7 games to watch in college football this weekend

Network and Time: NBC, 2:30 p.m. ET

Records: Both teams are 2-0

CFB Playoff Power Rankings: Notre Dame (6)

Why it is important: Notre Dame's win over Ball State was not as close as the score might suggest, but the 8-point win was still closer than it should have been. Meanwhile, Vandy has defeated their first two foes by a combined score of 76-17. The Irish have bigger names on the schedule, but they can't afford another ho-hum performance against a lesser team.

Network and Time: CBS, 3:30 p.m. ET

Records: Both teams are 2-0

CFB Playoff Power Rankings: LSU (12), Auburn (8)

Why it is important: This could be an elimination game in the SEC West. Both teams still have to play Georgia and Alabama, so neither can afford a loss here.

Network and Time: ESPN, 3:30 p.m. ET

Records: Both teams are 2-0

CFB Playoff Power Rankings: Boise State (17)

Why it is important: Neither of these teams is a legit threat in the playoff picture yet. But the winner of this game will start to get noticed. If OSU wins, they have a decent shot to get to 9-0 before they have to play Oklahoma, West Virginia, and TCU the final three weeks. If Boise State wins, they will take a leg up on UCF as the GoF1 (top playoff candidate in the Group of 5).

Network and Time: ESPN, 7:00 p.m. ET

Records: Both teams are 2-0

CFB Playoff Power Rankings: Bama (1)

Why it is important: Ole Miss would probably be the second-best team in the SEC West, but they are flying under the radar right now because they play in the same division as Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Mississippi State, and Texas A&M. Bama should win easily, but the game will likely be a fun shootout as Ole Miss is going to score points.

Network and Time: ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET

Records: Both teams are 2-0

CFB Playoff Power Rankings: Ohio State (4), TCU (11)

Why it is important: The final game of Urban Meyer's suspension is also Ohio State's first real test.

Network and Time: Fox, 8:00 p.m. ET

Records: Both teams are 1-1

CFB Playoff Power Rankings: Both teams are unranked

Why it is important: This series has a chance to turn into a sneaky-good rivalry. The season is not lost yet for either team, but it will be for whoever loses here.