1) Southern California at No. 4 Washington
When last we saw USC, the Trojans (6-3, 5-2 Pac-12) were being humiliated by Alabama (isn’t everyone, though?) in the first week of the season. They were so bad it seemed the coach might be fired, but then the schedule eased up, freshman Sam Darnold (pictured) became the quarterback and USC took off. Still, this game is all about Washington and its chances for a national title. Now that the playoff committee has put the Huskies (9-0, 6-0) in the top four, they have to keep winning to stay there. Given the committee’s crush on teams from the Big Ten, even winning every game might not be enough for Washington to make the playoff. Style points could matter. 7:30 p.m., WVBT
2) No. 12 Penn State at Indiana
Speaking of the playoff committee’s crush on Big Ten teams, here’s Penn State! A team that lost to Pitt, and then to Michigan by 39 points is in the top 10 of the playoff rankings. To be fair, Penn State (7-2, 5-1 Big Ten) has resurrected its season. Since upsetting Ohio State, the Nittany Lions have been very impressive. This is probably the last possible loss on their schedule – and only because this game is at Indiana (5-4, 3-3). The stats for the two teams look very similar. For a team that was on the ropes less than two months ago, Penn State is very close to playing on New Year’s Day. Noon, ESPN
3) No. 25 Baylor at No. 9 Oklahoma
The playoff committee definitely does not have a crush on the Big 12, and why should it? Oklahoma is the conference’s best bet to make the playoff, and the Sooners (7-2, 6-0) lost to Houston for heaven’s sake. But that’s nothing compared to the problems at Baylor (5-2, 3-2), where the football program is falling apart. Last week’s 62-22 loss to Texas Christian proved the team is a shadow of its former self. Noon, ESPN2
4) No. 11 West Virginia at Texas
Texas’ season has been like an unpleasant carnival ride, but things are improving at the right time. RB D’onta Foreman somehow has 591 rushing yards in the last two games(!!) and the team has righted the ship. Still, the defense is a tire fire and the Longhorns need another win to play in a bowl and (maybe) save coach Charlie Strong’s job. Noon, Fox Sports 1
5) California at No. 23 Washington State
If you can only watch one game today, and your favorite team isn’t playing, watch this one. For all the talk about Washington State’s “improved” defense, the Cougars allow more than 500 yards per game … and they’re still better than Cal’s awful defense. The QBs have combined for almost 6,500 passing yards(!) and 58 TDs(!!). This game could become the perfect storm of offense. 10:30 p.m., ESPN
Also on the air
Rutgers at Michigan State, noon, BTN
South Carolina at No. 22 Florida, noon, WTKR
Tulsa at Navy, noon, CBSSN, 102.1FM
Cincinnati at Central Florida, noon, ESPNU
SMU at East Carolina, noon, ESPNEWS
Mississippi State at No. 1 Alabama, noon, ESPN
William & Mary at Towson, noon, CSN, WTVZ
N.C. State at Syracuse, 12:30 p.m., WGNT
Baylor at Oklahoma, noon, ESPN2
Lafayette at Colgate, 1 p.m., MASN
The Citadel at VMI, 1:30 p.m., 1650AM
Miami at Virginia, 2 p.m., 850AM
Norfolk State at S.C. State, 2 p.m., 1310AM, 91.1FM
Southern Miss at ODU, 3:30 p.m., WTVZ, 94.1FM
Pittsburgh at No. 3 Clemson, 3:30 p.m., WVEC
No. 8 Auburn at Georgia, 3:30 p.m., WTKR
Tulane at Houston, 3:30 p.m., CBSSN
Georgia Tech at No. 18 Virginia Tech, 3:30 p.m., ESPNU, 790AM
Texas Tech at No. 17 Okla. State, 3:30 p.m., FS1
No. 6 Ohio State at Maryland, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Illinois at No. 7 Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2
Army vs. Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m., WAVY
Vanderbilt at Missouri, 3:30 p.m., SEC
Delaware at Richmond, 3:30 p.m., CSN
No. 24 Boise State at Hawaii, 7 p.m., CBSSN
No. 19 LSU at Arkansas, 7 p.m., ESPN
Wake Forest at No. 5 Louisville, 7 p.m., ESPN2
South Florida at Memphis, 7 p.m., ESPNU
Middle Tenn. State at Marshall, 7 p.m., WTVZ
Minnesota at No. 21 Nebraska, 7:30 p.m., BTN
Mississippi at No. 10 Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m., SEC
No. 2 Michigan at Iowa, 8 p.m., WVEC
Colorado State at Air Force, 10:15 p.m., ESPNU
New Mexico at Utah State, 10:15 p.m., ESPN2
San Diego State at Nevada, 10:30 p.m., CBSSN
No. 16 Colorado at Arizona, 11 p.m., FS1
?Brian Root, 757-446-2368, brian.root@pilotonline.com
