It has been an eventful couple of weeks for Conference USA teams. Two weeks ago, North Texas went on the road to play SEC foe Arkansas and blew out the Razorbacks, 44-17.

Last weekend, Old Dominion welcomed the No. 13-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies and shocked the college football world with a 49-35 victory. Louisiana Tech made LSU sweat, pulling within three in the fourth quarter before the Tigers roared back for a 38-21 victory.

The opportunity for more Conference USA upsets of Power Five schools remains this week as Southern Miss travels to Auburn and Rice heads to Wake Forest.

Elsewhere in the conference, nine teams open conference play this weekend. Perhaps the biggest game on this week’s Conference USA schedule will happen right here in Murfreesboro.

Middle Tennessee will take on the defending conference champion Florida Atlantic Owls. Lane Kiffin’s Owls have had a rough go of it lately, losing to Oklahoma and Central Florida.

With both their wins coming against Air Force and Bethune Cookman, Saturday’s contest against the Blue Raiders will be FAU’s first matchup against relatively similar competition.

After a 3-3 record last week, our record is a meager 16-8 through four weeks.

Tennessee @ No. 2 Georgia, CBS, Saturday 2:30 – Yikes. If the Vols couldn’t hang with Florida at home last weekend, there’s no way they belong on the same field as Georgia. The Vols are an embarrassing 32.5-point underdog to the Bulldogs. That’s the most lopsided line in series history. Georgia 45-6

Florida @ No. 23 Mississippi State, ESPN, Saturday 5:00 – Dear Gators, you aren’t in Knoxville anymore. While Mississippi State is coming off an upset loss at Kentucky, you can bet Dan Mullen’s former players in Starkville will be ready for the former head coach and his current team. Bulldogs 24-14

South Carolina @ No. 17 Kentucky, SEC Network, Saturday 6:30 – If not for the loaded schedule of potentially great games Saturday, this matchup would likely have drawn a better timeslot. Kentucky is on a tear right now. The Gamecocks are coming off a big win at Vanderbilt. Winner gets No. 2 in the SEC East… for now. Wildcats 24-21

No. 7 Stanford @ No. 8 Notre Dame, NBC, Saturday 6:30 – Notre Dame has played well enough to escape with a couple of wins against lesser competition. Saturday night, the Irish will have be on its game. Stanford has pulled out some big wins this season. Giving the slight edge to Notre Dame at home. Irish 30-28

No. 4 Ohio State @ No. 9 Penn State, ABC, Saturday 6:30 – Ohio State has done exactly what it has needed to do this season. Win and win big against lesser competition. Penn State isn’t that much lesser than the Buckeyes, however. Close one. Buckeyes 38-34

Florida Atlantic @ MTSU, Facebook, Saturday 6:00 – In case you haven’t heard, Lane Kiffin is coming to town. And he’s bringing All-Conference RB Devin Singletary with him. Neither defense has done much to stop their opponents this season. Expect a high-scoring, back-and-forth battle. FAU 45-37