GAMES OF THE WEEK:

Texas Tech (7-3) at No. 15 Texas (8-2)

The Red Raiders and Longhorns have proved they are the two best teams in their state so Saturday will be a battle for Texas supremacy.

Texas has won four straight after two games to begin the conference season. But it hasn’t been easy. The Longhorns have had to rely on late game heroics from both running Jamaal Charles and the defense led by cornerback Marcus Griffin for comeback victories in the past two games.

Griffin and the secondary must be armed for battle because it will have to overcome the relentless Texas Tech pass game. Junior quarterback Graham Harrell became only the fifth player in college football history to throw for more than 4,000 yards in two consecutive seasons last week. The Longhorns have won four in a row against their in-state rival.

No. 18 Auburn (7-3) at No. 10 Georgia (7-2)

The “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.”

The visiting team in the series has won 12 of the past 16 games. But Georgia has reason to believe it can curve that trend this season. That reason is freshman running back Knowshon Moreno.

Moreno became the first Bulldog in the past five years to pass the 1,000 yard mark with a 196-yard performance against the Troy Trojans.

Auburn’s rush defense could be the toughest Moreno has faced all season, though. Its pair of defensive linemen, Antonio Coleman and Quentin Groves, often finds their way into opponent’s backfields to disrupt plays. Georgia ruined Auburn’s season last year with a 37-15 blowout victory. The Tigers look to return the favor this season as a Bulldog loss would likely make it impossible for Georgia to win the SEC East division.

Florida State (6-3) at No. 11 Virginia Tech (7-2)

Florida State squeaked past previously-undefeated Boston College last week and back into the nation’s conscious.

All the while, the Drew Weatherford saga continues. The career of Weatherford, FSU junior quarterback, has been a mixed bag of great performances where he shows his potential and disappointing games where he has looked awful.

Against Boston College, he turned in a two touchdown, 354-yard performance to lead Florida State to the victory. The sixth-ranked Hokie passing efficiency defense stands in the way of Weatherford’s upward climb this week.

The Seminoles haven’t had much trouble against the Hokies in the past few decades. Current Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer is 0-7 against the Seminoles all-time, including a lopsided defeat in the 2000 National Championship.

No. 17 Florida (6-3) at South Carolina (6-4)

It took a blocked field goal in the final seconds for the Gators to beat the Gamecocks last season. The victory preserved Florida’s national title hopes and was one of its biggest victories. But even more may be on the line this season.

Florida looks to avoid losing its third of the last five games and South Carolina is in danger of losing its fourth straight. A loss for either team would be greatly detrimental to its season.

The South Carolina defense was incompetent against Arkansas last week, surrendering 542 rushing yards. The Florida defense hasn’t fared much better lately with a number of youngsters playing tentatively against Southeastern Conference opponents.

The victory may rest in the hands of the team that gets better play out of its standout linebacker: Brandon Spikes for Florida or Casper Brinkley for South Carolina.

No. 12 USC (7-2) at No. 24 California (6-3)

The Trojans may not be the juggernaut that the nation expected, but don’t think it makes any difference to the fans in Berkeley, Calif.

The Golden Bears and their fans hope to beat the Trojans for the first time in six years. To reach that lofty goal, California needs to create turnovers.

Southern California’s surprising strength this season is its defense, not the offense. It ranks seventh nationally in rush defense and eighth nationally in pass defense. That’s why California must try to win the field position battle through turnovers and special teams.

But Cal defensive backs Brandon Hampton and Derrick Hill have only combined for three interceptions this season.

OTHER GAMES:

Baylor (3-7) at No. 4 Oklahoma (8-1)

Guy Morriss could probably earn himself another year as Baylor’s coach if he could lead his team to beat Oklahoma for the first time in school history.

Texas A&M (6-4) at No. 7 Missouri (8-1)

The Aggies lead the all-time series against the Tigers 7-2 with an average margin of victory of 25 points. But it’s Missouri that enters the game as a 19-point favorite this season.

Kansas State (5-4) at Nebraska (4-6)

Both teams had embarrassing games last weekend: the Wildcats were upset by the 2-8 Iowa Cyclones and the Cornhuskers allowed Kansas to score 76 points. Which team is more inclined to bounce back?

Colorado (5-5) at Iowa State (2-8)

Iowa State coach Gene Chizik said senior Bret Meyer and freshman Austen Arnaud will split time at quarterback. The change of pace could catch Colorado off guard or make it hard for the Iowa State offense to get in synch.

Illinois (7-3) at No. 1 Ohio State (10-0)

The Ohio State rush defense has held opponents to an average of only 65 rush yards per game. But the Illini hope to escalate that statistic with their fast duo of junior running back Rashard Mendenhall and sophomore quarterback Juice Williams.

Louisiana Tech (4-5) at No. 2 LSU (8-1)

The Tigers have fought their way back to the nation’s second ranked team. But to stay there, quarterback Matt Flynn must steer clear of Bulldog defensive backs Tony Moss and Weldon Brown, who are interception-savvy.

No. 8 Boston College (8-1) at Maryland (4-5)

Terrapin junior linebacker Erin Henderson could shut down Eagle running back Andre Callender early and make the Eagle attack one-dimensional.

No. 9 Arizona State (8-1) at UCLA (5-4)

Junior running back Kahlil Bell is quietly carrying the Bruins this season with just fewer than 100 rushing yards per game.

No. 12 Michigan (8-2) at Wisconsin (7-3)

If the Wolverines can beat the Badgers, they’ll be undefeated in the Big 10 entering a game with arch-rival Ohio State.

Fresno State (6-3) at No. 13 Hawaii (8-0)

Despite having no interceptions this season, the Bulldogs pass defense is solid and looking to slow down Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan.

No. 16 Connecticut (8-1) at Cincinnati (7-2)

Find out what happens when a great offense meets a great defense. The Bearcats rank 12th in the nation with 38 points per game whereas the Huskies rank third in the nation in giving up only 13 points per game.

Wake Forest (6-3) at No. 20 Clemson (7-2)

Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper has thrown for 23 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Wake Forest’s success is largely dependant on turnovers.

No. 21 Alabama (6-3) at Mississippi State (5-4)

Bulldog freshman quarterback Wesley Carroll can break the record for most consecutive passes without an interception to start a career with two passes. He would pass current Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy on the list.

Arkansas (6-3) at No. 22 Tennessee (6-3)

The Razorbacks have running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. The Volunteers have quarterback Erik Ainge and running back Arian Foster. Put them all together and the result is a potent offensive game.

No. 23 Virginia (8-2) at Miami (5-4)

The Hurricanes will have plenty of motivation as the game will be Miami’s last ever at the Orange Bowl, its home stadium for the last 70 years.

— Edited by Ashlee Kieler