After this week, the college football season will be a quarter of the way over.

Think about that for a second. Almost 25% of all college football games will be completed by Sunday evening. If that doesn't scream "EVERY GAME COUNTS" then I don't know what does.

Here are the top 5 match-ups that I know I'll be interested in this week, and some predictions for those who would like to lose all their money in a smelly bar/grille off the Las Vegas strip.

1. ECU @ UNC. Not #1 in terms of importance on a national stage, so it's just easier for everyone to call me a Tar Heel homer and get it over with. The Pirates beat Carolina the last time around on a last-second field goal, and ECU's tandem of QB Patrick Pinkney and RB Chris Johnson just destroyed the bewildered UNC defense. Two things are different - the UNC defense is in the top 10 in the country two weeks into the season, and Chris Johnson is in the NFL. Pinkney has a ton of veteran savvy, but I like the Heels in this game if they can run the ball on offense. Prediction: UNC 20, ECU 14

2. Tennessee @ Florida. Who will NOT be watching this game? Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin made headlines - good and bad, but mostly bad - this off-season, and he started with a bang when he practically guaranteed a victory against the Gators in Gainesville this season...this after all-everything Gator QB Tim Tebow announced he was returning AND after Florida had won a second BCS national championship in three years. I'm curious - will UF coach Urban Meyer try to score more or less than 10 TDs against the Vols and shut Kiffin up? Prediction: Florida 49, Tennessee 28

3. Virginia Tech @ Nebraska. The Hokies bounced back in a big way last week against (insert FCS school here) after getting out-classed by Alabama, but this game is almost as important as that opening week contest. Nebraska is a talented football team, and Bo Pelini has that fabled Blackshirt defense running around in Lincoln once again. If the ACC - and more specifically Virginia Tech - is truly ready for the big time, then they need to win this game. Prediction: Virginia Tech 24, Nebraska 21

4. Michigan State @ Notre Dame. This could be the beginning of the end for Charlie Weis. No, seriously. This is it. Notre Dame lost to a less talented Michigan team and made a true freshman QB Tate Forcier look like a superstar. Mark Dantonio has a good team, and Sparty is not afraid of South Bend, having won the last six times there against the Irish. Weis MUST bounce back against the Spartans from East Lansing or he could be staring the unemployment line right in the face. Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Michigan State 17

5. Texas Tech @ Texas. Think Longhorns safety Blake Gideon isn't ready for another shot at the Red Raiders? After dropping the game-sealing INT last year (which led to Tech marching down the field for a TD with 0:02 left on the clock), Gideon and the rest of the Texas football team should be chomping at the bit for avenging their only loss last season, which ultimately kept them out of the BCS national championship game. Prediction: Texas 35, Texas Tech 24

Bonus pick: West Virginia @ Auburn. Auburn has quietly gone 2-0 to open the season, but they'll be facing a WVU team with a ton of explosive weapons on offense, including superstar RB Noel Devine and talented freshmen WRs Tavon Austin and Logan Heastie. Auburn is averaging almost 350 yards a game running the football, and the Mountaineers will be without key contributor Scooter Berry on the defensive line. If you can't watch any of the games above, this game should be an offensive shootout worth the price of admission (or DirecTV, whichever you prefer). Prediciton: Auburn 45, West Virginia 42

Enjoy this week in college football!