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The wheels came off for Iowa last week in a 44-7 loss at Arizona State. Inconsistency has plagued the offense for the Hawkeyes, who lost their starting quarterback and running back from last season and have started a different offensive line in each of their three games this year.

This week No. 24 Iowa plays against a No. 19 Michigan defense (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) that was supposed to be one of the best in the nation but that has looked average over the past two weeks. Wolverines defensive coordinator Jim Hermann has no doubt lit a fire under his unit after subpar outings against Notre Dame and San Diego State, and his unit will have to carry the team as long as true freshmen quarterback Chad Henne and true freshman tailback Ryan Hart are starting in the offensive backfield.

Look for the Michigan defense to rebound and lead the Wolverines to a 24-10 victory.

Clemson vs. No. 11 Florida State (3:30 ET, ABC)
In all my years as an analyst I've never been as mystified by a team as I am by this year's Clemson Tigers. They were left for dead more than once last season but bounced back to finish 9-4, win ACC Coach of the Year honors for Tommy Bowden and blow out Tennessee in the Peach Bowl.

Because of that everyone expected the Tigers to have a very good year in 2004, but with running back Duane Coleman missing Clemson's first two games and most of the third opponents have been able to focus on quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and shut down the offense. The Tigers are lucky to be 1-2 right now.

As for Florida State, the Seminoles' defense is proving to be one of the most dominant in the nation, but the offense is inconsistent. There is plenty of skill and big-play ability on that side of the ball in running backs Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker and receiver Craphonso Thorpe.

Coach Bobby Bowden will once again face off against his son Tommy. While Tommy has had success in the past against his dad, the skill of the FSU offense and the dominating play of the defense will lead the 'Noles to a 34-13 victory.

Penn State vs. No. 20 Wisconsin (5:45 ET, ESPN)
The jury is still out on the new Penn State offense under Galen Hall, and you have to wonder how much of the Nittany Lions' early success had to do with the fact that their two victories came over Akron and UCF. Tony Hunt has become the man at running back, but PSU needs to continue getting all-purpose threat Michael Robinson -- who has thrown a touchdown pass, rushed for 102 yards and leads the team with 15 receptions for 182 yards -- as involved in the offense as possible. A big part of that will be senior quarterback Zack Mills keeping his composure.

Offensive production is also a question for Wisconsin, which is without injured running back Anthony Davis. Quarterback John Stocco will have to step up and get the ball outside to receivers Jonathan Orr and Brandon Williams, who had been dinged up. If they can do that, the Badgers will be able to get one of the best home crowds in the nation behind them. Tune in to "GameDay" on Saturday morning for my prediction.

No. 1 USC vs. Stanford (7:00 ET, ESPN)
This looks like just another opportunity for the No. 1 Trojans to get their young wide receivers and offensive line more experience and give them a taste of success. Chris McFoy and Dwayne Jarrett will need to become reliable options alongside Steve Smith, and this could be their chance to make some plays.

USC running back Reggie Bush is at the top of my Heisman list right now and is by far USC's best player as long as he stays healthy. He and quarterback Matt Leinart had better get their numbers early because the won't see the field in the second half against an outmanned BYU team. The Trojans will run away with a 45-10 victory.

NC State vs. Virginia Tech (Noon ET, ESPN)
NC State has the potential to be a talented offense with weapons like running back T.A. McLendon and receivers Tramain Hall, Brandon Daniels and Lamart Barrett, but they have no trigger man to get them the ball. Quarterback Jay Davis looked confused against Ohio State at home, and you have to wonder what will happen when he get to Lane Stadium in Blacksburg to face a Virginia Tech defense that looks to be much-improved.

That defense should be able to contain the Wolfpack offense, and the experience of Hokies quarterback Bryan Randall will give him a chance to hit freshman wide receivers Josh Hyman and Eddie Royal. The combination of big gains on offense, pressure on defense and a raucous home crowd will carry Tech to a 31-20 win.

Oregon State vs. Arizona State
Arizona State was one of the more interesting stories in the nation last year, beginning the season highly touted but struggling to a 5-7 record. The Sun Devils are 3-0 this year, though, and with quarterback Andrew Walter and wide receiver Derek Hagans putting up big numbers they look to be for real. Walter would be the best quarterback in just about any other league, but as it is he is competing with California's Aaron Rodgers and USC's Leinart. JUCO transfer Dale Robinson is leading the way on defense from his linebacker spot.

You have to wonder where Oregon State is mentally after two tough losses -- a narrow miss at LSU and an embarrassing blowout at Boise State -- but a big win here could do wonders for the Beavers' season. Arizona State is playing with too much confidence and has too much athletic ability, though, which should translate into a 34-21 win.

Kirk Herbstreit is an analyst for ESPN "College GameDay" and a regular contributor to ESPN.com during the college football season.