SIX GAMES TO WATCH

WAKE FOREST (4-5) at No. 12 MIAMI (7-2)

Kickoff: 9 a.m., Saturday.

TV: ESPN.

The line: Miami by 18 1/2 .

Wake Forest update: Behind running back Chris Barclay, who rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns, the Demon Deacons rallied from a 14-point deficit, but lost, 31-24, to North Carolina on a last-minute touchdown pass last week. Wake Forest needs to win its final two games to qualify for a bowl. Its five losses are by a total of 30 points, including two in overtime.

Miami update: The Hurricanes are coming off a 31-21 victory over then-No. 10 Virginia and are playing solid football. Frank Gore rushed for a career-high 195 yards and Roscoe Parrish returned a punt for a touchdown against Virginia. Coach Larry Coker has won 42 of 47 games in his four seasons at Miami.

Story line: Miami still has a chance to earn a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference title and a berth in a bowl championship series game.

The pick: Miami, but the Hurricanes may have some trouble if quarterback Brock Berlin struggles.

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No. 7 MICHIGAN (9-1) at OHIO STATE (6-4)

Kickoff: 10 a.m., Saturday.

TV: Channel 7.

The line: Michigan by 5 1/2 .

Michigan update: The Wolverines have steadily improved behind freshman quarterback Chad Henne, who has thrown for 2,188 yards and 19 touchdowns. Henne’s go-to receiver has been Braylon Edwards, who has 76 catches for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns. Freshman Michael Hart has rushed for 1,311 yards. The Wolverines clinch a Rose Bowl berth with a win.

Ohio State update: The Buckeyes’ program is on the hot seat. The controversy regarding Maurice Clarett’s allegations of cheating only adds to the woes of Ohio State, which is coming off a 24-17 loss to Purdue.

Story line: Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel will have his team ready to play and motivated to pull off an upset. The Wolverines have been on a roll since an early season loss to Notre Dame and have been playing well on defense.

The pick: Ohio State’s defense will answer the challenge and the Buckeyes will ride the energy of their home crowd to a victory.

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No. 4 CALIFORNIA (8-1) at STANFORD (4-6)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m., Saturday.

TV: FSNW.

The line: California by 24.

California update: Coach Jeff Tedford’s team has had to battle boredom the last few weeks, but expect the Bears to be ready to play against their Bay Area rival. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is having a Heisman Trophy-type season and running back J.J. Arrington and wideout Geoff McArthur are All-American candidates.

Stanford update: This game could decide the fate of Coach Buddy Teevens, who has struggled to revive the Cardinal program. Last week, Stanford suffered an embarrassing loss at home to Oregon State and has lost four in a row. Freshman quarterback T.C. Ostrander will start in place of Trent Edwards, who has been bothered by a shoulder injury.

Story line: Cal will be looking for a third consecutive victory over Stanford. The Bears still have a shot to reach the Orange Bowl and play in the BCS championship game. The Bears’ defense will be looking for a shutout.

The pick: Cal in a romp.

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OREGON (5-5) at OREGON STATE (5-5)

Kickoff: 4 p.m., Saturday.

TV: FSNW.

The line: Oregon State by 3 1/2 .

Oregon update: The Ducks have lost two in a row, including a 34-26 loss to UCLA last week at Autzen Stadium. Running back Terrence Whitehead will carry the offense, but quarterback Kellen Clemens has to be more consistent. Clemens will get some help with the return of receiver Demetrius Williams, who did not play against UCLA because of a foot injury.

Oregon State update: The Beavers are playing their best football but need quarterback Derek Anderson to stop throwing interceptions. He has 71 touchdown passes in his career with 56 interceptions, including four last week in a victory over Stanford. Oregon State’s defense may be the most underrated unit in the Pacific 10 Conference.

Story line: Oregon State will have to play without suspended wide receiver Anthony Wheat-Brown, and linebackers Keith Ellison and Jonathan Pollard are hampered because of ankle problems. Two weeks ago, the Ducks had California on the ropes and now they are fighting to keep their season alive.

The pick: With both teams in need of a victory to secure a bowl berth, the Beavers will use home-field advantage in a close win.

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BRIGHAM YOUNG (5-5) at No. 5 UTAH (10-0)

Kickoff: 4 p.m., Saturday.

TV: ESPN2.

The line: Utah by 21 1/2.

BYU update: An upset by BYU would not only spoil Utah’s perfect season and knock the Utes out of the BCS bowl picture, but would also make the Cougars bowl-eligible. Quarterback John Beck completed 22 of 37 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown but was sacked seven times in last week’s 21-14 loss to New Mexico. BYU is trying to avoid its third consecutive losing season.

Utah update: Quarterback Alex Smith has passed for 2,440 yards and 27 touchdowns with only two interceptions. In last week’s 45-28 victory over Wyoming, Smith passed for 244 yards and three touchdowns and added 105 yards on the ground. Senior Paris Warren and sophomore Steve Savoy have caught 10 touchdown passes each. Senior running back Marty Johnson has rushed for 13 touchdowns.

Story line: The Utes can complete a fairy-tale regular season with a victory. The key to Utah’s success has been a stingy defense, led by safety Morgan Scalley, who is tied for the national lead with six interceptions.

The pick: BYU has the talent to challenge, but Utah is too good not to win by at least two touchdowns at home.

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Kickoff: 4:45 p.m., Saturday.

TV: ESPN.

The line: Florida State by 7.

Florida update: The Gators are led by sophomore quarterback Chris Leak, who had a career-high six touchdown passes in last week’s 48-14 victory over South Carolina. Ciatrick Fason has rushed for 1,070 yards, giving Florida a strong one-two punch with Leak. The Gators have played hard since it was announced Coach Ron Zook would be fired at the end of the season. Florida hasn’t won in Tallahassee since 1986.

Florida State update: The Seminoles are still in the hunt for the ACC title and a possible BCS bowl. Coach Bobby Bowden is expected to use Chris Rix and Wyatt Sexton at quarterback, but both have been inconsistent. In last week’s victory over North Carolina State, Sexton completed only five passes and was sacked five times.

Story line: The Seminoles have one of the best defenses in the nation, but they will have their hands full trying to slow down Leak. Florida State has a lot to play for; the Gators are playing for pride.

The pick: As long as Sexton and Rix do not make mistakes, the Seminoles will win on the strength of their defense.