Not just one big game
By Ralph D. Russo the associated press
The biggest game in the history of college football — at least that's what some fans of Ohio State and Michigan think it is — isn't the only important game being played Saturday.
California and USC meet with the Pac-10's automatic berth in the Bowl Championship Series on the line. In the Atlantic Coast Conference, Atlantic division co-leaders Wake Forest and Maryland face ranked opponents the week before they play each other. The Demon Deacons host Virginia Tech. The Terrapins are at Boston College.
Arkansas can clinch the SEC West and a trip to the Southeastern Conference title game with a victory at Mississippi State. And for football fans in Alabama, the Iron Bowl is always the most important game of the season.
The picks:
No. 2 Michigan (plus 6½) at No. 1 Ohio State
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel is 4-1 against Michigan OHIO STATE 27-17.
Western Carolina (no line) at No. 3 Florida
Thank the new 12-game schedule for this one FLORIDA 40-0.
No. 17 California (plus 5½) at No. 4 Southern California
Trojans have won for of last five meetings CAL 31-28.
No. 5 Arkansas (minus 14) at Mississippi State
Razorbacks have won seven straight against Bulldogs ARKANSAS 27-14.
Army (plus 32) at No. 6 Notre Dame
Irish go for service academy sweep NOTRE DAME 45-10.
No. 7 Rutgers (minus 6½) at Cincinnati
Scarlet Knights go for second 10-win season in school history RUTGERS 26-14.
Mississippi (plus 27½) at No. 9 LSU
Tigers have won four straight and five of six in series LSU 44-14.
South Florida (minus 16) at No. 10 Louisville
Bulls beat Cardinals 45-14 last season LOUISVILLE 45-24.
Buffalo (plus 38) at No. 12 Wisconsin
Badgers could have first 11-1 regular season in school history WISCONSIN 45-3.
Utah State (plus 37½) at No. 13 Boise State
Broncos have won 50 of 52 at home BOISE STATE 56-14.
No. 19 Virginia Tech (minus 1) at No. 14 Wake Forest
Both come in riding four-game winning streaks VIRGINIA TECH 24-21.
No. 15 Auburn (minus 3) at Alabama
Tigers go for five consecutive wins against Tide, their longest string since 1954-58 AUBURN 20-18.
No. 16 Oklahoma (minus 20) at Baylor
Sooners are 15-0 against Bears OKLAHOMA 44-21.
Duke (plus 27) at No. 18 Georgia Tech
Blue Devils have nation's longest losing streak at 18 games. GEORGIA TECH 37-6.
No. 21 Maryland (plus 7) at No. 20 Boston College
Eagles have won 10 straight at home BOSTON COLLEGE 23-17.
No. 22 Tennessee (minus 8) at Vanderbilt
Vandy beat Vols for first time in 22 seasons last year TENNESSEE 36-21.
New Mexico (plus 26) at No. 23 BYU
Cougars can clinch first Mountain West title in five seasons BYU 46-18.
Last week: 14-8 (straight); 8-13 (vs. points). Season: 174-48 (straight); 109-95-3 (vs. points).
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