Wake Forest (4-1, 2-0) @ Maryland (4-2, 1-1), 12:00 pm
The Deacs have a chance to win the Atlantic Division with a win over Maryland. No, they would not actually clinch the division but they would have wins over the three other challengers (Florida St, Clemson, Maryland).  A loss would tie the Terps with Wake atop the division and give Maryland the tie-breaker.  Needless to say this is an important game in the ACC. The nation's most efficient pass defense should turn the Terps into a one-dimensional attack.

Wake has never started ACC play at 3-0 and the Terps will do their best to keep it that way. Maryland has to establish the ACC's top rusher in Da'Rel Scott if it has a chance of loosening up that top ranked pass defense. At home, they have yet to lose, and Wake has never won three straight against the Terps.

Deac to Watch: Alphonso Smith, CB
Terp to watch: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR
Line: Wake Forest (-1)

LSU (4-1, 2-1) @ South Carolina (5-2, 2-2), 8:00 pm (ESPN)
The Tigers have not lost back-to-back games in six years. And if they expect to keep that trend going, LSU will have to get better play from the quarterback position. Whether its Jarrett Lee or Andrew Hatch. The defense needs to play better as well. They have allowed 106 points in their last three games and could be challenged by Kenny McKinley and Co. in Columbia.

USC has not beaten LSU since 1994 and is turning to a redshirt freshman at quarterback. The super-talented but much maligned Stephen Garcia is getting the nod under center this week. The defense needs to set the tone early and play physical all game while Garcia has to manage the game efficiently and make one big play if the Cocks expect to upset the wounded Tigers.

Tiger to watch: Brandon LaFell, WR
Cock to watch: Stephen Garcia, QB
Line: LSU (-2.5)

Virginia Tech (5-1, 2-0) @ Boston College (4-1, 1-1), 8:00 pm (ESPN2)
Don't look now VT is unbeaten in conference, atop their division and have a road win at Nebraska. The fall from grace never really took place and the Hokies are right back atop the ACC. The blue-collar Hokie defense just brings the lunch pail to work every day (literally) and gets the job done. Look for special teams and turnovers to be the deciding factor in this game. When those two are involved, don't bet against Bud Foster and the Hokies. On offense, its all about the super talented Tyrod Taylor and emerging Darren Evans. The ground game will be tested but should be able to do just enough to pull the upset.

Chris Crane threw for 428 last week against N.C. State. He had 461 in the previous four games combined. Last week was the exception not the rule. The BC defense is legit, however, as they rank fifth in the nation. Also, these two teams are the two least penalized teams in the ACC and the Eagles will have to play mistake free football if they expect to beat Virginia Tech in a rematch of the 2007 ACC title game.

Hokie to watch: Tyrod Taylor, QB
Eagle to watch: Brian Toal, LB
Line: Boston College (-3.5)

Cal (4-1, 2-0) @ Arizona (4-2, 2-1), 10:00 pm, (FSN)
In what should be the best game in the Pac-10 this week features two Pac-10 title contenders. Well, at least in the race for second behind USC. Cal actually leads the conference at the moment, but a win at Arizona is a must if they expect to hang with the Trojans.  Cal has proven it can play solid defense when not in the state of Maryland as they rank 9th in the nation against the pass.

They will be tested by the air attack of Willie Tuitama, Rob Gronkowski and Mike Thomas. All of whom had terrible games last week in the loss at Stanford. The Wildcats got pushed around along the line of scrimmage allowing 286 yards to the Cardinal. With the one-two punch of Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen coming straight at them, the Wildcat front better be ready. Best is a game-time decision and could be the difference between 3-0 and 2-1 in Pac-10 play. After all, this is the toughest conference to win on the road in - road teams are 4-10 in Pac-10 play.

Bear to watch: Shane Vareen, RB
Wildcat to watch: Nic Grigsby, RB
Line: Cal (-2.5)

Other games to keep an eye on:

Texas Tech (6-0, 2-0) @ Texas A&M (2-4, 0-2), 12:00 pm (FSN)
Take the over as this game could see 90 pass attempts.

Baylor (3-3, 1-2) @ Oklahoma State (6-0, 2-0), 3:00 pm
Robert Griffin v. Zac Robinson should be fun to watch.

Southern Miss (2-4, 0-2) @ Rice (3-3, 2-1), 3:00 pm
Chase Clement-Damion Fletcher match-up is fantasy owners dream.

Ole Miss (3-3, 1-2) @ Alabama (6-0, 3-0), 3:30 pm (CBS)
Can Rebels pull another road upset?

Michigan @ Penn State, 4:30 pm (ESPN/ESPN2)
Wolverines have nine straight against the Lions.

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