Tennessee
at Miami (Fla.)
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Miami
Line: Miami by 12 1/2
TV: None
Records: Tennessee (6-2), Miami (7-1)
What’s at stake: Miami needs to rebound from last week’s loss to Virginia Tech, who cause the Hurricanes’ first regular-season defeat since 2000, in order to remain in contention for the national title.
Overview: Miami quarterback Brock Berlin had his worst performance of the year as No. 7 Miami was demolished by Virginia Tech 31-7. Berlin was sacked three times and threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a score. The Hurricanes will be without cornerback Antrel Rolle, who was suspended after an altercation with Virginia Tech cornerback D’Angelo Hall. Tennessee is coming off a dismal performance in a 23-6 win over Duke, as the Volunteers led by only three going into the fourth quarter.
Texas at Oklahoma St.
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Stillwater, Okla.
Line: Texas by 3
TV: None
Records: Texas (7-2), Oklahoma State (7-2)
What’s at stake: No. 11 Texas is hoping to bump its way into the top 10 and a win over No. 22 Oklahoma State would surely help. The Cowboys look to rebound from a 52-9 thrashing at the hands of No. 1 Oklahoma.
Overview: Last week Texas manhandled Nebraska. The Longhorns rushed for 353 yards with running back Cedrick Benson gaining 174 and quarterback Vince Young adding 163. The rushing attack succeeded against a team that had allowed only 97.3 rushing yards per game. It was the first time two Texas players had rushed for more than 150 yards in the same game. Oklahoma State will look to bounce back from its loss to the Sooners and will depend on running back Tatum Bell, who ran for 122 yards on 22 carries last week.
Virginia Tech
at Pittsburgh
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Place: Pittsburgh
Line: Virginia Tech by 5 1/2
TV: ESPN
Records: Virginia Tech (7-1), Pittsburgh (6-2)
What’s at stake: Virginia Tech wants to continue playing the way it did in last week’s win over Miami. This game is one of the deciding factors in who will finish first in the Big East.
Overview: Last week Larry Fitzgerald broke the NCAA record for most consecutive games with a touchdown, 14, breaking the record set last year by Michigan State’s Charles Rogers. Fitzgerald leads the nation in receiving yards with 146.8 per game. Virginia Tech cornerback Hall won’t be able to try to shut down Fitzgerald until the second half of the game, after receiving a first-half suspension for his involvement in a scuffle during the win over Miami.
Texas A&M
at Oklahoma
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Norman, Okla.
Line: Oklahoma by 30
TV: None
Records: Texas A&M (4-5), Oklahoma (9-0)
What’s at stake: Oklahoma will try to remain on top of the BCS when it faces a Texas A&M team that upset the Sooners 30-26 last year and knocked them from the top spot.
Overview: Oklahoma has scored more than 50 points five times this season behind Heisman Trophy candidate Jason White. The senior quarterback has thrown 27 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Leading running back Renaldo Works will not play against the Aggies’ 87th-ranked run defense because of back problems. Texas A&M will rely on running back Courtney Lewis to propel it over a tough Oklahoma defense.
Mississippi at Auburn
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: Auburn, Ala.
Line: Auburn by 7 1/2
TV: CBS
Records: Mississippi (7-2), Auburn (6-3)
What’s at stake: No. 24 Ole Miss is the only team that hasn’t lost a game in the SEC this year and, with a win, would have its first six-game winning streak since 1990.
Overview: Behind Eli Manning the Rebels have looked strong. But last year against Auburn, Manning threw three interceptions in Auburn’s 31-24 win. The Tigers have won three straight over Ole Miss and nine of the last 10. This year Manning leads the SEC with 295.9 passing yards per game, tossing 21 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. But Auburn has allowed just 13.9 points per game. Running back Carnell Williams has gained 887 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Tigers but has struggled against ranked opponents.
