MIAMI AT PITTSBURGH
When: 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Broadcasters: Rece Davis play-by-play, Craig James and Jesse Palmer analysts
The line: Miami by 3.5
Why you should watch: Premier non-conference games are a rarity for most programs these days, but Miami and Pittsburgh continue to challenge themselves. There's no consolation prize for losing to tough opponents, as one team will learn after this game. Pittsburgh lost at Utah in the opener, while Miami lost at Ohio State two weeks ago. The game will be a chance of redemption of sorts for both teams. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris is coming off a four-interception performance against the Buckeyes. He'll face a defensive line limited by the absence of star end Greg Romeus. Miami cornerback Brandon Harris faces another Biletnikoff Award-caliber receiver in Jonathan Baldwin two weeks after Ohio State's DeVier Posey caught four passes for 105 yards against the Hurricanes. The Panthers must find running room for Dion Lewis, who is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry. Miami ties run deep for Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt, a former UM assistant and Miami Dolphins head coach. Wannstedt has given a boost to the career of UM coach Randy Shannon, coaching him while Shannon was a player with the Hurricanes, drafting him with the Dallas Cowboys and hiring him as an assistant with the Dolphins.

TCU AT SMU
When: 8 p.m., ESPN
Broadcasters: Joe Tessitore play-by-play, Rod Gilmore analyst
The line: TCU by 17.5
Why you should watch: TCU has played SMU more than any other former Southwest Conference rival, in part because both were in Conference USA at one point. The Horned Frogs are 10-2 in the "Battle of the Iron Skillet" since the SWC dissolved. TCU trounced Baylor, another former SWC rival, 45-10 last Saturday. SMU needs to play its best game of the season on both sides of the ball to pull the huge upset. So far, SMU has been more balanced than most June Jones teams, in part because of quarterback Kyle Padron's ability to run. Despite trailing Boise State in the coaches' poll, TCU has legitimate hopes of returning to the BCS, too. The Horned Frogs' defense is just as stout as it was last season, ranking fourth in the nation. Meanwhile, TCU's offense could be more dangerous than last season's version. Tailback Ed Wesley is averaging 8.2 yards per carry.

ALABAMA AT ARKANSAS
When: 3:30, CBS
Broadcasters: Verne Lundquist play-by-play, Gary Danielson analyst
The line: Alabama by 7
Why you should watch: Arkansas has aspirations of winning the SEC West; by roughly 7 p.m. Saturday, the Razorbacks will know if they are the division front-runners or stuck playing catch-up. Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett has thrown for 1,081 yards and nine touchdowns this season, but he struggled mightily against Alabama last year. He was 12-of-35 for 160 yards with a touchdown and an interception. A lot is riding on Mallett's right arm: Arkansas is last in the SEC in rushing. Heisman winner Mark Ingram returned to rush for 151 yards and two touchdowns on only nine carries in Alabama's mauling of Duke last week. Greg McElroy is leading the nation in pass efficiency, and Trent Richardson has accounted for 537 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns. The Tide's defense has allowed just one touchdown.

STANFORD AT NOTRE DAME
When: 3:30 p.m., NBC
Broadcasters: Tom Hammond play-by-play, Mike Mayock analyst
The line: Stanford by 4.5
Why you should watch: A week after facing a coach who wasn't afraid to call a fake field goal in overtime, Brian Kelly faces a coach brash enough to call a timeout on an opponent's field-goal attempt when leading by 34 and to call for instant replay while up by 40 in the fourth quarter. Jim Harbaugh did both in last Saturday's 68-24 beatdown of Wake Forest. Sophomore quarterback Andrew Luck could follow Toby Gerhart as a Heisman candidate. Luck has passed for 10 touchdowns this season and ran for a 52-yard score against Wake. Stanford is allowing just 90 passing yards per game, but the Cardinal hasn't played a team that likes to throw as much as Notre Dame does under Kelly. His teams at Cincinnati had a knack for winning close games, something that Notre Dame still needs to learn. Stanford, meanwhile, is looking to build momentum before its game Oct. 10 at Oregon.

SOUTH CAROLINA AT AUBURN
When: 7:45 p.m., ESPN
Broadcasters: Brad Nessler play-by-play, Todd Blackledge analyst
The line: Auburn by 2.5
Why you should watch: South Carolina and Florida appear to have solidified themselves as the teams to beat in the SEC East. While the Gamecocks are seeking their first SEC championship game appearance, they're also seeking their first win over Auburn since joining the SEC. The Gamecocks' last win over Auburn was in 1933. South Carolina is allowing just 59.7 rushing yards per game and Auburn is the top running team in the SEC. The Tigers have three backs with at least 200 yards, led by quarterback Cameron Newton with 309 yards. The Gamecocks have freshman Marcus Lattimore, who gives Steve Spurrier his best back since he had Fred Taylor at Florida in the late 1990s. Quarterback Stephen Garcia will be tested on the road for the first time this season. Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley may be the key to the game with his ability to rush the passer.

OREGON STATE AT BOISE STATE
When: 8 p.m., ABC
Broadcasters: Brent Musburger play-by-play, Kirk Herbstreit analyst
The line: Boise State by 16.5
Why you should watch: Perhaps Boise State's toughest non-conference game won't be against Virginia Tech after all. Thanks to Virginia Tech's loss to James Madison, the Broncos likely have a slimmer margin for error in their hopes to play for the BCS title. Oregon State is 1-1, with its loss coming to TCU in the opener. Boise State generally has a stout run defense in its biggest games. The Broncos allowed Virginia Tech to rush for 128 yards and two touchdowns, but the Hokies needed 44 attempts to do that. Oregon State will rely on the Rodgers brothers. Jacquizz is coming off a 132-yard, two-touchdown game against Louisville. James hasn't been as productive as usual, though. After averaging 102.8 yards from scrimmage last season, he's averaging only 61.0 in two games this season. Oregon State's defense has a tall task, too. After the Beavers had trouble with quarterback Adam Froman and the Louisville receivers, how will they be able to handle Kellen Moore, Titus Young and Austin Pettis?

WEST VIRGINIA AT LSU
When: 9:15 p.m., ESPN2
Broadcasters: Ron Franklin play-by-play, Ed Cunningham analyst
The line: LSU by 6.5
Why you should watch: West Virginia faces an SEC team for the fifth consecutive season, dating to the win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl following the 2005 season. The Mountaineers won four in a row before falling 41-30 at Auburn last season. The Mountaineers look like the top team in the Big East, thanks to the performance of new starting quarterback Geno Smith. How much clout the title of Big East favorite carries could be determined in Baton Rouge. Smith (and West Virginia's punt- and kickoff-coverage teams) need to keep an eye out for Patrick Peterson, one of the top cornerbacks in the country. West Virginia is holding teams to 62.7 rushing yards, so the onus may be on inconsistent LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson to make some plays.