The Associated Press

Don't look to college football's traditional cathedrals for this weekend's biggest games.

For the big showdown this weekend, you need to travel to 28,599-seat Doyt Perry Stadium on the campus of Bowling Green, where the 23rd-ranked Falcons (6-1) will host No. 12 Northern Illinois (7-0) for the toughest test remaining in the Huskies' bid for an undefeated season.

This big game in the Mid-American Conference has caught the country's attention. In a sign of how hyped the game will be, ESPN's "College GameDay" will bring its traveling roadshow to Bowling Green.

"I think, once the game starts, players and coaches get in game mode, and concentration takes over," Bowling Green coach Gregg Brandon said. "That enthusiasm lasts for maybe a quarter. Then, you've got to block and tackle. Your skills, techniques and fundamentals take over."

The Huskies need to win to keep their hopes of playing in a BCS bowl alive. Northern Illinois was 10th in the first BCS standings and needs to remain in the top 12 to be eligible for one of the four major bowls.

"We have five more games to go. If we're undefeated then, let's debate," Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak said. "We have so much football left to play we don't waste time on that now."

NOTRE DAME: It might sound a little strange, but even at 2-4 Notre Dame is thinking about bowl games.

The Irish have played the nation's toughest schedule so far, facing six teams that either were ranked when the Irish played them or are ranked now. The only ranked team left on the schedule is next week against No. 6 Florida State (6-1).

"The main focus is obviously Boston College, but you have to make the whole team realize that we still have an opportunity to go to a bowl game if we can win out and do well for the rest of the season," nose guard Cedric Hilliard said. "That's what we put out there for everyone to understand."

If the Irish can turn their season around, Saturday's game against Boston College (4-3) could be particularly significant because Notre Dame has a tie-in with the Big East for bowl games.

But Notre Dame cannot be taken above a Big East team with two more wins than the Irish. So with five bowl slots guaranteed for Big East teams and Notre Dame, and five Big East teams now with winning records, Saturday's game could have a little more significance, especially with both teams coming off disappointing losses.

The bowls that are aligned with the Big East and Notre Dame are the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., on Jan. 1, the Insight Bowl in Phoenix on Dec. 26, the Continental Tire Bowl in Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 27 and the San Francisco Bowl on Dec. 31.