EXAMINER TOP 25
No changes among the top 10
For the first time this year, the top 10 (actually the top 13) remained intact. The changes occurred at the bottom where in-again-out-again Miami and USC returned to the rankings with impressive victories. Northwestern, after finally pulling off an upset, makes its first appearance in the rankings. Tumbling out after losses were Utah, Florida and Kansas State. At the top, there is no indecision. It’s 15-13 win Saturday at Cal notwithstanding, Oregon has won its games more convincingly than Auburn. And both of the major-conference teams have played much tougher schedules than Boise State and TCU.
| Team » Comment » Pvs Rank 1. Oregon (10-0) » After close call at Cal, two weeks to prepare for Arizona » 1 2. Auburn (11-0) » Cecil Newton going to Iron Bowl in new Lamborghini » 2 3. Boise State (9-0) » Another solid performance by QB Moore vs. Idaho » 3 4. TCU (11-0) » Luster of Utah win took a hit this week » 4 5. LSU (9-1) » Dynamic CB Peterson should get an invitation to NYC » 5 6. Stanford (9-1) » Wins over Cal, OSU should get Cardinal to a BCS bowl » 6 7. Wisconsin (9-1) » 83 points vs. IU equals 573 pushups for Bucky Badger » 7 8. Ohio State (9-1) » Wisconsin must lose for Buckeyes to go to Rose Bowl » 8 9. Nebraska (9-1) » At Texas A&M, can lock up second straight Big 12 North » 9 10. Alabama (8-2) » Would a win over Auburn get Alabama to BCS bowl? » 10 11. Arkansas (8-2) » Would wins over MSU, LSU get Arkansas to BCS bowl? » 11 12. Michigan St. (9-1) » To feel Rosy, Spartans will root for Iowa to beat OSU » 12 13. Oklahoma St. (9-1) » The Cowboys control their destiny in the Big 12 South » 13 14. Oklahoma (8-2) » Final two are on the road at Baylor and at Oklahoma St. » 15 15. Virginia Tech (8-2) » Hokies are 22-2 in November over the last seven years » 18 16. S. Carolina (7-3) » The Old Ball Coach will make the SEC title game fun » 21 17. Missouri (8-2) » Gabbert had a nice bounce back against Kansas State » 20 18. Texas A&M (7-3) » Since Tannehill became QB, wins over TT, OU, Baylor » 25 19. USC (7-3) » Key to Barkley’s success — ignore all advice from Kiffin » NR 20. Arizona (7-3) » For second straight week, Wildcats defenseless vs. run » 16 21. Iowa (7-3) » In Evanston, Hawkeyes kissed Rose Bowl goodbye again » 14 22. Nevada (9-1) » Last time Nevada beat Fresno three straight was 1945-49 » 24 23. Miami (7-3) » QB Morris thriving. Is Harris turning into Wally Pipp? » NR 24. Northwestern (7-3) » QB Persa finally pulled off an upset, then tore Achilles » NR 25. Miss. State (7-3) » Five of the six teams in the loaded SEC West are ranked » 17 |
HEATING UP
Virginia Tech; Also » USC, Texas A&M
COOLING DOWN
Arizona; Also » Iowa, Mississippi St.
TOP 25 GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 8 Ohio State at No. 21 Iowa
The Buckeyes (9-1) have had a quiet season. The closest they’ve had to a quality victory was over Miami in Week 2, 36-24. When they had a chance for a signature win, they came up small at Wisconsin. Saturday at Iowa (ABC, 3:30 p.m.) is a chance to regain some lost cache, keep their Rose Bowl hopes alive, and showcase quarterback Terrell Pryor, who has completed 67.2 percent of his passes, a huge improvement from his 56.6 figure of a year ago.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M, QB
Since taking over for turnover-plagued Jerrod Johnson, Tannehill has led the No. 18 Aggies to consecutive wins over Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Baylor and 43.3 points per game. Saturday night against visiting No. 9 Nebraska, Tannehill gets his toughest test against the nation’s second-ranked pass defense (140.2 yards per game). The junior has completed 116 of 168 passes (69.3 percent) for 1,134 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.
STORYLINES
1. Boise’s elevation » Notre Dame’s 28-3 romp over Utah has removed some style points from TCU’s 47-7 victory the Utes. As a result, Boise State is inching closer to the Horned Frogs in the BCS standings and likely will overtake them if the Broncos defeat Nevada on Nov. 26, giving them the inside track to the BCS Championship game if No. 1 Oregon or No. 2 Auburn falls. There is some justification for Boise State to be ranked ahead of TCU, especially considering the Broncos’ 17-10 win last year in the Fiesta Bowl, and the fact that Boise State returned 21 of 22 starters.
2. Newton’s law » One of the most bizarre scenes of the season played out Saturday at No. 2 Auburn, where there was uncertainty over whether the Tigers would suit up quarterback Cam Newton, whose father, Cecil, is alleged to have made pay-for-play demands during his son’s recruitment from junior college. As Newton emerged from the tunnel before warm-ups, fans roared their approval and Newton slapped hands with those in the front rows. Then he led the Tigers to their sixth comeback win, 49-31, over Georgia, completing 12 of 15 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns, and rushing 30 times for 151 yards and two more scores.
3. Conference races » Several teams remain alive for major conference title games. In the ACC Atlantic, Florida State, Maryland and N.C. State are tied. The Big 12 South is up for grabs between Oklahoma St., Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin are tied in the Big Ten in their battle for a Rose Bowl berth. In smaller conferences, despite a losing record, Florida International (4-5) took a giant step toward the Sun Belt with a win over Troy. In the MAC East the next two weeks, Temple plays Ohio and Miami (Ohio). All three are tied for the division lead.
AREA INTELLIGENCE
MARYLAND
Freshmen Danny O’Brien (17 of 28, 289 yards) and D.J. Adams (three TDs rushing) starred as Maryland (7-3, 4-2) ended its three-game losing streak to Virginia, 42-23. With wins over Florida State (7-3, 5-2) and N.C. State (7-3, 4-2) at home, the Terps would play in the ACC title game for the first time.
Up next » vs. Florida State, Sat., 8 p.m. (ABC)
NAVY
With senior QB Ricky Dobbs (concussion) out, junior Kriss Proctor (20 carries, 201 yards) gave the Midshipmen a peek at the future in a 38-37 win over Central Michigan. Navy (7-3) has clinched its eighth straight winning season, its longest streak since it had 10 straight winning seasons (1952-61).
Up next » vs. Arkansas State, Sat., 3:30 p.m. (CBSCS)
VIRGINIA TECH
Senior QB Tyrod Taylor threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns, leading Tech (8-2, 6-0) to its eighth straight win, 26-10, at North Carolina. With a victory over Miami or Virginia, the Hokies will capture the ACC Coastal and play in the conference title game for the fourth time in the six-year history of the event.
Up next » at Miami, Sat., 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
VIRGINIA
Leaky pass defense, 16 penalties for 145 yards and two fourth-quarter interceptions by QB Marc Verica doomed the Cavaliers in a 42-23 loss to Maryland, their 12th straight November defeat. Virginia (4-6, 1-5) needs wins at BC (5-5, 3-4) and rival Virginia Tech (8-2, 6-0) to avoid its third straight losing season.
Up next » vs. Boston College, Sat., noon (ESPNU)
HOWARD
Sophomore QB Terry Bradden threw three touchdown passes in the second half as the Bison fought hard against undefeated Bethune-Cookman, before dropping their 26th straight in the MEAC, 35-20. Howard (1-9, 0-7) has one last chance to end the streak Saturday at home against Delaware State (2-8, 1-6).
Up next » vs. Delaware State, Sat., 1 p.m.
