The Weekend That Will Be: Week 5

I know my hook says you can follow this guide and see everything you need to see on Saturday. I lied. What you and I both need to see is a Razorback victory, which is unlikely.

If anything, based on the picture above, it is clear there are some things the Arkansas athletic program is not getting wrong.

On to the games...

Noon

No. 25 Baylor at No. 9 West Virginia (FX)- In their school's Big 12 opener, here is the Mountaineers' first opportunity to prove to the country they have what it takes, on offense, to be a title contender. While one would think West Virginia is the team that is putting up the bigger offensive numbers, take note of Baylor, who has scored more points and gained more yards. So much for missing RGIII. West Virginia wins the shootout.

Indiana at Northwestern (Big 10 Network)- This is a rarity in college football: watching a game to see who the loser will be. Either the Hoosiers or Wildcats will leave the Ryan Field as the losingest team in college football history. And the winner, or real loser, is... Indiana.

Arkansas at Texas A&M (12:21 p.m.SEC Network)- I was talking with bholloway earlier about this week's game and he asked how much Aggie quarterback Johnny Manziel scares me against the Hogs putrid defense. I told him what scares me most is if he is in College Station for the next three seasons. Their offense put up 49 points in the first half last week. Granted it was South Carolina State, but the Razorbacks' one win came in a struggle over an FCS school. This could get ugly. Quick. "Hogs keep it closer than the experts think," my internal optimist says. A&M wins though.

Mid-day

Tennessee at No. 5 Georgia (3:30 p.m., CBS)- Ryan Mallett, Jr., or as most people call him, Tyler Bray will be tested this week on the road against a stout Bulldog defense that is returning two All-America caliber players in safety Bacarri Rambo and linebacker Alec Ogletree. Aaron Murray has been solid this season and begun to start the Heisman talk in Georgia. In nine trips to the redzone this season the Bulldog offense has nine touchdowns. In their opponents' six trips UGA has surrendered two field goals and a turnover. Georgia wins.

No. 14 Ohio State at No. 20 Michigan State (3:30 p.m., ABC)- The two teams that are not embarrassing the B10 meet in East Lansing this week. The Buckeys have won seven of the last eight, losing last season in Columbus. Like most games this season, the Spartans will force running back Le'Veon Bell down the throat of the opponents. While the Bucks have not been beaten this season, they have not looked overly impressive in their four wins. They will continue to ride quarterback Braxton Miller as far as they can, but Mike Dantoni is too good of a coach and the Spartans find a way to win.

Night

No. 4 Florida State at South Florida (6 p.m., ESPN)- Coming off of a big win at home against Clemson last week, here is the Seminoles first chance to lose a game they should win. I do not think it happens this early after a big win, but playing the Bulls has not ever been easy for the Noles.

Wisconsin at No. 22 Nebraska (8 p.m., ABC)- The Badgers are proving, like the Hogs and New Orleans Saints, no matter the talent level, when you lose your coaching staff there will be an adjustment period. While they did not lose their head coach, Wisconsin has lost six position coaches over the past year. It will not get any better as the Cornhuskers win.

Ole Miss at No. 1 Alabama (9:15, ESPN)- Ole Miss has been surprisingly good this season, and while they did lose their only game with any real competition they still won the other three. Alabama is the top team in the game, which is still under debate in my head. They will continue their dominance this weekend, but the real question is how many people will actually make it to the game. An 8:15 kickoff with Ole Miss and Alabama in Tuscaloosa? Spells huge trouble for some of the students and fans with the way these schools tailgate.

No. 18 Oregon State at Arizona (10 p.m., Pac-12 Network)- Oregon State has surprised many college football fans this season and saved Mike Reilly's coaching livelihood in Corvallis with two wins over ranked opponents. This week the Beavers will be challenged to stop the Wildcats' air attack, which is the eleventh best in the country. The Wildcats win in their new copper helmets. (If you thought white helmets were bad.)

Upset Special No. 6 South Carolina at Kentucky- I am kidding, of course. Kentucky is even worse at football than Arkansas and praying for basketball season to hurry up and get here. The real upset special is a game I have just mentioned, Oregon State at Arizona. Are the Beavers for real? Beating a team with the firepower of Arizona will prove it.

Non-ranked game of the week- Texas Tech at Iowa State- Quietly these two teams are undefeated and one ought to come out of this game with a spot in the top 25 with a 4-0 record.

Atmosphere I Would Most Like to Experience- Last week, I went to the Georgia Tech-Miami game and made it back just in time to watch the Hogs blow a comeback chance. I am headed to Athens for the weekend for my first taste of SEC football this season, hoping the tailgating on North Campus is opened back up again. The best part of going to a 3:30 game this week is that I might can miss the Texas A&M bloodbath of a second half.

Season Record- 29-11 (would be still under double-digit losses if not for our Hogs)