College Football: Top 8 Things to Watch for in Week 5

College football is always chocked full of great storylines - from Heisman campaigns and BCS Busters, to upsets and beatdowns. 

Conference play begins for the Big Ten and Big 12 this week, while the SEC, Pac-12, and ACC continue to duke it out for conference supremacy.  Meanwhile, there are sleepers, busts, and great performances all around us. Therefore, here's 25 things that we can keep our eye on this weekend.

Can Houston Avoid a Letdown?

Let's start with Thursday night. Everyone knows that Houston is an extremely talented team capable of putting up points. For the past few years, they've been a trendy pick to run the table and make the BCS.

Yet the best season they've had was in 2009 when they went 10-4. Despite all the talent, they seem to disappoint at the oddest times.

It was against the same UTEP Miners in 2009.  Ranked #12 and favored by 14 points, Houston rolled into El Paso expecting big things, having just beaten Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. 

Instead, they lost 58-41.  Houston would go on to lose four games in 2009, and they were favored in every game of the season, except for Oklahoma State.

Last year was a lost season altogether due to the Keenum injury. 

I agree with many that Houston can run the table.  But they have proven many times before that they are capable of not just one, but multiple hiccups per season.

Houston is just 1-4 in the Sun Bowl. 

Can Clemson Take the Next Step?

Another team, like Houston, that makes me utter statements like "we've been here before."

I will give Clemson credit for beating Auburn and Florida State.  In reality though, the Tigers were favored in both games.  They were also at home both times.  Traveling to Virginia Tech for their first road game of the year, and beating the ACC champs from three of the past four years would constitute as being "the next step."

Last week, Clemson showed they can put up points against a good defense.  I'm still not entirely sold on the defense, however.  They surrendered thirty points at home to a Florida State team using their back-up quarterback.  The week before, they played better in the second half, but let Auburn run all over them in the first half.

Virginia Tech has a solid running game and a great defense.  And, they'll get the Tigers in Lane Stadium.  If Clemson wins, they are in total control of the ACC's Atlantic Division.  If they lose, they may still be okay, but the same doubts that have arisen in the past with Clemson will come up once again.

Which Highly Ranked Preseason Team Will Suffer Their Second Straight Loss?

This is in reference to the game between Texas A&M and Arkansas.  They were both highly-ranked to begin the season and both lost last week.  Now, with their backs against the wall, a loss for either team would likely end any thoughts of a BCS trip.

Arkansas was absolutely dominated Saturday, totaling only 226 yards. Texas A&M looked like one of the best teams in the nation in the first half against Oklahoma State, before being outscored 27-9 in the second.  Mike Sherman was totally out-coached by Mike Gundy, as the Cowboys opened up the second half with three straight long touchdown drives.

Neither team has been cited for playing good defense this year.  Arkansas looked porous on rushing defense against 'Bama, which could bode well for Ryan Tannehill and Cyrus Gray, but A&M looked awful on pass defense, which could bode well for Tyler Wilson.

This could be a high scoring game that comes down to the final possession.  Earlier in the week, I picked A&M, and I'm sticking with it.

Two Matchups of Undefeateds in the Big 12

Last week brought us Texas A&M and Oklahoma State.   This week, #15 Baylor travels to Kansas State, while #17 Texas goes to Iowa State.  All four teams are 3-0.

Both underdogs are playing at home and are capable of pulling upsets. Kansas State is going through a resurgence under long time coach Bill Snyder. They're running the ball, playing good defense and are coming off a road win in Miami. Iowa State, on the other hand, features a defense who's statistics are skewed thanks to a triple-overtime win against rival Iowa.

Texas survived an early upset scare against BYU, and then rebounded to tattoo UCLA.  We're seeing a McCoy to Shipley combination, only its the little brothers version, now Case to Jaxon.

Baylor's offense has been as impressive as anyone.  QB Robert Griffin has 13 touchdowns and just 12 incompletions.  Defensively, they are susceptible to the run, so expect a high scoring game in Manhattan.

Nebraska's Inaugural Big-Ten Game

Welcome to the Big Ten, Nebraska.  As a present, here's Wisconsin, the defending champs who have lost three home games in the last five years.

Nebraska was tabbed as the Big Ten favorites in the preseason, but they've struggled.  In fact, they've struggled for a while now. 

The Huskers limped to the finish line last year.  They lost three of their last five amidst controversial benchings and arguments between Coach Bo Pelini and QB Taylor Martinez.  One of those losses was to Washington in the Holiday Bowl, a team they beat by 35 earlier in the season.

This year, Nebraska has struggled.  Sure, they're 4-0, but they don't have the looks of a Big Ten champion.  They struggled at home to both Fresno State and the Huskies, before looking unimpressive at Wyoming.

The problem is the defense.  Hard to believe under the defensive-minded Pelini, but the vaunted blackshirts are allowing an average of 390 yards per game against FBS opponents.

Enter the Badgers, who have had the look of the best team in the Big Ten, and a whole lot more.  WIsconsin is running the ball and playing defense with their usual gusto, and have added a passing threat with QB Russell Wilson.

Wisconsin's rushing defense has been terrific as usual.  If they can make Taylor Martinez beat them through the air, this one could get ugly.

Which 4-0 Teams Will Continue to Surprise?

The surprising and less-heralded 4-0 teams in action this week;  Illinois hosting Northwestern, Georgia Tech traveling to N.C. State, South Florida at Pitt, Michigan hosting Minnesota.   All four are favored, will all four survive?

South Florida faces the stiffest test, traveling to Pitt on Thursday night.  While Pitt has struggled at 2-2, they have shown the ability to succeed on both sides of the ball.  They just haven't put it together yet.  The offense played well against Iowa, and the defense played good against ND.

Michigan will beat Minnesota.  That's that.

You can read my previews of the Illinois game here.

And the Tech game here.

Pac 12 Teams Jockeying for Position, Bowl Games.

There are two intriguing games in the Pac-12 this week.

USC should handle Arizona, #25 Arizona State should beat Oregon State, and Stanford should roll UCLA.  So it isn't those games.

Who is it then?

Washington State at Colorado, and Washington at Utah.

They may not sound like the most marquee games, but both are very important.

First, there is Washington State Colorado.  The Cougars have started off impressively, and are hoping to carry that effort in to Pac-12 play.  An upset win on the road would go a long way to them making a surprising run at a bowl game. 

Colorado is 1-3 and needs to stop the bleeding.  Despite their struggles, QB Tyler Hansen has played well.  The matchup between he and WSU QB Marshall Lobbestael can produce many points.

Washington and Utah meet, both jockeying for position in the Pac-12.  Both teams have looked impressive in recent weeks.

Is there a more underappreciated coach than Steve Sarkisian?  Sark inherited Washington after an 0-12 season.  The program was in complete ruins.  In his first year, he wins five games, including a win over USC.  The next, he wins seven, and beats Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl.  Now, he has the Huskies primed as a Pac-12 sleeper.  That's coaching folks.

Utah has not garnered much respect either, but they look to be as competitive as anyone in the Pac-12 south.  They rebounded after their loss in the Coliseum to beat rival BYU. 

This is a huge game for both teams.  Both can have successful seasons even with a loss, but the winner has the upper hand at attending a bigger bowl games.

MAC Powers Collide

Two of the more impressive MAC teams meet Saturday morning in Philadelphia.

First, the Toledo Rockets have been impressive, despite being 1-3.  One loss was to the Buckeyes by five.  One was to #4 Boise St.  And the other loss, wasn't really a loss.

Temple is 3-1, and impressive in doing so.  They lost to Penn State after leading for 90% of the game.  They didn't let the heartbreak affect them, as they came out and destroyed Maryland on the road.  The Owls are running the ball well, and have given up the fewest points in the nation.

That will be the matchup to watch.  Toledo has some explosive weapons on offense (WR Eric Page has track speed).  Will Temple be able to stop Toledo enough?

Toledo may have gotten more recognition so far this season, but Temple gets the win, 27-21.

Is Florida Back?

Saved the best for last.  The marquee game of the weekend will take place Saturday night when the Crimson Tide travel to Gainesville.

Florida had an off year by their standards last year, settling for an 8-5 record.  Having a first-year head coach come in, along with two new coordinators, and all of a sudden, The Gators were projected to finish third in the SEC East.  

Then the games started to be played.

Florida has been impressive early.  They're ninth in the nation in rushing, 15th in points, and 4th in points against.  The duo of Rainey and Demps in the backfield could be the best in the nation.

They'll need every ounce of speed and talent they have to take down Alabama.  The Tide are going about business as usual.  They traveled to Happy Valley and shut down the Nittany Lions offense.  Then, they came home and made pretenders out of Arkansas.

Trent Richardson leads an impressive rushing attack as well, and Marquis Maze is emerging as a suitable replacement to Julio Jones.

So what's the difference in the game?  I don't fully trust either QB, but each team has playmakers on offense.  Additionally, both teams' defense is stiffling.

I think the difference comes from a new found energy Florida has.  They're playing at home, and are happy to play a sort of conference underdog/sleeper when in comparison to Alabama, LSU, and even South Carolina.  They are enjoying life under Wil Muschamp and Charlie Weis, and they remember the embarrassment they suffered last year against Alabama.

I was chided for picking the Gators earlier in the week, but I'm sticking to it.

Florida 23, Alabama 20.