SIX GAMES TO WATCH

Stanford (3-1) at No. 5 Oregon (6-0)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 7

Line: Oregon by 71/2.

Stanford update: A pleasant visit to the top 25 ended after Washington State defeated the Cardinal, 45-39, last week. Quarterback Randy Fasani doesn’t get enough attention for his efficient play: His passer rating of 155.1 ranks eighth in the nation.

Oregon update: Still unbeaten after three consecutive road games, the Ducks are back where they thrive. After Florida State’s loss to Miami, Oregon’s home winning streak is the nation’s longest at 23 games.

Story line: Joey Harrington will try to carry the Ducks to 7-0--their best start since 1933.

The pick: Oregon. The real showdown is Nov. 10 at UCLA.

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No. 14 Colorado (5-1) at No. 9 Texas (5-1)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: None

Line: Texas by 10.

Colorado update: That Fresno State slip-up in the opener--a 24-22 Colorado loss--will be almost forgotten if the Buffaloes cut Texas down to size. Kansas State and Texas A&M; are recent victims.

Texas update: The Oklahoma loss was a terrible blow, and Texas needs to recover its standing, no matter if Chris Simms threw five touchdown passes against Oklahoma State.

Story line: Whoever wins will be considered pretty good after all. The loser is dismissed.

The pick: Texas. Colorado Coach Gary Barnett called the Longhorns probably the most talented offense the Buffaloes will play.

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USC (2-4) at Notre Dame (2-3)

Kickoff: 11:30 a.m.

TV: Channel 4.

Line: Pick

USC update: Offensive coordinator Norm Chow finally looked as if he was earning his money in the Trojans’ 48-17 victory over Arizona State at the Coliseum. But for $1 million over three years, USC needs to see a lot more.

Notre Dame update: Add this news to the faded glory story. Tailbacks Tony Fisher and Julius Jones were declared doubtful for the game by Coach Bob Davie because of injuries.

Story line: That shillelagh looks hollow to outsiders at times like these, but never to the Trojans and Irish.

The pick: USC. Davie, on the hot seat, is already preparing the faithful, it seems.

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North Carolina (4-3) at No. 13 Clemson (4-1)

Kickoff: 9 a.m.

TV: ESPN2

Line: Clemson by 61/2.

North Carolina update: After an 0-3 start, the Tar Heels have won four in a row. Julius Peppers never rests for the defense.

Clemson update: All eyes are on Woodrow Dantzler, Heisman hopeful. He dazzled last week against North Carolina State with 518 yards of offense, playing a part in an astounding six touchdowns--four passing, two rushing.

Story line: Don’t turn your head on Dantzler. In Clemson’s last two games, he has averaged more than 467 yards of offense and accounted for 10 touchdowns.

The pick: Clemson. North Carolina Coach John Bunting knows how to stop Dantzler: “Thirteen players and a crystal ball.”

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No. 21 Florida State (3-2) at Virginia (3-3)

Kickoff: 4:45 p.m.

TV: ESPN.

Line: Florida State by 111/2.

Florida State update: Miami said it all last week. These Seminoles are not in the class of Bobby Bowden’s usual team.

Virginia update: Just another middling Atlantic Coast Conference team--and one that, like Florida State, lost to North Carolina, though not as badly.

Story line: The next streak on the line: Florida State hasn’t been out of the top 25 since early in the 1989 season. One more loss could do it--and four games remain against ranked opponents, including road games at Clemson and Florida.

The pick: Florida State. Even when they’re bad, the Seminoles aren’t that bad.

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Boise State (3-3) at No. 8 Fresno State (6-0)

Kickoff: 5 p.m. today

TV: ESPN.

Line: Fresno State by 141/2.

Boise State update: The Broncos simply happen to be the next team waiting for Fresno to have a bad day. Boise State is a high-scoring team and defeated Tulsa, 41-10 (Fresno’s score against Tulsa was 37-18).

Fresno State update: Overtime comeback against Colorado State after trailing by a field goal with 27 seconds left in regulation was little short of brilliant.

Story line: The only story now is a Fresno loss. If Bulldogs get past 10-0, let the BCS debates begin.

The pick: Fresno State. How can you pick against David Carr and kicker Asen Asparuhov? Plus the Bulldogs are back at home.