AROUND THE NATION 5
Games to watch Keep an eye on these matchups
MICHIGAN VS. MICHIGAN STATE
The Wolvenines are undefeated as they head to East Lansing, Mich., for a clash with the rival Spartans. Michigan has already survived two close calls this season, and should be ready for a tough test from a Michigan State team hungry for its second victory.
ALABAMA VS KENTUCKY
Alabama is 4-0, while Kentucky is coming off a blowout loss to the Florida Gators. The Wildcats will have to regroup in a hurry to be able to compete with the Crimson Tide. Any road game in the SEC is tough, but Alabama should have too many weapons for Kentucky to handle.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Tigers head to Athens, Ga., to take on a Bulldogs team that has won its last three games. LSU still hasn't looked dominant, and it will be playing its first game as a top five team so far this season. This game will be close, and look for Georgia to have the edge at home.
WASHIGTON VS. NOTRE DAME
Washington knocked off mighty USC just two weeks ago, while Notre Dame is just a few points away from being 4-0. The Huskies are playing with a lot of confidence, but the Fighting Irish will be ready to play in South Bend, Ind. This game goes to the home team.
California running back Jahvid Best breaks free during the first half of last week's game against Oregon. The Golden Bears lost 42-3 and are hoping to recover with a victory against the USC Irojans on Saturday.
CALIFORNIA VS. USC In-state matchup has big implications in conference race
This is a matchup of two teams who are still recovering from upset losses on the road. Both teams expected to contend for the conference title and this game could go a long way in determining who the best team is in the Pac-10, California running back Jahvid Best will be looking to have
a big game, but he hasn't faced anything yet this season like the mighty Trojans' defense. USC has enough firepower to win the national championship, but still hasn't put all of the pieces together this season. Pete Carroll should coach his team to victory in this contest.
AP TOP 25
Team (First-place votes) Record Total Votes Prev. Rank
1. Florida (55) 4-0 1490 1
2. Texas (1) 4-0 1420 2
3. Alabama (4) 4-0 1400 3
4. LSU 4-0 1225 7
5. Boise State 4-0 1203 8
6. Virginia Tech 3-1 1190 11
7. USC 3-1 998 12
8. Oklahoma 2-1 979 10
9. Ohio State 3-1 957 13
10. Cincinnati 4-0 946 14
11. TCU 3-0 896 15
12. Houston 3-0 844 17
13. Iowa 4-0 788 NR
14. Oklahoma State 3-1 591 16
15. Penn State 3-1 470 5
16. Oregon 3-1 462 NR
17. Miami (FL) 2-1 452 9
18. Kansas 4-0 418 20
18. Georgia 3-1 418 21
20. Brigham Young 3-1 349 19
21. Mississippi 2-1 340 4
22. Michigan 4-0 271 23
23. Nebraska 3-1 256 25
24. California 3-1 206 6
25. Georgia Tech 3-1 185 NR
Dropped from rankings: Florida State 18. North Carolina 22
Others receiving votes: Missouri 175, Auburn 171, South Carolina 154, South Florida 145, UCLA 41, Utah 25, Wisconsin 20, Notre Dame 7, Arizona State 4, Stanford 2, North Carolina 2
The Wave's Top 25 Wave editor Scott Toland ranks the nation's best teams
1. **Florida** – The Gators are still No. 1, but can they win at LSU next week? And will Tim Tebow be back on the field?
6. Oklahoma - The Soon-
6. Oklahoma - The Sooners have outsold their opponents 109-9 in their last two games.
2. Texas - The Oct. 17 game against Oklahoma can't come soon enough for the Longhorns.
7. Virginia Tech - A big
3. Alabama - The Crimson Tide rolled in its first SEC game against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
7. Virgina Tech - A big victory against the Miami Hurricanes earned the Hokies a lot of attention.
4. Boise State - No. 4
might be a little too high for the Broncos, but top five teams keep getting upset.
8. USC - The Trojans are still frustrated after losing on the road to Washington two weeks ago.
5. LSU - The Tigers are barely 4-0 after sneaking past Mississippi State last week.
9. Ohio State - The
11. Houston -The Cougars pulled off another big victory by beating Texas Tech at home last week.
Buckeyes should keep rolling through the Big Ten Conference.
12. Oklahoma State - The
12. Oklahoma State - The Cowboys are loaded with talent, and could still win the Big 12 South.
13. Mississippi - The
10. TCU - The Horned Frogs are finally getting some more respect after defeating Clemson.
16. Cincinnati - The Bearcats are quietly 4-0 after a good win against Fresno State last week.
13. Mississippi - the Rebels are better than how they played in their loss at South Carolina.
17. Michigan – The Wolverines are 4-0 heading into a rivalry game against Michigan State.
17. Michigan - The
14. Georgia - The Bulldogs slipped past Arizona State at home to move to 3-1 for the season.
21. Penn State - The Nittany Lions failed in their bid to avenge last season's loss to Iowa.
15. Kansas - it wasn't easy, but the Jayhawks beat a good Southern Miss team at home to move to 4-0.
18. Iowa - The surprising Hawkeyes are now 4-0 after beating Penn State on the road.
22. California - The Golden Bears didn't show up against Oregon, but they still belong in the top 25.
19. BYU - The Cougars are preparing for a run at the Mountain West Conference championship.
23. Nebraska - The
23. Nebraska - The Cornhuskers are now 3-1 after thrashing Louisiana-Lafayette in Lincoln, Neb.
20. Oregon — The Ducks surprised everyone by dismantling California at home last week.
24. Georgia Tech - The
Yellow Jackets are back in the Top 25 after knocking off North Carolina.
25. Auburn - The Tigers have been racking up points during their 4-0 start this season.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE OCTOBER 2, 2009