FOUR GAMES TO WATCH

No. 1 OHIO STATE (1-0)

at No. 2 TEXAS (1-0)

* Kickoff: Saturday, 5 p.m. PDT.

* TV: Channel 7.

* Line: Texas by 2 1/2 .

* Ohio State update: Quarterback Troy Smith and receiver Ted Ginn Jr. emerged as one of the top combinations last week, connecting four times for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Antonio Pittman, who rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown, adds balance. The big question is whether the Buckeyes’ defense can stop the Texas running game. Last week, Ohio State gave up 171 rushing yards to Northern Illinois’ Garrett Wolfe.

* Texas update: The Longhorns’ defense took a hit when starting defensive back Tarell Brown was arrested Monday on misdemeanor weapons and drug charges and subsequently suspended for the game. Brown was supposed to be in charge of shutting down Ginn. The Texas offense and quarterback Colt McCoy looked good in a 56-7 victory over North Texas, but Ohio State is not North Texas.

* Story line: Last year, a 25-22 Texas victory propelled the Longhorns to the national title and knocked Ohio State out of the race. This is the first regular-season matchup between No. 1 and No. 2 since 1996, so the outcome is no less important.

* The pick: Ohio State. Last year, Texas had the playmaker to pull out close games at the end; this year it’s Troy Smith’s turn.

*

No. 19 PENN STATE (1-0)

at No. 4 NOTRE DAME (1-0)

* Kickoff: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. PDT.

* TV: Channel 4.

* Line: Notre Dame by 8.

* Penn State update: Junior quarterback Anthony Morelli had an impressive debut with three touchdown passes in a 34-16 victory over Akron, but the Nittany Lions showed little in terms of a running game, rushing for only 76 yards. The defense at “Linebacker U” is predictably strong. Linebacker Paul Posluszny heads a unit that gave up only 225 total yards, forced three turnovers and had five sacks. A similar effort will be needed against Notre Dame.

* Notre Dame update: The Fighting Irish faithful are a bit anxious after a close call against Georgia Tech last week. The Irish defense answered a lot of questions in the 14-10 victory, but Heisman hopeful quarterback Brady Quinn and the Irish offense need to do the same this week. They moved the ball well with 384 total yards, but had problems finding the end zone.

* Story line: The first meeting between the teams since 1992 could have an impact on the national-title race, especially because Penn State plays Ohio State in two weeks. Notre Dame must win to prove its preseason hype and ranking are for real.

* The pick: Notre Dame. Quinn and the Irish offense will be fired up to show last week was a fluke and should move the ball.

*

No. 18 CLEMSON (1-0)

at BOSTON COLLEGE (1-0)

* Kickoff: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. PDT.

* TV: ABC (Game Plan only on West Coast).

* Line: Clemson by 2 1/2 .

* Clemson update: Linebacker Anthony Waters, the team’s leading tackler in 2005, tore a knee ligament during a 54-6 victory over Florida Atlantic last week and is out for the season, leaving a hole in a defense that gave up only 89 yards rushing in that game. Quarterback Will Proctor, taking over for Charlie Whitehurst, had a solid debut as a starter with three touchdown passes, and the Tigers’ running game rolled up 197 yards.

* Boston College update: Eagles quarterback Matt Ryan passed 48 times in a 31-24 season-opening victory at Central Michigan, but the Boston College running game showed little, with only 85 yards. The Eagles will have to play better defense in the fourth quarter after giving up two fourth-quarter touchdowns last week and nearly blowing a 31-10 lead.

* Story line: The game is most likely for second place in the ACC Atlantic Division, which will really come into play should Florida State stumble in a conference game. Last year, Boston College defeated Clemson, 16-13, a loss that ultimately cost Clemson a spot in the ACC title game.

* The pick: Clemson. It’ll be revenge time for the Tigers, unless they are caught peeking ahead to next week’s showdown with Florida State.

*

No. 12 GEORGIA (1-0)

at SOUTH CAROLINA (1-0)

* Kickoff: Saturday, 4:45 p.m.

* TV: ESPN.

* Line: Georgia by 3.

* Georgia update: Despite scoring 48 points in the season-opening victory, the Bulldogs’ offense was less than impressive, totaling only 295 yards. A three-quarterback rotation was either the cause or the attempted cure as Joe Tereshinski, Joe Cox and Matthew Stafford all played significant minutes. Running backs Thomas Brown, Danny Ware and Kregg Lumpkin also split time, but none stood out in a combined 120-yard performance. A defense that gave up only 67 yards rushing will have to carry the load.

* South Carolina: Could it be that there is a Steve Spurrier team with a better defense than offense? After a 15-0 victory over Mississippi State, the Gamecocks’ faithful believe so. Spurrier’s team had only 10 first downs and 274 yards in offense, and needed a trick play for its only touchdown, yet held Mississippi State to 161 yards in offense. Spurrier is 11-2 against Georgia.

* Story line: Georgia has won four consecutive games in the series, but the last two have been 20-16 and 17-15.

* The pick: South Carolina. Georgia’s quarterback and running back platoons will prevent the Bulldogs from finding a good rhythm.