Switch the team names on the jerseys, and SMU would be spotting Clemson, which governed the ACC for years, more than a field goal. These Mustangs have pulled off a remarkable achievement: back-to-back unbeaten league records in separate conferences. Since a change with the QBs, they have scored at least 28 points in the past nine games. All four victories last month were by double digits. Flip to the defense, which has yielded at least 28 points to just one opponent. Clemson did win all seven ACC title matchups in Charlotte over a 12-year period In 2022, but this is not the big bully it once was.

Both defenses have got it going big-time. Jax State's has yielded 54 points in the last five outings, with a high of 17. Southern's has allowed 33 points in its last three games. In the regular season meeting, the teams landed under this figure with 48 scored, and Southern was fortunate to tally 15. The Jaguars were limited to 198 yards on offense. With other sportsbooks listing the total in the 40s, this figure has value.

Odd as it might seem, this game is less important for one team than next week's. As much as Army would welcome an AAC title, given its druthers, it would prefer a win over Navy. Not that the Black Knights will take this lightly, but the motivational edge should side with Tulane. Additionally, the Green Wave has dealt with an option offense like Army's and pitched a shutout versus Navy. Army appears to have flattened out late in the season, scoring more than 21 points in just one of the past four games. While the Greenies did stumble against Memphis last week, its only other defeats were no-shamers to Oklahoma and Kansas State.

Virginia Tech could be down to its little-used third-string QB for this rivalry matchup. Redshirt freshman Pop Watson, who has never started, completed fewer than 50 percent of attempts in his only meaningful playing time. The spread is influenced by Tech's dominance: 18 straight-up wins in the last 19 meets. However, this is hardly a vintage Hokies team. The Cavaliers have emerged from a gauntlet in which they met four top 20 opponents in the past five outings. Tech, which has fallen three straight times, is a welcome relief.

Texas is getting knocked in CFP chatter about its unusually modest schedule for an SEC team. Fact is, nine of the Longhorns' 10 victories have occurred by double digits, so they have handled (almost) everything in front of them. The defense of late has been two cuts above the Aggies'. The spread was tamped down over the uncertainty surrounding Texas QB Quinn Evers (ankle), who reportedly will give it a try. The Longhorns would be comfortable gong to backup Arch Manning, who would provide more mobility against a defense that has yet to contain QBs on the move.

One-win Purdue has not raised a white flag on its season, as indicated by a competitive 24-17 loss to Michigan State last Saturday. The Boilermakers will find inspiration here against its chief rival, with a chance to white-out Indiana from the playoffs. Speaking of white-out, snow is in the forecast, which should impede the offenses. Purdue has exceeded 21 points in just one game. Indiana is explosive, but the game tape from its 38-15 setback to Ohio State last week could offer clues on how to slow down the Hoosiers. They need not run up the score to impress the selection committee. Just win, baby.

Notre Dame is not just winning games. The Fighting Irish has covered in seven straight, with the average margin in the last six just over 33 ppg. Their points differential in FBS is the largest. Southern Cal lacks the offensive oomph to hang with the high-octane foes. QB Jayden Maiava makes only his third start. Beware throwing downfield. Notre Dame prevents mid-to-long-range completions better than any other defense in the land.

The last four meetings have been won by . . . Fresno? Indeed, including three at the Rose Bowl. The Bulldogs are unintimidated by their big instate brothers. They might find motivation in getting the popular Tim Skipper moved from interim to fully installed head coach. UCLA might have trouble filling the tank after an energy-sapping defeat against Southern Cal last Saturday. When playing a regular season game after confronting the Trojans, the Bruins have stumbled in seven of the past 10. With seven defeats this season, incentive to win for a bowl bid has vanished.

Arkansas' team rank in the SEC -- second in offense, 14th in defense -- might suggest this total is low. However, the weather forecast justifies it. Light snow and freezing temps could lead to slippery footing. Missouri's rankings -- 11th offense, six defense -- further offers confidence with an Under. As potent as the Razorbacks are, they lean toward the ground. They do not score as much as their yardage hints at, so a moderate points total between the two is foreseeable.

We might never again see a spread this humongous in the series. Nor might we ever see one team this much superior to the other. Ohio State shrugged off the loss of its third O-lineman last week and pounded Indiana, which speaks to the Buckeyes' depth. The Wolverines not only lack depth but the usual batch elite starters. Two of them appear out here: future NFL CB Will Johnson for sure, primary WR Colston Loveland most likely. If coach Ryan Day can pour it on, suffice to say he will. The Buckeyes are not shy about scoring late in wrapped-up games, and Michigan has bedeviled him so much that a chance to run up the score will not be ignored.

Louisville is unlikely to let pass an opportunity to bury a five-game straight-up losing streak in the heated series. Kentucky has withdrawn from the bowl picture with seven losses and is switching QBs to freshman Cutter Boley. The Cardinals have handled their travel-heavy schedule that includes six away games well -- beating Virginia, Boston College and Clemson while throwing a scare into Notre Dame. (Given the hour-plus commute to the stadium, this barely qualifies as a roadie.) The Wildcats' lone win in the last six outings came against FCS member Murray State. They might be in the mode of counting down the minutes to the end of a forgettable season.

At the risk of painting service academy teams with the same brush, Notre Dame breezed past Navy and might find just a bit more resistance from the Black Knights. The Irish would be 9-1 ATS if not for a backdoor cover last week against Virginia. The expanded playoff format suggests Notre Dame, as an independent, must strive for blowout wins to secure optimal seeding. Army has not dealt with an offense nearly as potent as this one, and its undersized D-line could get pushed around. QB Bryson Daily missed a recent game with an injury. Given how much Army depends on him for rushes, he could get knocked around and banged up.

First, seven players were suspended from this game for brawling. Then the league announced it would investigate whether Jax State improperly received video of a week-of-game practice of a previous opponent. Apart from those issues, the teams are comparable. Alcorn is 6-3 versus non-FBS foes. The Braves edged Grambling, which beat Jax State by 21. With a spot in the league championship game locked up, the Tigers might be less geared up than their hosts.

SEC teams' habit of booking walkover opponents at the tail end of their schedules offers opportunities to receive humongous amounts of points. Even after losing to Georgia, Tennessee might want to dispose of UTEP early and then call off the dogs, especially with QB Nico Iamalaava not far removed from a concussion. The Miners lead the Mountain West in sacks, and their pass rushers can penetrate the backfield. Doubt we'll see Iamalaava in the fourth quarter. UTEP has covered in three of the last four outings, while the Vols have failed to do so in five of the last six.

The spread has bounced from high single digits as the public becomes increasingly leery of Indiana's credentials. True, the Hoosiers have played a relatively soft schedule, but they've handled all comers. The Buckeyes won't find points easy to secure with C Seth McGlaughlin, injured this week in practice, becoming the third O-lineman to go down. Musical chairs, which the Buckeyes have been forced to play all season with their blockers, continues. Indiana might be denied sustained drives, but QB Kurtis Rourke has mastered the big-gain completion. This could be an elimination game for the Hoosiers, unlike for Ohio State, so their motivation will be off the charts.