This is a good week to be an upstart.

Not much has changed since the beginning of the season in terms of the national title hunt — Alabama, Florida and Texas haven't budged from the top of the polls since the beginning of the season. Still, this is a good week to check out some of the season's biggest surprises.

Despite losing its starting quarterback, Cincinnati keeps rolling, but the Bearcats' toughest tests will come late in the season, starting Friday against West Virginia. Seeking its first BCS appearance, undefeated TCU will face its last ranked opponent, conference rival Utah. A week after upsetting Oregon at home, Stanford faces USC on the road, where the Cardinal won two seasons ago. And Pittsburgh (8-1) seeks its second consecutive victory over Notre Dame.

Here's a look at the top five televised games on Saturday and nationally televised games Thursday and Friday.

THURSDAY

USF AT RUTGERS

When: 5:30 p.m., ESPN

Broadcasters: Chris Fowler play-by-play, Craig James and Jesse Palmer analysts

The line: USF by 1

Why you should watch: Each team has six wins, but both need a seventh to become bowl eligible because both have two wins against FCS opponents. USF and Rutgers have fallen out of contention for the Big East title, but USF is No. 24 in the BCS this week. Rutgers has won the past three meetings in the series. USF QB B.J. Daniels has 917 passing yards and 386 rushing yards in five starts.

FRIDAY

WEST VIRGINIA AT CINCINNATI

When: 6 p.m., ESPN2

Broadcasters: Joe Tessitore play-by-play, Rod Gilmore analyst

The line: Cincinnati by 9

Why you should watch: The Big East has been lucky in recent seasons to have some of its top games air in good spots on national TV. This is not necessarily one of those times. If this game were on Thursday, it would be reminiscent of '06, when Louisville, West Virginia and Rutgers faced each other as undefeated teams over at two-week span. Alas, this matchup must compete with high school football on Friday while the lesser USF-Rutgers game landed on Thursday. If Cincinnati is going to have an undefeated season, it will have to overcome a team that has dominated the series. Cincinnati is 2-10 all-time against West Virginia, including 1-3 as a Big East member. Bearcats starting QB Tony Pike won't play until he is 100 percent because of a lingering arm injury, but Zach Collaros (555 yards of total offense last week vs. Connecticut) has proven he's up to the task. Connecticut exposed some holes in Cincinnati's defense and special teams last week. West Virginia RB Noel Devine will look to do the same.