EXAMINER TOP 25
Boise State tumbles to No. 11
The question this week: How far does Boise State fall after losing for the first time in two seasons? We moved the Broncos down eight slots, just in front of No. 12 Virginia Tech, which Boise State beat three months ago. LSU drops just four notches after a quality loss to Arkansas, which jumps from No. 10 to No. 7. West Virginia and Maryland entered the rankings, and it’s easy to slot them, considering the Mountaineers’ 31-17 win over the Terps in September. Oregon and Auburn remain Nos. 1 and 2 respectively. Oregon has won in more impressive fashion. But Auburn has beaten better teams, including five that are ranked.
| Team » Comment » Pvs Rank 1. Oregon (11-0) » Can Border War be as thrilling as Alabama-Auburn? » 1 2. Auburn (12-0) » In a spectacular Iron Bowl, Newton had the last laugh » 2 3. TCU (12-0) » Patterson should be consultant for defenses of OSU, SC » 4 4. Wisconsin (11-1) » Badgers are a machine, regardless who is in backfield » 7 5. Stanford (11-1) » With 51-32 loss to Oregon, no legit claim to BCS final » 5 6. Ohio State (11-1) » Trip to Sugar Bowl vs. Arkansas not a bad consolation » 8 7. Arkansas (9-2) » In November beat three ranked SEC foes, two on road » 10 8. Michigan St. (11-1) » First Big Ten title in 20 years, first 11-win season ever » 11 9. Oklahoma (10-2) » Just like old times — Nebraska-OU in Big 12 title game » 13 10. LSU (10-2) » After loss to Ark., Tigers bound for Cotton or Outback » 6 11. Boise State (10-1) » Poor Brotzman is to Broncos what Bartman is to Cubs » 3 12. Va. Tech (10-2) » Good ACC final matchup — Taylor vs. FSU defense » 14 13. S. Carolina (9-3) » Upset of No. 1 Alabama was huge. Can SC do it again? » 15 14. Alabama (9-3) » In Iron Bowl, would have buried Auburn w/o fumbles » 9 15. Nevada (11-1) » Wolf Pack made Broncos’ final MWC game memorable » 20 16. Oklahoma St. (10-2) » Bedlam indeed in 47-41 shootout loss to Oklahoma » 12 17. Missouri (10-2) » With defense, dominated archrival Kansas (141 yards) » 16 18. Texas A&M (9-3) » Gray (223 yards rushing) ended bowl hopes of Texas » 17 19. Nebraska (10-2) » Fiesta Bowl at stake as Nebraska faces old rival OU » 18 20. Florida St. (9-3) » Only thing ‘wide’ about win at Swamp was the margin » 22 21. No. Illinois (10-2) » Averaged 65.0 points in three MAC wins in November » 24 22. Miss. State (8-4) » Recovery in Egg Bowl could get ’Dogs to Chick-Fil-A » 25 23. West Virginia (8-3) » Won a one-sided Backyard Brawl at Pittsburgh » NR 24. Maryland (8-4) » Terps were predicted to finish last in the ACC Atlantic » NR 25. Arizona (7-4) » No quality wins and three straight losses in November » 19 |
HEATING UP
Arkansas; Also » Virginia Tech, Wisconsin
COOLING DOWN
Boise State; Also » LSU,Arizona
TOP 25 GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 1 Oregon at Oregon State
In the Civil War, can inconsistent Oregon State (5-6) muster up a challenge for its archrival and knock Oregon (11-0) out of the BCS title picture? The Beavers have been hamstrung by the loss of WR James Rodgers (knee) but still have his brother, RB Jacquizz Rodgers (1,094 yards, 14 TD), who has led OSU to some quality wins at home, beating USC 36-7 and California 35-7, teams that Oregon struggled to subdue on the road.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina, RB
When the freshman — compared in high school to Herschel Walker — was signed, it was a recruiting coup that vaulted South Carolina to contender status in the SEC. Against Auburn (12-0) in the SEC Championship on Saturday, Lattimore and the Gamecocks (9-3) try to pull off their second huge upset this season after handing then-No. 1 Alabama its first loss. Lattimore (6-foot, 218 pounds) has rushed for 1,114 yards and 17 TDs.
STORYLINES
1. Conference championship games » This weekend brings conference title games with a wide variety of significance. In the SEC Championship, South Carolina can knock Auburn out of the national title game. In the ACC Championship game, Virginia Tech and Florida State are playing for a berth in the Orange Bowl. In the Big 12 final, Nebraska and Oklahoma are playing for a Fiesta Bowl berth. In the Conference USA final, revived SMU plays Central Florida with the winner likely bound for the Liberty Bowl. The Humanitarian Bowl is the prize for the MAC title game, which pits Northern Illinois and Miami (Ohio).
2. Better than the hype? » Friday’s holiday feast of games with BCS Championship implications lived up to the billing. Auburn showed true grit, Oregon won in trademark fashion and Boise State was upset. Auburn’s 28-27 victory at Alabama, a game in which it trailed 24-0, was the signature road victory that completed its resume and stamped Cam Newton as the best player in the nation. Glitzy Oregon followed with another track meet win 49-28 over Arizona. Then late Friday, Nevada came from behind to stun Boise State 34-31 as Broncos kicker Kyle Brotzman missed two field goal tries from inside 30 yards — one to win and another to in overtime.
3. TCU to Big East » Boise State’s loss to Nevada left TCU to champion the cause of teams from non-BCS conferences. But TCU, which completed its second straight undefeated regular season on Saturday, will not wear the non-automatic qualifier mantle for much longer. On Monday, it accepted an invitation to join the Big East effective 2012-13. TCU’s departure from the Mountain West weakens the conference further after the loss of Utah, which will join the Pac-10 next year, and BYU, which will go independent. It also hurts Boise State, Nevada and Fresno State, teams that are fleeing the WAC for the Mountain West.
AREA INTELLIGENCE
MARYLAND
The Terrapins’ 38-31 victory over N.C. State was their first over a ranked team in more than two years and left them at 8-4 with a chance to play in one of the more attractive ACC bowls, including the Champs Sports (Orlando, Fla.), the Meineke Car Care (Charlotte, N.C.) or the Music City (Nashville, Tenn.).
Up next » Bowl game, TBA
NAVY
The Midshipmen (8-3) get the national TV stage to themselves for their 111th meeting with Army (6-5) as they try to extend their series-record eight-game win streak. It is the first time since 1996 that both teams enter with winning records and the first time in history that all three service academy teams are bowl eligible.
Up next » vs. Army (Philadelphia), Dec. 11, 2:30 p.m. (CBS)
VIRGINIA TECH
Riding a 10-game streak, the Hokies (10-2) play Florida State (9-3) in the ACC Championship, with the winner going to the Orange Bowl. FSU has won 13 of the last 14 meetings, including a 27-22 victory in the inaugural ACC title game (2005). The Hokies have won three crowns since joining the ACC in 2004.
Up next » vs. Florida State (Charlotte, N.C.), Sat., 7:45 p.m. (ESPN)
WILLIAM & MARY
The Tribe (8-3) open their FCS title quest with a round of 16 playoff game against Georgia Southern (8-4), which has rebounded under rookie coach and former Navy assistant Jeff Monken, who runs the triple-option. Georgia Southern has won more 1-AA titles (six) than any school. W&M reached the semifinals last year.
Up next » vs. Ga. Southern, Sat., 1:30 p.m.
SHEPHERD
Tommy Addison (Quince Orchard) scored on a 72-yard run, Keon Robinson (Lake Braddock) scored on a 97-yard KO return and Maurice Perry (Gar-Field) scored on a 32-yard interception return, all in the second half, as Shepherd (11-1) won at Kutztown 41-34 to advance to the Super Region 1 final (Division 2 quarterfinals).
Up next » at Mercyhurst (Pa.), Sat. noon
