1. No. 4 Stanford’s 38-13 victory in a cold rain at Oregon State came at a cost. Both wide receiver Chris Owusu (concussion) and tight end Levine Toilolo went out of the game with injuries, one week after Stanford lost tight end Zach Ertz. It reminds me of Florida State in 1991, which won its first 10 games, the eighth a 27-16 victory in the rain at LSU. The Seminoles suffered so many injuries that night that they didn’t have the juice to beat Miami or Florida at season’s end. This beat-up Stanford team must play No. 7 Oregon.

2. The only two teams among the top eight that don’t play another team in the top eight are No. 3 Alabama and No. 5 Boise State. The Broncos need No. 15 Georgia to keep winning, starting with No. 20 Auburn on Saturday. The Tide must have No. 8 Arkansas win at No. 1 LSU on Nov. 25, and even then would have to negotiate their way through a three-way tie for first in the SEC West with the Tigers and the Hogs to get to the SEC championship game. I just don’t see a non-champion playing for the crystal football.

3. Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles’ season ends with him atop the FBS in receiving yards (1,157 yards) and second in yards per game (128.56). Broyles suffered a torn ACL in the Sooners’ 41-25 victory over Texas A&M. The Sooners have had an uncanny number of injuries over the past few seasons. Coach Bob Stoops says it’s nothing more than bad luck. Strength coach Jerry Schmitt is considered one of the best in the business. But you have to wonder.