ST. LOUIS (AP) — The National League Championship Series is coming to St. Louis for the seventh time since 2000, and the city is clearing some parking space. The Cardinals and Giants split the first two games in San Francisco. The next three games are in St. Louis Wednesday through Friday. If necessary, the final two games would be back in California. Today’s (Wednesday’s) game is scheduled to start shortly after 3 p.m. Central time. City Treasurer Larry Williams says overtime parking violations will not be enforced at meters in parts of downtown near Busch Stadium — specifically in the area bounded by Tucker, Chouteau, Locust and the Mississippi River. All other regulations will be enforced.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Bill O’Brien allowed himself to relax a little for his first weekend without a football game in nearly two months — but only briefly. After taking his wife out for a nice dinner, it was back to the work early the next day for Penn State’s coach. Following an off week, the Nittany Lions want to keep the momentum of a four-game winning streak rolling into this weekend’s tough trip to Iowa. Both teams enter this weekend’s tilt with identical records (4-2, 2-0 Big Ten). A win Saturday for Penn State, coupled with a victory by No. 7 Ohio State over Purdue, would set up a high-stakes showdown on Oct. 27 for first place in the Leaders Division. But the Nittany Lions vow they’re only concentrating on Iowa.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — There isn’t much evidence to suggest that Iowa is all that good this season. The Hawkeyes are resilient, though. In the Big Ten in 2012, that might be enough. An Iowa team that has looked awful at times is tied for first place in the Legends Division heading into Saturday night’s home game with Penn State (4-2, 2-0 Big Ten). Iowa (4-2, 2-2) has proven to be a mentally tough bunch, a trait that’s allowed them to overcome more than a few shortcomings.

The second half of the season couldn’t arrive fast enough for the Big Ten Conference. With most everyone having six games under their belts, the official second half of the season is beginning this week. That offers the Big Ten a chance to move on from a fairly dreadful showing in the nonconference portion of the season and start building some momentum toward the bowl games.

Teams like Michigan, Iowa and Wisconsin appear to be rebounding after some early struggles. The Wolverines were thumped by Alabama and the Hawkeyes suffered an embarrassing loss to Central Michigan. But both are 2-0 in conference play, while the Badgers are in position to represent the Leaders Division in the Big Ten championship game because Penn State and Ohio State are ineligible.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa running back Mark Weisman’s status for Saturday’s game against Penn State is uncertain after he sprained his right ankle in last week’s double-overtime win over Michigan State. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says Weisman had an MRI performed on Monday that didn’t reveal anything serious. But Ferentz says Weisman would have to make a lot of progress to play against the Nittany Lions. Weisman leads the Hawkeyes (4-2, 2-0 Big Ten) with 631 yards rushing and eight touchdowns despite not starting until the fourth game of the season. Sophomore running back Damon Bullock is also likely to miss his fourth straight game because of recurring symptoms from a head injury. Freshman Greg Garmon is scheduled to start for the Hawkeyes.