Five things to watch this week in college football:
1: The "Pac-12" on Thursday series continues as UCLA plays at Stanford right around rush-hour Palo Alto. What could go wrong? UCLA hasn't defeated Stanford since 2008.
2: Conspiracy theory: Why does every Alabama opponent seem to get an off week in advance of its big game against the Crimson Tide? Undefeated Texas A&M will be tanned and rested when Alabama visits College Station for Saturday's key Southeastern Conference West showdown.
3: Michigan State at Michigan wasn't supposed to be a big deal until next year. Three straight Michigan shutouts under first-year Coach Jim Harbaugh, by the total score of 97-0, have boosted the playoff implications for both schools.