GAMES OF THE WEEK:

No. 4 Oklahoma (3-0) at Tulsa (2-0)

The last chance to watch Oklahoma devour a nonconference opponent before Big 12 play begins falls on Friday night. But is it going to be that easy for the Sooners?

The environment at Skelly Stadium should be terrific as Tulsa welcomes Oklahoma to its stadium for the first time in five years. The Golden Hurricanes have a lot going for them. New coach Todd Graham and new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn have led the offense to score 45 points per game and rank fourth in the nation in total offense. But Oklahoma not only ranks third nationally in total offense but second in total defense.

Texas Tech (3-0) at Oklahoma State (1-2)

The wait is over; Big 12 conference play begins Saturday in Stillwater, Okla. Oklahoma State is in desperate need of a win. If the Cowboys lose to the Red Raiders and fall to 1-3 on the season, their aspirations of bowl eligibility become harder to imagine.

Cowboy quarterback Zac Robinson will make his second career start and has to get the ball in the hands of junior play-making receiver Adarius Bowman. Red Raider redshirt freshman receiver Michael Crabtree is one of the nation’s biggest surprises through three weeks, ranking first in the nation in receptions per game and second in receiving yards per game.

No. 12 South Carolina (3-0) at No. 2 Louisiana State (3-0)

To say both of these teams have great defenses would be an understatement. The Tigers and the Gamecocks are ranked in the top 10 in nearly every defensive category and could prove to be the two best defenses in the nation.

South Carolina’s defensive prowess starts with a pair of quick and strong linebackers, brothers Casper and Jasper Brinkley. The Brinkley brothers will try to limit Tiger running backs Keiland Williams and Jacob Hester’s production on first and second downs to bring about third-and-long situations.

Louisiana State is going to send pressure at Gamecock quarterback Blake Mitchell by blitzing safeties Craig Stelz and Danny McCray often.

No. 22 Georgia (2-1) at No. 16 Alabama (3-0)

It’s only been a week since Nick Saban recorded his first big victory as the Crimson Tide coach, a 41-38 victory against Arkansas. But there’s no time to celebrate because he has an even tougher team coming to Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday.

Bulldog sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford has many talented receivers to throw to including deep threat Sean Bailey and speedy Mikey Henderson.

But this game should be won on the defensive side of the ball. Bulldog middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe makes plays all over the field and defensive end Marcus Howard has been quick off the edge against offensive linemen.

No. 21 Kentucky (3-0) at Arkansas (1-1)

This could be a high-scoring game highlighted by each team’s respective Heisman candidate. Razorback junior running back Darren McFadden is the obvious Heisman candidate and he is off to a good start this season with six yards per carry, five receptions, and a touchdown pass.

Wildcat quarterback Andre Woodson isn’t quite as well known as McFadden but is gaining considerable Heisman hype after leading his team to a comeback victory against Louisville last week. Woodson has completed 68 percent of his passes on the year and is yet to throw an interception.

OTHER GAMES:

Rice (0-3) at No. 7 Texas (3-0)

The way the Longhorns have tiptoed past their first three nonconference opponents has some wondering what’s wrong in Austin, Texas. They’ll have a real reason to be concerned if they can’t put away the Owls, who have been blown out two weeks in a row by Big 12 teams.

Ball State (2-1) at No. 24 Nebraska (2-1)

The Cornhuskers defensive front seven need to find a remedy for their complacency — fast. The Cardinals have a solid offense and have won two games in a row on the road.

Illinois State (2-1) at No. 25 Missouri (3-0)

Missouri’s defense is ranked 92nd in the nation and has given up at least 24 points in each of its first three games. The Tigers need to use the game against the FCS Redbirds as a tune-up before the start of Big 12 play.

Baylor (2-1) at Buffalo (1-2)

The Bulls pass defense has given up 235 yards per game. Bears quarterback Blake Szymanski averages 355 yards per game through the air.

Miami (Ohio) (1-2) at Colorado (1-2)

Buffalo senior linebacker Jordon Dizon leads the nation with 16.3 tackles per game. RedHawks sophomore linebacker Caleb Bostic is ninth in the nation with 12.3 tackles per game.

Iowa State (1-2) at Toledo (0-3)

The Rockets are 30-5 at the Glass Bowl under coach Tom Anstutz including a victory against the last Big 12 team they played there, Kansas, in 2006.

Washington State (2-1) at No.1 University of Southern California (2-0)

Stafon Johnson? C.J. Gable? Chauncey Washington? It’s never certain which Trojan running back will take off on any given Saturday.

No. 3 Florida (3-0) at Mississippi (1-2)

The Rebel’s defense has looked lost this season without leader Patrick Willis, who graduated last year.

East Carolina (1-2) at No. 5 West Virginia (3-0)

The Pirate’s strength is their rush defense. But it hasn’t been introduced to the likes of Steve Slaton or Noel Devine.

Northwestern (2-1) at No. 8 Ohio State (3-0)

The Wildcats lost to Duke last week, effectively ending the Blue Devils’ nation-high 22-game losing streak. This week, Northwestern will try to snap Ohio State’s 16-game conference winning streak.

Iowa (2-1) at No. 9 Wisconsin (3-0)

The first time 222-pound Badger running back P.J. Hill meets hard-hitting Hawkeye middle linebacker Mike Klinkenborg, the ground at Randall Stadium will shake.

No. 10 Penn State (3-0) at Michigan (1-2)

Nittany Lion quarterback Anthony Morelli is a precision passer and will show if the Wolverines’ defense has truly improved in the last two weeks.

No. 13 Oregon (3-0) at Stanford (1-1)

New Cardinal coach Jim Harbaugh grabbed his first victory against San Jose State last week, now can he pull off an upset at Stanford Stadium?

Army (1-2) at No. 14 Boston College (3-0)

Linebacker Jolonn Dunbar leads a Boston College rushing defense that ranks fourth in the nation.

No. 15 Clemson (3-0) at North Carolina State (1-2)

The Tigers were supposed to be a run-first team this year, but quarterback Cullen Harper has digested the offense so well that they are more dangerous through the air.

North Carolina (1-2) at No. 23 South Florida (2-0)

The Bulls are ranked for the first time in school history and want to shut down the Tarheels pass-first offense with outstanding cornerbacks Trae Williams and Mike Jenkins.

— Edited by Amelia Freidline