There's no better way to salvage a disappointing season than ruining your archrivals' grand plans.
Alabama, Ohio State, BYU and Stanford have that opportunity Saturday.
Auburn (10-0), tied for second in the AP rankings, brings national-title hopes into the Iron Bowl against Alabama.
"It's good that we're playing this game, because it's so important to everybody," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. "You can forget all about the records.
"This game means so much to so many people -- families, brothers, sisters -- we'll get their full attention."
Alabama (6-4) has the No. 2 total defense in the nation and the top rushing offense in the Southeastern Conference. But the Crimson Tide has been limited by season-ending injuries to quarterback Brodie Croyle and tailback Ray Hudson. Croyle's injury basically has left Alabama with a one-dimensional offense, a major problem against an Auburn defense that ranks No. 1 in the country in points allowed (9.3 per game).
In the Big Ten's most heated rivalry, No. 7 Michigan (9-1) will be trying to lock up a second straight conference title and trip to the Rose Bowl against an Ohio State team that has tumbled after two straight double-digit-win seasons and a national title in 2002.
Fifth-ranked Utah (10-0) is trying to become the first team from a non-BCS conference to earn a BCS bowl bid. A win over in-state rival BYU (5-5) would all but seal a trip to one of the $14 million games; a loss sends Utah to the Liberty Bowl as Mountain West champs, where they'd get a check for $1.35 million.
The Cougars, meanwhile, are trying just to become eligible for any bowl.
Then there's the "Big Game" between California (8-1) and Stanford (4-6). The fourth-ranked Golden Bears are trying to reach the Rose Bowl for the first time in 46 years, while their Bay Area rivals are trying to break a four-game losing streak.
The picks:
Hayes Barnard, left, in Stanford uniform and Michael Morris in California uniform re-enact the first "Big Game" between the two schools in 1892. The two acted out the game in 1997. The "Big Game" will be played again Saturday.
Today
Maryland (plus 10)
at No. 15 Virginia Tech
Hokies control their destiny in ACC ... VIRGINIA TECH 24-10.
Saturday
No. 2 Auburn (minus 10)
at Alabama
Tigers have won two straight in Tuscaloosa ... AUBURN 27-6.
No. 2 Oklahoma (minus 341/2) at Baylor
Sooners can't afford even slight slip ... OKLAHOMA 52-14.
Stanford (plus 24)
at No. 4 California
Cal has won two straight in Big Game ... CAL 44-17.
BYU (plus 211/2) at No. 5 Utah
Fiesta time in Salt Lake City -- as in Fiesta Bowl for Utes ... UTAH 38-24.
No. 7 Michigan (minus 51/2) at Ohio State
Buckeyes muddle Big Ten race ... OHIO STATE 22-20.
No. 8 Louisville (minus 21)
at Houston
Cardinals won 66-45 last season ... LOUISVILLE 55-28.
No. 9 Wisconsin (plus 3)
at No. 17 Iowa
Hawkeyes send Michigan to Rose Bowl ... IOWA 17-16.
Florida (plus 7)
at No. 10 Florida State
Gators haven't won in Tallahassee since 1986 ... FLORIDA STATE 27-23.
Wake Forest (plus 181/2)
at No. 12 Miami
ACC title still possible for Hurricanes ... MIAMI 38-17.
Louisiana Tech (plus 24)
at No. 13 Boise State
Broncos' defense plays better on Smurf Turf ... BOISE STATE 48-20.
Mississippi (plus 201/2)
at No. 14 LSU
Tigers eyeing Cotton Bowl bid ... LSU 28-13.
No. 15 Tennessee (minus 13) at Vanderbilt
Vols have won 21 straight against Commodores ... TENNESSEE 24-14.
No. 18 Virginia (minus 6)
at Georgia Tech
Cavs 7-0 against teams not from Florida ... VIRGINIA 26-14
No. 19 Boston Col. (minus 14) at Temple
Eagles two wins away from BCS bid ... BOSTON COLLEGE 38-20.
SMU (plus 21)
at No. 24 UTEP
Defense has led Miners' turnaround ... UTEP 34-10.
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