SIX GAMES TO WATCH

No. 2 Nebraska (11-0) at No. 14 Colorado (8-2)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. today.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: Nebraska by 101/2.

Nebraska update: The Cornhuskers--No. 1 in the bowl championship series rankings--must beat Colorado to reach the Big 12 title game and a rematch against Oklahoma, which needs to beat Oklahoma State. A loss today would jeopardize Nebraska’s national-title chances.

Colorado update: The Buffaloes can reach the Big 12 title game with an upset of Nebraska, but it has been a hard-luck matchup full of close losses in recent years. Quarterback Bobby Pesavento will start in place of injured Craig Ochs.

Story line: The winner advances to the Big 12 title game, and Nebraska can inch closer to playing for the national title.

The pick: Nebraska. Boulder can be a tough place to play, but Fresno State won there.

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No. 5 Texas (9-1) at Texas A&M; (7-3)

Kickoff: 9 a.m. today.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: Texas by 131/2.

Texas update: The Longhorns--who have a slim shot at the Big 12 title game--have scored 108 points over the last two weeks and given up only 10. Granted, it was against Baylor and Kansas. Texas hasn’t won at College Station since 1995.

Texas A&M; update: The Aggies have lost two in a row, to Texas Tech and Oklahoma. A victory over their archrival could take the bitter taste out of their mouths. The Longhorns’ only loss was to Oklahoma, which beat A&M;, 31-10.

Story line: The Longhorns can tie Oklahoma for the Big 12 South title with a victory, but it would take an unlikely Sooner loss to Oklahoma State for Texas to advance to the Big 12 championship.

The pick: Texas. That 14-3 loss to Oklahoma is going to stick with the Longhorns for a long time.

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No. 24 Arkansas (7-3) at Louisiana State (6-3)

Kickoff: 11:30 a.m. today.

TV: Channel 2.

Line: Louisiana State by 91/2.

Arkansas update: After a 1-3 start, the Razorbacks have won six in a row to put themselves in position to win a share of the Southeastern Conference West title. Arkansas needs a victory over LSU and would need LSU to beat Auburn next week.

Louisiana State update: The Tigers can reach the SEC title game if they win their last two against Arkansas and Auburn. Receiver Josh Reed leads the SEC with 145.7 yards receiving a game, and had 19 catches for 293 yards against Alabama.

Story line: Auburn, Arkansas and Louisiana State are still in contention to win the SEC West. The winner would play Florida or Tennessee in the SEC title game.

The pick: LSU. A nod to home-field advantage.

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No. 12 Washington (8-2) at No. 1 Miami (9-0)

Kickoff: 5 p.m. Saturday.

TV: None.

Line: Miami by 26.

Washington update: The Huskies are 2-0 against Miami, ending Miami’s 58-game home winning streak in 1994 and upsetting the Hurricanes last season. Washington’s season usually ends with the Apple Cup, but this game was rescheduled after Sept. 11 attacks.

Miami update: The Hurricanes blew away any talk that Syracuse posed a threat with a 59-0 victory last week. Washington and Virginia Tech are the final obstacles to an undefeated regular season.

Story line: Washington gave Miami its only loss last season, and the Hurricanes--No. 2 in the BCS rankings--don’t want the Huskies to deny them again.

The pick: Miami. Washington gave up 49 points to Oregon State, 35 to UCLA and 31 to Arizona State. That doesn’t bode well.

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Ohio State (6-4) at No. 11 Michigan (8-2)

Kickoff: 10 a.m. Saturday.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: Michigan by 9.

Ohio State update: Quarterback Steve Bellisari won’t start but is back on the team after a suspension related to a drunk-driving charge. Coach Jim Tressel didn’t say whether Bellisari will play, but suggested he is as deep as No. 4 on the chart.

Michigan update: A victory gives the Wolverines the Big Ten title and a trip to one of three major bowls--the Fiesta, Orange or Sugar. If Michigan loses, the Illini win the title.

Story line: The rivalry has enough juice on its own. Now add Michigan playing for the Big Ten title.

The pick: Michigan--despite quarterback problems that led to John Navarre’s brief benching against Wisconsin.

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No. 19 Georgia (6-3) at No. 21 Georgia Tech (7-3)

Kickoff: 4:45 p.m. Saturday.

TV: ESPN.

Line: Georgia Tech by 21/2.

Georgia update: The Bulldogs lost two in a row to Florida and Auburn before recovering against Mississippi. The team also faced a difficult situation with defensive lineman David Jacobs in intensive care after it was determined he suffered a stroke last week.

Georgia Tech update: The Yellow Jackets have won the last three games in the series, but haven’t won four in a row since a streak that lasted from 1949-56.

Story line: In a rivalry game that has been played every year since 1925, four of the last six games have been decided by three or fewer points.

The pick: Georgia Tech. All the recent tumult might have worn out the Bulldogs before playing a rivalry game on the road.