Sooners-Longhorns rev up Red River Rivalry and another showdown day in SEC
The Red River Rivalry is missing something this season - an undefeated team.
The Longhorns and Sooners both enter the duel in Dallas with at least one loss for the first time since 1999. The winner of Saturday's Big 12 South showdown can at least hold out slim hopes of working its way back into the national championship mix. For the loser, it's time to come to grips with reality and reassess goals.
In the Southeastern Conference, two more huge games between the league's heavyweights are on the slate with LSU at Florida and Tennessee at Georgia. Out West, Oregon tries to stay unbeaten against California.
The picks:
Thursday
No. 17 Florida State (minus 10 1/2) at North Carolina State
Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato is 3-3 against his old boss, Bobby Bowden .... FLORIDA STATE 24-14.
Friday
No. 8 Louisville (minus 33) at Middle Tennessee
Even with the injuries, Cardinals lead NCAA in scoring (44 per game) ... LOUISVILLE 51-17.
Saturday
Bowling Green (plus 35) at No. 1 Ohio State
Buckeyes are 21-1 all-time against the MAC ... OHIO STATE 40-14.
Arkansas (plus 15 1/2) at No. 2 Auburn
Tigers have won 20 of last 21 against SEC opponents ... AUBURN 38-17.
Washington (plus 20 1/2) at No. 3 Southern California
Huskies are early surprise in Pac-10 ... USC 31-14.
No. 4 West Virginia (minus 25) at Mississippi State
Bulldogs have lost seven straight to ranked teams ... WEST VIRGINIA 42-14.
No. 9 LSU (minus 2) at No. 5 Florida
Tigers have won two straight and three of four against Gators ... LSU 17-16.
Michigan State (plus 16) at No. 6 Michigan
Wolverines have won eight of last 10 against Spartans ... MICHIGAN 33-14.
No. 7 Texas (minus 5) vs. No. 14 Oklahoma
Sooners try to start new streak against 'Horns ... TEXAS 34-23.
No. 13 Tennessee (minus 2 1/2) at No. 10 Georgia
Bulldogs trying to go 6-0 for third time under coach Mark Richt ... GEORGIA 20-17.
No. 11 Oregon (plus 5 1/2) at No. 16 California
Ducks coach Mike Bellotti is 7-1 against Cal ... OREGON 31-24.
Stanford (plus 31 1/2) at No. 12 Notre Dame
First time this season Irish face a team with a loss ... NOTRE DAME 44-10.
No. 15 Clemson (minus 16 1/2) at Wake Forest
Wake has won two of last three meetings with Tigers ... CLEMSON 40-17.
Maryland (plus 13 1/2) at No. 18 Georgia Tech
Yellow Jackets have won two straight and six of eight against Terps ... GEORGIA TECH 28-10.
Purdue (plus 11) at No. 19 Iowa
Can Hawkeyes rev it up again after Ohio State loss? ... IOWA 28-24.
Louisiana Tech (plus 35) at No. 20 Boise State
Broncos need lopsided wins to bolster BCS hopes ... BOISE STATE 44-20.
No. 22 Nebraska (minus 7) at Iowa State
Cyclones have won two straight against Huskers in Ames ... IOWA STATE 30-27.
No. 23 Missouri (plus 4) at Texas Tech
Tigers are only team in top 10 nationally in defense (second) and offense (10th) ... TEXAS TECH 28-24.
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Last week: 15-4 (straight); 8-9-1 (vs. points).
Season: 88-15 (straight); 54-35-3 (vs. points).
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