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GAME FACTS: Win clinches ACC Coastal title for Jackets, trip to ACC Championship Game in Tampa Dec. 5. RB Jonathan Dwyer set career-high for rushing for second straight game last week with 189 yards on 23 carries, TD. After Johnson rolled dice going for it on 4th-and-1 in OT instead of tying FG (in spite of failing on four earlier 4th downs tries), QB Josh Nesbitt made it, then won it with 3-yard TD run a play later. DE Derrick Morgan's 3 sacks give him 11-1/2 for season (leads ACC, fifth in nation). In search of first bowl bid since 1994, Devils hope senior QB Thaddeus Lewis (third in ACC with 2,428 yards total offense, 15 TD passes, 5 ints., 3 TD runs) can bounce back from down game last week (16-of-33, 113 yards passing, int., sacked 3 times). Senior CB Leon Wright's int. last week gives him 5 for season (second in ACC, 6th in nation). Sketchy run defense (62nd in nation vs. run, 139.2 ypg) may be in trouble vs. Tech's fantastic spread option (second in nation in rushing, 314.9 ypg).

TENNESSEE (5-4) at OLE MISS (6-3), Noon, CBS.

FAVORITE: Ole Miss by 3.

COACHES: Lane Kiffin (first year at Tennessee) and Houston Nutt (15-7 in second year at Ole Miss).

LAST WEEK: Tennessee beat Memphis, 56-28. Ole Miss beat Northern Arizona, 38-14.

SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee leads, 43-18-1.

LAST MEETING: Tennessee won, 27-10, in 2005.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Dating back to 1984, Vols have won 12 straight over Rebels and are unbeaten all-time in Oxford (3-0).

GAME FACTS: Surging Vols got bad news Thursday with arrest of three freshmen, including star WR Nu'Keese Richardson, S Janzen Jackson, DB Mike Edwards, on armed robbery charges. Their status is unclear. Who would have thought that senior QB Jonathan Crompton (21-of-27, career-high 331 passing, 5 TDs last week) would be leading the SEC with 21 TD passes (fourth in nation)? S Eric Berry got his second int. of season last week but still needs 8 int. return yards to break Terrell Buckley's D-I career record of 501. Rebels have won three of last four but have mostly floundered vs. good teams (1-3 record vs. D-I teams with winning records). Hyped as preseason Heisman candidate QB Jevan Snead (16-of-29, 235 passing, 2 TDs last week) has already equaled last year's total of 13 ints. As a result, Ole Miss is 11th in SEC, 102nd in nation in turnover ratio (21 given up, 14 forced). Senior DE Greg Hardy, who led SEC in sacks in 2007, is out for season with broken wrist. WR-RB Dexter McCluster (27 catches, 2 TDs, 473 rushing, 5.7 ypc, 2 TDs) can beat defenses in a lot of different ways. Freshman WR Jesse Grandy (second in SEC in kickoff returns, 30.1 ypr, 2 TDs) is electrifying return man and UT has had problems covering kicks (9th in SEC, 103rd in nation in kickoff coverage, 24 ypk, 2 TDs allowed).

MICHIGAN STATE (5-5) at PURDUE (4-6), Noon, ESPN.

FAVORITE: The game is even.

COACHES: Mark Dantonio (21-15 in third year at Michigan State) and Danny Hope (first year at Purdue).

LAST WEEK: Michigan State beat Western Michigan, 49-14. Purdue won at Michigan, 38-36.

SERIES HISTORY: Michigan State leads, 30-28-3.

LAST MEETING: Michigan State won, 21-7.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Spartans five losses have come by combined total of 23 points as MSU is 1-3 in games decided by 6 points or less.

GAME FACTS: With only next week's season-finale with No. 19 Penn State left, loss here makes Spartans' third straight bowl trip unlikely. Throwing for season-high 353 yards, 2 TDs last week, sophomore Kirk Cousins (158-of-248, 2,097 passing, 14 TDs, 5 ints.) now leads Big Ten in QB rating, but Dantonio will still give fellow sophomore Keith Nichol some snaps. LB Greg Jones' 117 tackles lead Big Ten (third in nation). Winners of three of last four, resurgent Boilermakers would love to somehow squeeze into postseason play with win here, at Indiana next week. QB Joey Elliott (28-of-39, 367 passing, TD, 2 ints., TD run) was hero of Purdue's first win at Michigan since 1966. WR Keith Smith's 71 catches lead Big Ten while DE Ryan Kerrigan also tops league with 10 sacks. Boilermakers have beaten Spartans 7 of last 10 but have lost last two years.

No. 1 FLORIDA (9-0) at SOUTH CAROLINA (6-4), 3:30, CBS.

FAVORITE: Florida by 15.

COACHES: Urban Meyer (53-9 in fifth year at Florida) and Steve Spurrier (34-26 in fifth year at South Carolina).

LAST WEEK: Florida beat Vanderbilt, 27-3. South Carolina lost at Arkansas, 33-16.

SERIES HISTORY: Florida leads, 22-4-3.

LAST MEETING: Florida won, 56-6, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Meyer, Gators are 41-1 when scoring first and 12-8 when the opponent does.

GAME FACTS: In nation's longest 18-game winning streak, Gators have held foes to 10.6 points per game. That's good news since offense looked lethargic last week as QB Tim Tebow (second in SEC, 8th in nation in QB rating, 114-of-173, 1,531 passing, 11 TDs, 4 ints.) was sacked four times moving UF's total allowed to 22 (10th in SEC, 83rd in nation), which is even worse news considering Tebow's 578 yards rushing and 9 TD runs top the team. Star LB Brandon Spikes returns after one-game suspension for attempted gouging of Georgia RB Washuan Ealey's eyes. In last year's loss in Gainesville (Spurrier's worst of his coaching career), Gamecocks suffered 4 turnovers and managed just 54 yards rushing (while giving up 346 rushing). SC doesn't come in with much momentum after consecutive beat-downs at Tennessee, Arkansas by combined 64-29. Ground game (last in SEC, 91st in nation in rushing, 121.6 ypg) has all but vanished leaving burden on sophomore QB Stephen Garcia (20-of-34, 327 passing, TD, int., last week). Bright spots have been NFL-bound senior DE Eric Norwood (7 sacks, 10-1/2 tackles for loss, 2 ints., 3 blocked kicks), freshman WR Alshon Jeffrey (28 catches for 552 yards, 5 TDs in last five games).

No. 15 IOWA (9-1) at No. 10 OHIO STATE (8-2), 3:30, ABC (regional).

FAVORITE: Ohio State by 17.

COACHES: Kirk Ferentz (79-54 in 11th year at Iowa) and Jim Tressel (91-21 in 9th year at Ohio State)

LAST WEEK: Iowa lost at home to Northwestern, 17-10. Ohio State won at Penn State, 24-7.

SERIES HISTORY: Ohio State leads, 44-14-3.

LAST MEETING: Ohio State won, 38-17, in 2006.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1992, Buckeyes are 10-1 vs. Hawkeyes including 5-0 mark in Columbus.

GAME FACTS: Winner goes to Rose Bowl as Big Ten champ, destination Buckeyes haven't been since 1996, Hawkeyes since 1990. Iowa's BCS-title dreams came crashing down last week with ankle injury to QB Ricky Stanzi, who is unlikely to play in last two games. That means freshman James Vandenberg (9-of-27, 82 passing, int. in relief last week) must somehow avoid mistakes, get ball downfield as running game (65 yards on 27 carries last week) is sputtering. Both defenses force turnovers in bunches with Iowa leading Big Ten with 26 forced (second in nation), OSU second at 25 (fifth in nation). Buckeyes rode power football (228 yards rushing, 34:02 time of possession) to key win at Penn State as QB Terrelle Pryor put game away with pair of second-half TD passes including 62-yarder to WR DeVier Posey. Defense (third in nation vs. run, 85.4 ypg, fourth in scoring, 11.2 ppg, 2 TDs allowed in last three games) hasn't been giving up much of anything. DE Cameron Heyward's 2 sacks last week give Bucks a bookend to go with junior Thaddeus Gibson (4 sacks, 10-1/2 tackles for loss).

No. 12 MIAMI (7-2) at NORTH CAROLINA (6-3), 3:30, ABC (regional).

FAVORITE: Miami by 3.

COACHES: Randy Shannon (19-15 in third year at Miami) and Butch Davis (18-16 in third year at UNC).

LAST WEEK: Miami beat Virginia, 52-17. UNC beat Duke, 19-6.

SERIES HISTORY: UNC leads, 7-5.

LAST MEETING: UNC won, 28-24, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since start of last season, Tar Heels are 4-1 vs. ranked foes.

GAME FACTS: Hurricanes have never won at Keenan Stadium (0-3). If RB Craig Cooper (career-high 152 rushing, TD), QB Jacory Harris (18-of-31, 232 passing, 2 TDs, int.) can duplicate performances of last week, UM figures to break that jinx. LB Sean Spence (lower extremity injury) is out. 'Canes have prospered on road lately winning seven of last nine away games. Tar Heels already poor offense (11th in ACC, 113th in nation in total offense, 294.3 ypg) was dealt another blow last week with season ending shoulder injury to leading RB Shaun Draughn. That puts even more pressure on erratic QB T.J. Yates (9 TD passes, 10 ints.). DE Robert Quinn (leads ACC, 6th in nation with 10 sacks, 15-1/2 tackles for loss) must get after Harris early and often. That will make impressive secondary (leads ACC, 5th in nation vs. pass, 157.8 ypg, 10 ints., 4 TD passes given up) even better. Shannon was first a player at Miami, then an assistant under Davis when he coached the 'Canes from 1995-2002.

NEBRASKA (6-3) at KANSAS (5-4), 3:30, ABC (regional_.

FAVORITE: Nebraska by 4.

COACHES: Bo Pelini (16-7 in second year at Nebraska) and Mark Mangino (50-45 in 8th year at Kansas).

LAST WEEK: Nebraska beat Oklahoma, 10-3. Kansas lost at Kansas State, 17-10.

SERIES HISTORY: Nebraska leads, 89-23-3.

LAST MEETING: Nebraska won, 45-35, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 5-0 start, Jayhawks have lost four straight by combined 128-74, KU's longest losing streak since 2002.

GAME FACTS: Teams meet for 104th straight season (second longest uninterrupted D-I rivalry). Cornhuskers grunted out win last week behind stellar defense (second in nation in scoring, 10.3 ppg) led by S Matt O'Hanlon's who grabbed 3 ints. to go along with 12 tackles. RB Roy Helu Jr.'s 138 yards rushing accounted for almost all NU's offense as QBs Zac Lee, Cody Green were combined 7-of-14 for 39 yards, including Lee's one-yard TD flip to TE Ryan Hill. Mangino's two wins over 'Huskers equals what KU managed from 1962-2004 including 36 straight losses from 1969-2005. Senior QB Todd Reesing has had problems during losing streak with 5 ints., 4 TD passes as offense has managed only 44 points in last three games. Encouraging sign is that Reesing has played real well vs. Nebraska in his career (combined 45-of-71, 658 passing, 9 TDs, int., TD, 45 yards rushing, TD run last two years).

No. 25 STANFORD (6-3) at No. 11 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (7-2), 3:30, Fox Sports Net.

FAVORITE: USC by 11.

COACHES: Jim Harbaugh (15-18 in third year at Stanford) and Pete Carroll (95-17 in 9th year at USC).

LAST WEEK: Stanford beat Oregon, 51-42. USC won at Arizona State, 14-9.

SERIES HISTORY: USC leads, 59-25-3.

LAST MEETING: USC won, 45-23, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Carroll, Trojans are perfect 28-0 in November games.

GAME FACTS: No doubt Trojans remember last time Cardinal visited The Coliseum in 2007 when 41-point underdogs stunned second-ranked Trojans, 24-23, to end USC's 35-game home winning streak. Stanford looks capable of doing it again after powering past Oregon behind senior RB Toby Gerhart's school-record 223 yards rushing, 3 TDs while QB Andrew Luck (12-of-20, 251 passing, 2 TDs) did his part as well. Defense could be short-handed with DE Erik Long (groin), CB Quinn Evans (hamstring) questionable. 8-0 in homecoming games under Carroll, Trojans just don't look right but still have shot at share of record 8th consecutive Pac-10 title. Passing game all but vanished last week as freshman QB Matt Barkley (7-of-22, 112 passing, TD, int.) pretty much looked lost. Trojans finished with season-low 258 total yards (fewest since 2004). S Will Harris was Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week last week with 2 ints., including 55-yard int. TD return to go along with 5 tackles, deflected pass.

No. 3 ALABAMA (9-0) at MISSISSIPPI STATE (4-5), 7, ESPN.

FAVORITE: Alabama by 12.

COACHES: Nick Saban (28-8 in third year at Alabama) and Dan Mullen (first year at Miss. State).

LAST WEEK: Alabama beat LSU, 24-15. Mississippi State was off.

SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads, 72-18-3.

LAST MEETING: Alabama won, 32-7, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since beating No. 3 Florida, 47-35, in 2000, Bulldogs have lost 16 straight to top-10 opponents.

GAME FACTS: Though series is lopsided Crimson Tide's way, teams have split last four meetings. 'Bama may find it hard to refocus after grueling, physical win over LSU. Sophomore RB Mark Ingram (leads SEC, fourth in nation with 1,148 rushing, 8 TD runs) was terrific last week with 145 tough yards (102 in second half) and now leads some Heisman polls. Senior QB Greg McElroy also helped, snapping out of slump with fine performance (19-of-34, 276 passing, 2 TDs, int.). Unless Bulldogs RB Anthony Dixon recreates his career-high 252-yard effort last time out vs. Kentucky on Halloween, it's hard to see exactly how MSU offense (10th in SEC, 104th in nation in passing, 165.4 ypg) will do anything vs. tough 'Bama D (second in nation vs. run, 68.2 ypg, fourth in total defense, 242.2 ypg). Holding on to ball has also been problem as MSU is 10th in SEC, 91st in nation in turnover ratio (19 forced, 23 given up).

AUBURN (7-3) at GEORGIA (5-4), 7, ESPN.

FAVORITE: Georgia by 4-1/2.

COACHES: Gene Chizik (first year at Auburn) and Mark Richt (87-26 in 9th year at Georgia).

LAST WEEK: Auburn beat Furman, 63-31. Georgia beat Tennessee Tech, 38-0.

SERIES HISTORY: Auburn leads, 53-51-8.

LAST MEETING: Georgia won, 17-13, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Bulldogs' 3-game winning streak over Tigers ties for UGA's longest success since beating Auburn five straight from 1944-48.

GAME FACTS: Deep South's oldest rivalry dates back to 1892. Both teams come in unranked for first time since 1996. Since 5-0 start, Tigers offense (tied with Florida for SEC lead in scoring, 35 ppg) has averaged only 20 points per game in losing three of four SEC contests with senior QB Chris Todd (45-of-76, 472 passing, TD, 2 ints. in last four SEC games) reverting to last year's struggling form. But even Todd and RB Ben Tate (second in SEC with 1,142 rushing) are capable of lighting up woeful Bulldogs' defense (71st in nation in scoring, 26.1 ppg, gave up 35 points or more 9 times in last 18 games). Meanwhile, vocal segment of Bulldogs' fans have had it with senior QB Joe Cox (15 TD passes, 12 ints. in 8 games vs. D-I foes), urging Richt to try freshman backups Aaron Murray or Zach Mettenberger. Talented WR A.J. Green (44 catches, 16.6 ypc, 6 TDs) still hasn't gotten ball enough.

No. 16 UTAH (8-1) at No. 4 TCU (9-0), 7:30, CBS College Sports Network.

FAVORITE: TCU by 19.

COACHES: Kyle Wittingham (45-15 in fifth year at Utah) and Gary Patterson (82-27 in 9th year at TCU).

LAST WEEK: Utah beat New Mexico, 45-14. TCU won at San Diego State, 55-12.

SERIES HISTORY: Utah leads, 5-1.

LAST MEETING: Utah won, 13-10, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 27-20 loss to Utes in Fort Worth two years ago, Horned Frogs have won 12 straight home games outscoring foes by average score of 47-9.

GAME FACTS: Having won three straight over TCU, Utes hope to extend jinx, burst Frogs' BCS bowl hopes, stay alive in race to defend their Mountain West crown. They'll have to try with freshman QB Jordan Wynn (18-of-28, 297 passing, 2 TDs, int. last week) making second career start. In current 6-game winning streak, defense (leads MWC with 67 tackles for loss) has done the job holding foes to 19.5 ppg in streak. Senior S Robert Johnson leads MWC with 5 ints. and has returned int. and fumble for TDs. Win here and two more over Wyoming, New Mexico would put Frogs, fourth in this week's BCS rankings, into first BCS bowl, at least, with outside shot at national title game. QB Andy Dalton (fourth in nation in QB rating, 132-of-207, 1,881 passing, 18 TDs, 3 ints.) might be most improved player in nation and has lifted entire offense (6th in nation in scoring, 37.4 ppg, 4ppg more than last year, 8th in total offense, 458.6 ypg, 38 ypg more than last year). DE Jerry Hughes (leads MWC with 9 sacks), DT Wayne Daniels (6-1/2 tackles for loss) lead excellent, physical defense (third in nation in total defense, 240.5 ypg, fifth in scoring, 11.2 ppg). TCU wants revenge for last year when they out-gained Utah, 416 total yards to 275) but lost late thanks to pair of missed FGs.

NOTRE DAME (6-3) at No. 8 PITTSBURGH (8-1), 8, ABC (regional).

FAVORITE: Pitt by 7.

COACHES: Charlie Weis (35-24 in fifth year at Notre Dame) and Dave Wannstedt (33-24 in fifth year at Pitt).

LAST WEEK: Notre Dame lost at home to Navy, 23-21. Pitt beat Syracuse, 37-10.

SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads, 44-19-1.

LAST MEETING: Pitt won, 36-33 in four overtimes, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since October, 2006, Fighting Irish are 0-9 vs. ranked teams with six of the losses by 20 points or more.

GAME FACTS: With Irish fans howling over Navy debacle, it appears Weis needs to run table (Pitt, UConn, Stanford) to return for 6th year. All the Irish problems were on display last week including 3 turnovers, 2 missed FGs, key sack allowed for game-losing safety, weak running game (80 yards on 20 carries), three trips inside Navy 10 resulting in 0 points. QB Jimmy Clausen's career-high 452 yards passing (37-of-51, 2 TDs, int.) wasn't enough. Panthers are riding momentum of 5-game winning streak with freshman RB Dion Lewis (7th in nation with 1,139 rushing, 13 TDs, four straight 100-yard games), QB Bill Stull (leads Big East, 5th in nation in QB rating, 148-of-219, 1,879 passing, 17 TDs, 4 ints.) forming 1-2 punch on offense (second in Big East in scoring, 34.6 ppg). Clausen may be in big trouble with Panthers leading nation with 39 sacks (7 more than anyone else) as 6 different players have 3 or more led by DE Greg Romeus' 6.

TEXAS TECH (6-3) at No. 17 OKLAHOMA STATE (7-2), 8, ABC (regional).

FAVORITE: Oklahoma State by 4..

COACHES: Mike Leach (82-42 in 10th year at Texas Tech) and Mike Gundy (34-25 in fifth year at Oklahoma State).

LAST WEEK: Texas Tech was off. Oklahoma State won at Iowa State, 34-8.

SERIES HISTORY: Texas Tech leads, 21-12-3.

LAST MEETING: Texas Tech won, 56-20, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Home team has won 7 straight times in this series.

GAME FACTS: Battle for Big 12 South runner-up bowl pecking order. Leach has been at his cantankerous best with juniors Taylor Potts, Steven Sheffield, freshman Seth Doege all starting games but attack still humming along (second in nation in passing, 400.4 ypg, 29 TD passes, 11 ints.). In 41-21 win over Kansas two weeks ago, RB Baron Butch added ground balance with 123 yards, 4 TDs on only 17 carries. Gundy's woes this year have included suspension of star WR Dez Bryant for lying to NCAA about contact with Deion Sanders, injury woes for last year's leading rusher RB Kendall Hunter (152 yards rushing, 1,403 fewer than last year), humbling 41-14 loss in home showdown Texas. As a result, QB Zac Robinson hasn't been the same player (25 TD passes, 8 TD runs, 10 ints. last year, 14 TD passes, 7 ints., 4 TD runs this year). After giving up staggering 1,347 yards, 101 points to Tech last two years, improved defense (fourth in Big 12 in total defense, 331.3 ypg, 75 fewer than last year) has got to rise to challenge this time around.

ARIZONA STATE (4-5) at No. 14 OREGON (7-2), 10:20, ESPN.

FAVORITE: Oregon by 17.

COACHES: Dennis Erickson (19-15 in third year at Arizona State) and Chip Kelly (first year at Oregon).

LAST WEEK: Arizona State lost at home to USC, 14-9. Oregon lost at Stanford, 51-42.

SERIES HISTORY: Arizona State leads, 16-13.

LAST MEETING: Oregon won, 54-20, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Ducks have beaten Sun Devils four straight years by combined score of 164-72.

GAME FACTS: With ASU mired in 2-4 slide, Erickson benched senior QB Danny Sullivan after two first-half ints. last week in favor of 6-8 freshman Brock Osweiler, who fared decently (11-of-27, 153 passing, TD, int.) but couldn't deliver any points in four final-period possessions. Senior CB Terell Carr has been suspended after arrest Tuesday on disorderly conduct, assault charges. Ducks bring back their star disciplinary case in senior RB LaGarrette Blount, who is eligible for first time since punching Boise State player following loss in opener Sept. 3. Kelly isn't saying whether he'll play or not, especially considering superb job freshman RB LaMichael James (second in Pac-10 with 1,043 rushing, 8 TDs) has done stepping in. Defense was virtually non-existent last week as Stanford piled up 505 total yards while holding 37:43-22:17 time of possession edge. QB Jeremiah Masoli (21-of-37, 334 passing, 3 TDs, 55 yards rushing, TD run) did all he could in defeat as Ducks piled up 570 total yards.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)

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