Top Games

USC at UCLA The Trojans are making a late BCS run and if they can beat UCLA, who is also playing their best football of the season, they are one step closer to a New Year’s Day bowl. Both teams have talented quarterbacks that can throw the ball, but this game will be won on the ground. Advantage: USC and RB Justin Fargas. Prediction: USC 29, UCLA 20.

Texas Tech at Oklahoma The Red Raiders shocked the nation by beating Texas last week and look to do it again this week. Oklahoma took its frustrations out on Baylor after they lost the previous week to A&M. Kliff Kingsbury put his name in the Heisman race after throwing six TD passes against UT, he will need to do that again for Tech to stand a chance. Prediction: OU 24, Texas Tech 15.

Auburn at Alabama Ah yes, rivalry week. In a rivalry game anything can happen, and both teams looked very good last week (Auburn lost to Georgia in the last minute, Alabama pounded LSU in Baton Rouge). Auburn’s defense has been susceptible to the pass all year, but Alabama is a running team. This should become an instant classic, though ‘Bama holds on for the win. Prediction: Alabama 44, Auburn 43 (OT).

Michigan at Ohio State Biggest rivalry in college football kicks off this weekend, and on the line is a trip to the Fiesta Bowl for Ohio State. Michigan has a knack of knocking off OSU and this time it would be sweeter than ever for two reasons. OSU is contending for the national title and last year Ohio State beat Michigan in Ann Arbor. Michigan is clicking right now and OSU went into overtime to stave off Illinois. Big upset this weekend. Prediction: Michigan 23, Ohio State 21.

Top 15

1. Miami (9-0) Can Pitt, Syracuse or Virginia Tech beat Miami? I hope one can. (1)

2. Ohio State (12-0) Buckeyes control their own destiny, if they lose Saturday the BCS has a mess to deal with. (2)

3. Washington State (9-1) Host Washington. Another big game in Rivalry Week. (4)

4. Iowa (10-1) No games left on the schedule. Heisman voters: Brad Banks. (3)

5. Oklahoma (9-1) Offense has to be ready for a shootout Saturday. (6)

6. Georgia (10-1) Bulldogs keep winning ugly, still deserve a BCS game though. (5)

7. USC (7-2) Who needs the NFL in Los Angeles with USC and UCLA playing like this? (8)

8. Kansas State (9-2) Another team taking advantage of Nebraska’s down year, these guys are annoyingly good every year. (9)

9. Notre Dame (9-1) Overlooking Rutgers to the USC game will not be costly. (10)

10. Michigan (9-2) In seven home games their attendance was 773,763. That eclipses past mark set in 1997 whey they won the national title. (11)

11. Alabama (9-2) Correction: Last week I said win could spell BCS for the Tide. They aren’t bowl eligible this year. (12)

12. Texas (9-2) Maybe Mack Brown now realizes he should have started Major Applewhite in 2000 and 2001. (7)

13. Penn State (8-3) PSU will pound Michigan State by 30+ this weekend. (14)

14. Virginia Tech (8-2) Host West Virginia and underrated RB Avon Cobourne. (13)

15. TCU (8-1) Balanced play calling? Average 183 passing yards, 177 rushing yards. (NR)