VIEW FROM THE OBSERVATION CAR: A tumultuous and highly-emotional month closes this weekend with many Division 1 teams entering conference play. Let's hope for the fans that October is full of enjoyable football...and nothing else. As we wave goodbye to September, four Pacific 10 teams are placed in the AP Top 25--Oregon, UCLA, Washington, Oregon State. A fifth, unbeaten Stanford (2-0), could join them if the Cardinal can defeat USC on Saturday in Los Angeles.

But the Pac-10 is just a warmup for the surprise of the Coastal fraternity, if not all of college football and that's Fresno State. The Bulldogs entered the AP Top 10 this week at No. 10 after soundly defeating Tulsa in their WAC opener. If Fresno manages to go unbeaten the rest of the season it deserves to be in the BCS tournament later this year. If the Bulldogs are left out of the BCS mix because they play in the WAC, then there is something wrong with the system. The Fresno State story is an example of what is great and exciting about college football. Let's take a look at this week's key West Coast matchups:

STANFORD (2-0) at USC (1-2): The unbeaten Cardinal come to the Coliseum full of vigor after routing Arizona State last week, 51-28. The Trojans are limping back from their near-miss at Oregon where they lost a heartbreaker, 24-22, to the Ducks on a late field goal after they seemingly had the game won. Questionable play-calling by the coaching staff during USC's last series in which they needed to just make a first down to seal the win, worked in Oregon's favor. Stanford's senior quarterback Randy Fanasi is the leading passer in the Pac-10, throwing for 527 yards and 8 touchdowns in two games, but will face one of the best defensive secondarys in the country. SC's Carson Palmer was spectacular in the second half against Oregon, passing for over 400 yards after throwing three interceptions in the first half. If the second-half Palmer shows up, the Trojans will win, 35-21.

UCLA (3-0) at OREGON STATE (1-1): The Bruins' defense has UCLA fans, and the coaching staff, tickled. But worried looks of concern are being aimed at the offense. In last weekend's nonconference matchup against Ohio State, the UCLA defense held the Buckeyes to 0 points. Ohio State scored on a blocked punt in a 13-6 loss at the Rose Bowl. But the offense was sloppy, committing turnovers and mistakes with regularity. Tailback DeShaun Foster fumbled four times, losing the ball twice. He and quarterback Cory Paus will have to shore up the offensive at Corvalis, Ore., a tough place to play. The Beavers figure to be a litte rusty, having not played since they defeated New Mexico State three weeks ago and their defense is hobbling. UCLA is favored by 4 points and should win, 28-21.

WASHINGTON (2-0) at CALIFORNIA (0-3): The Huskies lost their standout tight end Jerramy Stevens when he suffered a broken foot during a 53-3 rout of Idaho last Saturday. But his absence shouldn't matter against the hybernating Bears at Berkeley's Strawberry Canyon. Huskies roll, 41-7.

WASHINGTON STATE (3-0) at ARIZONA (3-0): Here's a game that will be watched closely by the rest of the Pac 10. Two unbeaten teams squaring off in the desert, the Cougars haven't gotten much publicity so far, but are favored on the road. Coach Mike Price has an inproved team from last year and this test against John Mackovic's Wildcats, who beat Nevada Las Vegas last week, will reveal a lot about both clubs. The Watcher likes the 'Cats at home.

LOUISIANA TECH (1-1) at FRESNO STATE (3-0): Two years ago, Louisiana Tech ventured out to Los Angeles to play USC and for three quarters gave the Trojans a battle. Fresno, with quarterback David Carr guiding the offense, is making a case for a BCS berth. He's already been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. At first, this looks like another easy victory for the Bulldogs, but the Watcher likes Louisiana Tech's chances. Look for a close game and maybe an upset.

GOING COASTAL: Fresno State announced that it will no longer allow fans to mingle with the players on the field after home games. It had been a tradition at Fresno to let fans on the field to get autographs and meet the players, but that is no longer the case after the events of Sept. 11...A mild controversy has started over ESPN's decision to televise college games on Friday night, especially two involving Nevada Las Vegas and some involving Texas colleges. Those opposed to the telecasts say they interfere with high school games the same night. One high school coach says his team's attendance may be hurt by this Friday's UNLV game against BYU. "They're not going to have any recruits in the stands," said Kris Cinkovich of Las Vegas High. "All the high school players will be playing on Friday nights."