The game plan likely will be the same for both defenses when SMU visits undefeated Houston on Thursday. The offenses of these in-state American Athletic Conference rivals revolve around dual-threat quarterbacks - SMU's Matt Davis and Houston's Greg Ward, Jr.

Steve Sarkisian coaches against his former team for the first time on Thursday when No. 17 USC hosts Washington in Pac-12 play. Sarkisian spent five seasons as coach of the Huskies before departing after the 2013 season and the Huskies replaced him with Chris Petersen, who hotly pursued the Trojans' gig but reportedly was underwhelming during the interview process.