The games of the week

No. 5 Boise St. (8-0) at Louisiana Tech (3-5)

Friday, 5 p.m., ESPN2

If Boise State doesn’t make a Bowl Championship Series game this year, it won’t be for lack of exposure. Four of the Broncos’ last five games are on ESPN networks -- three on Friday nights. Boise State did not impress many judges in its most recent ESPN effort, a 28-21 win over Tulsa on Oct. 14.

The pick: Boise State.

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No. 9 Louisiana St. (7-1) at No. 3 Alabama (8-0)

Saturday, 12:30 p.m., Channel 2

If you like field goals and defense, this is your game. Based on NCAA statistics, Alabama will win. LSU gives up an average of 12.13 points; Alabama, 11.38. LSU ranks 100th nationally in total offense. Alabama’s No. 25 scoring offense is inflated by the 93 points the Crimson Tide had in wins against Florida International and North Texas.

The pick: Alabama.

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No. 7 Oregon (7-1) at Stanford (5-3)

Saturday, 12:30 p.m., FS West

This serves as the official letdown alert for Oregon, coming off a 47-20 home win last week against USC. Oregon is 5-0 in Pacific 10 Conference games with sights on a Rose Bowl, but Stanford has the league’s top rusher in Toby Gerhart and needs one win to be bowl eligible for the first time since 2001.

The pick: Oregon.

-- Chris Dufresne