Plenty of big games, including two of the best rivalries in college football. So why waste time? Let's get into it.

No. 2 Texas vs. No. 3 Oklahoma
This is the game we all have been waiting for since the beginning of the season. Although both struggled last week, both teams will be able to put everything together and play their best this week. I believe this game will live up to the hype.

Last year, it was a cat-and-mouse game for both offense. Both were intimidated by the defenses and simply tried not to make the big mistake that cost their team the game. It was almost like a heavyweight title fight with all the hype, then in the first four or five rounds, all they were doing was dancing around and feeling each other out. You keep waiting for the big punch. That's the way it was until Roy Williams finally delivered it.. Both teams have to guard against that mentality again this year.

For Texas, it will all be on Chris Simms' shoulders. All the talk and speculation is that he can't win the big one. He could lose this game and run the table, but that still wouldn't be good enough. That's just not fair. Imagine having that kind of pressure for four quarters knowing how you do in one game is how you'll be remembered by the Longhorn faithful. I think he can't help but feel that pressure.

Upset Specials

No. 7 Oregon over No. 25 UCLA Hey, we don't make the spreads, we just call the upsets. This will be a shootout with with Fife outdueling Paus and the favored Bruins 47-45. No. 9 Tennessee over No. 6 Georgia Tennessee goes in as an underdog with no one giving it a chance and uses that as a rallying cry to upset the 'Dawgs in Athens 24-23. No. 17 Penn State over No. 10 Michigan Penn State defense along with Mills' big-play ability leads Lions over the Wolves in Ann Arbor 27-23.

Everyone talks about Texas RB Cedric Benson, but last year the 'Horns went to three WR and one RB. That was to get Roy Williams spread out and Texas tried to spread out the defense to cut down on the OU blitzes, but it didn't work. Look for the 'Horns to run a 2-back set and run the ball with Benson. Then, they'll work in some play-action pass off the running game. Watch the Texas WRs -- B.J. Johnson, Williams and Sloan Thomas -- against OU CBs Derrick Straight and Andre Woolfolk. Texas has to take advantage of one-on-one opportunities on the outside and make some things happen in the passing game. And considering Benson may have a tough time gaining some yards on the ground, this matchup may be one of the best to watch all day. The UT offensive line in relatively young and inexperienced, so how it fares against Tommie Harris and Jimmy Wilkerson will be important.

The thing we have yet to see from the OU defense is the leadership and chemistry Roy Williams and Rocky Calmus provided last year. It's one thing to plug in the talented guys like Lance Mitchell, Eric Bassey and Pasha Jackson -- granted, these guys are great athletes -- but its lacking consistency from the new players.

Another thing is we've yet to see anyone step up and be the leader of the defense. Someone has to do that in this game. Someone has to become that leader.

Oklahoma's offense continues to struggle. There's little continuity and consistency. But playing Texas may actually help the Sooners. By playing a team that loves to blitz and play man-coverage, it really simplifies things for the Sooners. If OU can protect QB Nate Hybl and keep the blitzes from reaching him, they'll have plenty of big-play opportunities.

Last year, Texas put lots of pressure on OU. But this year, the Sooners have tightened up the splits between the linemen and are going from man blocking to more of a zone blocking scheme. OU feels its receivers can beat Texas in man coverage and if Hybl has time to throw, it's just backyard football seeing if OU really can beat Texas in coverage.

Texas wants OU to run the football and try to dink and dunk underneath throwing short passes. When OU does that, it struggles offensively. The Sooners only chance to have success is to get the ball downfield and stretch the defense.

One more things to talk about is the psychological aspect of this game. When I was at Ohio State and we played Michigan, we could feel the weight of the world on us. The state, fans and media would let us know how important the game was. If we didn't win that game, the season was a failure. Michigan used to come in amused by all the pressure on Ohio State. They'd come in having fun and we'd be tight as one of the drums in the marching band.

I think this game is a lot like that. All Texas is hearing is how they have to win this game. OU comes in confident and loves this big national stage and rivalry. Texas, meanwhile, keeps hearing how it hasn't won in two year. Two years. It's not like it's been 20 years, but it might as well be the way the fans and media portray it. This doesn't decide the outcome, but I think the Sooners have an edge here.

This will be a game of field position. The punting and kicking games will be more important. Who will start at the 30 or 40 and who will start inside their own 20? It will be a low scoring game and I like. . .well, tune into GameDay for my pick.

No. 16 Florida State vs. No. 1 Miami
On paper, this game favors Miami easily. The Miami offense matches up well with the FSU defense and the Hurricanes defense matches up well with the 'Noles offense. Most are assuming Miami will just come in and dominate the Seminoles -- and that may happen -- but there are a couple of things that make me think this game could be closer than people anticipate.

First of all, no matter what Miami coach Larry Coker says, Miami knows FSU is struggling. They've seen the games on TV the last two weeks. They watched the 'Noles lose to Louisville and struggle against Clemson. They saw it with their own eyes and know the talent level is down. They'll be fired up, but it won't be the same urgency of, say, two years ago.

If anything, FSU gets to hang its hat on being the underdog. When teams with a lot of motivation come into a game -- and don't you think FSU being a 13-point underdog is going to fire it up a little? -- they tend to play beyond themselves. I think there's a chance of this happening. What if all of a sudden, the Seminoles' inconsistent running game gets rolling. What if Rix -- who is hesitant at times -- starts throwing it downfield. The potential is there for this offense, but it's a matter of it clicking and making it happen. What better time to bring that out than playing Miami as a huge underdog.

Secondly, I think Boston College has given everyone a blueprint of how to beat Miami. Run. Be physical. Don't lose poise at any point in the game. Have playmakers at wide receivers and in the secondary. FSU is talented enough to make this happen.

On offense, FSU can't think it can sit there and line up with Miami and just wear down that dominating and deep front seven. But it can mix in the play-action pass and it could be a good time for Rix to remember he's a pretty good playmaker when he relies on his feet. Some of the best plays they made against Miami last season was when Rix took off running. I understand wanting to show you can be a pocket passer, but when the receivers are covered, get out of there and making something happen. Any positive yards are good yards.

For all the concerns about the FSU defense stopping the pass, if it can't stop Willis McGahee and the Miami running game, the 'Noles are in for a long game. The running game is the Hurricanes' identity. Everything comes off the run for Miami so FSU better have a plan to stop -- or at least slow down -- the running game.

The Seminoles will need Alonzo Jackson and Darnell Dockett to get some pressure on Ken Dorsey. Miami's passing game with Dorsey throwing to Andre Johnson, Kevin Beard, Roscoe Parrish, Ethenic Sands and TE Kellen Winslow is dangerous is it has time.

Watch FSU CB Bryant McFadden. He reminds me of FSU corners of the past. He has that swagger, bravado and the flat out ability to play. This is the game where No. 8 steps out and defends some of the better receivers he'll see all year.

I think Miami will win this game, but don't think it will be in such dominating fashion. I think the underdog role suits FSU well and gets them ion the mindset it needs to keep this game competitive. The 'Noles will try to chew up the clock with the power running of Greg Jones and keep the ball from Dorsey. If they have early success -- like any underdog -- they'll gain confidence. But I see a 31-24 Miami win.

No. 9 Tennessee at No. 6 Georgia
Has any team had to deal with as much adversity as Tennessee? Injuries have devastated the Vols defense -- their linebacking crew is being held together by tape -- and the offense has been hit just as hard. Offensive linemen have been hurt, Kelley Washington and Tony Brown have missed time, RB Cedric Houston is out and QB Casey Clausen may miss Saturday's game against the 'Dawgs.

When it rains, it pours and it's amazing Tennessee has been able to win games despite the injuries.

This week it will take a monstrous effort to beat Georgia in Athens. The Bulldogs are fresh off a win over Alabama and what impressed me watching from the sidelines was its defense. It is tenacious and aggressive. The D-Line attacked Bama in the trenches and the linebackers -- David Pollack, Boss Bailey, Tony Gilbert and Chris Clemons -- is as good of a group as you'll find in the SEC.

On offense, I thought QB David Greene was able to show why he is such a good QB and SEC Freshman of the Year last season. It's clear to me the injury to D.J. Shockley has allowed Greene to relax and not worry about coming out of the game. He was able to be the leader of the offense again.

Last week, the Bulldogs had a lot of people questioning their ranking and their manhood and they went into Bama with an "us against the world" mentality. They were ticked off for four quarters and it helped them carry out the fight to prove they're a legit team. Now, a week later, everyone is patting them on the back and telling them how they're going to kill Tennessee. After all, Tennessee was drilled by Florida, struggled against Rutgers and took 6 OTs to get by Arkansas. So, one week after being told they're not all that, the Bulldogs are being told just the opposite. I'm want to see how they handle prosperity.

With Tennessee facing adversity like this and possibly losing its starting QB, two things can happen -- the Vols will go in the tank or they're come together and everyone picks up the slack, plays as a team and plays well. I think Tennessee will come together as a team. Talking to offensive coordinator Randy Sanders, if Clausen can't go, expect C.J. Leak to start because he has some game experience from his days at Wake Forest. But don't be shocked to see James Banks get some time. Banks, a freshman, got in the game as receiver against Arkansas and don't be surprised if he's called on to win the game for the Vols. I think his ability to throw the football in a simplified offense using the play-action pass is something to keep in mind.

Tennessee will need to be able to run the ball against the Bulldogs to pull the safeties down in the box to respect the run. If the Vols can accomplish that, it opens up Washington for one-on-one opportunities in the Georgia secondary. Tennessee feels confident if they can get Brown and Washington in one-on-one matchups. If Georgia is able to defend the run with just seven men, they it will win.

No. 15 LSU at No. 16 Florida
Florida's character and leadership will be tested after the disappointing loss to Ole Miss. But the Gators need to remember they still control their own destiny to the SEC championship game. If they win out, they're in. Simple as that. With that in mind, I expect the Gators to come home and be ready to play LSU. Gators QB Rex Grossman needs to back back on track and the offensive line needs to help him. He can't continue to take poundings like he did in the Ole Miss game. Also, what happened to the running game? Earnest Graham and Ran Carthon need to be more involved.

Florida's defense with be psyched up playing at home and will get after LSU QB Matt Mauck and Co. Expect Florida to win 34-20 and look good doing it.

Pittsburgh at No. 8 Notre Dame
Pittsburgh is a team Notre Dame has to be careful with this week. QB Rod Rutherford is improving week by week and he's picking up Walt Harris' scheme a little more each week. The Panthers have three receivers -- Lamar Slade, Larry Fitzgerald and Roosevelt Bynes -- who get down the field in a hurry and Harris has one of the best and most versatile attacks in the country when the QB understands it. That's happening with Rutherford, so the Panthers are a dangerous offense right now.

The strength of the Irish has been its defense creating turnovers. The front seven has been just dominating and the big matchup will be the versatility of Pittsburgh's offense vs. the front seven of ND. Can the Irish take away the running game and make Pittsburgh one-dimensional and if that happens, can CB Vontrez Duff and Shane Walton continue to make big plays.

While Carlyle Holiday may return this week, the good news for the Irish is backup QB Pat Dillingham has shown enough with the passing game to make teams respect that aspect of the offense and, because of that, the running game has really come to life. Last week, Rashon Powers-Neal and Ryan Grant each rushed for over 100 yards. But the Pitt defense is really, really good and it's playing smart. LB Gerald Hayes might be one of the best in the country. He leads the team with 56 tackles, including eight for loss. I think Pittsburgh's defense loading up the line of scrimmage will be one of the bigger challenges ND has faced.

And, now is as good of time as any to review something I said earlier in the year when I wrote if Tyrone Willingham gets the Irish to 8 wins, he should be national coach of the year. Although I've been critical of the Notre Dame talent -- especially on offense -- it needs to be noted my respect for Willingham grows each and every week. His ability to get this team to believe in each other and truly believe they are going to win every game they play has been one of the great stories this year in college football.I still believe if Willingham and ND win 8 games or more, it's a slam-dunk Willingham is this year's national coach of the year. Can you imagine how good the Irish will be after he has two or three years to recruit talent to fit his offensive scheme? Between the mindset he develops and the sophistication of the scheme, the Irish are on their way back to rubbing elbows with the nation's elite in a few years.

But back to this week, I learned my lesson on Notre Dame a few weeks ago and you always have to throw in the Fighting Irish factor. Although Pitt matches up favorably, something -- a fumble on a kickoff return, a ball bouncing off receivers pads and into a ND DB's hands or Rutherford getting sacked and the Irish picking up the ball and going for the score -- will happen to once again give the Irish the edge in this game.

Notre Dame again faces a team with arguably better personnel, but finds a way to win. Irish win 24-20.

No. 17 Penn State at No. 10 Michigan
The victory for Penn State on the road against Wisconsin puts the Nittany Lions back in position where they now have confidence to go on the road and win tough games. Heading into Ann Arbor, the Penn State D-Line, led by Jimmy Kennedy, will need to perform like it did against a Wisconsin O-Line Badgers coach Barry Alvarez said is one of his best ever. Kennedy and Jimmy Haynes must get pressure on Michigan QB John Navarre, who is coming off a 4-TD game against Illinois.

The Michigan defense is prone to give up the big play and I think Penn State QB Zack Mills and the Johnsons -- RB Larry and flanker Bryant -- have a shot to move the ball against the Wolverines. I like Penn State behind the defensive pressure of Kennedy and Haynes and the balance of the Penn State offense. There's a true belief and confidence in the Penn State program again. I look for a hard-fought Penn State win over the Wolverines. We'll call it 27-23.

No. 7 Oregon at No. 25 UCLA
UCLA QB Cory Paus is quietly putting together a really good year. Last week, he threw for 378 yards and on the season, he is 82-of-138 for 1,202 yards and 7 TDs. He completing over 59 percent of his passes and has thrown just three picks. His game experience in Bob Toledo's system is really paying dividends and he's putting up numbers similar to what Cade McNown did his senior season at UCLA.

With the running game working like it is -- Tyler Ebell rushed for 203 yards last week and is averaging 6 yards a carry -- I would not be surprised to see Paus and UCLA put up big numbers this week.

However, Oregon's Jason Fife and Onterrio Smith will also put up big numbers. Smith is averaging 122.4 yards per game and has scored 9 TDs while Fife, filling in quite well for Joey Harrington, is completing 57.4 percent of his passes and has 1,124 yards and 10 TDs.

This will be a traditional Pac-10 shootout with the last team with the ball winning.

Kirk Herbstreit is an analyst on ESPN College GameDay.