SIX GAMES TO WATCH

No. 7 WASHINGTON STATE (9-2)

at UCLA (7-4)

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: Washington State by 2 1/2.

Washington State update: A Washington State win puts the Cougars in the Rose Bowl game. Despite a high ankle sprain, quarterback Jason Gesser is taking snaps in practice. Coach Mike Price contends he won’t name a starter until game day, but Gesser says he’ll play.

UCLA update: Fan uprising over the 52-21 loss to USC hasn’t quieted even though USC demolished Notre Dame in similar fashion.

Story line: USC is looking for a UCLA victory to put the Trojans in the Rose Bowl.

The pick: Washington State. If Gesser’s history is any indication, he’ll not only play hurt, he’ll put the Cougars in the Granddaddy of Them All.

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No. 18 VIRGINIA TECH (9-3)

at No. 1 MIAMI (11-0)

Kickoff: 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: Miami by 18.

Virginia Tech update: The Hokies -- once thought to be national championship contenders -- fell by the wayside with three consecutive losses, but managed to beat Virginia last week.

Miami update: The Hurricanes won’t be napping for this one. Last season, Miami held on for a 26-24 victory to reach the national championship game only after Virginia Tech failed on a two-point conversion.

Story line: Miami could lose to Virginia Tech and still play for the national championship in the Fiesta Bowl if it managed not to fall below No. 2 in the BCS standings.

The pick: Miami. Virginia Tech lost its credibility with losses to Pittsburgh, Syracuse and West Virginia.

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No. 4 GEORGIA (11-1)

vs. No. 22 ARKANSAS (9-3)

What: SEC championship at Atlanta.

Kickoff: 3 p.m.

TV: Channel 2.

Line: Georgia by 8.

Georgia update: The Miami game earlier in the day will determine whether Georgia has any hope of moving into the top two in the BCS standings.

Arkansas update: Alabama’s NCAA probation helped propel Arkansas into the SEC title game as the West division winner by default.

Story line: At stake, the SEC’s automatic bid to one of the BCS bowls.

The pick: Georgia. Matt Jones, the Arkansas quarterback, was money on a game-winning drive against Louisiana State, but before the final drive he completed two of 13 passes for 46 yards.

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No. 12 COLORADO (9-3)

vs. No. 8 OKLAHOMA (10-2)

What: Big 12 championship at Houston.

Kickoff: 5 p.m.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: Oklahoma by 7.

Colorado update: Running back Chris Brown has been ruled out of the game because of a severely bruised sternum, and Bobby Purify is doubtful because of a high ankle sprain. Still, reserve Brian Calhoun did fine with 137 yards against Nebraska.

Oklahoma update: A loss to rival Oklahoma State cost the Sooners dearly, ending any chance of playing for the national championship.

Story line: A rematch of Oklahoma’s 27-11 victory over Colorado Nov. 2 for the Big 12’s automatic BCS bowl bid.

The pick: Oklahoma. With Brown and Purify injured, Oklahoma figures to win again.

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ARMY (1-10)

vs. NAVY (1-10)

Where: at East Rutherford, N.J.

Kickoff: 9 a.m.

TV: Channel 2.

Line: Navy by 3.

Army update: The Black Knights’ only victory was a 14-10 win over Tulane, which defeated Navy, 51-30. Army ranks 104th nationally in turnover margin and Navy is 115th.

Navy update: The 30-23 loss to Notre Dame was the highlight of another dreadful season. Navy won its opener against Southern Methodist, 38-7, but hasn’t won since.

Story line: The records are awful, but the classic pageantry of the 103rd Army-Navy game begins with the march-on of the Corps of Cadets followed by the Brigade of Midshipmen.

The pick: Army. Pull for a good finish. Seven of the last 10 Army-Navy games have been decided in the final minute, with Army winning six.

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TOLEDO (9-3)

at MARSHALL (9-2)

What: MAC championship.

Kickoff: 11:30 a.m.

TV: ESPN2.

Line: Marshall by 4 1/2.

Toledo update: Brian Jones threw for three touchdowns and Trinity Dawson ran for three in a 42-24 victory over Bowling Green last week that clinched the West division title.

Marshall update: Byron Leftwich is worth watching for drama alone. Besides his Willis Reed moment earlier this season when teammates carried the injured quarterback downfield for the next play, he passed for 401 yards last week despite limping on a sore left shin.

Story line: Marshall already accepted an invitation to play in the GMAC Bowl Dec. 18 in Mobile, Ala.

The pick: Marshall. Because the Thundering Herd has the lumbering Leftwich.