The Battle of the Weasels in Madison highlights Saturday’s college football schedule

On days like today, I like to quote one of our time’s most celebrated philosophers — Good Ol’ J.R. — and say:

There have been some big matchups already this season — LSU vs. Texas, Clemson vs. A&M — but now that we are into the fourth week of action, the picture of who these teams truly are is beginning to develop, and the stakes are continuing to rise.

While the Buckeyes are still eating at cupcake city this weekend, there is a decent amount of ranked-on-ranked action in all of the windows to not only keep you entertained, but also that will impact the conference and College Football Playoff races for the rest of the season.

12 noon ET Window

No. 11 Michigan at No. 13 Wisconsin | 12 noon ET | FOX

This game is practically required viewing for all Buckeye fans. Not only is it the only matchup of ranked teams in the first slot of games, but it also will have major implications on the Big Ten standings and it will be our first real opportunity to see just how good — or bad — these sets of weasels are against competent competition (no offense to the troops).

That Team Up North has looked down right Harbaughian in their first three games*. Despite being promised a flashy new offense thanks to new coordinator Josh Gattis, they have looked delightfully bad on that side of the ball. The Wolverines are currently 11th in the B1G in total offense... you hate to see it.

*Technically Michigan is just 2-0, but since they went to two overtimes with Army, we rounded up to three.

Now to the boys in Madison who have outscored their opponents in their first two games of the season 110-0. Granted, they’ve played South Florida and Central Michigan, but at least this week they have an opponent with a pulse.

Ohio State hosts Wisconsin on Oct. 26 and of course will travel Ann Arbor on Nov. 30. While OSU is riding high through the first month of the season, they should know a lot more about two of their most anticipated opponents by the time they kick off today.

3:30 p.m. ET Window

No. 8 Auburn vs. No. 17 Texas A&M

While I am sure that your attention will be focused on the Buckeye game, this SEC contest should be an interesting contest to keep an eye on. Neither really has a shot to win the conference with ‘Bama, UGA, and LSU a step or two in front of them, but the Tigers and Aggies have both played well against good teams this season, so they should be prepared for the matchup at Kyle Field.

8:00 p.m. ET Window

No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 3 Georgia

The second titanic struggle of the day comes from Athens, Ga. as the perennially overrated Fighting Irish heads down to play between the hedges. With a win, ND could propel itself into the CFP conversation with games against UVA, USC, and TTUN over the next month, before things lighten up considerably in November.

Georgia is already smack dab in the middle of the playoff discussion. In fact, we’ve already started hearing from some prognosticators that the SEC should get three teams in the CFP; the gaul.

Like the Irish, UGA has some contentious games sprinkled into their remaining schedule, but unlike ND, they all seem to fall in the last month of the season for the Bulldogs. The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party falls on Nov. 2 this year, and the Dawgs also play Auburn and A&M before Thanksgiving as well, not to mention a potential SEC Championship Game.

So, while both teams have opportunities to rebound, a loss would be far more devastating to Notre Dame, who doesn’t have as tough of a road, and has no conference championship game to keep them fresh in the committee’s mind. Because of the love affair with the Southeastern Conference, Georgia could lose today and still make the playoff through any number of winding roads. So, my rooting interests are officially against Notre Dame to thin the herd of playoff contenders.

Pac-12 After Dark

Colorado at No. 24 Arizona State

Mel “Flea-Flicker from My Own End Zone” Tucker vs. Herm “You Play to Win the Game” Edwards. Need I say more?

Check out the full slate of Saturday games here: