Iowa is poised to improve its record to 3-0 as they head southwest to take on the Arizona Wildcats.
While that game ensues, in-state rivals Texas and Texas Tech will fight in a classic Big 12 showdown, and SEC powerhouses Clemson and Auburn will face off. In Washington, Nebraska hopes to improve its national title hopes as they take on Heisman candidate and future first-round draft pick, quarterback Jake Locker.
Iowa vs. Arizona
The Hawkeyes, who have played flawlessly on both sides of the football, receive their first true challenge this Saturday when they invade Tucson, Ariz. to take on the Wildcats.
Iowa has been quite offensively minded this season, outscoring its first two opponents 72-14, with quarterback Ricky Stanzi compiling 433 yards and three touchdowns.
At the same time, Arizona has also performed exceptionally, beating its first two opponents by a combined score of 93-8 and is currently ranked 10th in the nation in passing yards, averaging 344 per game.
Quarterback Nick Foles has completed a staggering 83 percent of his passes (49-59), while accumulating 574 yards and three touchdowns.
On defense, Arizona features a stout unit, which is ranked 2nd in the nation and is coming off a victory where it allowed only 171 total yards against The Citadel.
To add fuel to the fire, Arizona is seeking redemption after faltering to the Hawkeyes last season 27-17. Iowa held Arizona to just eight first downs and limited the Wildcats to 253 yards of offense.
Iowa needs its defense, one of the nation's most talented, to live up to its expectations and play the hard-nosed, physical game that enabled the team to slay the Wildcats previously.
Both teams have alot to lose this weekend but Iowa needs the win this weekend if it wants to have a shot at the BCS National Title at the end of the season.
Texas vs. Texas Tech
Texas Tech is hoping that some of the magic still remains from the previous time the two rivals met in Lubbock in 2008.
In that game, where Texas Tech stunned Texas 39-33, wide receiver Michael Crabtree scored the go-ahead touchdown with one second remaining.
ESPN.com ranked the game as the No. 3 game of the decade, but both teams have undergone drastic changes since that match-up.
A new era has begun at Texas Tech under the regime of coach Tommy Tuberville, who replaced former head coach Mike Leach.
The Red Raiders have gotten off to a fresh start at 2-0 and are coming off a 52-17 rout of New Mexico. Quarterback Taylor Potts accumulated 293 yards and three touchdowns in that game.
As for the Longhorns, their offense has morphed into a more balanced attack.
Unlike last season, when Texas was primarily a pass oriented offense under quarterback Colt McCoy, the Longhorns have focused on the ground game, averaging 182 rushing yards in their first two games.
Yet their passing game is still respectable, averaging just less than 200 yards per game. This could spell trouble for the 62nd ranked Texas Tech defense, which has allowed 22 points and has yielded 380 yards per game.
Texas will be looking to exploit that weakness and the Red Raiders may need a lot more than pure magic to knock off the No. 5 ranked Texas Longhorns.
Clemson vs. Auburn
It will be a battle to the finish when two of the top SEC squads square off for conference supremacy.
The Clemson Tigers, despite losing ACC player of the year C.J. Spiller to the NFL draft, have been a consistent force on the ground all season, averaging 229 rushing yards, the 24th best in the nation.
Running back Andre Ellington leads the way with 133 yards and three touchdowns this season, while backups Jamie Harper (110 yards, 1 touchdown) and Roderick McDowell (91 yards, 1 touchdown) have also contributed.
On the other hand, Clemson will have its hands full as it attempts to stymie the Auburn Tigers, who will have quarterback Cameron Newton try to lead them to victory.
Newton has not garnered the attention of the nation like Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor has, but he has been absolutely sensational this season.
Not only does he lead Auburn in passing (322) and rushing (241), but he heads into Saturday with a substantial amount of confidence after an impressive performance last Thursday.
In Auburn's 17-14 victory over Mississippi State, Newton completed 11-of-19 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns, as well as rushing for 70 yards.
To put this in an even better perspective, Newton's total yardage was 146 in the first half compared to Mississippi State's 125.
It will be a daunting task for the Clemson defense to contain Newton, because up until now, no one has been able to put a leash on the tiger.
Nebraska vs. Washington
Despite a lackluster performance in a 23-17 loss to Brigham Young in Week 1, Washington rebounded and showcased its high-octane offense last Saturday in a 41-20 victory over Syracuse.
Senior quarterback Jake Locker looked much more like a Heisman candidate as he completed 22-of-33 passes for 289 yards and tied a career-high with four touchdowns.
Locker's weapon of choice was the electrifying junior Jermaine Kearse, who caught nine passes for an outstanding 179 yards and three touchdowns.
Kearse became the first Huskies receiver with three touchdowns in a game since Reggie Williams in 2002.
Unfortunately, it won't be that easy against 8th ranked Nebraska, who features a physical, aggressive defense.
Nebraska not only has held its opponents to an average of 13.5 points per game but had five interceptions against Idaho last Saturday.
To compliment the defense, the Cornhuskers have the 3rd best rushing offense in the nation, having already amassed an astounding 649 yards.
This offensive juggernaut is directed by true freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez, who has been everything except short of amazing.
Martinez has only had 21 carries this season but is averaging an absurd 13.5 yards per carry while totaling 184 yards on 5 touchdowns.
Washington will have to play a perfect game to have a shot because not only must Locker find a way to score against one of the toughest defenses, but a mediocre defense will have to neutralize the Cornhuskers potent offense.
If the defense can't do that, it could be a very long day for the Huskies.
