TOP 25
Top 10 teams remain the same
For the first time this year, the top 10 remains intact. But after that there was much change. Starting with No. 12, the next six ranked teams lost, leaving a major gap and allowing teams such as Oklahoma State, Wisconsin and Penn State to vault five slots each. Virginia Tech jumped seven slots, largely by default. Clemson and Stanford, both on impressive rolls, jumped all the way to No. 17 and No. 18 respectively after not being ranked. Many other teams are worthy of being ranked, including Nebraska, Mississippi, West Virginia, Oregon State, BYU, Rutgers and Houston.
| No. | Team (Record) | Comment | Pvs. |
| 1 | Florida (10-0) | With Tebow, destined to win ugly all the way to another title? | 1 |
| 2 | Texas (10-0) | Nebraska only Big 12 North team that can challenge Horns | 2 |
| 3 | Alabama (10-0) | The Tide will roll as far as Ingram, defense can carry them | 3 |
| 4 | TCU (10-0) | BCS, what is so hard about Plus-One? Can we get an Amen? | 4 |
| 5 | Cincinnati (10-0) | Still spotless, but Bearcats are limping to the finish line | 5 |
| 6 | Boise State (10-0) | Moore having a nice year against junior varsity competition | 6 |
| 7 | Georgia Tech (10-1) | How many teams will be running the triple option in 2010? | 7 |
| 8 | LSU (8-2) | Nation’s longest winning streak (23) vs. non-conference foes | 8 |
| 9 | Pittsburgh (9-1) | QB Stull, RB Lewis, WR Baldwin a nice triple threat | 9 |
| 10 | Ohio State (9-2) | Buckeyes going to Rose Bowl, regardless of Michigan result | 10 |
| 11 | Oregon (7-2) | Nov. 21 at No. 16 Arizona could be for Pac-10 title | 11 |
| 12 | Iowa (9-2) | Proved more in losing at Ohio St. than they did in winning | 15 |
| 13 | Oklahoma State (8-2) | Lavine leads NCAA LBs in INTs (five); biggest came Sat. | 18 |
| 14 | Wisconsin (8-2) | The 45 points were most ever for Badgers vs. Michigan | 19 |
| 15 | Penn State (9-2) | Beat IU with another huge play by LB Bowman (Suitland) | 20 |
| 16 | Virginia Tech (7-3) | Beamer’s lament: We coulda, shoulda been a contender | 23 |
| 17 | Clemson (7-3) | Loaded Tigers have won five straight, averaging 42 ppg | NR |
| 18 | Stanford (7-3) | Scored 106 points the last two weeks vs. Oregon, USC | NR |
| 19 | Utah (8-2) | TCU’s 55 points the most allowed by Utes since 1996 | 13 |
| 20 | USC (7-3) | Remains in the rankings by virtue of win at Ohio State | 12 |
| 21 | Temple (8-2) | More quick-strike potential with QB Stewart (DeMatha) | 22 |
| 22 | California (7-3) | Is it too late for Bears to salvage a good season gone bad? | NR |
| 23 | Miami (7-3) | The young Hurricanes’ time will come next year | 17 |
| 24 | Navy (8-3) | Despite missing two games, QB Dobbs leads NCAA in TDs | 25 |
| 25 | North Carolina (7-3) | If Clemson’s not the hottest team in the ACC, UNC is | NR |
HEATING UP
Clemson » Tigers have top-10 talent. Now they’re finally showing it with five straight wins.
Also » Stanford, UNC, Pitt
COOLING DOWN
USC » After seven straight BCS bowls, defenseless Trojans will have to settle for a Weed-Eater Bowl.
Also » Houston, Arizona, USF
TOP 25 GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 11 Oregon at Arizona
You know it’s a wacky season in the Pac-10 when “College Gameday” is heading to Tucson … and it’s not for basketball. The Wildcats’ offense, led by quarterback Nick Foles, has been impressive all year, but they hit a bump in the road in a loss at Cal. That puts some doubt into whether they can rebound and keep up with Oregon’s well-oiled machine. The Ducks continued to show off its offense, rolling over Arizona State by a 23-point margin. The winner of this one is in the driver’s seat for a Rose Bowl bid.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
In a year with no true Heisman standout, big-time performances late in the season could pave the way for someone to rise to the top. Well, Spiller did all he could to put his name in the headlines and place his team in the ACC Championship Game. The Clemson running back ran for a touchdown, caught one and threw one in a 43-23 win over North Carolina State. In all, Spiller totaled 97 yards rushing on 18 carries and had three catches for 48 yards. His second career touchdown pass gave Clemson a 17-0 lead. The Tigers can clinch the Atlantic Division with a win over Virginia. And if they do, Spiller will be a reason why.
STORY LINES
1. Word to the Weis » Charlie Weis has gone from BCS potential to the potential of being out of a job. With back-to-back losses against Navy and Pittsburgh, the Notre Dame head coach is on thin ice. His tenure hasn’t been disastrous, but in South Bend, expectations are through the roof. A 35-25 record in four-plus seasons may not cut it. The next two games are must-wins for the Fighting Irish — but they’re anything but easy. They face UConn next Saturday and finish up with the season finale in Palo Alto against a surging Stanford Cardinal squad that is taking down Pac-10 powers one at a time. Based on how Notre Dame has played lately — Weis could be facing the wrath of an uninspiring 6-6 record.
2. Believe in the Frogs » TCU may be a member of the Mountain West Conference — not one of the major power leagues. But by watching them, they have all the potential to compete with the big boys. The Horned Frogs dominated Utah at home, 55-28, last week. And in a game where the school was placed on the national stage, they came through in impressive fashion. Head coach Gary Patterson has led the Frogs to No. 4 in the polls and with their last major test out of the way, a BCS bowl bid seems likely. The BCS title game is a possibility, although a couple of unlikely scenarios — the main one being a Texas loss — must happen to fulfill that.
3. Cardinal Rule » Oregon, Arizona and Stanford remain in the hunt for the Pac-10 championship. USC, on the other hand, does not. By giving up 55 points to the Cardinal on Saturday, the Trojans now have yielded 111 points over their last three games — the worst three-game stretch in school history. Stanford, on the other hand, may be the hottest team in the conference thanks to a freshman quarterback and a once-unheralded running back. Andrew Luck has thrown for 13 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Toby Gerhart scored three touchdowns and had 178 yards on 29 carries against USC. Could he be the first Stanford Heisman finalist since John Elway?
AREA INTELLIGENCE
MARYLAND
With losses in their final two games, the struggling 2009 Terps (2-8) would become the first team in the 108-year history of the program to have double-digit defeats in a season. Maryland plays at Florida State (5-5) on Saturday before returning home for Senior Day against Boston College (7-3).
NAVY
After playing 11 straight weeks, the No. 24 Midshipmen (8-3) get a bye. They resume Nov. 28 at Hawaii (4-6), where Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo played quarterback and began his coaching career. Then Navy will take another week off before facing Army (4-6), Dec. 12, in Philadelphia.
VIRGINIA
Boston College got its first road win of the season Saturday in Charlottesville, 14-10. The Cavaliers (3-7) are shut out of bowl consideration and assured of their third losing season in the last four years. With a win Saturday at Clemson (7-3), Virginia could knock the Tigers out of the ACC title game.
VIRGINIA TECH
With their fifth straight win over Maryland, the Hokies (7-3) clinched their 17th straight winning season under Frank Beamer. To notch their sixth straight year with double-digit wins, the Hokies must prevail Saturday against visiting N.C. State (4-6), at Virginia (3-7) and in their bowl game.
GEORGETOWN
Since the program was established in 1887, the Hoyas (0-10) have never had a winless season. They’ll get their final chance to avoid infamy Saturday against visiting Fordham (4-6). Among those playing their final home game on Saturday are RB Charlie Houghton and DB Travis Mack.
