SIX GAMES TO WATCH

STANFORD (3-1) at NOTRE DAME (3-2)

Kickoff: 11:30 a.m. Saturday

TV: Channel 4

The line: Notre Dame by 4 1/2

Stanford update: With its only loss a 31-28 squeaker against top-ranked USC, the Cardinal comes into South Bend wielding an unfamiliar piece of anatomy -- the upper hand. It also brings J.R. Lemon, who rushed for 162 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 27-13 victory over Washington.

Notre Dame update: What looked to be a resurging program is on its heels again after Saturday’s 41-16 home loss to Purdue. Lost to some in that effort was the performance of quarterback Brady Quinn, who completed 26 of 46 passes for 432 yards.

Story line: Starting with the game against the Cardinal, the Fighting Irish goes shakily into what they figured would be a comfortable stretch on the schedule. Next week they get a Navy team that is 5-0.

The pick: Notre Dame. The Irish are intent on venting their frustrations and draw an opponent playing its first road game of the season.

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No. 2 OKLAHOMA (4-0) vs. No. 5 TEXAS (4-0) at Dallas

Kickoff: 9 a.m. Saturday

TV: Channel 7

The line: Oklahoma by 7

Oklahoma update: Freshman tailback Adrian Pederson, who was playing high school ball in Texas this time last year, became the first Sooner to rush for 100 or more yards in his first four games. He gained 146 yards in 22 carries and scored one touchdown in last week’s 28-13 triumph over Texas Tech.

Texas update: Cedric Benson leads the nation in rushing with 746 yards (7.61 a carry) and four touchdowns. He gained 188 yards and scored three times in last week’s 44-14 rout of Baylor.

Story line: This is the 99th edition of the Red River Shootout and only the ninth time both teams have entered ranked in the top five. Oklahoma has won the last four.

The pick: Texas. The Sooners and Coach Bob Stoops have had the Longhorns’ number, but the latter comes in ranked higher in total offense (third versus 11th) and total defense (17th versus 39th).

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No. 7 CALIFORNIA (3-0) at No. 1 USC (4-0)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

TV: Channel 7.

The line: USC by 7 1/2

California update: The Golden Bears showed no ill-effects of a three-week rest in routing Oregon State, 49-7. Chase Lyman caught five passes for 176 yards and scored touchdowns on his first three receptions. The Bears rank second nationally in offense and 11th in defense.

USC update: The Trojans, who have won their last 16 home games, enjoyed an extra week to prepare for perhaps the strongest opponent they’ll play during the regular season. USC trails Cal in the major statistical categories but will have an edge in one regard: a sellout crowd of 92,000 at the Coliseum.

Story line: This is a rematch of last season’s showdown, when the Bears ended the Trojans’ 11-game winning streak with a 34-31 triple-overtime triumph.

The pick: Cal. The Bears appear stronger on both sides of the ball and are eager to show -- and seem capable of showing -- that last season’s victory was not a fluke.

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No. 17 TENNESSEE (3-1) at No. 3 GEORGIA (4-0)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

TV: Channel 2.

Line: Georgia by 13.

Tennessee update: Freshman quarterback Erik Ainge hasn’t been bad-mouthing this week’s opponent -- not after trashing Auburn’s secondary last week and then performing miserably, with four interceptions, in a 34-10 loss. Defensively, the Volunteers rank 67th.

Georgia update: Freshman Danny Ware returned from a bruised lung last week and showed he was healthy, rushing for 109 yards in a 45-16 drubbing of Louisiana State. Another freshman, Thomas Brown, had 81 yards, so the Bulldogs are strong on both sides of the ball. Their only weakness seems to be punting. Gordon Ely-Kelso is averaging only 37.1 yards.

Story line: The Bulldogs have won the last four in the series after a stretch during which the Volunteers won nine in a row.

The pick: Georgia. The Bulldogs are good at putting a big win behind them and playing at the same level in a big game the following week.

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No. 13 MINNESOTA (5-0) at No. 14 MICHIGAN (4-1)

Kickoff: 9 a.m. Saturday

TV: ESPN Classic

The line: Michigan by 3 1/2

Minnesota update: The defense has played well, but the offense struggled last week in a 16-7 victory over Penn State. The Nittany Lions also blocked two Rhys Lloyd field-goal attempts and an extra-point attempt.

Michigan update: Freshman Chad Henne seemed to strengthen his grasp on the starting quarterback position by completing 17 of 21 passes for 316 yards in last week’s 35-14 victory over Indiana. His competition, Matt Gutierrez, remains sidelined because of a sore shoulder.

Story line: The Wolverines rallied from a 21-point deficit last season to win, 38-35, at the Metrodome. They not only took the Little Brown Jug but went on to represent the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl.

The pick: Michigan, which has the edge defensively -- it’s tops in the nation against the run -- and on special teams. But with an offense that ranks 83rd, the Wolverines had better not fall far behind.

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No. 24 LOUISIANA STATE (3-2) at No. 12 FLORIDA (3-1)

Kickoff: 4:45 p.m. Saturday

TV: ESPN

The line: Florida by 3 1/2

LSU update: Receiver Skyler Green returned from an ankle injury last week and played only a limited role in the Tigers’ 45-16 loss at Georgia. Little has gone right: LSU kickers are only seven of 11 on extra-point attempts.

Florida update: Sophomore quarterback Chris Leak seems on the fast track to greatness after a career-high 322-yard passing performance in last week’s 45-30 victory over Arkansas. The Gators are averaging 448 yards a game.

Story line: The Tigers have been reduced to the role of spoiler in the national championship drive -- going against a Gator team that dealt them their only loss last season, 19-7.

The pick: Florida. Much of the Gators’ success has come from their ability to make big plays -- six pass completions of 35 yards or more and five runs of 30 yards or more -- while the Tigers have become known for giving them up.