The Front Seven tackles the weekend's top games

• West Virginia's troubled defense will get another big test from K-State and QB Collin Klein
• SEC East has another shakeout Saturday with South Carolina visiting Florida
• In the SEC West, LSU tries its hand at stifling Texas A&M's "Johnny Football"

The Front Seven is enjoying the journey.

1. After the Fall: No. 15 West Virginia's ranking took a severe tumble after being badly outplayed at Texas Tech. But the Mountaineers have a chance to pick themselves up at home against No. 3 Kansas State (7 p.m. ET, Fox). The main attractions are the Heisman-contending QBs, K-State's Collin Klein and WVU's Geno Smith. Klein figures to have a big night against the Mountaineers' leaky defense. WVU LB Terence Garvin has had some success on blitzes, but Klein's own mobility and that of TB John Hubert could neutralize that. Smith has weapons such as WRs Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin that could help the Mountaineers keep pace, but LB Arthur Brown and the Wildcats' fundamentally sound stoppers know how to take charge on the road.

2. Wheel in the Sky: No. 4 Florida is the third SEC East team in as many weeks to hold the title of highest-ranked team in the division. The Gators will stop the spinning if they can prevail at their home Swamp against No. 8 South Carolina (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS). The Gamecocks have been more grind than flash on offense this season, an approach that will be far less effective if TB Marcus Lattimore (hip) is unable to go. South Carolina QB Connor Shaw can air it out to good effect when WR Ace Sanders is involved, but Florida CB Marcus Roberson won't give him many clear looks. Gators TB Mike Gillislee will try to lend enough ground support to keep Gamecocks DE Jadeveon Clowney away from QB Jeff Driskel.

3. Any Way You Want It: No. 6 LSU's next stop on the SEC tour takes the Tigers and their stingy defense to league rookie No.19 Texas A&M (noon ET, ESPN), where they'll try to put the clamps on freshman phenom QB Johnny Manziel, who seemingly can move the football down the field by just about any means. Manziel's toughest outing was his first against another athletic defense, Florida's, so he's going to need some downfield help from WR Mike Evans to give himself room to operate. The effort to contain him will be spearheaded by LSU LBs Kevin Minter and Lemin Barrow. If A&M is able to keep it tight, this might be the game in which Tigers QB Zach Mettenberger has to prove he can lead a fourth-quarter drive in unfriendly environs. He'll be opposed by Aggies DE Damontre Moore, who has a league-high 8½ sacks.

4. Separate Ways: For a second consecutive week, No. 20 Texas Tech's Big 12 opponent is a league newcomer that parted company with its old conference. This time, the Red Raiders hit the road to No. 21 TCU (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC). Though the league has been known for shootouts, this contest that features the two top scoring defenses figures to be less wide-open. Red Raiders QB Seth Doege has more proven weapons, such as WR Darrin Moore and TE Jace Amaro, but TCU DE Devonte Fields must be kept away from him. Horned Frogs QB Trevone Boykin is getting more comfortable since taking over for the suspended Casey Pachall. Boykin can be effective on the move as well, but Red Raiders S Cody Davis doesn't miss many one-on-one tackles.

5. Don't Stop Believin': That's been the mantra for Tennessee, which has lost its first three SEC games against teams with a combined record of 17-1. The Vols try again as No. 1 Alabama comes to Knoxville (7 p.m. ET, ESPN). Scoring hasn't been a problem for Tennessee, with QB Tyler Bray able to stretch the field with deep threats such as WRs Justin Hunter and Cordarelle Patterson. But playing catch-up has led to seven picks, and Alabama CBs Dee Milliner and Deion Belue would be all too happy to add to that total. C Barrett Jones and the Crimson Tide offensive line has been dominant, meaning TB Eddie Lacy should find plenty of holes. QB AJ McCarron's bruised knee is not expected to be an issue.

6. Open Arms:Temple is in the unusual position of being welcomed back in to the Big East Conference that once asked it to leave. The Owls look to announce their ready to compete with the league's upper echelons as they host No. 17 Rutgers (noon ET, check local listings). The Scarlet Knights are getting superb offensive balance from the trio of QB Gary Nova, WR Brandon Coleman and TB Jawan Jamison. Temple's bend-but-don't-break defense, featuring senior DE John Youboty, has helped itself out with eight fumble recoveries. The Owls' attack isn't flashy and has a hard time on third down, but QB Chris Coyer and TB Montel Harris are veterans who don't give the ball away. They'll be opposed by Rutgers LB Khaseem Greene.

7. Who's Cryin' Now? Well, somebody will be. It's the Big Game, after all, and No. 23 Stanford will forget all about last week's excruciating loss at Notre Dame with a win at California (3 p.m. ET, Fox). The Cardinal should have an easier time creating real estate for TB Stepfan Taylor. The Golden Bears are surrendering almost 150 rushing yards a game, but CB Steve Williams can be a drive stopper if QB Josh Nunes is off-target. Cal has won its last two after a 1-4 start, and QB Zach Maynard has been having more success getting WR Keenan Allen involved. But TB Isi Sofele will have to be at his elusive best to stay clear of Stanford's punishing LBs, Shayne Skov, Chase Thomas and Trent Murphy.