It’s one of the biggest weekends of the college football season, so let’s get right down to it.

No. 7 California at No. 1 USC (3:30, ABC regional)

The sting of last year’s 34-31 defeat at Memorial Stadium is still fresh in the minds of the Trojans.

USC, ranked No. 1 at the time, played out of character in the game with quarterback Matt Leinart throwing three interceptions and the defense allowing Cal a 17-minute advantage in time of possession.

Cal comes into Saturday’s game led by an offense that is clicking on all cylinders, and many are looking for them to repeat the shocking upset from a year ago.

Top-ranked USC has developed a dangerous habit of playing possum with their opponents in the first half and then storming back to pull out the win in the second half.

They have trailed at some point in three of their first four games and have trailed twice entering the fourth quarter.

Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers leads a Golden Bear offense that is averaging nearly 49 points and 539 yards of offense per game.

Rodgers has completed 74 percent of his passes, and the Cal rushing attack has helped him by topping 300 yards twice this year.

On the other sideline, they face a USC offense that is averaging 36 points per game and 459 yards of total offense.

Fans watching the game at the Coliseum should bring their neck braces because as quick as these teams score, they might have whiplash by the third quarter.

Cal and USC match up well, so this is the type of game that could come down to who has the ball last. With each team knowing they won’t be able to stop the opposing offense, it will be crucial for both teams to protect the football.

If either Leinart or Rodgers get careless with the ball, their team is likely to get embarrassed.

Despite two scares already this year, USC hasn’t lost a home game under Pete Carroll, and the Trojans have had two weeks to prepare for the team that cost them a chance at an undisputed national title last year.

Trojans survive in the game of the day, 38-34.

No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 5 Texas — in Dallas (noon, ABC)

This is the third time in four years that both the Sooners and Longhorns enter the game undefeated and ranked in the top five. Oklahoma has won all three of the previous meetings.

In 2002 and 2003 the Red River Shootout turned into the “Red River Butt Whooping” as the Sooners smoked the Longhorns by a combined score of 100-37.

Texas is still recovering from the 65-13 obliteration it suffered at the hands of the Sooners in Dallas last year, a game in which the team committed six turnovers and allowed the OU offense to do whatever it wanted through the air.

Texas will be looking to attack Oklahoma on the ground with running back Cedric Benson and quarterback Vince Young, and the Longhorn offense comes into the game averaging 353 rushing yards per game.

Both Young and Benson gashed the Sooners for long runs in the first half of last year’s game, but three fumbles and three picks killed their chances of keeping up with Oklahoma.

Oklahoma doesn’t have the same dominant defense it had a year ago, and with a year of experience in this rivalry under his belt, Young won’t be likely to make the same careless mistakes that buried Texas in last year’s game.

Texas is confident in its ability to move the ball, but this year’s Sooner squad presents even more of a challenge than last year’s because of the addition of phenomenal freshman Adrian Peterson to an already explosive offense.

Peterson is averaging more than six yards per carry while splitting time with Kejuan Jones and provides a consistent and dangerous ground threat that Oklahoma lacked a year ago.

That is a major concern for a Texas defense that allowed 458 rushing yards to Arkansas earlier this season.

Oklahoma continues its dominance in Dallas, 31-27.

No. 13 Minnesota at No. 14 Michigan (noon, ESPN)

Minnesota is still kicking itself after last year’s Metrodome meltdown, a game in which it allowed Michigan to score 31 fourth quarter points and squeak away with a 38-35 victory.

Despite gaining 424 yards on the ground, Minnesota decided to take the fourth quarter off, and Michigan burned them through the air.

This year’s game at the Big House involves a sluggish Michigan offense that has not been able to run the football facing a Gopher offense that has two 600-yard rushers and 17 rushing touchdowns on the season.

Michigan’s defense has allowed only one 100-yard rusher this season (Darius Walker of Notre Dame), but the Wolverines lost that game.

Michigan’s defense has been one of the best in nation at forcing turnovers, but they are up against a Minnesota offense that has been exceptional at protecting the football.

The Wolverines will have to run the ball effectively to keep Minnesota running backs Laurence Maroney and Marion Barber III on the sidelines, but if they falter they should still be able to move the ball through the air with Braylon Edwards, Steve Breaston and Jason Avant.

Michigan doesn’t lose often at home, but if Chad Henne doesn’t bring his “A” game, the Wolverines could be in for a repeat performance of the Notre Dame fiasco.

Minnesota shocks Michigan, 24-17.

– David Bethea is a Sports stringer for The Red & Black. Look for his college football analysis Fridays.