Huge weekend shaping up for college football

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

After a week of upsets among the Top-10, including unranked teams knocking off some high-profile teams, there are some very intriguing matchups shaping up this weekend in college football

No. 7 USC at No. 24 California
This could be the game that truly tells us if USC is back. After getting embarassed by Washington two weeks ago, the Trojans beat up a bumbling Washington State team that has won one game this season - Southern Methodist. California just got a wake up call against Oregon, but still has one of the most dynamic offenses in the country, averaging 37.3 points per game, even after being held to three points last week. While USC's defense remains its strength, the offense is the real x-factor here. Quarterbacks facing Cal have a 139.44 passer rating this year. While Cal might be able to put up some points, but the question really lies in whether or not the Golden Bears can stop the Trojans. I'm betting on no.
Prediction: USC 38, Cal 31

No. 8 Oklahoma at No. 17 Miami
Sam Bradford is not going to be a factor. The Sooners will hold him out. Big games are on the horizon, including Texas, so they want to make sure he's 100 percent for those. However, those big games will mean a whole lot less if they enter Big XII play with two losses and the very real chance of more losses. Two losses would put them in a very precarious position in terms of the BCS. Three would make it pretty much impossible. Freshman Landry Jones has played well, but he hasn't faced a good defense, but will face that in the Hurricanes. Quarterbacks facing Miami have completed just over 52 percent of their passes. Miami is still a formidable opponent, even after getting blown out by Virginia Tech. Jacory Harris saw what it was like to face a stiff defense and will see an even better one this week. How he reacts after a pretty pedestrian performance will be interesting to see.
Prediction: Oklahoma 30, Miami 17

No. 4 LSU at No. 18 Georgia
LSU could be in a very tough spot after barely getting by Mississippi State last week. The offense has still been in a transitional phase and some question Jordan Jefferson's abilitiy to lead to offense, even though he played well and the running game sucked wind last week. Georgia has not been the most stifling team on defense, so it could be just what the Tigers need. Geogia's offense is only scoring a couple points more per game and is going up against a tough LSU team that is giving up just over two touchdowns per game.
LSU 31, Georgia 13