Fast Forward

?USC (3-2) at Notre Dame (3-3)
This matchup—11 Heisman Trophy winners have played in this series' 70 games—has produced some of the sport's memorable moments: 55 points in less than 17 minutes (Southern Cal '74), green jerseys (the Fighting Irish '77) and the $8 million extra point (missed by Notre Dame in '96). USC has won three straight after failing to win the previous 13 games. The Trojans' streak figures to stop on Saturday. Their running game is an embarrassment, and their passing game won't trouble the Irish, who stopped more potent Oklahoma's air attack earlier this month.

? Syracuse (5-1, 2-0) at Virginia Tech (5-0, 1-0)
These teams have won or shared the last four Big East championships, and the home team has won the last eight meetings. The heir to former Orangeman Donovan McNabb as the league's most dangerous running and passing quarterback is Hokies freshman Michael Vick, a player the Orangemen coveted. In his last two games Vick has completed 18 of 21 passes for 470 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 108 yards and another score. Looks like another home-team victory.

? Ohio State (4-2, 1-1) at Penn State (6-0, 2-0)
This Buckeyes team doesn't compare to Ohio State's previous four, but the Nittany Lions will prepare as if it does. That means Joe Paterno should get his 314th victory and tie Amos Alonzo Stagg for third place on the alltime Division I-A list.