SIX GAMES TO WATCH

NOTRE DAME (4-2) vs. NAVY (5-0)

Kickoff: 9 a.m. Saturday at East Rutherford, N.J.

TV: Channel 2.

The line: Notre Dame by 6 1/2 .

Notre Dame update: The Irish overcame a 15-point deficit to beat Stanford, 23-15, largely on the running of Ryan Grant, who scored two touchdowns. The defense held the Cardinal to 67 yards rushing.

Navy update: The Midshipmen come in unbeaten for the first time since 1978, with the nation’s sixth-ranked rushing offense and its sixth-least penalized unit, with only 4.4 infractions per game. Their leading rusher is quarterback Aaron Polanco, who has run for 464 yards and seven touchdowns.

Story line: What at the beginning of the season seemed a sure notch in the Irish victory column is no longer. Navy has a legitimate chance to break a 40-game losing streak against Notre Dame, dating to 1963.

The pick: Navy, which won’t be at a loss for motivation as it strives to become bowl-eligible for the second consecutive season.

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No. 15 ARIZONA STATE (5-0) at No. 1 USC (5-0)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

TV: Channel 7.

The line: USC by 10 1/2 .

Arizona State update: The Sun Devils are off to their best start since 1996, when they won their first 11 and lost to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Quarterback Andrew Walter ranks 25th nationally and has thrown only one interception while completing 98 of 179.

USC update: The Trojans didn’t play well against Cal but again showed an ability to win close games. However, they became even thinner at receiver with the loss of Steve Smith (broken leg). Do-everything running back Reggie Bush probably will play some at that position.

Story line: The Trojans were expected to be undefeated at this stage, but the Sun Devils weren’t. It’s worth noting that the last time the Sun Devils went against the nation’s top-ranked team, in 1996, they beat Nebraska, 19-0.

The pick: Arizona State. A tough pick because the Sun Devils don’t have much of a running game. But USC has looked very beatable lately.

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No. 10 WISCONSIN (6-0) at No. 5 PURDUE (5-0)

Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

TV: ESPN2.

The line: Purdue by 7.

Wisconsin update: The Badgers’ success is easily summarized: They rank first in the nation in total defense, fourth in pass defense and fifth in rushing defense. They also have a solid rushing attack led by Anthony Davis, who gained 168 yards in a 24-13 victory over Ohio State last week.

Purdue update: The Boilermakers might have been looking ahead in holding on against pesky Penn State last week, 20-13. They’ve slipped to third in total offense, but quarterback Kyle Orton still ranks second in passing efficiency, having completed 119 of 172 passes with 18 touchdowns.

Story line: These are the top contenders for the Big Ten title and a berth in the Rose Bowl -- and this could well be an elimination game.

The pick: Purdue. Defense may win championships, but Wisconsin hasn’t yet encountered an offense like Purdue’s.

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UCLA (4-1) at No. 8 CALIFORNIA (3-1)

Kickoff: 4 p.m. Saturday.

TV: TBS.

The line: Cal by 14 1/2 .

UCLA update: Receiver Craig Bragg remains sidelined because of a shoulder injury, and the Bruins have yet to get a solid performance from his main replacement, Tab Perry.

California update: The Bears slipped only one spot in the rankings after a 23-17 loss to top-ranked USC, largely because of their statistical domination: 424 yards of total offense to 205.

Story line: Aaron Rodgers and the Bears are intent on getting back in the win column; the Bruins want to show that they can beat a good team.

The pick: Cal. Until UCLA shows an adequate defense against the run -- it ranks 91st nationally -- it will have trouble against top-tier teams.

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No. 23 TEXAS A&M; (4-1) at No. 16 OKLAHOMA STATE (5-0)

Kickoff: 4 p.m.

TV: FSNW.

The line: Oklahoma State by 7.

Texas A&M; update: The Aggies have won four in a row since losing their opener to Utah. Quarterback Reggie McNeal has passed for 1,037 yards with no interceptions.

Oklahoma State update: Vernand Morency is the nation’s leading rusher, averaging 173.8 yards a game, and is the main reason behind the Cowboys’ climb. Morency gained 165 yards in 27 carries last week in a 42-14 drubbing of Colorado.

Story line: These are two of three unbeaten teams in the Big 12 South, along with Oklahoma. The winner remains on course toward national prominence.

The pick: Oklahoma State in a close one. The Cowboys are a more disciplined team.

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No. 6 VIRGINIA (5-0) at No. 7 FLORIDA STATE (4-1)

Kickoff: 4:45 p.m. Saturday.

TV: ESPN.

The line: Florida State by 3.

Virginia update: The Cavaliers have outscored opponents, 212-58, and rank fifth in total offense. Their rushing attack also ranks fifth, and Virginia ranks sixth in total defense.

Florida State update: Wyatt Sexton is expected to start at quarterback for the third consecutive game, but Chris Rix, who is not 100%, may play if needed. The Seminoles’ rushing defense ranks third in the nation, allowing only 65.6 yards a game.

Story line: Both teams are in the running for the ACC title and a BCS bowl berth.

The pick: Virginia. The Cavaliers’ strength on both sides of the ball should negate the difficulty of playing at Tallahassee.