EXAMINER TOP 25
LSU now top one-loss team
Before it was exposed by TCU, some had Utah as high as No. 5 in the nation. But we never bought in, keeping them at No. 10 and now dropping them to No. 22. The top four teams remain unchanged. By virtue of its win over Alabama, LSU replaces the Tide at No. 5. There is a lack of quality at the bottom as Kansas State, Texas A&M, and Nevada enter the rankings. No. 15 Oklahoma and No. 16 Arizona were beaten soundly, but drop only two and four slots respectively because of a lack of quality teams to move up.
| Team » Comment » Pvs Rank 1. Oregon (9-0) » Injury to QB Riley reduces Cal’s chance of an upset » 1 2. Auburn (10-0) » Allegations, schmallegations. QB Newton still rockin’ » 2 3. Boise State (8-0) » Overwhelming performance by QB Moore vs. Hawaii » 3 4. TCU (10-0) » At Utah, QB Dalton looked like a Heisman candidate » 4 5. LSU (8-1) » Ringo Starr is to music what Les Miles is to coaching » 9 6. Stanford (8-1) » Cardinal have scored at least 31 points in every game » 8 7. Wisconsin (8-1) » Add sophomore Ball to Badgers’ wealth of RB talent » 6 8. Ohio State (8-1) » Wisconsin must lose for Buckeyes to go to Rose Bowl » 7 9. Nebraska (8-1) » Sniffed out ISU’s fake to keep BCS bowl hopes alive » 11 10. Alabama (7-2) » Title hopes are dead, but a BCS bowl still a possibility » 5 11. Arkansas (7-2) » Handed South Carolina it’s worst home loss in 5 years » 15 12. Michigan St. (9-1) » To feel Rosy, Spartans will root for Iowa to beat OSU » 18 13. Oklahoma St. (8-1) » Cowboys’ 725 yards vs. Baylor was a program record » 19 14. Iowa (7-2) » To get to Rose Bowl, Hawks need a Wisconsin loss » 14 15. Oklahoma (7-2) » Will season finale with OSU decide the Big 12 South? » 13 16. Arizona (7-2) » At Stanford, Wildcats needed a lot more than QB Foles » 12 17. Miss. State (7-2) » After a bye, are Bulldogs catching ’Bama at right time? » 20 18. Virginia Tech (7-2) » Hokies are 21-2 in November over the last seven years » 22 19. Florida (6-3) » With Rainey in the lineup, the Gators are undefeated » NR 20. Missouri (7-2) » Gabbert (12 of 30, 95 yards) struggled vs. Texas Tech » 17 21. S. Carolina (6-3) » Can still get SEC title game berth with win in Swamp » 16 22. Utah (8-1) » TCU rattled Wynn (16 of 35, 148 yards) in 47-7 rout » 10 23. Kansas State (6-3) » Wildcats are bowl eligible for the first time since 2006 » NR 24. Nevada (8-1) » Pack rolled to a record 844 yards of offense at Idaho » NR 25. Texas A&M (6-3) » LB Hodges a one-man ‘Wrecking Crew’ in upset of OU » NR |
HEATING UP
Oklahoma State; Also » TCU, Arkansas
COOLING DOWN
Oklahoma; Also » Alabama, Missouri
TOP 25 GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 21 South Carolina at No. 19 Florida
Game will decide the weak SEC East and who goes to the SEC title game. For South Carolina (6-3, 4-3), coming off a 41-20 loss to home to Arkansas, this will be its biggest game since it entered the SEC in 1992. The Gamecocks have lost 19 of their last 20 against Gators. Florida (6-3, 4-3) has recovered from a three-game losing streak, and its offense is humming with RB/WR Chris Rainey back in the lineup after a five-game suspension.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State, RB
Belying his size and youth, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound freshman has been a workhorse for the Aztecs (7-2), carrying 188 times for 1,044 yards. San Diego State will look to Hillman often as it travels to No. 4 TCU, hoping to catch the Horned Frogs in a trap game after their 47-7 romp at Utah. Hillman has been at his best in the Aztecs’ toughest games, carrying for 228 yards in a near-upset of Missouri and 191 yards as SDS toppled Air Force.
STORYLINES
1. Mountainous statement » It was supposed to be a clash of Mountain West superpowers. Instead, it was a powerful demonstration of the strength of TCU, which dismantled Utah, 47-7, behind quarterback Andy Dalton and a swarming defense. With the win, the Horned Frogs jumped Boise State in the BCS standings, where they will likely stay, provided they remain undefeated. The juxtaposition is frustrating to Boise, a winner over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl in January and undefeated ever since. The Horned Frogs are now positioned for a berth in the BCS title game if either No. 1 Oregon or No. 2 Auburn falls.
2. Paterno’s milestone » Penn State delivered venerable coach Joe Paterno his 400th win and did it in dramatic fashion, rallying from 21 points down to beat Northwestern 35-21. It was the Nittany Lions’ biggest comeback at home in 45 years under Paterno, the winningest coach in FBS history. The victory is part of an offensive resurgence for Penn State (6-3). In winning three straight, the Nittany Lions have scored 109 points. On Saturday, PSU got 528 yards of offense, four touchdown passes from QB Matt McGloin, and a combined 265 yards rushing from Evan Royster (Westfield High) and Silas Redd.
3. Down goes ’Bama » There was considerable speculation that Alabama would vault non-automatic qualifiers TCU and Boise State in the BCS standings if it could win the SEC championship. But that will not happen after the Crimson Tide’s loss to LSU on Saturday. Now the question is, can LSU or another one-loss team get into the title-game mix? It’s unlikely to happen for LSU because the Tigers would need Auburn to lose twice to get into the SEC title game. The only other team with a chance to vault an undefeated might be Nebraska if it can win the Big 12 title.
AREA INTELLIGENCE
MARYLAND
The Terps had a chance to take sole possession of first place in the ACC Atlantic, but lost at Miami, 26-20. It was their seventh straight November defeat. Maryland (6-3, 3-2) still controls its destiny as it will face Florida State (6-3, 4-2) and North Carolina State (6-3, 3-2) at home in the final two weeks.
Up next » at Virginia, Sat., 3:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
NAVY
The Midshipmen qualified for the Poinsettia Bowl in a big way, thrashing East Carolina, 76-35, behind FB Alexander Teich (14 carries, 157 yards) and QB Ricky Dobbs, who rushed for 100 yards and threw two touchdown passes. Next up is Central Michigan (3-7). Navy won the only meeting, 63-34, in 2003.
Up next » Central Michigan, Sat., 3:30 p.m. (CBSCSN)
VIRGINIA TECH
David Wilson lit up Lane Stadium with a 90-yard kickoff return for the winning TD with 2:23 left as the Hokies got past Georgia Tech, 28-21. Wilson and Bruce Taylor (14 tackles, 2 sacks) were named ACC players of the week. Tech (7-2, 5-0) can take a giant step toward the ACC title game Saturday at UNC.
Up next » at North Carolina, Sat., 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
VIRGINIA
The Cavaliers failed to stop Duke on fourth-and-20 and the Devils went on to score the winning touchdown with 40 seconds left in a deflating 55-48 defeat. Virginia (4-5, 1-4) tries to rebound against Maryland. In winning the last three meetings, the Cavs have held the Terps without a TD in the last 10 quarters.
Up next » Maryland, Sat., 3:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
GEORGETOWN
After a bye, the Hoyas (3-6) try to snap their five-game losing streak Saturday against visiting Lehigh (7-2, 3-0), the only team without a conference loss in the Patriot League. Since joining the conference in 2001, the Hoyas have never beaten the Mountain Hawks, outscoring them 383-86 in nine games.
Up next » Lehigh, Sat., 1 p.m.
