Going to be a showdown

The first true Showdown Saturday of the season finds three games in which both opponents are members of the top 25. Top-ranked Oklahoma takes on fifth-ranked Texas in the Red River Rivalry; Missouri, ranked third, hosts 17th-rated Oklahoma State in what should be a wild offensive show; and fourth-ranked Louisiana State plays at Florida, ranked 11th, in a game in which defenses should prevail.

Slingin' it around

Two of the nation's most prolific quarterbacks will be on display at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Oklahoma's Sam Bradford is second nationally in passing efficiency and seventh in total offense with 328.4 yards per game, throwing for 18 touchdowns with three interceptions. Texas' Colt McCoy is fourth in passing efficiency and 10th in total offense with 319.4 yards per game, while passing for 16 touchdowns with three picks. But life may not be so free and easy; the Sooners and Longhorns boast the two best defenses in the Big Twelve.

One mistake could tell

The result of the matchup of college football's last two national champions could hinge on whether LSU or Florida can force the other to make a mistake. The Gators have four turnovers for the season, the second-lowest number in the nation, while the Tigers have coughed it up only five times. It's a different story on defense, as Florida has 12 takeaways and is tied for third nationally in turnover margin. LSU has only three takeaways.

Ohhhhh-klahoma

The Sooners aren't the only team from their state making a mark in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Oklahoma State and Tulsa have matched their big brother's 5-0 record. And talk about offense - the Oklahoma schools hold down three of the top four spots in scoring, led by Tulsa at 56.4 points per game, and three of the top six berths in total offense, averaging 530 yards or more.

Steinbrenneresque

Do we have this straight? Auburn is 4-2 and ranked 20th in the nation, and it fires offensive coordinator Tony Franklin? Apparently, being No. 2 in Alabama, behind the Crimson Tide, is reason enough for the Tigers to can a guy after only six games on the job. The numbers aren't pretty - they are 103d in passing offense and scoring, and 104th in total offense - and the job of picking that up goes to receivers coach Steve Ensminger. The Tigers host Arkansas.

Maybe the best thing . . .

. . . for Southern Cal is that four Big Twelve teams and two Southeastern Conference teams are ranked ahead of it. The eighth-rated Trojans, who host Arizona State, have the talent to run the table in the Pac-10 and hope that the teams from the two toughest conferences in the land knock one another out so they can have a shot at the Bowl Championship Series' title game. Then again, after their slip-up at Oregon State, they have no margin for error.

The Dangerfield effect

Since the Associated Press poll began in 1936, Notre Dame never has been unranked at 4-1 until this year. That's what happens when your victories come against not a single team with a winning record. So the Fighting Irish will try to earn respect by bumping off 22d-ranked North Carolina today at Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels are coming off a rout of Connecticut during which linebacker Bruce Carter blocked three punts.

Revenge of the nerds

After its emotional win last week over Auburn, 13th-ranked Vanderbilt needs to avoid a letdown against Mississippi State. The Commodores have been an opportunistic bunch, leading the nation with a plus-nine turnover ratio. Meanwhile, Northwestern takes its biggest test of the season at Michigan State, hoping to join the Commodores in the top 25.

Does anyone want this?

Some Big East team has to step forward and show it deserves the conference's automatic BCS bid. South Florida, ranked 19th, is the highest-rated team despite its loss to Pittsburgh, now ranked 24th, while UConn fell out of the top 25 after losing. All three teams are off this week. West Virginia is still out there, but quarterback Pat White needs to get healthy. In addition to a bruised thumb on his throwing hand, White got dinged in last week's game against Rutgers. The Mountaineers host Syracuse.

The real top 10

1, Oklahoma. 2, Alabama. 3, Missouri. 4, LSU. 5, Texas. 6, Penn State. 7, Texas Tech. 8, USC. 9, Georgia. 10, Brigham Young.

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Contact staff writer Joe Juliano at 215-854-4494 or jjuliano@phillynews.com.