SIX GAMES TO WATCH

No. 21 Ohio State (1-0) at No.14 UCLA (2-0)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: UCLA by 61/2

Ohio State update: New Coach Jim Tressel awaits his true indoctrination at Ohio State, scheduled to arrive with the Buckeyes’ first loss. So far, he only has a victory over Akron and a postponed date with San Diego State.

UCLA update: The Bruin ground game gives UCLA a bit of a Big Ten look. DeShaun Foster is fourth in the nation in rushing at 149.5 yards a game and the Bruins are averaging 230 yards on the ground.

Story line: Only one of the eight meetings between these teams has been in the Rose Bowl game: UCLA upset Ohio State on Jan. 1, 1976 in Dick Vermeil’s final game as UCLA coach.

The pick: UCLA. The Big Ten is looking for its first victory against a ranked opponent this season. The search is likely to continue.

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USC (1-1) at No. 7 Oregon (2-0)

Kickoff: 7:15 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports Net.Line: Oregon by 61/2.

USC update: The loss to Kansas State was only by a score of 10-6, but the Trojan season would be dealt a serious emotional blow with a second consecutive loss to a ranked opponent and Washington waiting in two weeks.

Oregon update: Joey Harrington definitely has the Trojans’ attention: USC Coach Pete Carroll says he’s preparing for him “as if this is an NFL quarterback.”

Story line: Bad things have happened to the Trojans at Autzen Stadium, where the Ducks have won 22 in a row. Carson Palmer cracked his collarbone there in 1999, and USC went on to a triple-overtime loss. The last time USC won in Eugene? 1993.

The pick: Oregon. The Ducks would be the choice even at the Coliseum.

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No. 25 Louisville (3-0) at Illinois (2-0)

Kickoff: 9 a.m.

TV: ESPN.

Line: Illinois by 31/2.

Louisville update: Welcome to the Top 25. Now play an undefeated Big Ten team on the road. The Cardinals’ big weapon is quarterback Dave Ragone, who is averaging 320 yards passing and has thrown only one interception after three games.

Illinois update: The Illini beat Cal, 44-17, but weren’t as convincing in a 17-12 victory over Northern Illinois.

Story line: Louisville was given its ranking after victories over New Mexico State, Kentucky and Western Carolina. Now it will have to earn it by beating Illinois.

The pick: Illinois. A Louisville defense giving up an average of almost 213 yards rushing to unheralded teams ought to cure an Illini running game managing only 89 yards a game.

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No. 11 Fresno State (3-0) at Tulsa (1-0)

Kickoff: 11:30 a.m.

TV: Fox Sports Net 2.

Line: Fresno State by 121/2.

Fresno State update: Quarterback David Carr was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, but receiver Bernard Berrian was the star of the upset against Wisconsin with 300 all-purpose yards--including the 96-yard kickoff return that sparked a second-half comeback.

Tulsa update: The Golden Hurricane--coached by former USC assistant Keith Burns--beat Div. I-AA Indiana State, 51-0, then had a Sept. 15 game against defending national champion Oklahoma postponed.

Story line: There’s only one story line for Fresno State now: Don’t lose, get to 13-0 and a BCS berth might be possible.

The pick: Fresno State, but it’s not automatic. Should the Bulldogs lose, chalk one up to the Sports Illustrated curse.

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Michigan State (1-0) at No. 23 Notre Dame (0-1)

Kickoff: 11:30 a.m.

TV: Channel 4.

Line: Notre Dame by 9.

Michigan State update: A fifth consecutive victory would make Michigan State the first team to beat the Irish five times in a row since USC from 1978-82. But Michigan State’s first outing wasn’t overly impressive, when Central Michigan’s James King tied an NCAA record by blocking four punts in a 35-21 loss.

Notre Dame update: Quarterback Matt LoVecchio might have competition from Carlyle Holiday after the Irish managed only 162 yards in a 27-10 loss to Nebraska in their opening game.

Story line: If the Irish are to be a national factor, they clearly need to win this game.

The pick: Notre Dame. The Irish haven’t beaten Michigan State since 1994, but Notre Dame leads the series, 41-22-1.

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Auburn (2-0) at Syracuse (1-2)

Kickoff: 4:45 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Line: Syracuse by 21/2.

Auburn update: This is the Tigers’ first nonconference trip since 1997 and only the third since 1990.

Syracuse update: Unsteady at quarterback ever since the departure of Donovan McNabb, the Orangemen are poised to make another change, starting Robin Anderson instead of Troy Nunes.

Story line: The last time these teams met, in the 1988 Sugar Bowl, former Auburn coach Pat Dye opted for a field goal for a 16-16 tie that the Orangemen felt cost them a claim to the national title. Dye received thousands of ugly neckties in the mail from Syracuse fans.

The pick: Auburn. There’s nothing grand about this one. But an Auburn victory on the road would have more impact than, say, whether Penn State can beat Wisconsin.