College football: Today's spotlight games

Updated: September 28, 2012 - 11:35 PM

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NO. 14 OHIO STATE AT NO. 20 MICHIGAN STATE

2:30 p.m. on Ch. 5

Records: Ohio State 4-0, Michigan State 3-1

The skinny: It's the Big Ten opener for both teams, and Michigan State is hoping to reach the Rose Bowl after narrowly missing out the past two seasons. Ohio State isn't eligible to win the conference, but this is a chance for new coach Urban Meyer to make a statement on the road against a quality opponent. ... The Buckeyes rely on quarterback Braxton Miller, who has passed for seven touchdowns and is averaging 110 rushing yards. ... The Spartans defense registered nine sacks in a 10-7 victory over OSU last year, so the Buckeyes must protect their QB better.

The stat: This is Ohio State's first game on grass this season. The Buckeyes were 0-3 on grass last season.

Line: Michigan State by 2 1/2

NO. 9 WEST VIRGINIA AT NO. 25 BAYLOR

11 a.m. on FX

Records: Both teams are 3-0

The skinny: The scoreboard keeper's sanity might be in danger. The teams are averaging a combined 98 points per game. It's the Big 12 debut for the Mountaineers, who hope to build momentum for upcoming trips to No. 12 Texas and Texas Tech. Baylor is in the Top 25 for the first time this season and wants to stay there. ... The game matches two of the most prolific quarterbacks in the nation. West Virginia's Geno Smith averages 357 passing yards per game and has passed for 12 TDs. Baylor's Nick Florence averages 335 yards and has passed for 11 TDs.

The stat: Baylor is one of seven FBS teams averaging at least 300 yards passing and 200 yards rushing, but the Bears are giving up 315 passing yards per game.

Line: West Virginia by 11 1/2

TENNESSEE AT NO. 5 GEORGIA

2:30 p.m. on Ch. 4

Records: Tennessee 3-1, 0-1 SEC; Georgia 4-0, 2-0

The skinny: Georgia is attempting to match Florida's 3-0 start in the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division and remain unbeaten before next week's key game at No. 6 South Carolina. Tennessee, which lost 37-20 to Florida in its first SEC game, needs a conference win to show progress is being made in coach Derek Dooley's third season. ... If you like defensive line play, watch Vols 6-8, 377-pound nose guard Daniel McCullers.

The stat: Georgia has won 14 consecutive regular-season games, the nation's second-longest streak behind LSU (17).

Line: Georgia by 13 1/2

NO. 12 TEXAS AT OKLAHOMA STATE

6:50 p.m. on Ch. 9

Records: Texas 3-0, Oklahoma State 2-1

The skinny: In an early-season test for both teams, the Cowboys start the defense of their first Big 12 title against a Longhorns team out to prove this strong start isn't a fluke. ... A key matchup will be Longhorns defensive end Alex Okafor, who has three sacks, facing an OSU offensive line that hasn't given up a sack in three games -- and 134 pass attempts -- this season.

The stat: Oklahoma State has won nine consecutive games against teams from Texas, dating to a loss to the Longhorns in 2009, but Texas is 6-0 in Stillwater under Mack Brown.

Line: Texas by 1 1/2

NO. 2 OREGON VS. WASHINGTON STATE

9:30 p.m. from Seattle on ESPN

Records: Oregon 4-0, 1-0 Pac-12; Washington State 2-2, 0-1

The skinny: Oregon hits the road for the first time this season, but it remains to be seen how much the Ducks' trip to Seattle is truly a road game. Thousands of Oregon fans are expected to make the trip north for the matchup. Washington State is hoping to hang around the same way it did last year in Eugene in a 43-28 loss, but blowing a 31-14 fourth-quarter lead and losing 35-34 to woeful Colorado at home last week was not a good precursor.

The stat: Oregon's offense has 27 touchdown drives this season -- 14 have taken 2 minutes or less.

Line: Oregon by 30 1/2