The Red River Rivalry is missing something this season – an undefeated team.

The Longhorns and Sooners both enter the duel in Dallas with at least one loss for the first time since 1999. The winner of Saturday’s Big 12 South showdown can at least hold out slim hopes of working its way back into the national championship mix. For the loser, it’s time to come to grips with reality and reassess goals.

In the Southeastern Conference, two more huge games between the league’s heavyweights are on the slate with LSU at Florida and Tennessee at Georgia. Out West, Oregon tries to stay unbeaten against California.

The picks:

Today

No. 17 Florida State (minus 101â2) at North Carolina State

Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato is 3-3 against his old boss, Bobby Bowden …. FLORIDA STATE 24-14.

Friday

No. 8 Louisville (minus 33) at Middle Tennessee

Even with the injuries, Cardinals lead NCAA in scoring (44 per game) … LOUISVILLE 51-17.

Saturday

Bowling Green (plus 35) at No. 1 Ohio State

Buckeyes are 21-1 all-time against the MAC … OHIO STATE 40-14.

Arkansas (plus 151â2) at No. 2 Auburn

Tigers have won 20 of last 21 against SEC opponents … AUBURN 38-17.

Washington (plus 201â2) at No. 3 Southern California

Huskies are early surprise in Pac-10 … USC 31-14.

No. 4 West Virginia (minus 25) at Mississippi State

Bulldogs have lost seven straight to ranked teams … WEST VIRGINIA 42-14.

No. 9 LSU (minus 2) at No. 5 Florida

Tigers have won two straight and three of four against Gators … LSU 17-16.

Michigan State (plus 16) at No. 6 Michigan

Wolverines have won eight of last 10 against Spartans … MICHIGAN 33-14.

No. 7 Texas (minus 5) vs. No. 14 Oklahoma

Sooners try to start new streak against ‘Horns … TEXAS 34-23.

No. 13 Tennessee (minus 21â2) at No. 10 Georgia

Bulldogs trying to go 6-0 for third time under coach Mark Richt … GEORGIA 20-17.

No. 11 Oregon (plus 51â2) at No. 16 California

Ducks coach Mike Bellotti is 7-1 against Cal … OREGON 31-24.

Stanford (plus 311â2) at No. 12 Notre Dame

First time this season Irish face a team with a loss … NOTRE DAME 44-10.

No. 15 Clemson (minus 161â2) at Wake Forest

Wake has won two of last three meetings with Tigers … CLEMSON 40-17.

Maryland (plus 131â2) at No. 18 Georgia Tech

Yellow Jackets have won two straight and six of eight against Terps … GEORGIA TECH 28-10.

Purdue (plus 11) at No. 19 Iowa

Can Hawkeyes rev it up again after Ohio State loss? … IOWA 28-24.

Louisiana Tech (plus 35) at No. 20 Boise State

Broncos need lopsided wins to bolster BCS hopes … BOISE STATE 44-20.

No. 22 Nebraska (minus 7) at Iowa State

Cyclones have won two straight against Cornhuskers in Ames … IOWA STATE 30-27.

No. 23 Missouri (plus 4) at Texas Tech

Tigers are only team in top 10 nationally in defense (second) and offense (10th) … TEXAS TECH 28-24.