Today's college football games involving teams in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25.

Washington (6-5)

at No. 3 Wash. St. (9-1)

Time/TV: 6:30 p.m./FSN.

Line: WSU by 81/2.

Between the lines: The Cougars look to clinch the Pac-10 title, but the Huskies have a four-year hold on the Apple Cup. Washington's running game finally found some life behind Rich Alexis. He must produce again to balance QB Cody Pickett, who can expect heat from WSU DT Rien Long, and WR Reggie Williams, who will oppose Cougars CB Marcus Trufant. Washington State QB Jason Gesser must be crisp if he challenges Huskies CB Derrick Johnson, who has two picks in each of his last two outings. WSU RB Jermaine Green, also coming off a big game against Oregon, could contribute. Washington State has protected its home turf all season but shouldn't get too comfortable. In 34 Pac-10 league games this season, home teams have 18-16 edge.

No. 23 Texas Tech (8-4)

at No. 5 Oklahoma (9-1)

Time/TV: 7 p.m./TBS.

Line: Oklahoma by 13.

Between the lines: A date with Colorado in the Big 12 title game is up for grabs as Texas Tech QB Kliff Kingsbury tries to topple its second top-five team in as many weeks. He'll send WR Wes Welker and RB Taurean Henderson against a speed-laden Sooners defense featuring LB Teddy Lehman and CB Derrick Strait. LB Lawrence Flugence, Tech's tackling machine, must control Oklahoma RB Quentin Griffin. Sooners QB Nate Hybl must get the ball outside to WRs Will Peoples and Antwone Savage to produce first downs and keep Kingsbury's air show grounded. The Red Raiders' secondary must account for Sooners TE Trent Smith in the middle.

Extra point: Red Raiders' win against Texas completed sweep of other three Big 12 schools from Lone Star State, a feat Tech last accomplished in 1997.

No. 7 Southern Cal (8-2)

at No. 24 UCLA (7-3)

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Line: USC by 6.

Between the lines: Both teams are in the running for the Pac-10 title, though the winner must hope Washington State loses its last two games. UCLA lost QB Cory Paus, so RB Tyler Ebell is carrying the offense. SS Troy Polamalu will provide ground support for USC's defense, which hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher this season. UCLA's freshman quarterbacks, Drew Olson and Matt Moore, will have their poise tested. Trojans QB Carson Palmer, a senior, has a huge advantage in experience. Bruins DE Dave Ball must limit Palmer's time to find WRs Mike Williams and Kareem Kelly. RB Justin Fargas leads a balanced Trojans running game. Extra point: Last year's 27-0 clinic by USC wasn't typical of this series' recent history; of the teams' last 22 meetings, 15 were decided by seven points or fewer.

Rutgers (1-9) at

No. 8 Notre Dame (9-1)

Time/TV: 1 p.m./Ch. 5, 22.

Line: Notre Dame by 281/2.

Between the lines: Notre Dame's habit of playing up or down to its competition has resulted in only three wins by double digits. Fighting Irish will try to make short work of Scarlet Knights to prepare for trip to Southern California. RB Ryan Grant should get his yardage if he can overcome recent fumbling problems. QB Carlyle Holiday hopes to make better use of WRs Arnaz Battle and Omar Jenkins. LB Gary Brackett is Rutgers' top tackler. The Scarlet Knights' best offensive bet is freshman QB Ryan Hart; he needs pocket time to find WR Aaron Martin and TE L.J. Smith, but Rutgers' lack of running consistency will leave Irish LB Courtney Watson free to pressure Hart. The closest of Rutgers' three encounters with Notre Dame was 45-17 in 2000, their only meeting in which Scarlet Knights scored.

No. 10 Kansas St. (9-2)

at Missouri (5-6)

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Line: Kansas State by 141/2.

Between the lines: Missouri kept its bowl hopes alive with last week's double-overtime win against Texas A&M. It will take an even bigger upset to conquer The Wildcats , who won't win the Big 12 but are playing as well as anybody in the league and are going for their 10th straight win in the series. K-State QB Ell Roberson and RB Darren Sproles lead the nation's fourth-best rushing offense. Missouri DT Keith Wright and DE Antwaun Bynum will try to slow them. Tigers freshman QB Brad Smith must play mistake-free. Missouri WR Justin Gage is the Big 12's career leader in catches and yardage. Wildcats CB-KR Terence Newman probably will oppose Gage, and LB Terry Pierce will try to limit ground gains by Smith and RB Zack Abron.

No. 14 Florida St. (8-3)

at N.C. State (9-3)

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Line: Florida State by 6.

Between the lines: The Seminoles will try to go 8-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play for the eighth time. The Wolfpack hope to avoid closing the regular season with four consecutive losses. Florida State RB Nick Maddox (ankle) might not be at full speed if he plays. QB Adrian McPherson must take up the slack. WR Anquan Boldin will be difficult for the Wolfpack secondary, which probably will be without CB Marcus Hudson (ankle). N.C. State QB Philip Rivers is approaching a 3,000-yard season, but his best receivers, TB T.A. McLendon and WR Jericho Cotchery, are playing injured. Seminoles DE Alonzo Jackson won't make Rivers' job easy.

Extra point: N.C. State is only the ACC team with two conference wins against FSU since the Seminoles joined the league in 1992.

New Mexico (6-5)

at No. 15 Colo. St. (9-2)

Time: 6 p.m.

Line: Colorado State by 161/2.

Between the lines: CSU can clinch the Mountain West title or the Lobos can gain a share of league lead with an upset.

Michigan State (4-7)

at No. 16 Penn St. (8-3)

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m./Ch. 9, 2.

Line: Penn State by 21.

Between the lines: A big game by Penn State TB Larry Johnson could earn him the national rushing title. His 157.82-yard average trails Colorado's Chris Brown by less than a yard. If DB Thomas Wright and the Spartans' defense pay too much attention to Johnson, Nittany Lions QB Zack Mills can take advantage. Michigan State QB Damon Dowdell will try to maximize touches for WR Charles Rogers, who should keep Penn State DB Shawn Mayer busy.

Extra point: Land Grant Trophy associated with this rivalry debuted in 1993 with Penn State's entry into Big Ten. Penn State has won it seven of nine times.

No. 18 Maryland (9-2)

at Virginia (7-4)

Time/TV: 5:30 p.m./ESPN2.

Line: Maryland by 91/2.

Between the lines: The Terrapins need Florida State to lose for a chance to share the ACC title, but a stumble at Virginia would cost them second place. Maryland QB Scott McBrien's nemesis this time will be LB Darryl Blackstock, one of several freshmen making key contributions for the Cavaliers. Terps RBs Chris Downs and Bruce Perry will counter UVa's pass rush. Maryland WR Scooter Monroe (hamstring) is expected to play. Cavaliers QB Matt Schaub must make efficient use of WR Billy McMullen. Linebacker E.J. Henderson, a Butkus Award finalist, will patrol the Terrapins' front.

Extra point: Seven of coach Al Groh's 12 wins at Virginia have come after Cavaliers trailed at halftime, including four this year.

Mississippi (5-5)

at No. 20 LSU (7-3)

Time/TV: 8:30/ESPN2.

Line: LSU by 91/2.

Between the lines: Despite being shut out by Alabama, LSU can play its way to the SEC West title by winning its last two games. The Rebels, who have lost four straight games, have won in their last three trips to Baton Rouge. The early return of TB LaBrandon Toefield (broken arm) gives LSU a lift, but QB Marcus Randall needs to pass more consistently. WR Michael Clayton must help him by making some tough catches. Hard-working DB Eric Oliver will take charge of Ole Miss' defense. Rebels QB Eli Manning beat the Tigers in the fourth quarter last year; LSU LB Bradie James will try to stop him.

Extra point: Illustrative of SEC's long football tradition, LSU and Ole Miss meet for 91st time but ranks ninth for most-played series in conference.

No. 21 Boise St. (10-1)

at Nevada (5-6)

Time: 3:05 p.m.

Line: Boise State by 181/2.

Between the lines: With the WAC championship in hand, the Broncos look to close out a perfect league campaign. The Wolf Pack's prolific offense will try to keep up.

No. 22 TCU (8-1)

at East Carolina (3-6)

Time: 2 p.m.

Line: TCU by 8.

Between the lines: The Horned Frogs look to maintain their lead in Conference USA. The Pirates must win their last three games to avoid a losing season, but ECU QB Paul Troth (concussion) might not play.

Rest of the Top 25

No. 12 Virginia Tech lost to West Virginia 21-18 Wednesday. No. 1 Miami (Fla.) defeated No. 19 Pittsburgh 28-21 Thursday.