FOUR GAMES TO WATCH

No. 13 LOUISIANA STATE (6-2) at No. 8 TENNESSEE (7-1)

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

* TV: Channel 2

* Line: Louisiana State by 3.

* Louisiana State update: The Tigers lead the nation in total defense, giving up only 211.6 yards a game, and are second in scoring defense, giving up 8.3 points. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell is fourth in the nation with 1,910 yards passing and a rating of 174.58, but the Tigers have had only one 100-yard rushing game. They have averaged 35.9 points.

* Tennessee update: The Volunteers have the ninth-ranked passing offense in the nation, averaging 288 yards through the air, but quarterback Erik Ainge left last week’s game because of an ankle injury and will not be 100%. He’s ninth in the nation with 2,213 yards passing. The Volunteers, who play No. 12 Arkansas next week, will need help in the form of a Florida loss to get into the Southeastern Conference title game.

* Story line: It’s a matchup that pits the nation’s top defense against one of the best offenses. The outcome could come down to the health of Ainge. If he isn’t his usual self, Tennessee will be hard-pressed to make it into a big-time bowl game. If he is, that fate will befall LSU.

* The pick: Tennessee. The last time the Volunteers faced a defense giving up fewer than 10 points a game, they scored 51 against Georgia.

*

No. 16 BOSTON COLLEGE (7-1) at No. 22 WAKE FOREST (7-1)

* Kickoff: Saturday, 4 p.m. PST

* TV: ESPN 2

* Line: Boston College by 4.

* Boston College update: The Eagles already hold the tiebreaker over two-loss Clemson in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference, so a victory would allow the luxury of another loss. Boston College has tightened its defense over the last four games, giving up only 22 points in that stretch. Boston College gives up only 76.5 yards rushing. Quarterback Matt Ryan sat out last week’s victory over Buffalo because of a sore ankle but was expected to play.

* Wake Forest update: The Demon Deacons are one of the biggest surprises, starting 7-1 for only the third time in school history and first since 1979. This game starts a tough stretch, with Florida State, Virginia Tech and Maryland to follow. Wake Forest relies on a defense that has given up an average of only 15 points and 109.1 yards rushing. Leading rusher Kevin Harris is out at least three weeks because of a sprained knee.

* Story line: It seemed unlikely entering the season that, in a division with Florida State and Clemson, these teams would be playing for the inside track to the ACC Atlantic title and a spot in the ACC title game, but barring any late upsets, that’s what’s at stake.

* The pick: Boston College. The Demon Deacons haven’t won in November or against a ranked opponent since 2003.

*

No. 12 ARKANSAS (7-1) at SOUTH CAROLINA (5-3)

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

* TV: ESPN.

* Line: Arkansas by 2 1/2 .

* Arkansas update: The Razorbacks feature one of the most prolific running back tandems with Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. They have combined for 1,480 yards and 11 touchdowns and Arkansas has the No. 5 rushing offense in the nation at 235.38 yards a game. The Razorbacks’ passing game, however, is ranked No. 103, and the team will need to show the ability to pass more effectively if it is to contend for the SEC title and major bowl berth.

* South Carolina update: Steve Spurrier has the Gamecocks competitive in the SEC, but they have lost three games against ranked opponents. Though he would surely like to reserve the breakthrough victory for next week at Florida, this game offers a better chance. Dual-threat quarterback Syvelle Newton has 1,240 yards passing and 315 rushing and South Carolina gives up only 16.1 points a game.

* Story line: With its tough schedule ahead, Arkansas, the lone team unbeaten in SEC play, cannot afford a slip-up if it is to advance to the conference title game. South Carolina needs a victory to become bowl eligible.

* The pick: South Carolina. This game has booby trap written all over it for the Razorbacks, who will be caught looking ahead.

*

No. 18 OKLAHOMA (6-2) at No. 21 TEXAS A&M; (8-1)

* Kickoff: Saturday, 5 p.m. PST.

* TV: Game Plan only on West Coast.

* Line: Oklahoma by 3.

* Oklahoma update: The Sooners haven’t missed a beat since Adrian Peterson broke his collarbone. Allen Patrick has rushed 71 times for 272 yards the last two games. The Sooners defense has done its part, giving up only 10 points a game over its last five, and that includes a 28-10 loss to Texas. Oklahoma figures to rely on the defense and control the clock with Patrick to keep the ball away from Texas A&M;’s offense.

* Texas A&M; update: Running backs Javorskie Lane and Mike Goodson and dual-threat quarterback Stephen McGee form the core of a potent running attack that is No. 8 in the nation with 213.6 yards rushing a game. McGee’s 1,753 passing yards adds a solid passing attack and the Aggies are averaging 33 points a game. They are on a four-game winning streak, with games against Nebraska and Texas after this one.

* Story line: Texas A&M; can prove it is legitimate with a victory and can get to the Big 12 title game if it can win its next three games. Oklahoma probably can’t make the conference title game, but it can be the No. 2 team to set it up for a decent bowl game.

* The pick: Oklahoma. While its record is impressive, Texas A&M; has yet to face a team as talented as the Sooners.