Enquirer wire services

Arkansas (8-3) at No. 3 LSU (10-1)

Time/TV: 2:30 p.m./Ch. 12, 7

Line: LSU by 9 1/2

Series Record: LSU leads 29-17-2.

Last Meeting: 2002, Arkansas, 21-20.

What to Watch: A game with serious national-title implications. If LSU wins, it will advance to the SEC title game, where the Tigers can make the case that they - and not one-loss Southern California - deserve to be in the title game. Which just happens to be held in the Sugar Bowl, in New Orleans. Of course a stumble - like the one they had against Florida earlier in the season - relegates them to also-ran status. It won't be an easy test for the Tigers, who will need to stop one of the country's best running games. The Razorbacks are averaging 240 yards rushing per game, fifth-best in the country. LSU's run defense, of course is the nation's best, allowing just 58 yards per game. DT Chad Lavalais is the defensive leader, and making sure he's blocked will be a priority for the Razorbacks' offense. LSU's defensive strength is complemented by the Tigers' prolific offense. QB Matt Mauck is 15-2 as a starter, and has thrown for 215 yards per game and 23 TD passes. Arkansas QB Matt Jones, meanwhile, is a threat to run and pass. He has 653 yards rushing this season. He also has completed 71 percent of his passes in November.

Streaks, Stats and Notes: Last year's finish was one for the ages. Arkansas won on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Matt Jones to DeCori Birmingham with 9 seconds left. ... The teams are playing their eighth game for the Boot, a gold trophy in the shape of the states of Louisiana and Arkansas.

No. 25 Nebraska (8-3) at Colorado (5-6)

Time/TV: Noon/Ch. 9, 2

Line: Nebraska by 2 1/2

Series Record: Nebraska leads 43-16-2.

Last Meeting: 2002, Colorado, 28-13.

What to Watch: Frank Solich could use a big win to quiet the talk that this is his last season as Nebraska coach. Although it's possible even that wouldn't help. Athletic director Steve Pederson has declined to comment on Solich's status. Fortunately for the Cornhuskers, this isn't the same Colorado team that's beaten them the past two years. For one thing, its running game is dead last in the Big 12, at 96 ypg. For another, the Buffaloes' defense is strictly average, at best, and will have to overachieve to stop a running game that's sixth-best in the country with 237 yards per game. Nebraska QB Jammal Lord is at the heart of that attack. He's the Cornhuskers' leading rusher, with 801 yards and nine TDs this season. He and the rest of the Huskers have also benefited from a ball-hawking defense. The Huskers have produced 42 turnovers this season.

Streaks, Stats and Notes: Nebraska FS Josh Bullocks has a Big 12-record 10 interceptions this season. ... The teams have met on the Friday after Thanksgiving for each of the past eight years, ever since the formation of the Big 12.

No. 6 Texas (9-2) at Texas A&M (4-7)

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

Line: Texas by 20

Series Record: Texas leads 70-34-5.

Last Meeting: 2002, Texas, 50-20.

What to Watch: Texas is most likely playing for an at-large BCS bid, most likely in the Fiesta or Rose Bowl. The Aggies could desperately use a win over the Longhorns to take some of the sting out of their first losing season since 1982. The Longhorns have tried to keep together a two-man QB rotation all season, but earlier this week, Chance Mock said he would consider transferring in order to get more playing time and more chances to demonstrate his abilities for NFL scouts. Mock's playing time has come at the expense of Vince Young, a slippery, inventive runner who has led the Longhorns to a string of lopsided victories since he took over as the primary option following the Oklahoma game. Mock, however, led the game-winning drive in Texas' 43-40 win over Texas Tech two weeks ago, throwing a TD pass with 46 seconds left for the win. Whoever is taking snaps for Texas, he'll have RB Cedric Benson and WR Reggie Williams at his disposal. Texas A&M QB Reggie McNeal has one of the Aggies' best RBs in years with Courtney Lewis, who's 60 yards from becoming the first 1,000-yard rusher at A&M since Dante Hall in 1998.

Streaks, Stats and Notes: Texas A&M S Jaxson Appel leads the team with 124. ... The series is the third most-played in Division I-A, behind Minnesota-Wisconsin and Kansas-Nebraska series.