FOUR GAMES TO WATCH

WISCONSIN (7-2) AT NO. 1 OHIO STATE (9-0)

* Kickoff: Saturday 9 a.m. PDT.

* TV: Big Ten Network.

* Line: Ohio State by 15 1/2 .

* Wisconsin update: The Badgers have won consecutive games by a combined score of 77-6 and appear to have regrouped since dropping from the top 25 after consecutive losses in early October. They may be without starter P.J. Hill, who sustained a bruised leg last week against Indiana. Hill is ninth in the nation with 1,066 yards rushing and is third with 14 rushing touchdowns. With Michigan to follow, Wisconsin -- which was ranked No. 5 early this season -- still has an outside shot to steal a Rose Bowl berth.

* Ohio State update: The Buckeyes have won 28 consecutive regular-season games and a win here would set a record for consecutive Big Ten victories with 20. Quarterback Todd Boeckman had a breakout game last week, passing for a career-high 253 yards and three touchdowns against Penn State. The Buckeyes rank No. 1 in the nation in total defense, passing defense and scoring defense.

* Story line: Ohio State is finally getting some respect as the No. 1 team and needs another victory against a quality opponent to solidify its standing. Wisconsin has won three consecutive games against Ohio State and three in a row at Ohio Stadium.

* The pick: Ohio State. No opponent has ever won four in a row at Ohio Stadium and the Badgers won’t be the first.

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NO. 3 LOUISIANA STATE (7-1) AT NO. 17 ALABAMA (6-2)

* Kickoff: Saturday 2 p.m.

* TV: Channel 2.

* Line: Louisiana State by 7.

* Louisiana State update: The Tigers are knocking on the door of the Bowl Championship Series title game, but probably need to win out to get in. In their last two games they lost to Kentucky and needed a last-second touchdown to defeat Auburn, so their aura of invincibility has been cracked. They are still No. 2 in the nation in total defense at 232.3 yards a game and No. 5 in scoring defense at 15.4 points, but they have given up an average of 30.3 points over their last three games.

* Alabama update: The Crimson Tide has won three consecutive games and quarterback John Parker Wilson is the main reason. He passed for a career-high 363 yards against Tennessee and has 628 yards in the last two games. Wilson had success against Louisiana State last season, passing for 291 yards in a 28-14 loss -- the most yards passing LSU has given up in two seasons.

* Story line: It’s a grudge match for Louisiana State against former Coach Nick Saban, now the coach at Alabama. Saban bolted from the Tigers after winning the 2003 BCS title to coach the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. Also, the teams are tied for first in the SEC West, so an SEC title game berth could be on the line.

* The pick: Alabama. Revenge is a dish best served at home, but the Tigers are on the road so they won’t get Saban this year.

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NO. 6 ARIZONA STATE (8-0) AT NO. 4 OREGON (7-1)

* Kickoff: Saturday 3:30 p.m.

* TV: FSN West.

* Line: Oregon by 7.

* Arizona State update: The Sun Devils added a little credibility to their record by defeating California last week, but now must prove themselves on the road. Their only road games so far have been victories over Stanford (3-5) and Washington State (3-5). Still, Arizona State is No. 4 in the BCS standings thanks to a defense that’s seventh in the nation in scoring at 15.6 points a game and ninth against the run, giving up 89.4 yards a game.

* Oregon update: The Ducks have won three consecutive games since a Sept. 29 loss to California and are coming off of an impressive victory over USC. Running back Jonathan Stewart and quarterback Dennis Dixon lead an offense that’s fourth in the nation at 524.4 yards a game and third with 43.8 points. Stewart is seventh in the nation with 130.4 yards rushing a game and Dixon is sixth in passing efficiency with a 160.3 rating. The Ducks, fifth in the BCS standings, have scored 50 points or more four times.

* Story line: Neither team was ranked in the preseason top 25, but they are now in the mix for a spot in the BCS title game. The Pacific 10 Conference title and a Rose Bowl berth also could be at stake.

* The pick: Oregon. The Ducks showed last week they could score against a tough defense; Arizona State has yet to show it can defeat a good team on the road.

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FLORIDA STATE (5-3) AT NO. 2 BOSTON COLLEGE (8-0)

* Kickoff: Saturday 5 p.m.

* TV: Game Plan.

* Line: Boston College by 6 1/2 .

* Florida State update: No matter the Seminoles’ record or national ranking, they are talented. Florida State is giving up only 18.1 points and 307 yards a game -- both among the top 20 in the nation. Linebacker Geno Hayes and defensive lineman Everette Brown spearhead a defense that is fifth in the nation with 8.8 tackles for loss a game. However, the Seminoles have scored 30 or more points only once -- against Alabama Birmingham.

* Boston College update: The Eagles are 8-0 for the first time since 1942 thanks to a 14-10 comeback victory over Virginia Tech. Matt Ryan, who has 2,433 yards and 19 touchdowns passing, is among the Heisman favorites, guiding an offense that leads the Atlantic Coast Conference at 438.1 yards a game. The Eagles defense is giving up only 55 yards rushing a game -- second in the nation.

* Story line: Boston College, which has a 16-game winning streak at home, is playing for a spot in the BCS championship game and can’t afford a hiccup. Florida State is playing for a higher profile bowl game. The Seminoles were the last opponent to win at Boston College.

* The pick: Boston College. The Boston area has the World Series champion and Super Bowl favorite, so why not college football, too?

-- Peter Yoon