National spotlight

Published: October 6, 2012 

1) No. 4 LSU at No. 10 Florida, 3:30 p.m. (CBS)

The sluggish Tigers (5-0), who have dropped a spot in the polls in each of the past two weeks, should be primed and ready for the Gators (4-0), who lost at LSU 41-11 last year.

2) No. 8 West Virginia at No. 11 Texas, 7 p.m. (FOX)

What will West Virginia’s Geno Smith do for an encore? The Longhorns (4-0) opened Big 12 play with a win at Oklahoma State and just might have their quarterback problems solved with sophomore David Ash (10 TDs to 1 INT).

3) No. 23 Washington at No. 2 Oregon, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Two of Washington’s first four games were against ranked opponents as are three of its next four. The Ducks (5-0) have won 27 of 28 at home and been the main beneficiary to LSU’s drop in the polls.

Inside the BCS

•  Is Ohio State on its way to a perfect season under first-year coach Urban Meyer? The Buckeyes are 5-0, despite some shaky performances, but perfection looks like a possibility after last week’s win at Michigan State. The Buckeyes are ineligible for the Big Ten title game or a bowl game, thanks to NCAA transgressions committed under former coach Jim Tressel, but there’s little resistance in the next seven games beyond Saturday’s matchup with No. 21 Nebraska.

•  Make it stop. ESPN is putting Penn State on TV again. The Worldwide Leader has turned post-Sandusky scandal Penn State into a contrived reality series.

Remember when the NCAA used to ban sanctioned schools from being on television? All of the Nittany Lions’ first five games have been on ESPN or ABC. Yes, the "car-crash" effect might attract viewership, but honestly, there has to be better options.

Heisman watch

1) Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia: Pick an impressive number for Smith, who faces Texas this week: 83.4 completion percentage, 20 touchdowns in four games, zero interceptions in 169 attempts.

2) Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State: Klein should have his way with Kansas’ defense, which ranks 90th against the run.

3) E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State: Quarterbacks Tyler Bray and Stephen Morris exploited N.C. State’s secondary in wins over the Wolfpack.

Upset alert

Iowa State at No. 15 TCU

The Horned Frogs (4-0) suspended quarterback Casey Pachall after he was arrested for DWI this week. The Cyclones (3-1) are capable of pulling off a Big 12 upset. Just ask Oklahoma State.

Number to know

3 Computer polls used by the BCS, out of six, that have Oregon State (3-0, No. 14 AP, No. 17 Coaches’) rated No. 1 in the country.

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