College football̢۪s eight-team playoff begins Saturday.

Don̢۪t bother filling in any brackets or arguing about seeding. This is a BCS-style playoff. There are few absolutes and many questions.

A few things to keep in mind, courtesy of CollegeBCS.com founder Jerry Palm:

Penn State is not in danger of being jumped by a one-loss Florida, Georgia or Oklahoma. Only once has an undefeated major-conference team been denied a spot in the BCS title game (Auburn in 2004), and the Big Ten actually ranks second to the Big 12 in Jeff Sagarin̢۪s computer rankings. The reason: The SEC lacks impressive nonconference victories.

The Nittany Lions do need help — an Alabama defeat or losses by both Texas and Texas Tech.

Oklahoma needs both Texas and Texas Tech to lose. Why? Because if the Sooners don̢۪t win the Big 12 South to reach the conference title game, they have almost no shot at the Big One.

1. Texas (8-0)

Nuts and bolts: Most figured the Longhorns would sputter after upsetting top-ranked Oklahoma. Wrong. Texas followed the Red River romp by beating two more ranked foes, Missouri and Oklahoma State.

Danger ahead: Stiffest test comes Saturday at No. 7 Texas Tech, which is averaging nearly seven touchdowns a game. One writer calls the prime-time showdown the biggest thing to hit West Texas since irrigation.

Bottom line: Survive Texas Tech, and the Longhorns can breathe again. Final three opponents are Baylor, Kansas and Texas A & M. Then a possible rematch with Mizzou in the Big 12 title game.

2. Alabama (8-0)

Nuts and bolts: Started 24th and got huge boost by downing since-discredited Clemson. Offense ranks only 60th nationally, but rushing defense is second to one (TCU). Crimson Tide barely beat Kentucky (17-14) and Ole Miss (24-20).

Danger ahead: Only remaining ranked opponent is LSU, with teams meeting Nov. 8 in Baton Rouge. Also face Arkansas State, Mississippi State and Auburn before SEC title game vs. Florida or Georgia.

Bottom line: If Alabama were Big Ten property, Southerners would be slamming the Tide as overrated.

3. Penn State (9-0)

Nuts and bolts: Started 22nd but gained legitimacy with romps over USC-killer Oregon State and Wisconsin. Played almost flawlessly (zero turnovers, zero penalties) in sneaking past Ohio State.

Danger ahead: Nov. 8 trip to Iowa and Nov. 22 game versus Michigan State won̢۪t be easy. Date vs. Indiana will. No conference title game to trip over.

Bottom line: The Nittany Lions are smart, efficient and tough. Joe Paterno can see that from the sideline — or the press box. But they need Alabama or Texas to lose.

4. Oklahoma (7-1)

Nuts and bolts: Hasn̢۪t scored fewer than 35 points in a game and dropped 55 (!) in the first half against Kansas State. Defense, especially secondary, is nothing to crow about.

Danger ahead: After playing host to Nebraska and traveling to Texas A & M, Sooners face two ranked foes — Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.

Bottom line: Loss to Texas makes Sooners long shots for Big 12 title game.

5. USC (6-1)

Nuts and bolts: Six impressive victories, one shocking defeat, no mulligans. This ain̢۪t the NFL. Trojans tout the nation̢۪s stingiest defense in points (8.1 points per game) and yards (215.6).

Danger ahead: More like cruise control. Three of five remaining opponents are respectable (Cal, Notre Dame and UCLA) but none is ranked.

Bottom line: Probably need Penn State and Alabama to lose. Computers rank USC sixth, and pummeling the likes of Washington won̢۪t help.

6. Georgia (7-1)

Nuts and bolts: Preseason No. 1 fell behind 31-0 to Alabama and could not get up. Stud back Knowshon Moreno has topped 160 yards in two straight games, in perfect time to face …

Danger ahead: Florida. After that, Georgia faces Kentucky, Auburn and Georgia Tech. The Florida-Georgia winner is destined to play Alabama in the league title game.

Bottom line: It would be hard to deny the SEC champ a spot in the title game. At least in theory.

7. Texas Tech (8-0)

Nuts and bolts: Who needs defense or 100-yard rushers? Texas Tech̢۪s aerial assault is producing 418.4 yards per game. But Red Raiders have yet to play a top-20 ranked foe.

Danger ahead: Here comes the Grim Reaper: a showdown with No. 1 Texas, followed by a home date with No. 9 Oklahoma State. Then, following a week off, a visit to fourth-ranked Oklahoma.

Bottom line: Non-conference schedule was a joke, but three straight victories over top-10 teams would more than compensate.

8. Florida (6-1)

Nuts and bolts: Just like USC … six blowout wins, one stinging defeat (31-30 to Ole Miss). As good as Tim Tebow is, it’s Florida’s defense (11.9 points per game) that drives the Gators.

Danger ahead: Georgia̢۪s the red-level threat. But the Gators can̢۪t nod off against Vanderbilt, South Carolina or Florida State.

Bottom line: In same position as Georgia. Could win the SEC title game and lose out to Penn State and the Big 12 champ.

By Teddy Greenstein / McClatchy Tribune