BREAKING IT DOWN

What’s on the line for teams in today’s big games?

UCLA (6-5) at USC (9-1)

USC: Moves a step closer to earning a berth in the bowl championship series title game or the Rose Bowl with a victory; probably looking at a Holiday Bowl invitation with a loss.

UCLA: Could earn an Insight Bowl invitation with an upset; will have to decide whether it wants to play in any bowl game (Las Vegas or Silicon?) after a loss.

Ohio State (10-1) at Michigan (9-2)

Ohio State: Earns a berth in the BCS title game or at least the Rose Bowl with a victory; a BCS bowl still might beckon even with a loss.

Michigan: Will earn at least a Rose Bowl berth with a victory.

Oklahoma (11-0) at Texas Tech (7-4)

Oklahoma: Maintains its No. 1 ranking with a victory entering the Big 12 title game, might fall no lower than No. 2 even with a loss.

Texas Tech: Win or lose, on the way to a smaller bowl, probably the new Houston Bowl.

Washington State (9-2) at Washington (5-6)

Washington State: Could be going back to the Rose Bowl with a victory; could be going to the Sun or Holiday Bowl with a loss.

Washington: Needs a victory to become bowl eligible.

Louisiana State (9-1) at Mississippi (8-2)

LSU: Earns a berth in the SEC title game with a win.

Mississippi: Claims the inside track to the SEC title game with a win.

Missouri (7-3) at Kansas State (9-3)

Kansas State: Earns a berth in the Big 12 title game with a win.

Missouri: Claims the inside track to the Big 12 title game with a win.

Cal (6-6) at Stanford (4-5)

Cal: Needs a win for bowl eligibility.

Stanford: Needs wins in final two games for bowl eligibility.