Staying perfect might not be easy for Utah

Next opponent San Diego State has been disappointment, but Aztecs' defense stingy

Utah will be a big favorite in its last four games against Mountain West Conference opponents, starting Saturday at San Diego State.

Still, it might not be as easy as it looks for the Utes (7-0) to finish unbeaten.

Familiarity, home-field advantage and emotion could all help derail Utah’s hopes of becoming the first team from a non-BCS conference to participate in the Bowl Championship Series.

The Utes would guarantee themselves a spot in one of the four marquee bowl games and more than $14 million by finishing in the top six in the BCS standings. They moved into sixth place this week, a spot that will be tough to hold even if they do beat San Diego State, Colorado State, Wyoming and BYU.

The Aztecs, Rams, Cowboys and Cougars will aim to be a spoiler. Also, they all faced Utah last season, so coach Urban Meyer’s diverse offense, led by quarterback Alex Smith, isn’t going to catch them off guard.

Plus, the conference title race isn’t over. Colorado State and BYU each has only one MWC loss and still could be in the running for a championship when they face the Utes.

Remember last year? TCU’s BCS dreams were ended by Southern Mississippi, which ended up taking the Conference USA crown.

The Utes do catch a break by getting the Rams and Cougars at home. They play at the Cowboys and Aztecs.

But while San Diego State (2-5, 0-3) has been a disappointment so far, the Aztecs’ defense was good enough to give Michigan fits this year. And the Cowboys (4-3, 1-2) beat Mississippi in September at Laramie, Wyo.

“Anything can happen. For me, I’m not too familiar with the rankings,” Utah offensive lineman Tavo Tupola said. “I’m just worried about my assignments. That’s a tough responsibility as it is.”

The picks:

Tonight

No. 22 Virginia Tech (minus 5) at Georgia Tech

ACC’s top second-tier teams … GEORGIA TECH 17-16.

Friday

Hawaii (plus 22)

at No. 18 Boise State

Hawaii QB Timmy Chang sets passing record; Broncos get 19th straight win … BOISE STATE 55-30.

Saturday

No. 1 Southern Cal (minus 24) at Washington State

Trojans have been ranked in top 10 for 26 straight games … USC 37-10.

No. 2 Oklahoma (minus 12) at No. 20 Oklahoma State

First of two straight tough road trips for Sooners … OKLAHOMA 33-24.

No. 3 Auburn (minus 18) at Mississippi

Tigers won’t let it slip away against Rebels this time … AUBURN 35-13.

No. 4 Miami (minus 211/2) at North Carolina

The Hurricanes could simply pound Tar Heels … MIAMI 48-20.

No. 5 Florida State (minus 101/2) at Maryland

‘Noles’ swarming defense vs. Terps’ inept offense … FLORIDA STATE 20-3.

No. 7 California (minus 151/2) vs. No. 20 Arizona State

Cal has scored 106 while winning two straight against Sun Devils … CAL 47-24.

No. 8 Texas (minus 14) at Colorado

Buffs have worst defense in Big 12 … TEXAS 37-17.

No. 9 Utah (minus 181/2) at San Diego State

Aztecs have No. 1 defense in MWC … UTAH 26-13.

No. 10 Georgia (minus 7) vs. Florida at Jacksonville, Fla.

Win one for the Zooker — or not … GEORGIA 28-17.

No. 11 Tennessee (pick) at South Carolina

Gamecocks help Georgia in SEC East race … SOUTH CAROLINA 20-16.

Michigan State (plus 11) at No. 12 Michigan

Spartans QB Drew Stanton is fifth in Big 10 in rushing … MICHIGAN 24-17.

No. 15 West Virginia (minus 141/2) at Rutgers

Mountaineers rolling through Big East to BCS … WEST VIRGINIA 37-18.

No. 16 Texas A&M (minus 24) at Baylor

Aggies gearing up for Sooners … TEXAS A&M 37-0.

No. 17 Purdue (minus 91/2) at Northwestern

Boilermakers could be sluggish after two straight losses … PURDUE 25-20.

Vanderbilt (plus 24) at No. 19 LSU

First meeting since 1997 … LSU 42-13.

No. 23 Iowa (minus 11) at Illinois

Illini have lost 13 straight Big Ten Conference games … IOWA 27-10.

No. 24 Minnesota (minus 171/2) at Indiana

Gophers eat up bad teams … MINNESOTA 44-14.