My favorite part about Thanksgiving? It’s not the turkey, stuffing or pumpkin pie, or even the time spent with friends and family.

No, it’s watching so much football that all the games and all the exciting plays start to run together before Saturday even arrives. And then you can plop back on the couch for another helping.

This holiday weekend offers plenty of juicy fare across the college football landscape, with bitter rivalries galore. There’s also some matchups that will decide conference championships and bowl bids.

Here’s the spread, with all times Central, all games on Saturday unless otherwise noted and BCS rankings where applicable. I’ve been on a roll the last couple weeks – posting back-to-back 15-3 records – and I’m 136-58 for the season.

No. 3 Texas (11-0, 7-0 Big 12) at Texas A&M (6-5, 3-4), 7 p.m. Thursday, ESPN: The Aggies have been a bit bipolar this season, but you can bet their best side will be on display at Kyle Field. They’ll be jacked up about the prospect of ruining Texas’ national-title hopes, so expect a close, hard-fought game. In the end, though, the Longhorns will have enough poise and offensive firepower to survive. … Texas 41-38.

Illinois (3-7) at No. 5 Cincinnati (10-0), 11 a.m. Friday, ABC: The Illini aren’t very good, but the Bearcats might be looking ahead to next week’s showdown with Pittsburgh, which likely will decide the Big East champion. Still, they should win this one handily. … Cincy 35-14.

No. 2 Alabama (11-0, 7-0 SEC) at Auburn (7-4, 3-4), 1:30 p.m. Friday, CBS: This year’s edition of the Iron Bowl is a great opportunity for the Tigers and a potentially slippery slope for the Crimson Tide. They’ve already got a date with Florida next week in the conference title game, but a loss here might ruin their national-title hopes. Here’s guessing former Texas Tech quarterback Chris Todd and the Tigers do just that on their home field. … Auburn 21-17.

Nebraska (8-3, 5-2 Big 12) at Colorado (3-8, 2-5), 2:30 p.m. Friday, ABC: The Cornhuskers have rebounded nicely from their midseason swoon, and this is nothing more than a tuneup for their Big 12 title-game showdown with Texas. The Buffaloes, meanwhile, might be saying goodbye to Dan Hawkins after this one is over. … Nebraska 24-6.

No. 9 Pittsburgh (9-1, 5-0 Big East) at West Virginia (7-3, 3-2), 6 p.m. Friday, ESPN2: Two years ago, the Panthers  squashed the Mountaineers’ championship chances with a surprising win. Can West Virginia get a measure of revenge by knocking Pitt out of a first-place tie in the conference? Sure, why not? … West Virginia 23-16.

Nevada (8-3, 7-0 WAC) at No. 6 Boise State (11-0, 6-0), 9 p.m. Friday, ESPN2: The Broncos still have a chance to play in a BCS bowl, but first they must win their own conference. They figure to have the edge on their patented blue turf, but the Wolf Pack have been on a roll since starting the season with three ugly losses. … Nevada 38-30.

No. 18 Clemson (8-3) at South Carolina (6-5), 11 a.m., ESPN: The Tigers have already secured a spot in the ACC championship game, while the Gamecocks have already secured a spot in a bowl game. But this is an important game for South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, who can make his mediocre record with the team look a lot better. Too bad for the Ol’ Ball Coach. … Clemson 24-10.

No. 12 Oklahoma State (9-2, 6-1 Big 12) at Oklahoma (6-5, 4-3), 11:30 a.m.: The Cowboys need a win over their Bedlam rival to have a chance to play in a BCS bowl, and this is one of the few times they’ll be favored to do so. But the Sooners have lost only two home games under Bob Stoops, and they’ll be more than a little on edge after being blown out in Lubbock last week. … OU 38-34.

New Mexico (1-10, 1-6 Mountain West) at No. 4 TCU (11-0, 7-0), noon: The Horned Frogs had better watch out, because the Lobos are on fire – having kicked a last-second field goal against mighty Colorado State last week to notch their first win of the season. On a more serious note, this one could get ugly in a hurry. … TCU 57-7.

Florida State (6-5) at No. 1 Florida (11-0), 2:30 p.m., CBS: Are there any more tricks up Bobby Bowden’s sleeve, the kind that could help the Seminoles pull off a monumental upset against their in-state rival? I think he exhausted them all more than decade ago. … Florida 52-10.

No. 14 Virginia Tech (8-3, 5-2 ACC) at Virginia (3-8, 2-5), 2:30 p.m., ESPN: Even if the Cavaliers can upset the rival Hokies, Al Groh probably won’t be able to save his job. I don’t see that happening anyway, but my spider senses tell me this will be a nail-biter. … Virginia Tech 28-24.

Missouri (7-4, 3-4 Big 12) at Kansas (5-6, 1-6) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, 2:30 p.m., ABC: Many Big 12 followers, including myself, thought the Border War would help decide the North Division championship. As it’s turned out, it could very well decide Mark Mangino’s future with the Jayhawks. I have a feeling they’ll snap their six-game losing streak and finally become bowl eligible. … Kansas 31-24.

No. 21 Utah (9-2, 6-1 Mountain West) at No. 19 BYU (9-2, 6-1), 4 p.m.: This isn’t just for second place in the conference behind TCU. It’s the Holy War, and it’s two ranked teams slugging it out. Look for arguably the most intense and exciting game of the weekend, and look for the Utes to prevail by the slimmest of margins. … Utah 28-27.

Texas Tech (7-4, 4-3 Big 12) at Baylor (4-7, 1-6) at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, 5 p.m., FSN: The Bears nearly stunned the Red Raiders in last year’s regular-season finale in Lubbock, but that’s when they had Robert Griffin under center. This one won’t be nearly as close. In fact, the stage might be much more memorable than the game itself. … Tech 48-17.

Arkansas (7-4, 3-4 SEC) at No. 15 LSU (8-3, 4-3), 6 p.m., ESPN: If you think Les Miles is feeling the heat after his amazingly poor clock management at the end of last week’s loss against Ole Miss, wait until the Tigers lose to the Razorbacks in Baton Rouge. … Arkansas 28-21.

Georgia (6-5) at No. 7 Georgia Tech (10-1), 7 p.m., ABC: Not very long ago, the Bulldogs were one of the best teams in the country. Now they’re not even close to being the best team in their own state. The Yellow Jackets have been stinging everyone that comes their way, and Saturday night’s showdown will be no different. … Georgia Tech 38-24.

Rice (2-9, 2-5 Conference USA) at No. 23 Houston (9-2, 5-2), 7 p.m.: Thanks to SMU stubbing its toe against Marshall last week, the Cougars can clinch the West Division title with a win over their Bayou City rival. But they’ll get a fight from the Owls, who are coming off their only two wins of the season. It’ll be close in the first half anyway. … UH 55-31.

UCLA (6-5, 3-5 Pac-10) at No. 20 USC (7-3, 4-3), 9 p.m.: If the Bruins are ever going to win the battle of Los Angeles again, now might be their best chance. If only they were as halfway decent as the underachieving Trojans. … USC 30-10.

Let the games begin! And Happy Thanksgiving!