No. 5 Georgia at
No. 8 Tennessee
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Place: Knoxville, Tenn.
TV: CBS
Line: Tennessee, -3
Records: Georgia 4-0, Tennessee 3-1
Why to watch: This SEC dogfight might be decided by an intriguing battle in the trenches between Georgia’s vaunted offensive line and Tennessee’s stout defensive front. The Bulldogs are averaging almost 200 rushing yards a game and 5.5 yards per carry. The Volunteers’ rushing defense ranks fourth in the nation and has not allowed any of its opponents to rush for 100 yards. Tennessee quarterback Rick Clausen expects to play despite wearing a walking boot (left Achilles) this week.
No. 10 California
at No. 20 UCLA
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Pasadena, Calif.
TV: TBS
Line: UCLA , -1 1/2
Records: California 5-0, UCLA 4-0
Why to watch: The Golden Bears boast the nation’s third-longest regular season winning streak at 12 games. Their prolific rushing attack, which ranks seventh in the nation, took a blow this week with the season-ending knee injury to left tackle Andrew Cameron. Cal will rely on its stingy defense to slow down a high-powered Bruins offense that is averaging 42 points per game. UCLA is off to its best start since 2001 behind quarterback Drew Olson, who has posted a 160.3 passer rating.
Oklahoma at No. 2 Texas
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Place: Dallas, Texas
TV: ABC
Line: Texas, -13 1/2
Records: Oklahoma 2-2, Texas 4-0
Why to watch: The Red River Shootout might have lost a little luster with Oklahoma out of the rankings for the first time since 1999. Don’t expect the Longhorns to take pity. Texas has lost five straight games in this longstanding rivalry, including a 12-0 loss last year that ended the longest scoring streak in the country at 281 games. The Sooners would like nothing more than to deliver a blow to their bitter rival’s Rose Bowl hopes.
Virginia at
No. 18 Boston College
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Place: Chestnut Hill, Mass.
TV: ABC
Line: Boston College, -7
Records: Virginia 3-1, Boston College 4-1
Why to watch: The Cavaliers, who were knocked out of the top 25 after last week’s loss to Maryland, will make their first trip ever to Chestnut Hill. Boston College head coach Tom O’Brien spent 15 seasons as an assistant head coach at Virginia before joining the Eagles in 1997. Sophomore quarterback Matthew Ryan had three touchdowns in Boston College’s 38-0 win against Ball State last week.
No. 15 Texas Tech at
Nebraska
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Place: Lincoln, Neb.
TV: TBS
Line: Texas Tech, -4
Records: Texas Tech 4-0, Nebraska 4-0
Why to watch: This battle of unbeatens features a Texas Tech offense that leads the nation in passing and scoring. The Red Raiders embarrassed the Cornhuskers in a 70-10 victory last season
