With a decisive 37-16 victory over Miami (Fla.) on Oct. 20, Virginia Tech returned to the national rankings after a week's absence, but a tough road game at Pittsburgh on Thursday could make that return short-lived and end hopes of an ACC Coastal championship. North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech each have one loss, but the Hokies control their own destiny due to its 34-3 win over the Tar Heels with a remaining conference slate of Duke, Georgia Tech and Virginia.

California has played back-to-back overtime games and will be coming off a short week when they travel to USC to face the well-rested Trojans in a Pac-12 game Thursday night at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Golden Bears beat host Oregon 52-49 in double-overtime Friday night while USC enjoyed a bye last weekend, marking the first time a Pac-12 team played on a short week against a team coming off bye.