COLLEGE FOOTBALL : TODAY’S GAMES TO WATCH

GAME OF THE DAY Oklahoma (8-1) at Colorado (5-4). TV: Channels 13 and USA, 10:30 a.m. PST.

Amazingly, the Buffs could virtually clinch an Orange Bowl berth by defeating the Sooners. They’ve already beaten Nebraska and, with Kansas State left to play, share the Big Eight lead with the Sooners. That said, we remind you that Oklahoma is coming off a 77-0 win over Missouri in which it gained 750 yards. Oklahoma, moreover, has yet to allow a touchdown by rushing--meaning, Oklahoma quarterback Jamelle Holieway says, “Their offense is not capable of scoring against our defense.” Never mind what Brian Bosworth is saying. The Colorado wishbone is a poor imitation of Oklahoma’s. So how did Colorado beat Nebraska, anyway? Trick plays, remember?

THE ACC Clemson (7-2) vs. Maryland (4-5) at Baltimore. This week’s novelty game. Because of ACC penalties, both coaches will be in the press box instead of on the sidelines. As part of their punishment, Clemson’s Danny Ford and Maryland’s Bobby Ross are required to eat hot dogs at halftime and to file game stories and locker room stories afterward. Clemson, 5-1 in the ACC, could clinch the title here. Ross would have something to write about.

THE MIDWEST Penn State (9-0) at Notre Dame (4-4). TV: Channels 7 and 10, 12:30 p.m. PST.

The Irish have won three games in a row, including last week’s 61-29 leveling of SMU. “Some people think we turned the corner because of the way we beat SMU,” says Lou Holtz, first-year coach. “But with our schedule, every time you think you’ve turned the corner, there’s another corner waiting for you.” Like undefeated and third-ranked Penn State? The Lions have a 20-game winning streak in regular-season play but looked toothless in last week’s 17-15 victory over Maryland. They’ve scored just three touchdowns in the last two games, despite gaining 772 yards. One of the two teams ranked ahead of Penn State, Michigan, had a real scare here to open the season.

THE SOUTHWEST Texas A&M; (7-1) vs. Arkansas (7-2) at Little Rock. The Aggies, undefeated in league play, can win at least a share of the Southwest Conference title with a victory over the Razorbacks. Moreover, they are assured of a return to the Cotton Bowl with a victory, having already defeated Texas Tech and Baylor in head-to-head competition. But the Razorbacks, 4-2 in the conference, can stay alive with an upset and force a possible, though unlikely, four-way tie. The Aggies were preseason No. 1 favorites in some polls but buried themselves with a season-opening loss to LSU. Texas A&M; quarterback Kevin Murray is the SWC’s hottest. Just a junior, he is already fourth in SWC career total offense. And he has the career record for touchdown passes with 41.

THE SOUTHEAST LSU (6-2) vs. Mississippi State (6-3) at Jackson, Miss. The Southeastern Conference race could degenerate into a six-way tie, but not if LSU, 4-1 in the conference, beats Mississippi State (2-2). State has had some luck with the Tigers in recent years, winning 9 of their last 12 games. Scheduling is probably a factor. “I don’t think it’s a secret,” State Coach Rockey Felker says. “We have always played them right after the Alabama game, usually before a big nonconference game.” LSU is coming off an upset of Alabama and heading into a Notre Dame game.