SIX GAMES TO WATCH

No. 2 Oklahoma (7-0) at No. 3 Nebraska (8-0)

Kickoff: 9 a.m.

TV: Channel 7

Line: Nebraska by 4.

Oklahoma update: There could hardly be a bigger regular-season game--and Sooner quarterback Jason White will be making only his second start. Plus, it’s at Nebraska.

Nebraska update: Eric Crouch is 32-5 as the Cornhusker quarterback, a significant edge in the latest chapter of a history-laden rivalry. This game marks the 18th time both have been in the top 10.

Story line: Forget No. 2 vs. No. 3. This is No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the all-important BCS rankings. The winner’s still standing in the race for the Rose Bowl.

The pick: Nebraska. Experience and home-field advantage lean the Cornhuskers’ way.

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No. 4 UCLA (5-0) at No. 20 Stanford (4-1)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: UCLA by 7.

UCLA update: Another week, another game against a backup quarterback. And the Bruins only look stronger now that Cory Paus has shown he can counter when teams focus on DeShaun Foster.

Stanford update: The Cardinal upset Oregon last week even though Randy Fasani injured his knee in the second quarter. Now Chris Lewis takes the reins from the start as Stanford tries for another major upset.

Story line: Step by careful step, the Bruins work to put a Pacific 10 team in the Rose Bowl this season after all.

The pick: UCLA. It’s the defense.

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No. 11 Oregon (6-1) at No. 14 Washington State (7-0)

Kickoff: 4 p.m.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: Washington State by 21/2.

Oregon update: The Ducks’ Rose Bowl hopes went up in smoke when Stanford upset them at home last week, 49-42. Now Joey Harrington tries to revive his Heisman campaign.

Washington State update: The latest upstart out of Pullman is third in the nation in scoring at 44 points a game. Quarterback Jason Gesser would like revenge for the broken leg he suffered against Oregon last season.

Story line: Should Washington State win, it is suddenly a major player on the national scene.

The pick: Oregon. That’s a bet on Harrington against the oddsmakers.

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Syracuse (6-2) at No. 6 Virginia Tech (6-0)

Kickoff: 9 a.m.

TV: None.

Line: Virginia Tech by 18.

Syracuse update: That 0-2 start with losses to Georgia Tech and Tennessee has been bolstered by a six-game winning streak.

Virginia Tech update: First in the nation in scoring defense at 7.3 points a game, last among the BCS leaders in important games played.

Story line: The last three times the teams have met at Virginia Tech, the Hokies have won by a combined 124-10, including a 62-0 laugher two years ago. Despite being No. 5 in the BCS rankings, the Hokies might not face a ranked team until they play Miami. For now, this is as big as it gets.

The pick: Virginia Tech keeps rolling.

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No. 10 Maryland (7-0) at No. 19 Florida State (4-2)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: None.

Line: Florida State by 8.

Maryland update: Like Washington State, Maryland has crept up with an unbeaten record. But here’s the key stat: Terrapins are 0-11 versus Florida State.

Florida State update: Quarterback Chris Rix has freshman Adrian McPherson for competition now as the Seminoles try to avoid falling out of Atlantic Coast Conference contention.

Story line: Has the world been turned on its head? Maryland over Florida State would have been incomprehensible even a season ago.

The pick: Florida State. There are some immutable laws, and Maryland can’t beat FSU in Tallahassee.

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No. 6 Florida (5-1) vs. No. 15 Georgia (5-1)

Site: Jacksonville, Fla.

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 2.

Line: Florida by 19.

Florida update: Quarterback Rex Grossman proved fallible in loss to Auburn with four interceptions. Gators need to recover quickly.

Georgia update: The early loss to South Carolina still hurts. So does running back Musa Smith’s recent hip injury.

Story line: World’s Largest Cocktail Party takes backseat to other games this year. Fans won’t notice.

The pick: Florida. The Gators seemed invincible a few weeks ago. Look for a big margin.