By MIKE LOPRESTI
Gannett News Service

Location ... location ... location ... These are high times in California for college football. Indiana, too. But at some of the traditional outposts of the Big 12 North? Hell week.

Down went Missouri. To Troy.

Down went Nebraska. To Southern Mississippi.

Down went Kansas State. Big. To Fresno State.

At Nebraska, the natives will have a little trouble warming to Bill Callahan's West Coast Offense if it keeps handing away the football. Eleven turnovers in two games. So far, the Cornhuskers are passing more but enjoying it less.

"There's a lot of pressure on that position," Callahan said of the quarterback spot, where Joe Dailey is encountering turbulence. "That's the nature of being a quarterback in the West Coast offense."

Kansas State hasn't been slapped around this badly - 45-21 at home - since it was losing to everyone 15 years ago.

"If it's one side of the ball, I can say go fix it," coach Bill Snyder said. "If we are getting beat everywhere, I have to look within. It's got to be Bill Snyder. I have to make sure Bill Snyder does a better job preparing our football team."

Meanwhile, in happier places ...

USC drew its second largest Coliseum crowd ever - 84,521 - to see a 49-0 thrashing of Colorado State, the fifth shutout in Pete Carroll's 40th game as head coach.

California attracted nearly 59,000 of the normally detached citizens of Berkeley, who are now enchanted by high rankings. The 2-0 Bears romped over New Mexico State, but it's their only home game before Oct. 16. Bad timing.

Then there's Fresno State, having blown through BCS schools Washington and Kansas State, gambling with the mentality of a poker player. So their coach said.

"We are still at the main table," Pat Hill said. "We were all in (the money all bet). We picked up all their chips, and now we've got a bigger pile - and next week we'll go all in again."

Well, not quite. Next game is Portland State.

And in Indiana, Notre Dame stunned Michigan, suggesting revival. "Please understand," coach Tyrone Willingham cautioned, "it's just one football game."

Purdue is 2-0, by a combined score of 110-7. And Indiana stunned Oregon. If the Hoosiers win at Kentucky this week, they'll be 3-0 for the first time in 10 years. Last season, they were 2-10.

Florida State's sixth straight loss to Miami has made the Seminoles' quarterback situation a hot button topic. Again.

Chris Rix has had a bumpy ride in four years at Tallahassee, and nothing will haunt him more than this - a 0-5 record against Miami, with 15 turnovers.

Teams rarely bench a four-year starter. But ...

"I told our coaches to really study it," said coach Bobby Bowden.

Rix's teammates even sound impatient. "We have to find somebody to get the ball and make plays," tailback Leon Washington told Florida reporters.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Big week in the SEC. LSU goes to Auburn, Florida to Tennessee. The Gators aren't intimidated by the Vols, but may be by the National Weather Service. Their opener was postponed by Hurricane Frances. Their game last Saturday was pushed forward five hours because of Hurricane Ivan. Then there was a 64-minute delay in the second period because of a thunderstorm.

QUOTEBOOK

"It would be that we are playing our hearts out. I know they expect that from me, and they expect it from all of my brothers." - Army defensive back Dhyan Tarver on what message he would send to the troops in Iraq. The Cadets lost their 16th straight game, 52-21 to Louisville, in Bobby Ross' debut as coach.

"We're not going to feel sorry for ourselves. No one else in the world is." - Marshall coach Bob Pruett after his team was beaten at Ohio State by a 55-yard field goal at the gun.

"I'd like to. So, Herschel, if you're watching, give me a call." - Notre Dame freshman running back Darius Walker, saying he wants to meet Herschel Walker (no relation), whose state high school season touchdown record he broke in Georgia. Darius Walker's two touchdowns in his first college game made him an instant Irish hit.

STATISTIC OF THE WEEK

Oklahoma has now won nine games in a row and 19 of 20 against teams from the state of Texas.

THUMBS OF THE WEEK

Up to Ohio State. Yet another win plucked out of midair at the end. Buckeyes 13-1 in last 14 games settled by a touchdown or less. After awhile, it's not luck, it's knowing how to do it.

Up to Oklahoma receiver Mark Bradley. Scores touchdown on first career rush (a reverse), just like he did on his first career pass, and first career kickoff return.

Down to BYU. Athletic director fired, coach in trouble, team pounded by Stanford 37-10. And there's not even refuge at halftime. Stanford band taunts polygamist stigma with five dancers wearing wedding veils. Ouch.