<strong><span class="subhead">Game of the week</span></strong></p><p><strong>Brigham Young at Utah</strong></p><p>It&#8217;s a bit like the Missouri-Kansas game of last season, only in a lower-profile conference. It&#8217;s the biggest game in the history of the state with the eighth-ranked Utes, 11-0, taking on the No. 16 Cougars, 10-1. A Utah victory means an outright Mountain West title and second BCS berth in four years. Think Sugar Bowl. A BYU victory probably knocks Utah from BCS consideration. Both sides have gotten excellent quarterback play from Brian Johnson of Utah and BYU&#8217;s Max Hall. The coaches, Utah&#8217;s Kyle Whittingham and BYU&#8217;s Bronco Mendenhall, were defensive coordinators at their schools before taking over their programs four years ago.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Upset of the week</span></strong></p><p><strong>Arizona over Oregon State</strong></p><p>Keep winning, and the Beavers could get a rematch with Penn State in the Rose Bowl and a chance to avenge a 45-14 loss. Oregon State mighty-mite running back Jacquizz Rodgers has been terrific all season and could come up big against an undersized Arizona line. But the Wildcats have an excellent offense, led by quarterback Willie Tuitama, and have been tough at home this season, losing only to Southern California. The Pacific-10 bowl lineup changes with an Arizona victory.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">Others to watch</span></strong></p><p><strong>Michigan State at Penn State</strong></p><p>The Nittany Lions are playing for the Rose Bowl, their first since the 1994 season. Michigan State can get there with a victory but also needs Michigan to upset Ohio State. Penn State must clamp down on Spartans running back Javon Ringer, who is having an All-America season but has only 52 yards in 19 career carries against the Lions.</p><p><strong>Pittsburgh at Cincinnati</strong></p><p>With lowly Syracuse after this, the Bearcats can all but wrap up the Big East title and a BCS game (likely the Orange). Cincy coach Brian Kelly has been mentioned among others as Phil Fulmer&#8217;s replacement at Tennessee. He&#8217;d bring a great defensive mind, but the Vols&#8217; offense needs rebuilding. Pittsburgh also controls its future in the Big East. Beat the Bearcats and West Virginia and the Panthers are BCS bound.</p><p><strong>Michigan at Ohio State</strong></p><p>Did you see this quote from Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez: &#8220;It&#8217;s amazing some of the things that people would say (on a message board) or yell at you of a personal nature. You almost want to tell them, &#8216;Get a life.&#8217; There&#8217;s a whole lot bigger problems. Look at the economy.&#8221; Not a good idea to rip the fans when you&#8217;re facing a 3-9 season.</p><p><strong>Washington at Washington State</strong></p><p>A combined 1-20, the lone victory was the Cougars&#8217; over Division I-AA Portland State. Nobody&#8217;s saying much about the Huskies&#8217; search to replace Tyrone Willingham. Gary Pinkel&#8217;s name keeps surfacing in media speculation, but that seems like wishful thinking in these parts. Boise State&#8217;s Chris Petersen also is prominently mentioned.</p><p><strong><span class="subhead">On the horizon</span></strong></p><p><strong>Kansas vs. Missouri at Arrowhead</strong></p><p>Not like last year, but a Border War nonetheless</p><p><strong>Oklahoma at Oklahoma State</strong></p><p>Could mean Big 12 title game for Sooners</p><p><strong>Florida at Florida State</strong></p><p>Could the Gators trip here?</p><p><strong>Oregon at Oregon State</strong></p><p>Beavers could smell Roses with victory