Think the people of Ames, Iowa are fired-up for Saturday's showdown with No. 19 Nebraska visiting No. 21 Iowa State? This is a battle they've been waiting for for a long time. They are wound up. Shoot, they might already be at Jack Trice Stadium already.

Iowa State matches up well with Nebraska. The player that obviously makes the Cyclones roll is QB Seneca Wallace. People make the mistake of looking at Wallace and his great athletic ability and think of him as a great runner and scrambler. But I think Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz put it best after Wallace led the Cyclones from a 24-7 halftime deficit to a 36-31 win at Iowa. Ferentz said Wallace is a great thrower who can also run. First and foremost, he's a a passer who also happens to have great athletic ability. Ferentz should know since he watched Wallace throw for 361 yards and a TD against the Hawkeyes.

That's something for Nebraska to fear. The Huskers have had problems with QBs with mobility who can throw and Wallace could put up big numbers against the Blackshirts. Iowa State has a trio of very good receivers in Lane Danielson, Jack Whitver and Jamaul Montgomery, all of whom average over 15 yards per catch. Wallace is most dangerous off the play-action pass and when things break down. He reminds me so much of Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb when it comes to his poise. When a play breaks down, he does a great job of scrambling to buy more time. He keeps calm and his receivers do a great job of breaking off their routes and finding open space while he's running around. Iowa State gets a lot of yards off Wallace's creativity.

The key for Nebraska will be to contain him in the pocket and not allow him to make big plays. That's a pretty big challenge. If the Huskers allow Wallace to get outside, they could be in for a long afternoon.

On offense, Nebraska is going to have to be more than one-dimensional on offense. Jammal Lord running the option simply isn't enough. Dahrran Diebrick has to have a good game running the ball. The Huskers need a big game from their I-back.

More importantly, Nebraska needs to make Iowa State respect the passing game. Or at least, not be able to focus solely on the option. Mix in a play action pass, especially on first down, just to keep the Cyclones honest. Throw in a reverse, a screen, anything. Just a sprinkle of something to keep Iowa State from focusing on the option and Nebraska's power football.

But one thing to remember is you have to throw in the psychological factor here. Nebraska had two weeks to prepare for this game and during that time, the Huskers have heard nothing but how terrible they are. They've heard the program is slipping. They've heard defensive coordinator Craig Bohl isn't the answer. They've heard coach Frank Solich needs to make some changes. They've heard the players aren't good enough. The Huskers have a current streak of 347 consecutive weeks of being ranked in the AP college football poll, which is the all-time longest streak of any school. They don't want to see that streak end on their watch. All this negativity surrounding the program will only do one thing -- have Nebraska ready to play on Saturday with a point to prove.

As much as I love Wallace and Iowa State does seem to be the trendy pick -- how weird is it to see the Cyclones listed as the favorite? -- Nebraska is still Nebraska in the trenches and that is where the Huskers will win this football game.

The intangibles and physicality of Nebraska will lead the Huskers to a much needed victory over Iowa State.

No. 24 Oregon State at No. 22 USC
The first thing is I really gained a lot of respect for USC last weekend. They showed a lot of fight battling back from a 27-7 halftime deficit against K-State. While they didn't win, give USC credit for fighting back. This is something we haven't seen from the Trojans in a while. They showed backbone and character and that was impressive.

Now, the Trojans face another tough tough test against an even more talented Oregon State team. The Beavers are putting up big points against inferior opponents. They average 47 points and 500 yards offense per game. But this weekend, we find out if they are for real. Steven Jackson is a power back with speed who is averaging 134 yards per game. I look for him to have a big game Saturday. Combined with QB Derek Anderson's ability to throw the ball -- he has 15 TDs already -- and the Beavers have a potent attack. Watch Anderson, though. It's his first big test on the road against a big-time opponent. Last year, Oregon State was young in some key spots. Now, after struggling last season, they are much more experienced and much more athletic.

USC is led offensively by QB Carson Palmer. He's been one of the better decision makers in the country, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes. His success, however, starts with the running game and Malaefou MacKenzie and Sultan McCullough. MacKenzie is averaging over 5 yards a carry, but he could have a tougher time with the Oregon State defense. The front seven is much improved behind DT Eric Manning and MLB Richard Seigler. Also, watch the matchup of WR Kareem Kelly and two of the best CBs in the Pac-10 in Terrell Roberts and Dennis Weathersby. While Rivers doesn't throw as long as much anymore, Kelly is his main target. Last week, Kelly went up against against K-State's Terence Newman and now he must deal with Weathersby and Roberts. The good news for USC is Keary Colbert stepped up big last week (11 catches, 125 yards and a TD), so he gives Palmer another option.

USC is playing at home with a new determination and I think it will keep the game close, but Oregon State's athletic ability and intensity gets the job done for the Beavers Saturday.

Kirk Herbstreit is an analyst on ESPN College GameDay.