Air Force v TCU

Hey guys I am back this week with a great lineup of games to keep you busy this weekend.

With the close of the baseball season, we now move to some exciting and crucial football matchups at the collegiate and pro levels. Enjoy!

To start the weekend off, a matchup between TCU and Utah pits two ranked and undefeated conference foes. TCU is currently sitting at No. 3 and will play at No. 5 Utah at 3:30 p.m. ET. Not only is this the biggest game of all between BCS-busting rivals, but it will also be the last game they play in the same conference.

Whoever wins this game remains in contention for another BCS game and maybe even a national title. This game will be a battle between Utah’s dynamic offense and TCU’s dominant defense.

The Utes have won 21 straight home games and are ranked third nationally in scoring, while TCU leads the nation in both defense and scoring defense. A key player could turn out to be Utah’s Shaky Smithson, who leads the nation in punt return average. Let’s see who’s championship hungry!

Another key match-up is No. 6 Alabama at No. 10 LSU at 3:30 p.m. ET. Although LSU’s defense is ranked seventh nationally, they will have their hands full with Alabama running backs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. Alabama coach Nick Saban will face his old team, and needs a win to stay in the running for the SEC Championship.

This game could wind up being huge in the national title race, too. The Tide have to win out to have a shot at securing a spot. Watch for when LSU defensive back Patrick Peterson goes up against the Crimson Tide receiver Julio Jones -- two guys that will be playing on Sundays in the future. Saban finally managed to turn the tide in this rivalry last year, so let’s see if he can do it again.

At 8:00 p.m. ET No. 15 Arizona plays at No. 13 Stanford in a matchup of two teams tied for second place in the Pac-10. The Cardinal had an impressive offensive showing last week with a 41-0 victory against Washington. With Andrew Luck at quarterback and a potent offense, the Cardinal are off to their best start in 40 years, and thinking about a Rose Bowl appearance.

The Wildcats also have their eyes on Pasadena -- and their first trip to the Rose Bowl. The defense keyed the Wildcats' success last week against UCLA. Arizona may also have its starting quarterback, Nick Foles, back after he missed the past two weeks with a knee injury.

Last season when these Luck and Foles met the numbers were ridiculous, but with both defenses playing well, it should be a fun game to watch.

This Sunday in the NFL, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome at 1:00 p.m. ET. Coming off a bye week, the rested Falcon team is looking to secure first place. This game is important because the winner will be the outright leader in the NFC South and will have a legitimate shot at the conference's No. 1 seed. 

The Falcons have only lost one game at home and are the fifth best rushing team in the league, and sixth best against the run. The Buccaneers are ranked 18th in the league with 104.9 rushing YPG on offense and 30th on defense.

LeGarrette Blount has averaged 96 yards rushing the last two games but may have a tougher time against the Falcons rush defense. Let’s see who deserves elite status in the NFC.

The Indianapolis Colts will take on the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in Philadelphia at 4:15 p.m. ET, and Michael Vick is back. Vick was the NFL’s highest-rated passer before getting injured, and he now has a chance to become the game’s best comeback story if he can carry the Eagles into the postseason.

However, there is Peyton Manning, who has never lost to the Eagles. Manning has thrown seven touchdowns and only one interception, while completing 70 percent of his passes in his three career games against Phildelphia.

Either Manning’s undefeated record against the Eagles, or coach Andy Reid’s 11-0 record in games after the bye will be shattered Sunday night. Let’s see if the Eagles' extra week of preparation will help them outscore Manning and the Colts.

To reach writer Devin Altschul, click here.

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