FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

All eyes on the Pac-10
The marquee game of the weekend will be in Eugene as USC and Oregon battle at Autzen Stadium. How big is the game? Well, big enough for the ESPN GameDay crew to make the trek across the country.

Honoring fallen teammate
UConn’s game last week against West Virginia was emotional following the stabbing death of cornerback Jasper Howard. But this week’s home game against Rutgers figures to be a tear-jerker as Howard will be honored during the game.

It’s still a party to all involved
In a show of frightening political correctness, they are trying to avoid referring to Saturday’s meeting between Georgia and Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., as “The World’s Largest Cocktail Party.” Any guess what the real fans call it?

We’re going to need a bigger stadium
Call it the battle of two of the biggest egos in the SEC and perhaps in college football when Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier meet. Can’t wait for the postgame press conferences.

Dez is done
Saturday’s game between Texas and Oklahoma State figured to be a great showdown.However, the NCAA, in its infinite wisdom, delivered a ridiculously heavy-handed punishment on OSU wide receiver Dez Bryant – one of the best in the country – by suspending him for the season.

POWER INDEX
The News Tribune’s college rankings
(Last week’s rank in parenthesis)

TOP 25
1. FLORIDA (1) 7-0: Apparently SEC officials want to make sure that Florida stays atop the rankings.
2. TEXAS (2) 7-0: The Longhorns have won the past 11 against Oklahoma State; their defense will make it 12.
3. ALABAMA (3) 8-0: Not exactly an offensively inspiring win over Tennessee but has a bye week to figure it out.
4. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (4) 6-1: Refs’ explanation of the missed penalty on Taylor Mays: Clean grab of the facemask.
5. Boise State (5) 7-0: With everybody who’s been named a Heisman candidate, why can’t QB Kellen Moore join that list?
6. IOWA (7) 8-0: Will be without leading rusher Adam Robinson and offensive lineman Dace Richardson.
7. TCU (8) 7-0: If you are a major program looking for a coach, Gary Patterson should be at the top of your list.
8. OREGON (12) 6-1: Ducks couldn’t ask for a better situation: Pac-10 title on the line and USC coming to Autzen Stadium.
9. CINCINNATI (10) 7-0: QB Tony Pike likely won’t play this week, but Zach Collaros will fill in nicely.
10. LSU (9) 6-1: The Tigers will rough up Tulane as a tune-up for the big showdown with Alabama.
11. PENN STATE (11) 7-1: When asked about a 2005 win, Joe Paterno said he couldn’t remember that far back (or even yesterday).
12. OKLAHOMA STATE (6) 6-1: Is QB Zac Robinson good enough to beat Texas without his top RB or WR? No.
13. GEORGIA TECH (16) (7-1): Teams accusing linemen of illegal chop blocking and using an offense from the 1960s.
14. HOUSTON (19) 6-1: Quarterback Case Keenum had his worst passing week of the season with 233 yards.
15. VIRGINIA TECH (14) 5-2: North Carolina may be 0-3 in the ACC, but the Hokies can’t afford to look past them.
16. OHIO STATE (17) 6-2: Beleaguered quarterback Terrelle Pryor rebounded with a solid showing.
17. PITT (21) 7-1: The best running back you’ve never heard of? Pitt freshman Dion Lewis, who’s already run for 1,000 yards.
18. UTAH (20) 6-1: The Utes won’t beat an improved Wyoming team unless quarterback Terrance Cain plays better.
19. WEST VIRGINIA (22) 6-2: Faces one team (South Florida) that seems to have an answer for the Mountaineers defensively.
20. MIAMI OF FLORIDA (13) 5-2: The Canes can’t afford an emotional hangover after last week’s OT loss to Clemson.
21. SOUTH CAROLINA (23) 6-2: Expect WR Alshon Jeffrey to have a big game since Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin said he’d be pumping gas for going to SC.
22. NOTRE DAME (NR) 5-2: The Irish have played six consecutive games decided by a touchdown or less; that wont be a problem against the Cougs.
23. CALIFORNIA (25) 5-2: It’s simple: When Kevin Riley plays well, the Bears’ offense is pretty tough to stop.
24. MISSISSIPPI (NR) 6-2: The Rebels return to the rankings. Will QB Jevan Snead play them out of the poll again?
25. ARIZONA (NR) 5-2: The Cats rank in Top 25 for the first time since 2000; just think if they would have beaten UW.

PAC-10
1. OREGON (2) 6-1: Just imagine how crazy Autzen Stadium will be this weekend. Can Matt Barkley handle it?
2. USC (1) 6-1: Running back Allen Bradford might be the most important player in this week’s game.
3. CALIFORNIA (3) 5-2: Bears are getting no love from the AP or coaches poll, but they are from the BCS.
4. ARIZONA (4) 5-2: Wildcats have a bye week and then play Washington State, so really it’s almost like two bye weeks.
5. STANFORD (5) 5-3: Conference MVP voting ended today; Toby Gerhart’s a lock.
6. OREGON STATE (5) 4-3: Beavers will feel the effects of the shootout with USC as Jacquizz Rodgers has a sprained ankle.
7. ARIZONA STATE (7) 4-3: Last week, Sun Devils couldnt stop Toby Gerhart; now they have to try to stop Jahvid Best.
8. WASHINGTON (8) 3-5: Well, at least the Huskies can’t get stopped in the red zone during a bye week.
9. UCLA (9) 3-4: At this point, an aging Troy Aikman is better than anybody the Bruins put at quarterback.
10. WASHINGTON STATE (10) 1-6: If the Cougs couldn’t stop Danny Sullivan or Kevin Riley, just think what Jimmy Clausen will do.