The Five Best College Football Matchups This Weekend and Predictions

We've seen many great games so far in this young season. This is the biggest weekend for college football games thus far.  Their are a number of great games on tap this weekend, but here are the five best.  Powerhouses like Alabama and Florida look to prove who is the team to beat in the SEC.  Also unproven teams like Penn State and Iowa look to show their mettle in their first conference game of the season. 

Notre Dame at Boston College

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: The Boston College Eagles mascot and the Virginia Tech Hokies mascot square off on September 25, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The number five game of the week is this year’s installment of the Holy War.  The Irish travel to Chestnut Hill to take on the 2-1 Eagles.  The Irish have lost some heartbreakers this year.  They suffered a big loss to Michigan when starting Quarterback Dayne Crist went down and they were left with a walk-on quarterback for half the game.  Even more upsetting, was the overtime loss to Michigan State on a fake field goal that won the game for the Spartans.  Luke Kuechly and the Eagles look to rebound from being shutout by Virginia Tech.  Coach Frank Spaziani has benched sophomore Quarterback Dave Shinskie in favor of true freshmen Chase Rettig.  The Eagles' stellar defense will rally behind the youngster at home in hopes of beating the Irish.  The defense will step up big and lead Boston College to victory 20-17.

No. 22 Penn State at No. 17 Iowa

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes prepares to snap the ball during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the H

The Big Ten battle of the week will take place in Iowa between the 3-1 Hawkeyes and the 3-1 Penn State Nittany Lions.  This is a crucial game for both teams as it is each team’s first conference game.  Both teams are looking to prove that they belong in the AP Top 25 and are powers to mess with atop the Big Ten.  The Hawkeyes boast the number five scoring defense in the country and their offense led by Ricky Stanzi will look to put up as many points as possible against Penn State's eighth-ranked scoring defense.  This is a very telling game for true freshman Robert Bolden and the Lions as they looked disappointing in their only true test of the year against powerhouse Alabama.  Iowa shouldn’t have much trouble taking this one at home 16- 10. 

No. 21 Texas at No. 8 Oklahoma

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners congratulates congratulates running back DeMarco Murray #7 after Murray's touchdown run in the third quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Land Shark Stadium on Octob

Mack Brown and Texas look to rebound from an embarrassing loss last week to UCLA.  The offense lead by young Garret Gilbert has the potential to put up big numbers, but when will they realize this potential.  On the other side, Landry Jones and DeMarco Murray look to continue to dominate like they have all season.  While Texas isn’t as good as the Colt McCoy led teams of recent memory, you know Mack Brown will always bring it to the Red River Rivalry Game.  Look for Oklahoma to win by a decent margin 34-24. 

No. 9 Stanford at No. 4 Oregon

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 18: Running back LaMichael James #21of the Oregon Ducks heads to the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Portland State Vikings at Autzen Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won

With USC’s current issues, Oregon has solidified itself as the team to beat in the Pac-10, or at least for the time being.  Coach Jim Harbaugh and the Stanford Cardinal look to take that title for their own.  The nation’s No.1 scoring offense and No. 3 scoring defense, the Oregon Ducks, face their first test of the season against Stanford.  Averaging a staggering 300+ rushing yards a game, the Ducks and specifically LaMichael James will look to control the ball and put up huge points.  Don’t sleep on Stanford though.  They have the nation's No. 4 scoring offense and No. 12 scoring defense.  Elite NFL prospect Andrew Luck will look to pick apart the stout Ducks' defense.  The loud home crowd should help the Ducks pull out a close game 31-28.

No. 7 Florida at No. 1 Alabama

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FAYETTEVILLE - SEPTEMBER 25: Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban (C) awaits the call on the game winning touchdown by Mark Ingram (not pictured) against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Fayett

The Game of the Weekend.  You have to figure when the two best teams from the best conference in the land play; it’ll be an unbelievable game.  These are the last two National Champions.  This game will likely determine the favorite to win the National Title this year.  The Crimson Tide have the No. 1 scoring defense in the land and have already handled ranked opponents Penn State and Arkansas.  You know with the two-headed monster at tailback, the Tide are looking to repeat as champs and this game is the next step on the long road to do that.  Florida and Coach Meyer definitely like their chances more now after the effectiveness of their new offensive weapon Trey Burton last week.  Will John Brantley be able to put up enough points though against the Tide?  Both teams will come to play, but look for Alabama to win a hard fought one at home 24-17.

Week 5

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Mark Herzlich #94 of the Boston College Eagles carries the ball after he intercepted a pass from Tyrod Taylor of the Virginia Tech Hokies on September 25, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Virginia

Week 5 has many great games in store for us, and these are five of the best.  We'll see how all five of these match-ups plays out this weekend.  Personally, I'll be in the stands in Chestnut Hill at 8 p.m., looking for my Boston College Eagles to beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.