Forget about getting anything done around the house or running errands or even visiting with the neighbors.
For college football fans, this is a day meant for a comfortable couch and well-operating remote. A big-screen television with stereo sound would be a bonus.
There simply are too many good games to be taken in. Even those who are dying for a college playoff must admit that the lack of such a postseason scenario makes weekends such as this so compelling. This is not jockeying for position but potentially the end of championship dreams.
This weekend, there are eight undefeated teams involved in games that could help them win or cost them the national title, while several other matchups are worthy of attention.
The annual Florida State-Miami showdown is a given. For the first time since 1993, the fifth-ranked Seminoles (5-0) and No. 2 Hurricanes (5-0) enter the game in Tallahassee with both in the Top 5.
Florida's trip to LSU is compelling, too, if for no other reason than coach Ron Zook's tenuous grip on his 3-3 Gators. Still, a UF upset would seriously damage the title hopes of the sixth-ranked Tigers.
Here is a look at a few of the day's other top games:
No. 1 Oklahoma (5-0) vs. No. 11 Texas (4-1)
WHEN/WHERE: 3:30 p.m.; Cotton Bowl, Dallas.
TV: Ch. 28.
OF NOTE: Few remember that Mack Brown beat the Sooners in his first two years as Texas coach. They recall the three consecutive defeats, the seemingly "soft" team that shows up to play the rough-and-tumble Sooners. Texas fans have seen national championship dreams swept away. This year, the urgency grows. Not only do they need a victory over Oklahoma in the annual Red River Shootout for bragging rights, but a loss knocks the Longhorns out of national title consideration. They already suffered a home defeat to Arkansas. The good news for Texas is that a win puts it right back in the mix. But the Sooners boast one of the nation's best defenses, although Longhorns quarterbacks Vince Young and Chance Mock could offer enough variances to keep them off balance. OU counters with Jason White, who threw for a career-high 384 yards last week.
OF NOTE: Finally, the Buckeyes play on the road. After five straight games at Ohio Stadium, including a couple of close calls and lackluster performances, the defending national champions travel to a place that can be tough on opposing teams, especially at night. Last year, Ohio State played five road games, and four were decided by a touchdown or less. While the Buckeyes have won 19 straight, nine of the past 12 have been decided by a touchdown or less. They did have an off week last week to prepare for Wisconsin and star running back Anthony Davis, who aggravated an ankle sprain in a victory at Penn State. OSU quarterback Craig Krenzel returns after resting an elbow injury and should give the Buckeyes a boost.
OF NOTE: In essence, this is the game that will decide the SEC East. Both have defeated South Carolina, and do you really expect Florida to challenge? It is unlikely the loser would be able to make up two games, so here it is, a championship game of sorts in early October. Tennessee made life more difficult by losing at Auburn last week and being held to the lowest rushing total (4 yards) in coach Phillip Fulmer's tenure. And Georgia players remember the comments of UT quarterback Casey Clausen, who missed last year's game with a collarbone injury then said that if he could have played with one arm, the Vols would have defeated the Bulldogs "by at least two touchdowns." Clausen is healthy but might not be after a fired up defense gets after him tonight.
Top 25
No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Texas, 3:30 p.m.
No. 2 Miami at No. 5 Florida State, Noon
No. 3 Ohio State at No. 23 Wisconsin, 9 p.m.
No. 4 Virginia Tech vs. Syracuse, noon
No. 6 LSU vs. Florida, 3:30 p.m.
No. 7 Arkansas vs. Auburn, 12:30 p.m.
No. 8 Georgia at No. 13 Tennessee, 7:45 p.m.
No. 9 Southern Cal vs. Stanford, 10 p.m.
No. 10 Nebraska at Missouri, 7 p.m.
No. 15 Pittsburgh vs. Notre Dame, 6 p.m.
No. 16 Northern Illinois at Central Michigan, 1 p.m.
