Texas to a victory over Kansas.

A stellar performance in Texas Memorial Stadium will stamp his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play in the Big 12.

This will pretty much lock up the Heisman Trophy for McCoy, unless he falters next week against Texas A&M or in the Big 12 Championship.

1. Is This The Last Home Game For Charlie Weis At Notre Dame?

This may be the beginning of the end for Charlie Weis in South Bend. Weis is 35-25 at Notre Dame, which calculates to a .583 winning percentage. Alarming because this was the same winning percentage of Ty Willingham and Bob Davie before they were fired.

If the Fighting Irish win, it may keep Weis from the firing squad for at least one more week.

This may also be the last home game for quarterback Matt Clausen and wide reciever Golden Tate, both of whom may want to bolt to the NFL before the Notre Dame program sinks any further.