1. Falling into place . . .

Seven undefeated teams remain at the highest level of college football. One will fall if there is a Florida-Alabama game for the Southeastern Conference championship. But if six teams finish without a defeat, the BCS bowls will be looking mighty good — two unbeatens in the championship game, one each in four other BCS games. That would include Texas Christian and Boise State, two non-BCS schools, with one earning an automatic spot and the other an almost-certain at-large bid.

2. ... Or not

Then again, there's a long way to go. If Alabama fails to find its lost offense, it could lose Saturday to Louisiana State. Texas has an easy schedule, but archrival Texas A&M lies waiting in College Station on Thanksgiving. Iowa, which has led a charmed life all season, travels to Ohio State next week. Cincinnati still must play Pittsburgh in the Big East. One of the unbeaten non-BCS schools will be shunned if Notre Dame can win out and get a wild card at 10-2. And Penn State? The Nittany Lions' BCS hopes will end Saturday if they lose to the Buckeyes.

3. Hawkeye hocus-pocus

Here's the deal at Iowa: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw five interceptions — four in one quarter — last week against Indiana and has 13 for the season, tied for second in the nation. The Hawkeyes got a gift on an apparent Hoosiers touchdown that was overturned on review. With Indiana going in for a score from the 2, Tyler Sash returned an interception that was deflected four (four!) times to the house. While everyone wonders when their balloon will burst, the Hawkeyes (9-0) try to provide more magic at home against Northwestern.

4. Alabama all-Americans

Running back Mark Ingram and linebacker Rolando McClain have an agreement during practice. "I won't try to kill him every time I hit him," McClain said, "and he won't try to run me over." The Crimson Tide (8-0) need huge performances from both players on their home field to defeat LSU (7-1). With each side playing a first-year quarterback, look for both teams to try to establish the run against defenses that rank in the top 15 nationally in yards allowed.

5. Look out, Lions