By JOHN LINDSAY, Scripps Howard News Service

Leave it to our popular president-elect to tap into the passionate issue of college football fans.

Capsule previews for Saturday's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.MICHIGAN (2-7) at MINNESOTA (7-2), Noon, ESPN.FAVORITE: Minnesota by 8.COACHES: Rich Rodriguez (first year at Michigan) and Tim Brewster (8-13 in second year at Minnesota).

Capsule previews for this week's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.THURSDAY:No. 23 MARYLAND (6-2) at VIRGINIA TECH (5-3), 7:30 p.m., ESPN.FAVORITE: Virginia Tech by 3-1/2.COACHES: Ralph Friedgen (62-33 in 8th year at Maryland) and Frank Beamer (172-88-2 in 22nd year at Va. Tech).

So now that thousands of politicians find themselves out of work, college football coaches can certainly empathize.

Capsule previews for Saturday's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.NORTHWESTERN (6-2) at No. 20 MINNESOTA (7-1), Noon, ESPN2.FAVORITE: Minnesota by 6-1/2.COACHES: Pat Fitzgerald (16-16 in third year at Northwestern) and Tim Brewster (8-12 in second year at Minnesota).

Capsule preview for Thursday night's college football action. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.No. 24 SOUTH FLORIDA (6-2) at CINCINNATI (5-2), 7:30 p.m., ESPN.FAVORITE: South Florida by 2-1/2.COACHES: Jim Leavitt (83-49 in 12th year at South Florida) and Brian Kelly (16-5 in second year at Cincinnati).

With Halloween tricks and treats awaiting Friday night, here are the four scariest thoughts for college football fans.-- DIFFERENT STATE, SAME FATE?: Having squeaked past defending Big Ten-champ-BCS-title game-patsy Ohio State Saturday night, Penn State now looks to be in the driver's seat for a spot in this year's BCS title affair Jan. 8 in Miami.

Capsule previews for Saturday's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.No. 8 TEXAS TECH (7-0) at No. 19 KANSAS (5-2), Noon, ESPN.FAVORITE: Kansas by 2.COACHES: Mike Leach (72-37 in 9th year at Texas Tech) and Mark Mangino (42-38 in 7th year at Kansas).

Capsule previews for this week's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.THURSDAY:AUBURN (4-3) at WEST VIRGINIA (4-2), 7:30 p.m., ESPN.FAVORITE: West Virginia by 3.COACHES: Tommy Tuberville (84-36 in 10th year at Auburn) and Bill Stewart (first year at West Va.).

Upon glancing at the first Bowl Championship Series ratings released Sunday evening, we're reminded of a scene from the 1983 sci-fi thriller "War Games.''