College Footbal: Football Friday Fives from the Sports Mac

Top Five Games To Watch This Weekend

1. #17 Michigan State (5-0) at #18 Michigan (5-0), 3:30 PM, ABC

This year’s meeting for the Paul Bunyan Trophy means a little more with both teams in the hunt for the Rose Bowl.

2. #23 Florida State (4-1) at #13 Miami (Fla.) (3-1), 8:00 PM, ABC

The annual meeting of the in-state rivals will also have a big impact in the race for the ACC championship.

3. #12 Louisiana State (5-0) at #14 Florida (4-1), 7:30 PM, ESPN

After the Tigers escaped with a win last Saturday, will they be as fortunate in the Swamp Saturday night?

4. #1 Alabama (5-0) at #19 South Carolina (3-1), 3:30 PM, CBS

The last of the three straight ranked opponents for the Crimson Tide is a trip to Columbia to face Steve Spurrier.

5. #11 Arkansas (3-1) vs. Texas A&M (3-1) at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, 3:30 PM, ABC

Two high-powered offenses meet outside of Dallas in what could be the highest scoring game of the weekend.

Five Games Under the Radar This Weekend

1. Temple (4-1) at Northern Illinois (3-2), 12:00 PM, ESPN3.com

Two of the contenders for the MAC title square off in DeKalb trying to take control in their respective divisions.

2. Oregon State (2-2) at #9 Arizona (4-0), 6:00 PM, Versus

A interesting Pac-10 match-up between two teams trying to establish themselves as the main challenger to Oregon in the conference.

3. Colorado (3-0) at #24 Missouri (4-0), 7:00 PM

The Big 12 opener for both schools as they look to challenge Nebraska in the Big 12 North division.

4. East Carolina (2-2) at Southern Mississippi (4-0), 7:30 PM

5. Southern Cal (4-1) at #16 Stanford (4-1), 8:00 PM, ABC

Both teams are coming off losses last week and are trying to avoid a two-game losing streak.

Five Games To Just Get the Final Score

1. New Mexico (0-5) at New Mexico State (0-4), 8:00 PM, ESPN3.com

In what is the lead contender for worst game of 2010, the Rio Grande Rivalry features the two worst scoring defenses in all FBS football. Both teams combined, give up more than 98 points a game.

2. Western Kentucky (0-4) at Florida International (0-4), 3:30 PM, ESPN3.com

This would have been No. 1 this week if the Lobos and Aggies weren’t playing. Both teams are the bottom 20 of FBS in scoring defense as well.

3. Eastern Michigan (0-5) at Vanderbilt (1-3), 7:00 PM, ESPNU

Even though the Commodores only have one win so far, they may not get too much of a test from the Eagles.

4. Akron (0-5) at Kent State (1-3), 3:30 PM, ESPN3.com

The closest the Zips have come to winning was a one-point loss to FCS Gardner-Webb, while the Golden Flashes only win was over FCS Murray State.

5. San Jose State (1-4) at #21 Nevada (5-0), 10:30 PM, ESPNU

The Spartans are averaging less than 10 points a game.  Not good if they are going to try and keep pace with the high-powered Wolf Pack offense.

5 Players To Watch This Weekend

1. South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore vs. Alabama, 3:30 PM, CBS

The true freshman has to have a big game to help the Gamecocks control the clock and keep the high-powered Crimson Tide offense off the field.

2. Miami (Fla.) QB Jacory Harris vs. Florida State, 8:00 PM, ABC

Harris has thrown at least two interceptions in his last three games and must avoid mistakes and not give the Seminoles any extra possessions.

3. LSU QB Jordan Jefferson vs. Florida, 7:30 PM, ESPN

Jefferson’s passing yards have gone down each and every week, with just 30 against Tennessee last Saturday. He has to provide balance and show that the Tiger offense is not one-dimensional.

4. Pittsburgh RB Dion Lewis vs. Notre Dame, 3:30 PM, NBC

He is in a full sophomore jinx with just 143 yards in 4 games this season, and he may be replaced by Ray Graham as the starter in the near future.

5. Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert vs. Colorado, 7:00 PM

The junior has been very efficient so far this season, completing 68 percent of his passes.  He’ll need to continue his efficient play as the Tigers move into their conference schedule.

Five Teams That Have To Have a Big Week

1. #12 Louisiana State visiting #14 Florida, 7:30 PM, ESPN

Might the Tigers be the shakiest 5-0 team in the land?  It’s time to see what they’re really made of when they enter the Swamp.

2. Pittsburgh visiting Notre Dame, 3:30 PM, NBC

Pitt, everyone’s preseason pick for Big East champs, has not played well against quality competition. This might be their last opportunity to make some noise nationally and regain some conference pride for what has been a very mediocre Big East.

3. San Diego State visiting Brigham Young, 6:00 PM

The Aztecs arrive in Provo with the Cougars ripe for the picking. If they can manage to win this game, a bowl bid becomes a real possibility.

4. Cincinnati hosting Miami (Ohio), 7:00 PM, ESPN3.com

The Bearcats have played a tough non-conference schedule and haven’t beaten an FBS team yet.  But a bowl bid and conference title is still within reach, and it needs to start this week against the in-state rival RedHawks.

5. Southern Methodist hosting Tulsa, 8:00 PM

The Mustangs have steadily gotten better since June Jones took over the program.  With a win over the Golden Hurricane, they would be 3-0 in C-USA and right in the thick of the conference race for the rest of the season.