By Steve Yanda
Saturday, November 22, 2008

No. 17 Michigan State at No. 7 Penn State, 3:30, WJLA (Channel 7), WMAR (Channel 2); No. 16 Brigham Young at No. 8 Utah, 6, pay-per-view; Florida State at No. 22 Maryland, 7:45, ESPN; No. 2 Texas Tech at No. 5 Oklahoma, 8, WJLA (Channel 7), WMAR (Channel 2).

Much has been made about the Bowl Championship Series title game implications of tonight's matchup between Texas Tech and Oklahoma, as well as about the two Heisman Trophy-caliber quarterbacks that will be on display in that game. But take notice of each team's star wideout. Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree is tied for second in the nation with 18 touchdowns and is averaging 101 receiving yards per game. Oklahoma's Juaquin Iglesias has less striking numbers (six touchdowns, 85.3 receiving yards per game) but is just as essential to the Sooners' attack.

Utah will fight for its BCS life when it hosts Brigham Young. The Utes currently hold a top 10 spot in the BCS rankings and would appear to be a lock for an at-large bid. But as members of the Mountain West Conference, they likely can't afford to slip this late in the season.

If Penn State knocks off Michigan State at home, the Nittany Lions will be Pasadena-bound. But if tailback Javon Ringer leads Michigan State to an upset and Michigan defeats Ohio State, the Spartans will gain the Big Ten's BCS bid.

Maryland can move a step closer to a BCS bid, as well. If the Terrapins beat Florida State in front of a blacked-out crowd at Byrd Stadium and Wake Forest knocks off Boston College, Maryland will claim the Atlantic Coast Conference's Atlantic Division and a spot in the conference title game.