• Florida senior MLB Brandon Spikes, after initially being suspended for the first half of this week's Vanderbilt game, requested to serve a full-game suspension after all the negative publicity that has resulted after he apparently tried to gouge the eyes of Georgia RB Washaun Ealey, which did not draw a penalty but was caught by a network TV camera. What has not been as publicized was how the runner tried to gouge Spikes earlier in the game, which was never caught on TV cameras, in what was a very high-spirited, rivalry contest filled with emotion. Evaluators, who already had some questions about Spikes' overall character, are not concerned about the incident. Fifth-year senior Ryan Stamper, who has been playing well and could warrant late-round draft attention, is slated to replace Spikes for the game.

• Kansas State KR-WR Brandon Banks broke the Big 12 record for career kickoff returns for TDs and tied a school record for all-purpose yards against Oklahoma, when the 160-pound blazer with 4.22 speed returned his fifth kick, breaking the record of Perrish Cox (Oklahoma State), who currently has four. Bannks finished with 351 all-purpose yards in the 42-30 loss to the Sooners and, like Ravens 2007 third-rounder Yamon Figurs, could warrant mid-round interest for his special-teams ability.

• Ohio State senior PK Aaron Pettrey tore a ligament in his right knee in the 45-0 win over New Mexico State last week and will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery Tuesday. Entering the season as one of the nation's top kicking prospects, he finished 13-of-19 on field goals this season, missing four inside 40, but connecting on all four between 40-49 and 2of-4 beyond 50. The ability to strike from long range should still warrant an opportunity in the pros.

• Washington QB Jake Locker suffered a deep thigh bruise early against Oregon and despite resting during the bye week, remains a game-time decision against a struggling UCLA team this week. Locker, behind a porous offensive line, has been on the run all season and has not been able to settle down as much as Steve Sarkisian would like. In football, more than any other sport, it is more difficult to evaluate players and their production in a vacuum, given how important the other 10 players often are to the overall success of an offense. Anyone who studies the tape can see how handcuffed Locker has been with so little talent around him. Despite less than eye-popping statistics, he is as impressive of a talent as any quarterback in college football.

• Northwestern senior QB Mike Kafka suffered a left hamstring injury on a run in the second quarter against Penn State last week that forced him to the sideline for the rest of the game, but he is expected to return against undefeated Iowa this week. The senior, who leads the team in passing, has shown enough this season in his first year as a starter to warrant late-round draft interest.

• Notre Dame junior WR Michael Floyd was expected to miss the rest of the season after breaking his collarbone in the third game against Michigan State, but after being cleared by doctors, the big, standout receiver is slated to return against Navy this week. Floyd was leading the nation in receiving yards prior to his injury, and fellow junior Golden Tate has really emerged in his absence, giving Jimmy Clausen arguably the most talented 1-2 receiving punch in college football.

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