The most unpredictable college football season in recent memory approaches the stretch run this weekend with another batch of make-or-break games for the teams with aspirations of appearing in the Bowl Championship Series. Saturday’s slate for the contenders includes critical conference showdowns in the Big Ten, the SEC, and the Pac-10. Here’s a look at the key games (all rankings BCS):

No. 21 WISCONSIN (7–2, 3–2 Big Ten) At No. 1 OHIO STATE (9–0, 5–0)
Noon, Big Ten Network

No. 12 MICHIGAN (7–2, 5–0 Big Ten) At MICHIGAN STATE (5–4, 1–4)
3:30 p.m., ABC

Ohio State was a largely untested no. 1 before it went to Penn State last week and carved up the Nittany Lions. That victory may have erased the doubts of some observers who haven’t forgiven Ohio State for its face-plant against Florida in last year’s BCS championship, but the Buckeyes still have some work to do before they can book their trip back to the national title game.

Meanwhile, lurking two weeks in the future is a season-ending showdown with a Michigan team that has rebounded from a humiliating start to scratch out a seven-game winning streak and make a run at the Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl berth.

For that most traditional of rivalry games to have true meaning, both teams need to keep winning. Ohio State hosts a Wisconsin team that has rebounded from a midseason malaise to play its best football of the season in the last two weeks. The Badgers have won three straight games in Columbus, but that streak will end if their suddenly hot defense can’t contain quarterback Todd Boeckman and the surging Ohio State offense, and force a turnover or two.

Michigan, which visits Wisconsin next week, can actually lose either of its next two games and still go to the Rose Bowl, as long as it beats Ohio State. But with standout tailback Mike Hart and quarterback Chad Henne likely to return to the lineup against the Spartans, the Wolverines have their eyes on an outright conference championship. This rivalry game almost always comes down to which team runs the ball better, and this year should be no exception, with Hart and Michigan State’s tandem of Jehuu Caulcrick and Javon Ringer carrying the day for the respective offenses.

No. 3 LSU (7–1, 4–1 SEC) At No. 17 ALABAMA (6–2, 4–1) 5 p.m., CBS

LSU fans have been looking forward to the “Nick Saban Bowl” ever since the Tigers’ former coach decided to leave the NFL to return to college football at Alabama. While Saban’s replacement in Baton Rouge, Les Miles, has gone 29–5, his predecessor’s giant shadow — which includes a shared national title in 2003 — hangs over the program. You get the sense that while many LSU fans like Miles well enough and appreciate the job he’s doing, deep down they think the better coach in this matchup will be on the opposite sideline.

The better athletes, however, will be on the LSU sideline, even with second quarterback Ryan Perrilloux left home after getting into a legal scrape this week.

The stakes are high for both teams. LSU, which has had a number of close games in conference play, could get into the national title game if Boston College or Ohio State loses, but it might need an impressive performance to hold off unbeaten Arizona State or oneloss Oregon in the polls. Alabama would continue to control its own destiny in the SEC West with a win, an enormous accomplishment in Saban’s first year in Tuscaloosa.

LSU’s pass rush should give Alabama and quarterback John Parker Wilson fits, particularly if tackle Glenn Dorsey is able to play after injuring his knee on an illegal cut block two weeks ago against Auburn.

The loss of Perrilloux makes LSU’s offense a little more predictable, but with receiver Early Doucet back healthy, the Tigers have enough weapons to score 30-plus points on the Tide.

No. 4 ARIZONA STATE (8–0, 5–0 Pac-10) At No. 5 OREGON (7–1, 4–1)
6:45 p.m., ESPN

Arizona State, which has a brutal closing schedule, survived its first test against top competition in a come from behind win over Cal at home last week. On Saturday, the task gets even tougher as it visits the conference’s hottest team, Oregon, in one of the nation’s most hostile stadiums for opposing teams.

This game appeared as if it would be doomed to the netherworld of satellite TV and pay-per-view packages before ESPN swung a deal with FSN this week to air the contest nationally. That will give Oregon’s quarterback, Dennis Dixon, a rare national stage to showcase his Heisman-worthy skills.

Dixon, a pass-run threat, leads an offense that is among the best in the nation. The Ducks, fourth in rushing and fourth in total offense, will be facing an Arizona State defense that is far better against the run than the pass.

Oregon was leaky on defense for much of the season but put the clamps on USC in a home win last week, holding the Trojans to a season-low 17 points. Arizona State’s quarterback, Rudy Carpenter, has an injured thumb on his passing hand and has been limited in practice this week. If he struggles with his accuracy or has to be replaced, it could be a long day for the Sun Devils, who face UCLA, USC, and Arizona to end the season.

Both teams have legitimate BCS title-game hopes, and the winner will not only control the Pac-10 race, but also should receive a sizable boost in the polls and in the computer rankings thanks to the quality of the opponent.

Mr. Levine is a writer for FootballOutsiders.com.