The games that matter most to the BCS: Week 7

Each week Football Four focuses on the matchups that are likely to matter most to the Bowl Championship Series. Here are the games to watch in Week 7.

1. No. 2 Oregon at No. 19 Washington Saturday, 4 p.m., Fox Sports 1

Why it's pivotal: This game begins a one-month stretch for Oregon that may be the strongest test of its BCS hopes. Washington was one special teams play away from beating Stanford last week and presents the Ducks' biggest challenge so far in 2013. And this game takes on even greater meaning in terms of the postseason because this is a Pac-12 North divisional game. As strong as Stanford is, an Oregon would make it exceedingly difficult for the Ducks to make the Pac-12 Championship.

Preview: If you listen to Oregon coach Mark Helfrich, the No. 2 Ducks are still trying to find themselves. 'We haven't played remotely to what we can in any phase, of any game,' Helfrich said last week after a 57-16 win at Colorado improved Oregon to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Pac-12.

It's a scary thought for No. 19 Washington (4-1, 1-1), which must rebound from a heartbreaking loss at Stanford and get ready to play an Oregon team that puts up ridiculous offensive numbers.

Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota, who has not played in a fourth quarter this season, accounted for a career-best seven touchdowns against Colorado while Oregon rolled up 755 yards in total offense, the second-highest total in school history.

Oregon, which has scored more than 50 points in five games in a row, could become the second team since 1920 to score 50 or more in six consecutive, matching a mark set by Oklahoma in 2008.

The underdog Huskies aren't as explosive on offense, but QB Keith Price is having a terrific season and he has enough weapons to give the Ducks defense problems. Despite a thumb injury, he passed for 350 yards and four touchdowns against Stanford.

'We know we're not far off at all,' Price said. 'We understand that Stanford is a good team. We understand that Oregon is a good team. These are both games that's going to determine the championship. That's ultimately our goal. So we know that (the Ducks) are going to come to Seattle. We know that we're going to be hungry.'

Though this is a fierce rivalry in the Huskies' minds, Washington-Oregon has tilted heavily in the Ducks' favor for a decade. Oregon, a 52-21 winner last season, has won nine in a row vs. the Huskies since 2003, when it lost 42-10 at Seattle.

2. No. 17 Florida at No. 11 LSU Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS

Why it's pivotal: The winner of this game stays in the chase for an SEC championship game berth. The loser not only jeopardizes its position as a conference title contender, but its BCS hopes might be dashed, too.

Preview: Florida (4-1, 3-0) has the vaunted defense. LSU (5-1, 2-1) has the high-powered offense with QB Zach Mettenberger, RB Jeremy Hill and talented wide receivers; the Tigers have averaged 488.8 yards and 45.5 points a game.

Neither side lacks confidence.

'We don't give up yards. We don't give up points,' Florida LB Mike Taylor said after the Gators defeated Arkansas 30-10, holding the Razorbacks to 115 yards rushing (a 2.8-yard average).

'Score for score, I believe our offense is one of the best, if not the best, in the country,' LSU defensive tackle Anthony Johnson said. 'We have the best wide receiver duo in Odell (Beckham Jr.) and Jarvis (Landry). We have four running backs who can play great.'

Each team has an intradivision showdown looming: On Nov. 2, Florida plays Georgia in Jacksonville; LSU travels to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama on Nov. 9.

Tyler Murphy, Florida's starting quarterback after an injury knocked out Jeff Driskel, could hold the key to the Gators' ability to keep up with the Tigers. He passed for a career-high 240 yards vs. Arkansas and was praised by coach Will Muschamp for making plays on the move.

'We've become a very good scramble team with Murphy,' Muschamp said.

Left unsaid: For the loser of this game, the scrambling will have only just begun.

3. No. 10 Oklahoma vs. Texas, in Dallas Saturday, noon, ABC

Why it's pivotal: Oklahoma looks like the one of, if not the, best team in the Big 12 and a legitimate BCS contender. But Texas, for all of its struggles, is also 2-0 in the league. The Longhorns figure to be highly motivated to shake off a checkered recent past in this rivalry and damage Oklahoma's BCS hopes.

Preview: This annual battle in Dallas used to have national championship implications. It still might for No. 10 Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0), but it seems to have only coaching implications for Texas.

The future of Mack Brown likely hinges on the Longhorns winning the conference title. In order to do that, Texas (3-2, 2-0) must end a three-game losing streak in the Red River Rivalry. Oklahoma, a 63-21 winner last year, has won the last three meetings by an average of four touchdowns.

Both teams survived major scares last week. Texas picked up a controversial 31-30 victory at Iowa State on Thursday. Texas quarterback Case McCoy, who will start against Oklahoma for the first time, is riding a streak of 106 consecutive passes without an interception.

The Sooners have a habit of hitting their offensive stride against the Longhorns. They scored 56 points against Texas in 2011.

If Oklahoma continues that trend Saturday, it would be hard to imagine Brown leading another Texas team down the Cotton Bowl's famous tunnel next season.

Oklahoma running back Brennan Clay (24) runs for the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter last Saturday against TCU. The Sonners won 20-17.(Photo: Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports)

4. Missouri at No. 7 Georgia Saturday, noon, ESPN

Why it's pivotal: Missouri is one of two SEC teams capable of going unbeaten this season. Unlikely? Yes. Possible? Also yes. Georgia, meanwhile, knows that it can withstand only one more loss - if that - to earn a BCS bid. And the Bulldogs tend to play like they know it, tormenting their coaches and fans with one narrow escape after another. Still, even with an average margin of victory of less than eight points, the Bulldogs have looked like a BCS-caliber team since August.

Preview: This game could be a reality check for Missouri, which is 5-0 after opening SEC play with a 51-28 victory against Vanderbilt. One reason to believe the game could be competitive, though: No. 7 Georgia (4-1, 3-0) lost running back Keith Marshall and wide receiver Justin Scott-Wesley for the season to anterior cruciate ligament tears sustained in Saturday's 34-31 overtime win at Tennessee. Star RB Todd Gurley (ankle) sat out the game, and coach Mark Richt deemed him 50-50 for this week.

Wide receiver Michael Bennett will have his knee scoped this week; he has been ruled out for the Missouri game. Defensive backs Tray Matthews and Connor Norman did not play against Tennessee because of injuries.

5. No. 15 Baylor at Kansas State Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Fox

Why it's pivotal: Baylor's strength of schedule is 149th according to the Sagarin ratings. For reference, that's even worse than Louisville's. Hence, the Bears might not be getting the credit they deserve, even as the nation's No. 1 offense. But going to Kansas State for their first road game is not an easy task - despite the Wildcats' losing record - so a toughened schedule could be a good thing with the first BCS standings release just two games away.

Preview: Baylor (4-0, 1-0) hits the road for the first time and will see if the nation's best offense stumbles. The numbers the Bears are posting are downright scary. In a 73-42 win against West Virginia last week, they gained a league record 864 total yards and their 73 points were the most by a Big 12 team against a conference opponent.

Baylor is No. 1 in total offense (779.5 yards a game) and scoring (70.5 points a game). According to STATS, the Bears are the first Football Bowl Subdivision team with more than 700 yards in three consecutive games and are the only team to score 69 points or more in four consecutive games.

Kansas State (2-3, 0-2) is coming off consecutive losses at Texas and at Oklahoma State but appears to have settled on a quarterback. Daniel Sams passed for 181 yards and rushed for 118 last week in a 33-29 loss to Oklahoma State that included five turnovers and 12 penalties for 92 yards by the Wildcats. Kansas State is minus nine in turnover margin. The Wildcats' 11-2 record of last season seems long ago, and they are without a Big 12 win after two games for the first time since 2004.

Kansas State could be without two of its top receivers in Tramaine Thompson, who didn't play against the Cowboys with an undisclosed injury, and Tyler Lockett, who left the game with a hamstring injury.

6. Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech Saturday, noon, ESPNU

Why it's pivotal: The Hokies are lurking on the fringes of ACC automatic qualifier contention. Neither team in this game has much of an offense, but a win for Virginia Tech regardless of the fashion will maintain the Hokies' dark horse status.

Preview: Last year Virginia Tech didn't become bowl-eligible last year until the final weekend of the regular season. This season, the Hokies have a chance to get there much earlier.

Virginia Tech (5-1, 2-0 ACC) has nosed into the national rankings at No. 25 and can secure postseason eligibility for the 21st consecutive year with a victory against Pittsburgh (3-1, 2-1).

The Hokies, drilled by No. 1 Alabama in their opener, have won five consecutive games while relying primarily on their defense. But there also have been signs of improvement from QB Logan Thomas, who passed for three touchdowns last week against North Carolina.

Pittsburgh, limited to 14 points against Virginia on Sept. 28, might have trouble scoring against the Hokies, who rank fifth nationally in total defense. The Panthers, however, were encouraged last week by the progress of QB Tom Savage, who left in the second half against Virginia because of concussion-like symptoms. Savage is expected to play against Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh officials announced.

Pittsburgh has won the last four meetings between the former Big East rivals, rolling 35-17 last season.

Analysis by Daniel Uthman. Previews by Paul Buker (Pac-12), Don Wade (SEC), John Shinn (Big 12) and Patrick Stevens (ACC).

COLLEGE FOOTBALL'S WEEK 7 HIGHLIGHTS