1) The year’s most anticipated matchup has finally arrived. Yes, we’re talking about the (Sour) Apple cup between 0-10 Washington and 1-10 Washington State. Who ya got? And is the loser officially the worst BCS conference team in the last 10 years?

Steven Lassan: Washington State has been playing better over their last two games but I'm going with Washington. The Huskies clearly miss quarterback Jake Locker, but they've been a little more competitive in their Pac-10 contests this season. Without a doubt, the loser is the worst BCS conference team in the last 10 years. Even Syracuse or Duke during their struggles were better than the loser of this game.

Mitch Light: I’ve got the Huskies by at least 10 points. If Washington State loses, they will be crowned the worst BCS conference team in a long, long, long time. I wouldn’t put that label on the Huskies, however. They are bad, but not that bad.

Jake Veyhl: I don’t see how Washington doesn’t win this game. The Huskies have played a better schedule and yet have scored more points and allowed fewer. If they still had Jake Locker healthy, this would be a different team altogether. Still, Washington State is without doubt the worst BCS conference team I can ever remember. The Cougars haven’t come within 25 points of defeating a Division-I team.

2) OK, so maybe the real game of the week is in Norman, Okla. between Oklahoma and Texas Tech. What can we expect from this high-octane shootout?

Steven: I'm expecting another great game and one that will likely be decided deep into the fourth quarter. As we've already seen in a couple of previous key Big 12 match-ups, expect a close game with plenty of highlights provided by the offenses. However, this game is likely going to be decided on whichever defense can force a turnover or get a stop at a key point. Oklahoma's defense has struggled since losing linebacker Ryan Reynolds but I like Oklahoma to prevail, especially with this game in Norman and revenge on their mind from last season's 34-27 defeat in Lubbock.

Mitch: I have no idea. I have been wrong on each of the big Big 12 games this year. I am picking Oklahoma. I think the Sooners are the better team, but I’ve been wrong on Tech against UT and O-State.

Jake: We can expect some offensive fireworks, that’s for sure. I also expect to see Oklahoma try to establish the run game early this week with DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown. Still, if there aren’t 800 combined pass yards from Graham Harrell and Sam Bradford, I’ll be very surprised. I don’t think Tech can take its magic on the road, however. I’m taking Oklahoma by 10.

3) If Oregon State does win out and earn the Pac-10’s automatic BCS bowl berth, is there any way USC could still play in the national championship?

Steven: There's always a possibility with the BCS and the crazy scenarios that could play out. However, I'm going to say no. Although USC should win out, I think we will see a team from the Big 12 South take on the winner of the SEC title game. The Trojans need a little help to get there and I'm not sure they will have enough in terms of strength of schedule facing Notre Dame and UCLA or the losses they need to get into the national championship.

Mitch: I don’t think Oregon State has anything to do with USC’s chances of playing for the national title. If enough crazy stuff happens that allows USC to climb up to the No. 2 spot, it won’t really matter if Oregon State continues to win.

Jake: In a strange way, Oregon State winning out actually helps USC’s national title hopes. What was looked at as a horrible loss early in the season for USC will all of a sudden turn into a loss against a top-15 team, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, that makes the Trojans’ loss look a lot better than Florida’s. Still, they haven’t had the quality wins and I don’t see how they sneak their way into the title game over Big 12 or SEC schools.

4) BCS bids are on the line in the Cincinnati/Pittsburgh, Penn State/Michigan State and BYU/Utah games. Who will win this weekend and which of them will end up being part of the BCS lineup?

Steven: I think Cincinnati, Penn State and Utah will win this Saturday and all three will be playing in a BCS bowl. By beating BYU, the Utes should lockup an at-large BCS spot, Cincinnati has the edge in the Big East and Penn State wins the Big Ten by beating Michigan State.

Mitch: I like UC over Pitt, Penn State over Michigan and Utah over BYU. All three of the winners will be in the BCS.

Jake: Pittsburgh, Penn State and Utah. Dave Wannstedt needs to break through at Pitt and this appears to be his best chance. They’d still have to beat West Virginia to make the BCS bid, however. Penn State and Utah are both in a BCS game with a win.

5) The old cliché goes: Beat “Ohio State/Texas/Insert rival here” and the season will be looked at as a success by the fans. Will that be an accurate statement this year for Michigan if it can pull off the stunner against Ohio State?

Steven: Beating Ohio State would certainly help ease some of the disappointment but I don't think it would salvage a successful season. The Wolverines had the players in place on defense to win at least six games and make another bowl berth, but the offense never managed to develop consistency. Rich Rodriguez will have the Wolverines back in a bowl game and contending for Big Ten titles soon but this is certainly going to end as a disappointing season in Ann Arbor.

Mitch: No chance. It will help ease some of the pain of Michigan fans, but this has been a miserable season that cannot be saved. I think better days are ahead for Rich Rod and Michigan, but a 3–8 record is unacceptable under any circumstances at Michigan.

Jake: Wolverine fans can look at this game like a bowl game. They haven’t been able to overcome the Buckeyes with good teams the last few years so why not just up and surprise them? Michigan’s coaches are 10-1-1 in debut games against Ohio State. Not bad. A win in this game could kick-start a positive offseason for Michigan’s return to the Big Ten elite. I don’t think it’d completely save the season but it’d be a great start toward 2009.

Throughout the season in the weekly five burning questions article, Steven, Mitch and Jake will participate in the Campus Challenge. The rules are simple. Each person picks a quarterback, running back and wide receiver to make up their "team" for the week in an effort to amass as many passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards and total touchdowns as possible. Whoever has the best stats as the end of the year wins. All players selected must be from a BCS conference team and each editor can only use a player once during the season.