Texas Tech at Oklahoma
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Norman, Okla.
Line: Oklahoma by 13
TV: TBS
Records: Texas Tech (8-4, 5-2 Big 12), Oklahoma (9-1, 5-1)
What’s at stake: The Big XII South title and a ticket to face Colorado in the Big XII Championship.
Outlook: A win for No. 24 Texas Tech in its last Big XII game of the regular season clinches the south for the Red Raiders and virtually ends No. 4 Oklahoma’s bid for a national title. The Sooners would secure the first tie-breaker over the Raiders with a win, and even a loss in the Sooners’ Nov. 30 game against Oklahoma State would create a tie for first, giving the Sooners the title. Texas Tech’s 42-38 upset of then-No.3 Texas last week eliminated the Longhorns from the south race. Oklahoma is sixth in the nation with 39.0 points per game and Texas Tech is eigth with 38.9. The Red Raiders feature a strong aerial attack lead by Kliff Kingsbury. The senior quarterback threw for 473 yards and six touchdowns against the Longhorns last week. He leads Division I-A quarterbacks with 4,455 passing yards and 41 touchdowns — 15 more scores than the next best tally. Kingsbury is moving up the career passing list as well. He has 11,867 passing yards, fourth all-time for a Division I-A quarterback. The Sooners strong ground attack is lead by Quentin Griffin. He tallied 205 rushing yards and four touchdowns in Oklahoma’s 49-9 win over Baylor. Among backs with at least 140 carries, the senior is second in the nation with 6.9 yards per carry. Griffin has totaled 1,243 rushing yards on 181 carries and nine touchdowns.
Auburn at Alabama
Time: 2:30 p.m
Place: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Line: Alabama by 10 1/2
TV: CBS
Records: Auburn (7-4, 4-3 SEC), Alabama (9-2, 6-1)
What’s at Stake: Alabama leads the Iron bowl 38-27-1 in the series between the intrastate rivals. A loss for Auburn ends the Tigers hopes at a shot at the SEC West crown and a spot in the SEC title game.
Outlook: The No. 9 Crimson Tide would have clinched the SEC West with their 31-0 win over LSU last week had they been eligible to do so. Alabama’s NCAA imposed sanctions limit the Crimson Tide from any postseason participation — including the SEC title game. This leaves the door open for Auburn to take the SEC West title with a win if LSU — which Auburn holds the tie-breaker against with an Oct. 26 win — loses either of its last two contests. Alabama won last year’s meeting with Auburn 31-7. The Crimson Tide come into this year’s matchup boasting the nation’s best defense. Alabama has held opponents to an average of 244.3 yards per game.
So. California at UCLA
Time: 230 p.m.
Place: Los Angeles
Line: So. California by 4
TV: ABC Regional
Records: So. California (8-2, 6-1 Pac-10), UCLA (7-3, 4-2)
What’s at stake: The Victory Bell and also the pride of the second-largest city in the U.S. The 72nd intracity Los Angeles battle arrives with Southern California riding a three-game winning streak in the series.
Outlook: Southern California leads the series 37-27-7. The Trojans won last year’s contest 27-0. No. 25 UCLA has snuck into the Top 25 after three straight wins. No. 7 Southern California comes in with a five-game winning streak of its own. The Bruins feature the Pac-10’s second-best rushing offense. Redshirt freshman Tyler Ebell has rushed for 100 yards in six straight games after beginning the season as a backup. Ebell has totaled 810 yards during his streak. Southern California counters with the nation’s eighth best rushing defense. The Trojans give up just 88.3 yards per game on the ground.
Washington at Washington State
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Place: Pullman, Wash.
Line: Washington State by 8 1/2
TV: Fox Sports
Records: Washington (6-5, 3-4 Pac-10), Washington State (9-1, 6-0)
What’s at stake: The Apple Cup might have Washington pitted as the underdog, but the Huskies have won the last three meetings.
Outlook: This series date backs to 1900 when the two
squads played to a 5-5 tie.
Washington leads the series 61-27-6 and needs a win in order to secure a bowl bid. No. 3 Washington is also third in the BCS rankings. A win for the Cougars would clinch the
Pac-10 and maintain their current bride’s maid status for the Fiesta Bowl.
