EXAMINER TOP 25
Separation weekend?
With three of the top four teams inactive last week, the only change in the top eight was LSU and Stanford exchanging places based on the Cardinal having impressive results behind QB Andrew Luck and LSU earning another lackluster win. Nebraska tumbled from No. 9 to No. 18 with a 9-6 loss to Texas A&M. There is a significant drop-off from the top 20 to the next five. Hard to find qualified candidates to fill out the bottom. Much will change this week as six top-10 teams play ranked teams. The matchups: Oregon-Arizona, Auburn-Alabama, Boise-Nevada and LSU-Arkansas.
| Team » Comment » Pvs Rank 1. Oregon (10-0) » RB James (ankle) is ready to roll against No. 19 Arizona » 1 2. Auburn (11-0) » In Iron Bowl, same scenario as ’09 with teams reversed » 2 3. Boise State (10-0) » Has outscored Nevada 500-210 in winning 10 straight » 3 4. TCU (11-0) » Utah’s comeback against S.D. State kept TCU afloat in BCS » 4 5. Stanford (10-1) » Win at Cal biggest margin (34 pts) in series in 80 years » 6 6. LSU (10-1) » At No. 10 Arkansas, Tigers can clinch a BCS bowl berth » 5 7. Wisconsin (10-1) » No Clay, no problem for the loaded Badgers’ backfield » 7 8. Ohio State (10-1) » Much at stake (including Rich Rod’s job?) vs. Michigan » 8 9. Alabama (9-2) » Bet the over in what promises to be an Iron Bowl shootout » 10 10. Arkansas (9-2) » LSU leads the annual Battle for the Golden Boot, 34-19 » 11 11. Michigan St. (10-1) » Will swallow hard, and root for Michigan to beat OSU » 12 12. Oklahoma St. (10-1) » Cowboys can get to Big 12 title game with win over OU » 13 13. Oklahoma (9-2) » Tie-breaker (BCS) will go their way with a win at OSU » 14 14. Virginia Tech (9-2) » Shades of 1995, when Hokies started 0-2, finished 10-2 » 15 15. S. Carolina (8-3) » At rival Clemson, esteemed Hardee’s Trophy at stake » 16 16. Missouri (9-2) » Nebraska must lose to Colorado to give Mizzou a shot » 17 17. Texas A&M (8-3) » Hottest team in the Big 12 has no chance to win title » 18 18. Nebraska (9-2) » Salty Pelini needs to vent on the Huskers’ inept offense » 9 19. Arizona (7-3) » After consecutive losses, Wildcats needed a week off » 20 20. Nevada (10-1) » A win over Boise State would make a 3-way tie in WAC » 22 21. N.C. State (8-3) » With win at Maryland, will play its first ACC title game » NR 22. Florida State (8-3) » After win at Maryland, will root for Terps vs. N.C. State » NR 23. Iowa (7-4) » Hawkeyes ruing home losses to Ohio State, Wisconsin » 21 24. No. Illinois (9-2) » MAC Daddy has won 8 straight, clinched MAC West » NR 25. Mississippi St. (7-4) » In ’09 Egg Bowl win, Mullen laid groundwork for ’10 » 25 |
HEATING UP
Stanford; Also » Virginia Tech, Texas A&M
COOLING DOWN
Nebraska; Also » Iowa, Mississippi State
TOP 25 GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 2 Auburn at No. 9 Alabama
For the second straight year, the Iron Bowl has big BCS title game ramifications as Alabama can end the national championship hopes of its archrival (Fri., 2:30 p.m, CBS). Last November, Auburn led undefeated Alabama deep into the fourth quarter before Greg McElroy threw a four-yard touchdown pass with 1:24 left, giving Alabama a 26-21 victory. This time it’s Auburn (11-0), led by Cam Newton, trying to win on the field of the rival Tide (9-2).
PLAYER TO WATCH
Colin Kaepernick, Nevada, QB
Locals are calling the game between No. 3 Boise State and No. 18 Nevada the biggest sports event in Reno since the 1910 heavyweight championship fight between Jim Jefferies and Jack Johnson. Whatever. To live up to the hype, Nevada will need more from its 6-foot-6 quarterback than it got last year in a 44-33 loss. Kaepernick completed 12-of-22 passes for 141 yards and rushed 16 times for 31 yards vs. Boise State last season.
STORYLINES
1. Iron Heisman » Last year, the Heisman Trophy was Alabama running back Mark Ingram’s to lose going into the Iron Bowl. His performance against Auburn wasn’t Heisman worthy (16 carries, 30 yards), but with the Crimson Tide winning, 26-21, he escaped damage. This year, the Heisman is Auburn quarterback Cam Newton’s to lose. With a Tigers’ victory, he would all but wrap up the award. But would a loss and a poor individual performance — coupled with the controversy concerning his recruitment from Blinn Junior College — open up consideration for Boise quarterback Kellen Moore, Oregon back LaMichael James or Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck?
2. Thanksgiving feast » The holiday weekend gives college football fans a chance to gorge on a cornucopia of games spread across three days. It all starts with the annual Thanksgiving night Texas-Texas A&M game. On Friday, games with BCS bowl implications begin with Pitt-West Virginia (noon), followed by Auburn-Alabama (2:30 p.m.), Colorado-Nebraska (3:30 p.m.), Arizona-Oregon (7 p.m.), and then, if you’re still conscious, Boise State-Nevada (10:15 p.m.). Saturday’s biggies include Michigan-Ohio State (noon), LSU-Arkansas (3:30 p.m.). N.C. State-Maryland (3:30 p.m.), and Oklahoma-Oklahoma State (8 p.m.).
3. Conference races » Five teams remain alive for the Big 12 title game, with Nebraska (North) and Oklahoma State (South) controlling their destiny. In the ACC, North Carolina State, with a win at Maryland, can capture the Atlantic Division and advance to the conference title game against Virginia Tech. In the jumbled Big East, a West Virginia win over Pitt would put UConn in control of its destiny. Three teams are alive in the Big Ten, with Wisconsin in the best shape. Florida International controls its destiny in the Sun Belt. Oregon can wrap up the Pac-10 with a victory over Arizona.
AREA INTELLIGENCE
MARYLAND
The Terps were eliminated from the ACC Atlantic race by Florida State, but there were many positives, including the play of the injury-riddled offensive line. Maryland (7-4, 4-3) now plays a spoiler role against N.C. State (8-3, 5-2), which will win the division with a victory. The Wolfpack beat the Terps last year, 38-31.
Up next » vs. N.C. State, Sat., 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
NAVY
In his final game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, QB Ricky Dobbs was sharp, completing 8-of-9 passes for 164 yards and rushing for 154 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-19 win over Arkansas State of the Sun Belt Conference. The Mids (8-3) have 20 days off before facing archrival Army (6-5).
Up next » vs. Army (Philadelphia), Dec. 11, 2:30 p.m. (CBS)
VIRGINIA TECH
RB Ryan Williams (Stonewall Jackson) ripped off a career-long 84-yard touchdown run as the Hokies won at Miami, 31-17, clinching a berth in the ACC Championship game for the fourth time in its six years of existence. Tech (9-2) will play either Florida State (8-3) or N.C. State (8-3) on Dec. 4 in Charlotte.
Up next » vs. Virginia, Sat., noon (ACC Network)
VIRGINIA
The Cavaliers’ frustrations in the ACC continued with a 17-14 loss to surging Boston College despite solid work by quarterback Marc Verica, who completed 31-of-49 passes for 284 yards. Virginia (4-7, 1-6) travels to rival Virginia Tech (9-2, 7-0) on Saturday. The Hokies have won six straight in the series.
Up next » at Virginia Tech, Sat., noon (ACC Network)
HOWARD
In an effort to snap their 26-game losing streak in the MEAC, the Bison took a 9-0 lead against visiting Delaware State. But the Howard defense was done in by the Hornets’ potent aerial combo of Anthony Glaud-to-Justin Wilson, which connected for four touchdowns in a 53-43 shootout victory. Howard finished the season 1-10.
Up next » Season complete
