College Football's Top Teams Facing Tricky Tests This Weekend

It’s pretty clear which of Saturday’s college football matchups are the most anticipated of the weekend. There's no doubt that the three standouts of the day are Alabama-Florida, Stanford-Oregon, and Texas-Oklahoma.

That doesn’t mean, however, that there aren’t other top-ranked teams facing some tough challenges this weekend.

These five ranked teams could unexpectedly have their hands full playing in some of the off-radar games of the day.

No. 11 Wisconsin Heads to Michigan State

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers awaits the start of play against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Arizona State 20-19. (Photo by Jonatha

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio, who suffered a minor heart attack after the team’s thrilling overtime victory over Notre Dame a few weeks ago, will be overlooking from the press box for this one.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Spartans play some inspired football in honor of their coach.

This Wisconsin team is a talented bunch, but they haven’t exactly gone up against many goliaths so far this season. In the Badgers' only difficult game of of the year against Arizona State, they were lucky to escape with a 20-19 win by way of a blocked extra point.

This Michigan State team is one of the better ones we’ve seen come out of East Lansing in quite some time, and there’s definitely a chance the 4-0 Spartans can pull an upset in this one.

No. 23 N.C. State Hosts Virginia Tech

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 16: Derek Wolfe #95 of the Cincinnati Bearcats tries to chase down Russell Wilson #16 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 16, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Str

North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson could be the most unheralded player of the first quarter of the season.

Wilson has completed 60 percent of his passes for over 1,000 yards and thrown for 11 touchdowns, which is tied for second in the nation, as he’s paced the Wolfpack to a 4-0 record.

But Wilson has yet to face a defense as strong as the Hokies.

Yes, it’s true Virginia Tech hasn’t played very inspired football after their loss to Boise State on opening weekend, losing to FCS James Madison, and playing sluggishly in a win over East Carolina.

But this Hokies team is a strong squad that can present problems for any team in the nation.

No. 19 Michigan Heads to Indiana

Leon Halip/Getty Images

ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 25: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines talks with the Michigan Medical Staff during the first quarter of the game against Bowling Green on September 25, 2010 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leo

There have been a lot of college football fans around the country who’ve been waiting for this Michigan freight train to roll off the tracks, but it hasn’t happened yet.

Rich Rodriguez’s 4-0 Wolverines got a a little scare when superstar quarterback Denard Robinson went down with a knee injury in the first half of last weekend’s game against Bowling Green.

But Michigan survived his absence as they routed the Falcons 65-21.

Things could be tougher this weekend as Robinson and Michigan head to Bloomington to take on a very underrated Indiana Hoosiers team.

The Michigan defense needs to watch out for Indiana wide receiver Damarlo Belcher.

No. 16 Miami Heads to Clemson

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes passes the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Quarterback Jacory Harris and Miami are coming off an impressive 31-3 victory over Pittsburgh last Thursday night, but this Clemson team did have a bye week to prepare for their Homecoming meeting with Canes.

Clemson has had enough time to shake off the aftereffects of a heartbreaking overtime loss at Auburn, and they should be ready to run wild with talented running backs Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper.

It will be up to the Miami front seven to contain the talented duo. If the two can come close to matching C.J. Spiller’s 185-yard offensive total in last year’s 40-37 overtime win, then Miami could be in some trouble.

No. 18 USC Hosts Washington

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Lane Kiffin watches the USC Trojans warm up for their game with the Virginia Cavaliers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

In a battle of Pete Carroll’s baby boys, Washington coach Steve Sarkisian and USC coach Lane Kiffin, it will be interesting to see how each of these teams fare in their first Pac-10 test of the season (Note: I no longer consider Washington State a legitimate Pac-10 school).

After last year’s embarrassment up in Seattle, Kiffin should have enough ammunition to motivate this team to victory, but you never quite know what you're going to get out of Washington quarterback Jake Locker.

Normally, I’d expect USC to dominate a game like this, but they haven’t exactly been overwhelmingly awesome as usual to start off the season.