College Football Week 12 Preview and Predictions

In just his second collegiate start, Stanford's Kevin Hogan needs to play very well if the Cardinal are going to upset Oregon. (Ezra Shaw)

5. Kent State (9-1) @ Bowling Green (7-3) - 12:00 PM EST, ESPN3

The Mid-American Conference has some very good teams this year. Ohio University has been the focal point of most of the national media attention. However, the winner of this game will almost certainly play a very good Northern Illinois team in the MAC Championship. Kent State's only loss this season came way back on September 8 at Kentucky. Since then, the Golden Flashes have rolled off eight straight wins, including impressive road victories at Rutgers and Miami (OH). After starting the season 1-3, Bowling Green has rattled off six straight wins. With a 5-1 conference record, the Falcons are in position to upset Kent State and move into first place in the MAC East.

Prediction: Kent State 31 Bowling Green 24

4. Utah State (8-2) @ #20 Louisiana Tech (9-1) - 4:00 PM EST, ESPN3

The Western Athletic Conference is another loaded small conference that is still up for grabs. Utah State's only two losses have come by a combined five points. The Aggies defense will need to play very well as they face their toughest offensive opponent yet. Louisiana Tech's only loss was by two in a shootout with Texas A&M. The Bulldogs offense has been next to impossible to slow down. They have scored at least 44 points in every game this season except for one.

Prediction: Louisiana Tech 31 Utah State 27

3. #22 Rutgers (8-1) @ Cincinnati (7-2) - 12:00 PM EST, Big East Network/ESPN3

Rutgers has rolled through all of its competition this year, expect for the surprising home loss to Kent State that ended their quest for perfection. Due to last week's Syracuse upset of Louisville, the Scarlet Knights remain in position to win the Big East and potentially a BCS bowl berth. They have a tough road test this week before them. Back-to-back losses to Toledo and Louisville ended Cincinnati's hopes of a perfect season. If the Bearcats can pull the upset here, they will be back in the picture to win the Big East.

Prediction: Rutgers 24 Cincinnati 20

2. Wake Forest (5-5) @ #3 Notre Dame (10-0) - 3:30 PM EST, NBC

Wake Forest may only be 5-5, but Notre Dame has learned to not overlook any opponents. The Demon Deacons have had a season full of ups and downs. They come into this game off of their worst loss of the season (by 31 to North Carolina State). Notre Dame has found a way to win every game of the season, even though some have been prettier than others. The Fighting Irish must focus on the task at hand and not look ahead to their game at USC next week.

Prediction: Notre Dame 20 Wake Forest 3

1. #13 Stanford (8-2) @ #2 Oregon (10-0) - 8:00 PM EST, ABC

After a heartbreaking loss to Notre Dame in overtime, Stanford has won four straight games. The Cardinal seem to keep improving, even with a change at quarterback. Junior Josh Nunes has been benched in favor of freshman Kevin Hogan. Last week, Hogan threw three touchdown passes in Stanford's solid win over Oregon State. Undefeated Oregon is of course known by their explosive offense. In their last two games, quarterback Marcus Mariota has thrown for 681 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Ducks' De'Anthony Thomas is a danger man any time he steps onto the football field.

Prediction: Oregon 45 Stanford 31

College Football Week 3 Preview and Predictions

MSU running back Le'Veon Bell was stopped by Notre Dame last year, but this season he has been hard to slow down. (Gregory Shamus)

After a week of surprising upsets, the college football season has begun to take shape. This weekend should continue to be a grooming process of the cream of the crop. This is the preview and predictions for Week 3 of the college football season.

5. California @ #12 Ohio State - 12:00 PM EST, ABC

Last week, the PAC-12 put three big beatdowns on the Big Ten. This weekend California will look to keep the trend going as they travel to Columbus to take on Ohio State. The Golden Bears bounced back from opening loss to Nevada with a win over Southern Utah. Ohio State is 2-0 after having little trouble with Miami (OH) and Central Florida. If Cal is going to pull an upset, they are going to need a big game out of their two offensive stars, quarterback Zach Maynard and wide receiver Kennan Allen. Ohio State may need to rely on quarterback Braxton Miller to carry a heavier load with running backs Jordan Hall and Carlos Hyde battling injuries.

Prediction: Ohio State 27 California 17

4. Wake Forest @ #5 Florida State - 12:00 PM EST, ESPN/ESPN 3D

Florida State is a top-five team in the polls and has outscored two FCS opponents 124-3 to begin the season. Wake Forest will be their first real test of the season. In fact, the Demon Deacons have beaten the Seminoles in four of their last six matchups, including two of the last three in Tallahassee. One of the reasons that Florida State has put such big numbers is that quarterback EJ Manuel has yet to be sacked this season. Wake Forest will look to change that while being led by the reigning ACC defensive lineman of the week. In his first career start, defensive end Hasan Hazime had five tackles, a sack, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.  Offensively, the Demon Deacons will need big games out of their tandem of top receivers, Brandon Terry and Michael Campanaro.

Prediction: Florida State 31 Wake Forest 10

3. #2 USC @ #21 Stanford - 7:30 PM EST, FOX

While former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck led his team past their rival, current USC quarterback Matt Barkley will look to return the favor. USC, one of the favorites in the BCS race, has looked up and down so far this season. The Trojans have yet to look consistent from start to finish. Stanford rebound from a soft showing against San Jose State with a pounding of Duke. The Cardinal will need running back Stepfan Taylor to step up and lead on offense. The big question mark for the Trojans might be their offensive line. Their pass protection must give Barkley time to operate.

Prediction: USC 34 Stanford 20

2. #18 Florida @ #23 Tennessee - 6:00 PM EST, ESPN/Watch ESPN

Tennessee is ranked for the first time in four seasons. To stay in the rankings, they will have to beat rival Florida for the first time since 2004. Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray has brilliant in the Vols first two games. He leads a dynamic passing attack that features wide receivers Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson. The Volunteers will look to use their up-tempo, no-huddle offense to overwhelm the Gators. Conversely, Florida will look to control the ball to keep the Tennessee offense off the field. The Gators will focus on running the ball behind power back Mike Gillislee. Gillislee leads the SEC in rushing yards and tied for the lead in rushing touchdowns.

Prediction: Tennessee 28 Florida 24

1. #20 Notre Dame @ #10 Michigan State - 8:00 PM EST, ABC

Since many Big Ten favorites have stumbled early, Michigan State has emerged as the conference front runner. They now have to back that claim up with a primetime showdown with non-conference rival Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish dominated Navy in Ireland, but then looked shaky against Purdue last week. Everett Golson will get the start at quarterback, but Tommy Rees is waiting in the wings in case Golson struggles. Whoever is at quarterback will benefit from getting back running back Cierre Wood.

The Spartans offense will look for tail back Le'Von Bell to carry the load again. Bell has been an absolute beast (50 touches against Boise State) so far this season. Michigan State quarterback Andrew Maxwell has looked pretty good, but forced too many passes against Boise State, resulting in three interceptions. The Spartans also boast what is probably the best defensive end duo in the country with William Gholston and Marcus Rush. Defensively, the Fighting Irish will rely on the leadership of Manti Te'o, one of the best linebackers in the nation, to slow down Bell and the Spartan offense.

Prediction: Michigan State 21 Notre Dame 20