Lions, Wolverines need big wins

Three to watch

No. 13 Penn State at Michigan

3:30 p.m., ESPN

At the Big House, the Wolverines will try to end a two-game losing streak against Big Ten teams. Joe Paterno might be safely ahead of old buddy Bobby Bowden in the all-time wins race, but he can't afford another loss if he's going to have a realistic shot at the Big Ten title.

No. 10 TCU at No. 16 BYU

7:30 p.m., Versus

TCU's BCS-buster campaign rests on its ability to add road wins at BYU and Utah (on Nov. 14) to its already impressive defeats of Virginia and Clemson in ACC country. The Horned Frogs' defense may be among the best in the country.

No. 3 Texas at Missouri

8 p.m., WTVD, WCTI

A week after edging Oklahoma in a sloppy Red River turnover-fest, the Longhorns could be looking past a Missouri team that has lost two in a row but was ranked earlier in the season.

Observations

Alabama's good, but Gators have Tebow

On merit, Alabama probably deserves its spot atop The Associated Press' rankings because its defeat of No. 15 Virginia Tech is more impressive than any nonconference win Florida will be able to muster.

But Florida is atop the BCS rankings for good reason. When push comes to shove, if these teams meet in the SEC championship game, do you really think Tim Tebow is going to let the Crimson Tide stop him?

By the way, let's just forget the whole BCS championship thing this season. The SEC champ should be crowned national champ. Spare us the BCS mess.

Hawkeyes the Big Ten's best

It's probably an oversimplification to say No. 7 Iowa would suffer the same fate as Ohio State did the last few years if the Hawkeyes (6-0) work their way into the BCS title game.

It's possible that all Big Ten teams are not cut from the same cloth. But it seems more likely that Iowa lacks the speed to challenge Florida or Alabama.

The Hawkeyes will try to build on their strong start at Michigan State today and face their sternest test on Nov. 14 at No. 18 Ohio State.

Like it or not, Bearcats a contender

No. 5 Cincinnati (6-0) is another team that doesn't quite seem deserving that could make a case for itself in the BCS championship scenario.

The Bearcats, who meet Louisville today, own a nonconference win over Oregon State with Illinois still to come outside the mediocre Big East. Although Cincinnati might not make for an intriguing BCS title game competitor, its program is humming along nicely just in time to face N.C. State -- and Cincinnati native Tom O'Brien -- in 2010 and 2011.

by the Numbers

27-4

Kansas' record at home over the past five seasons. The 24th-ranked Jayhawks (5-1) host to No. 25 Oklahoma (3-3) today.

Total margin of difference in points the last five games between the Tigers of the SEC -- Auburn and LSU. The teams meet today in Baton Rouge, La.

131.1

Rushing yards per game for Pittsburgh freshman Dion Lewis, third-best nationally. Today, South Florida (5-1) will try to stop Lewis while visiting the Panthers (6-1).

Today's Top 25

No. 1 Alabama vs. Tennessee, 3:30 p.m.

No. 2 Florida at Mississippi State, 7:30 p.m.

No. 3 Texas at Missouri, 8 p.m.

No. 4 Southern California vs. Oregon State, 8 p.m.

No. 5 Cincinnati vs. Louisville, 3:30 p.m.

No. 6 Boise State at Hawaii, 11:05 p.m.

No. 7 Iowa at Michigan State, 7:05 p.m.

No. 8 Miami vs. Clemson, 3:30 p.m.

No. 9 LSU vs. Auburn, 7:30 p.m.

No. 10 TCU at No. 16 BYU, 7:30 p.m.

No. 11 Georgia Tech at Virginia, Noon