SIX GAMES TO WATCH

No. 14 Syracuse (8-2) at No. 1 Miami (8-0)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: None.

Line: Miami by 21.

Syracuse update: After an 0-2 start, Syracuse has won eight in a row, including an upset of Virginia Tech. The Orangemen--not Washington or Virginia Tech--might be the biggest obstacle to an undefeated Miami season. Defensive end Dwight Freeney leads the nation with 161/2 sacks.

Miami update: The Hurricanes escaped a near-upset against Boston College with an 18-7 victory. But quarterback Ken Dorsey threw four interceptions, and Miami failed to score an offensive touchdown for the first time in 52 games.

Story line: Miami, hanging on at No. 2 in the BCS standings, faces a closing stretch against three ranked teams--Syracuse, Washington and Virginia Tech.

The pick: Miami. It’s helpful this one is not at the Carrier Dome.

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No. 20 UCLA (6-3) at USC (5-5)

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports Net.

Line: UCLA by 31/2.

UCLA update: With DeShaun Foster expected to miss another game and the Bruins riding a three-game losing streak--all against ranked teams--this is about trying to keep the season from turning wretched. But Cory Paus had his best game last week, and the return of receiver Brian Poli-Dixon helped.

USC update: The Trojans have a three-game winning streak and have won the last two meetings in the series on the heels of an eight-game losing streak. Also at stake: The Trojans can become bowl eligible by winning their sixth game.

Story line: Same as it ever was: Cross-town bragging rights mean everything.

The pick: UCLA. Reasons for Trojan winning streak and Bruin losing streak are in the schedules.

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No. 3 Oklahoma (9-1) at Texas Tech (6-3)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: None.

Line: Oklahoma by 71/2.

Oklahoma update: The Sooners are looking for a trip to the Big 12 title game and a possible rematch against Nebraska. Their hopes--and national title aspirations--will be scuttled if they don’t beat Texas Tech, notching their second loss.

Texas Tech update: Kliff Kingsbury has emerged as one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. Against Oklahoma State last week, he passed for 440 yards and four touchdowns, completing an astounding 44 of 56 passes. Don’t expect anything like that against the Sooner defense.

Story line: Oklahoma should win, but Lubbock isn’t an easy trip and many Sooners remember a 38-28 loss there in 1999.

The pick: Oklahoma. The Sooner defense is third in the nation at 257.3 yards a game.

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No. 21 Florida State (6-3) at No. 4 Florida (8-1)

Kickoff: 5 p.m.

TV: Channel 2.

Line: Florida by 15.

Florida State update: The Seminoles lost their homecoming game to North Carolina State last week--their first home loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Without a decent showing Saturday, they could slip out of the top 25 for the first time in 12 years.

Florida update: The Gators, fifth in the BCS standings and hoping for others to slip up, have been playing their best of the season. Against South Carolina--a ranked opponent--Florida scored on its first nine possessions in a 54-17 victory. Rex Grossman’s 300-yard passing streak is at nine games.

Story line: The game doesn’t get its usual top billing, except in Florida.

The pick: Florida. The Gators’ odd loss to Auburn probably cost them a national title shot.

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Utah (7-2) at No. 8 Brigham Young (10-0)

Kickoff: 4 p.m.

TV: ESPN2.

Line: BYU by 7.

Utah update: All the focus is on BYU’s high-powered offense, but Utah ranks ninth nationally in scoring defense, giving up fewer than 16 points a game. Another statistic worth noting: Utah has not lost in Provo since 1991.

BYU update: Top receiver Reno Mahe will miss the game after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. As impressive as BYU’s offense has been, the Cougar defense lets the other team light up the scoreboard too. Last week’s score against Wyoming: 41-34.

Story line: An undefeated BYU team could end up in the Fiesta Bowl, but Cougars have to get by Utah first.

The pick: BYU. But Cougars probably will be held under 40 points for only the third time this season.

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No. 9 Washington State (9-1) at No. 16 Washington (7-2)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: Washington State by 11/2.

Washington State update: Quarterback Jason Gesser is cleared to play after suffering a concussion. The Cougars’ Pacific 10 title hopes rest on winning this game, but they’d also need an Oregon loss to Oregon State Dec. 1.

Washington update: The Huskies’ 49-24 loss to Oregon State undermined their season, but they can finish second in the Pac-10 if they beat Washington State. Still ahead: A shot at ending Miami’s undefeated season next week--unless Syracuse does it first.

Story line: At stake in the Apple Cup: State bragging rights and a trip to the Holiday Bowl.

The pick: Washington State. Cougars should be able to withstand Washington’s Husky Stadium advantage.