Six Games To Watch

No. 3 Oklahoma (4-0) vs.

No. 5 Texas (4-0) at Dallas

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: Texas by 3.

Oklahoma update: The Sooners average 40 points a game, but the defending national champions were seriously tested by Kansas State in a 38-37 victory last week.

Texas update: Coach Mack Brown’s Longhorns are 4-0 for the first time since 1983, but this is the first real test. Behind quarterback Chris Simms and receiver Roy Williams, Texas is scoring 45 points a game.

Story line: The biggest game so far this season: Two top-five teams meet in a conference battle that will leave one national championship contender standing. And last season’s 63-14 Oklahoma victory is fresh in everyone’s minds.

The pick: Texas. The defending national champion Sooners’ streak of seven consecutive victories against top 10 teams could end.

*

No. 2 Florida (4-0) at No. 18 Louisiana State (2-1)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 2.

Line: Florida by 131/2.

Florida update: The Gators look unstoppable. After four games, they have scored 200 points and given up 30. And not against slouches. Mississippi State was in the top 25 until Florida knocked out the Bulldogs, 52-0.

Louisiana State update: In last week’s loss at Tennessee, LSU watched Tennessee receiver Kelley Washington catch 11 passes for 256 yards. Florida quarterback Rex Grossman has four consecutive 300-yard passing games.

Story line: While Miami plays Troy State, Florida thumps SEC teams. Another overwhelming performance will be an excellent argument for the No. 1 ranking.

The pick: Florida. The Florida State game won’t be the biggie this season. Look to South Carolina and/or Tennessee.

*

USC (1-3) at No. 11 Washington (3-0)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports Net.

Line: Washington by 51/2.

USC update: It’s all too familiar. Three losses in a row. Pointless penalties. Momentum-killing interceptions. Still, the losses are by a total of 11 points, and all three opponents are in the top 25.

Washington update: Suspiciously No. 1 in the Seattle Times computer rankings, the Huskies might not even deserve their No. 11 Associated Press ranking. But freshman receiver Reggie Williams is a spectacular talent, and defensive back/special teams star Roc Alexander is a game-breaker.

Story line: The Trojans badly need a breakthrough--and the Huskies’ trouble against Cal makes them suspect.

The pick: Washington. The Huskies are charmed at home, as Michigan--and many others--learned.

*

No. 14 Northwestern (3-0) at Ohio State (2-1)

Kickoff: 4:45 p.m.

TV: None.

Line: Ohio State by 21/2.

Northwestern update: The play “Victory Right”--a Hail Mary with a purposefully tipped pass--beat Minnesota last season and Michigan State last week. Not so many years ago, naming any play at Northwestern “victory” would have been audacious.

Ohio State update: The Buckeyes held UCLA’s DeShaun Foster to 66 yards in their 13-6 loss to the Bruins two Saturdays ago. Northwestern’s Damien Anderson might not get that many.

Story line: This is college football turned on its head--a ranked Northwestern team and Ohio State nowhere to be found in the Top 25.

The pick: Ohio State. Northwestern has lost to Ohio State 21 times in a row. History can be hard to budge.

*

Colorado (3-1) at No. 12 Kansas State (2-1)

Kickoff: 9:30 a.m.

TV: Fox Sports Net 2

Line: Kansas State by 10

Colorado update: The Buffaloes haven’t gotten much credit since their season-opening loss to Fresno State. But a good game against Kansas State, even in a loss, would say a lot more than easy victories over Colorado State, San Jose State and Kansas.

Kansas State update: The questions raised about quarterback Ell Roberson in the USC game were shed in the upset bid against Oklahoma when he passed for 257 yards and ran for 115.

Story line: Kansas State moved up in people’s minds even with the Oklahoma loss. A convincing victory here would only enhance the Wildcats’ status.

The pick: Kansas State. Colorado has lost four in a row to the Wildcats after not losing to Kansas State for more than a decade.

*

Oregon State (1-2) at Washington State (4-0)

Kickoff: 2 p.m.

TV: None.

Line: Washington State by 11.

Oregon State update: The bloom is off this rose. UCLA was the latest to expose the over-hyped Beavers and their susceptible defense.

Washington State update: Mike Price finds a star quarterback every few years. This time it’s Jason Gesser. He leads the Pacific 10 in touchdown passes with 12 and has thrown only two interceptions.

Story line: The surprise team from the Northwest looks like Washington State. If the Cougars can win this, the Pac-10 will sit up and take notice.

The pick: Washington State. The Cougars lead the Pac-10 in scoring, total offense and passing offense and rank among the top six nationally in all three categories.