SIX KEY GAMES

No. 11 Kansas St. (2-0) at No. 3 Oklahoma (3-0)

Kickoff: 9 a.m.

TV: None.

Line: Oklahoma by 41/2.

Kansas State update: The Wildcats have the nation’s No. 1 rushing offense behind Josh Scobey, and a strong defense that gave up six points to USC and shut out New Mexico State. The weakness is the passing attack.

Oklahoma update: Nate Hybl has replaced Josh Heupel at quarterback, and he’ll be challenged to handle Kansas State’s pass rush.

Story line: Oklahoma beat Kansas State twice last season on the way to the national championship, the second time in the Big 12 title game. Here’s a chance to prove they still have the Wildcats’ number and set up a big showdown with Texas on Oct. 6.

The pick: Oklahoma. Kansas State has a string of 11-victory seasons, but the Wildcats are only 7-5 against ranked teams since 1997.

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No. 14 Louisiana St. (2-0) at No. 7 Tennessee (2-0)

Kickoff: 4:45 p.m.

TV: ESPN.

Line: Tennessee by 10.

Louisiana State update: Fans in Baton Rouge toppled the goal posts last season when Louisiana State upset Tennessee in overtime, 38-31. Pulling an upset at Neyland Stadium would be much tougher.

Tennessee update: The Volunteers lead the nation in total defense, giving up only 141 yards a game after victories over Syracuse and Arkansas. LSU running back LaBrandon Toefield will be tougher to hold down, but Tennessee has a speedy back to counter with in Travis Stephens.

Story line: Neither team has played for three weeks after postponements and open dates.

The pick: Tennessee. They’re at home coming off the long layoff, and their victories are over tougher teams than LSU’s warmups against Tulane and Utah State.

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No. 21 Mississippi St. (1-1) at No. 2 Florida (3-0)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 2.

Line: Florida by 17.

Mississippi State update: The Bulldogs lost to Lou Holtz and South Carolina last week. This week, they might be without tailback Dicenzo Miller, very doubtful for the game because of an ankle injury.

Florida update: If Rex Grossman keeps up the 300-yard passing games, Florida keeps rolling. Even if he slips, the Gators have balance with not one but two productive running backs--Earnest Graham and Robert Gillespie.

Story line: Florida Coach Steve Spurrier says his team “got clobbered” in Mississippi State’s 47-35 upset last season. The Gators are still smarting over the 351 yards rushing they allowed in that game.

The pick: Florida. A repeat of Mississippi State’s upset is especially unlikely if Miller can’t play.

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No. 12 UCLA (3-0) at No. 19 Oregon St. (1-1)

Kickoff: 12:30.

TV: Channel 7.

Line: UCLA by 3.

UCLA update: The Bruins are rolling, but the memory of Oregon State should give them pause. The Beavers have scored 99 points in the last two meetings with UCLA, winning both. UCLA allowed an astonishing 604 yards last season when Oregon State scored 23 consecutive points in a 44-38 come-from-behind victory. Two seasons ago, Oregon State won, 55-7.

Oregon State update: The Beavers haven’t played in three weeks.

Story line: Another loss by Oregon State, and the Beavers’ brief moment in the sun will give way to mostly overcast days until late-season games against Washington and Oregon.

The pick: UCLA. The Bruins nudge ever closer to Fresno State in the chase for the title of California’s best team.

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No. 23 Michigan State (2-0) at No. 16 Northwestern (2-0)

Kickoff: 9 a.m.

TV: None.

Line: Northwestern by 61/2.

Michigan State update: It’s getting tough to gauge the value of a victory over Notre Dame any more. But there was no questioning the play of linebacker Mike Labinjo after the victory over the Irish. He had three tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble recovery and the big play of the game, thwarting a fake field goal in the final five minutes of a 17-10 victory.

Northwestern update: Victories over only Nevada Las Vegas and Duke still make the Wildcats a bit of a mystery. Running back Damien Anderson had 250 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in a 44-7 victory against Duke. Story line: The Big Ten has as many teams (five) in the top 25 as the Southeastern Conference, but none in the top 15. The pick: Northwestern.

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No. 22 Illinois (3-0) at No. 17 Michigan (2-1)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.

TV: None.

Line: Michigan by 61/2.

Illinois update: The Illini ended Louisville’s brief visit to the top 25 with a 34-10 victory over the Cardinals last week. Michigan update: The Wolverines looked sloppy losing to Washington in another patented Husky comeback and didn’t impress many in beating Western Michigan. New quarterback John Navarre is inconsistent, and tailback Chris Perry has a sore knee.

Story line: Illinois might be better than people think. Michigan might not be as good. And both teams remember how officials admitted they blew calls that cost Illinois in last season’s 35-31 Michigan victory.

The pick: Illinois. Yes, it’s a stretch to pick the Illini at Michigan Stadium, but Illinois won there two seasons ago.