Weekend preview

The six teams that still have a chance to play in the SEC championship game battle among themselves, and fans can watch the picture in both divisions evolve as the day progresses.

uStarting the festivities will be No. 12 Florida at South Carolina, featuring Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier taking on his alma mater. A Gators victorywould put considerably more heat on SEC East leader Georgia because South Carolina must beat Florida and hope Georgia loses twice. Recent history does not favor the Gamecocks, 0- 13 against the Gators since joining the SEC. South Carolina QB Blake Mitchell has been a sound game manager during the team’s four- game winning streak. He’ll need more big plays from WR Sidney Rice. The Gamecocks’ ground game ranks last in the SEC. Gators QB Chris Leak might be without several keyweapons; WR Dallas Baker ( rib) probablywon’t play, and RB DeShawn Wynn (shoulder) is questionable. Leak must also be concerned with the whereabouts of Gamecocks FS Ko Simpson.

uThe action then shifts to the SEC West as No. 5 LSUvisits No. 3 Alabama. An Alabama victory could set up a head- to- head showdown for the division title with archrival Auburn next week. LSU would gain control of the race with a win. The Crimson Tide offense, which has one TD against league competition since WR Tyrone Prothro’s injury, must ? nish drives. QB Brodie Croyle needs to stretch the ? eld for RB Kenneth Darby, or LSU LB Cameron Vaughn and FS LaRon Landry will be free to crowd the line. If QB JaMarcus Russell doesn’t distribute the ball well, RB Joseph Addai faces an uphill battle against Tide LBs DeMeco Ryans and Freddie Roach.

uBy the time the cross-divisional tilt between No. 17 Auburn and No. 9 Georgia kicks off between the hedges, both teamswill knowwhere they stand. But neither can afford to lose the 109th meeting in the most played rivalry in the Deep South. The Bulldogs regain the services of QB D. J. Shockley, though the sprained knee that kept him out of the Florida loss might limit his mobility. He needs RB Thomas Brown and TE Leonard Pope to keep Auburn LB Travis Williams busy. Auburn linebacker Kevin Searswas suspended from the game for a violation of team rules.

The Atlantic Division is decided, so No. 4 Miami ( Fla.)

looks to maintain control of the Coastal side at Wake Forest. The Hurricanes came out of their decisive yet Pyrrhic victory at Virginia Tech with numerous questions on offense. Much will be asked of RB Charlie Jones, who replaces Tyrone Moss ( knee), and of QB Kyle Wright, who must improve his midrange accuracy. But Miami’s defensive speed should carry the day against the Demon Deacons, whose slim postseason prospects ended lastweek.

No. 24 Georgia Tech and Virginia are mathematically alive in the Coastal, but both probably have to set their sights lower as they meet in Charlottesville, Va. The Cavaliers, who must still play Virginia Tech and Miami, might need this one just to qualify for a bowl. UVa used lastweek’s tuneup against Temple to get RB Wali Lundy some needed reps and QB Marques Hagans some needed rest. They’ll both try to avoid Yellow Jackets DE Eric Henderson, who is ? nally healthy. Georgia Tech QB Reggie Ball and WR Calvin Johnson might have opportunities against the Cavaliers secondary, but frequent blitzing from UVa LB Kai Parham could disrupt their timing.

Southeastern Atlantic Coast Big East

After failing to get out of its own way against South Florida last week, Rutgers is in danger of discovering that bowl-eligible doesn’t always mean bowl-bound. The Scarlet Knights could enhance their credentials Friday night at No. 23 Louisville, but the Cardinals aren’t usually accommodating on their home ? eld. Rutgers QBs Ryan Hart and Mike Teel are battling shoulder injuries. The more able- bodied at game time must get optimal protection from Louisville DE Elvis Dumervil. Cardinals QB Brian Brohm’s unit might also be short- handed; RB Michael Bush ( foot) and WR Mario Urrutia ( knee) are questionable. RB Kolby Smith and WR Joshua Tinch must take up the slack.

Northwestern quali ? ed for a postseason date with last week’s fourthquarter heroics against Iowa. The destination would be improved considerably if the Wildcats can topple No. 10 Ohio State in Columbus. The Buckeyes, who have BCS aspirations, probablywon’t overlook the Wildcats despite their upcoming date with archrival Michigan. Northwestern QB Brett Basanez will try to solve the Big Ten’s top defense. RB Tyrell Sutton can help, but it will be up to WRs Shaun Herbert and Mark Philmore to handle traf ? c down ? eld and keep A. J. Hawk and the Buckeyes’ talented LB corps busy. Ohio State QB Troy Smith has been making better use of his team’s outside speed, which doesn’t bode well for the Wildcats. Northwestern LB Tim McGariglewill have to control Buckeyes RB Antonio Pittman and hope Smith has an off day throwing to WRs Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn.

Iowa, meanwhile, ? nds itself a win short of bowl eligibilitywith two tough ? nishing tests. The ? rst is at No. 19 Wisconsin, retiring Badgers coach Barry Alvarez’s ? nal home game, which will mean an electric atmosphere at Camp Randall Stadium. LBs Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge give the Hawkeyes their best chance to silence the crowd if they can contain Wisconsin RB Brian Calhoun. Iowa QB Drew Tate and RB Albert Young lead a steady if not explosive attack. LB Dontez Sanders and the Wisconsin defense, allowing a 41.9% conversion rate on third down, must do a better job getting off the ? eld.

Kansas coach Mark Mangino has been more vocal than usual about his team’s ? ve- touchdown underdog status at No. 2 Texas. The Jayhawks’ historic victory against Nebraska last week and the Longhorns’ 27- 23 escape at KU last yearwould seem to support his point, but then there is that 62-0 result Texas posted a week ago at Baylor. Nevertheless, the Jayhawks defense, led by LB Nick Reid and DE Charlton Keith, is ranked second in the Big 12 and could keep Longhorns QB Vince Young from running wild. Expect Young to look early for big- play WR Billy Pittman to open things up. Unfortunately for Kansas, the only defense in the conference allowing fewer yards belongs to the Longhorns. Texas SS Michael Huff doesn’t permit many long gainers.

No. 21 Colorado can wrap up the North Division with a win at Iowa State. The Cyclones, who dug themselves a 0- 3 hole to open conference play before heating up, mustwin out and hope Nebraska topples the Buffaloes to reach the Big 12 title game. ISU QB BretMeyer and WR Todd Blythe have bene ? ted from the return of RB Stevie Hicks, who was sidelined for four games. Colorado LB Thaddaeus Washington will have his hands full with the Cyclones’ trio. The Buffs must handle Iowa State DT Nick Leaders up front to give QB Joel Klatt operating room. The possible absence of RB Hugh Charles ( ankle) and TE Joe Klopfenstein ( shoulder) might hamper Colorado’s short game, so WR Evan Judge must stretch the ? eld.

Big Ten Big 12

The leading contenders in the East Division face tough road tests. Central Florida starts the activity Saturday at Alabama at Birmingham. The contest ? gures to be an aerial show as Golden Knights QB Steven Moffett tries to outduel the league’s top- rated passer, the Blazers’ Darrell Hackney. Moffett’s favorite catchers are WRs Brandon Marshall and Mike Walker, but he also can count on RB Kevin Smith for ground support. Hackneywill counterwith WR Reggie Lindsey. UAB’s running game has been less consistent because RB Dan Burks ( knee) has struggled to stay healthy.

Southern Mississippi has a rare Sunday date at Houston in a game rescheduled by Hurricane Rita. The Golden Eagles had to work overtime Tuesday at Marshall and might feel the effects of a shortweek. QB Dustin Almond must be sharp early and get another solid outing from RB Larry Thomas.

Most of the league’s contenders have Saturday off preparing for midweek TV appearances. But one traditional rivalrywill be on the slate as Central Michigan heads to Kalamazoo to take on Western Michigan. Both teams are enjoying turnaround seasons. The Chippewas have been helped by freshman RB Ontario Sneed, but dual- threat QB Kent Smith is the catalyst with 2,375 yards of total offense. The Broncos’ top producers are WR Greg Jennings and RB Trovon Riley, who have eased the transition for freshman QB Tim Hiller.

Navywill try to stop the longest serieswinning streak at No. 7 Notre Dame. The Midshipmen have been close on several occasions during the 41- year run by the Fighting Irish, and Navy always brings its best effort. But Notre Dame has a huge advantage in size and speed on the offensive side. QB Brady Quinn should give WRs Maurice Stovall and Jeff Samardzija plenty of catchable balls. The best hope for the Navy defense is disguised blitz schemeswith LB David Mahoney to keep Quinn off balance. Navy QB Lamar Owens must make good decisions in the option attack.

Conference USA Mid- American Independents

No. 18 TCU has the league title in hand and looks to close out a perfect debut season in its new conference against last- place UNLV. The Horned Frogs also want to put on a good show for alumnus LaDainian Tomlinson, who returns to Fort Worth for a day in his honor. First- year UNLV coach Mike Sanford scouted Tomlinson while working for the San Diego Chargers.

Elsewhere, New Mexico visits Utah in a game thatwill give one team its sixth win. The Loboswill be without starting QB KoleMcKamey ( back), so itwill be up to star RB DonTrellMoore to take the pressure off replacement Chris Nelson.

Mountain West Paci 8 c- 10

Given recent history, prognosticators have been pointing to No. 1 Southern California’s game at California, the site of the Trojans’ last loss, as a potential stumbling block. But to stop USC’s 31- game winning streak, the Golden Bears will need to keep the nation’s most productive offense off the ? eld. Thatwill require RBs Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett to produce and QB Joe Ayoob to improve his accuracy. The Trojans, of course, have their own one- two RB punch with Reggie Bush and LenDale White, and QB Matt Leinart is masterful at taking advantage of openings.

A Pac- 10 title isn’t out of the question for No. 14 UCLA after its disastrous outing at Arizona, but the Bruins must regroup quickly as they host Arizona State. The ASU passing attack hasn’t missed a beat since QB Rudy Carpenter replaced Sam Keller ( thumb surgery). QB Drew Olson must solve the Bruins’ recurring ? rst-quarter slumps.

Sun Belt

Despite suffering its ? rst league loss last week, Louisiana- Monroe still holds ? rst place alone. That will change if the Indians lose at Middle Tennessee State, creating a logjam at the head of the standings. Middle Tennessee continues to lead the conference in total defense and got a breakout outing from QB Clint Marks. He’ll have to be even sharper against the Indians, who have a league- high 14 interceptions. UL- Monroe QB Steven Jyles tops the conference in passing output, though he has eight picks.

Arkansas State

returns home to Jonesboro to take on Troy. Both teams are within a game of the league lead.

Western Athletic

The league title was probably settled Thursday night, but Louisiana Tech

still has Fresno State and Boise State on its schedule and could ? gure in the race. But the Bulldogs, who got past Utah State last week, must take care of business on another long trip to Idaho. Tech’s offense isn’t O ashy, but QB Matt Kubik is ef ? cient. Mark Dillard leads a committee of running backs. The Vandals’ top combination is QB Steven Wichman and WR Daniel Smith. They must protect the ball against the Bulldogs, who lead the WAC with 12 fumbles recovered.