Top 10 Rewind:
1. Ohio State (12-0) and 2. Michigan (11-1)
Check out the recap of the Buckeyes 42-39 victory over the Wolverines here.
3. Florida (10-1)
As expected, the Gators had no issues with Western Carolina. Florida embarrassed the Catamounts 62-0 on an impressive day by freshman Tim Tebow. Tebow completed 10 of his 12 passing attempts for 200 yards and two touchdowns. He also added to rushing touchdowns. Chris Leak was equally as accurate passing, going nine for 12 for 98 yards and a touchdown. With Rutgers falling in Cincinnati, Florida’s battle is now with itself and USC. The Gators have to take care of their own business next against in-state rival FSU and then in the SEC Championship vs. Arkansas. In that time, UF will probably need USC to fall to Notre Dame in order to make a national title appearance.
Next Game: at Florida State, Nov. 25.
4. USC (9-1)
The Trojans are officially the wild card in the BCS mess. With a 23-9 victory over California, that makes consecutive wins over ranked opponents with a huge bout with the Fighting Irish still left on the docket. The Golden Bears gave USC a scare, but John David Booty hit his two stud wide outs for big plays in the fourth quarter to essentially win the contest. Dwayne Jarrett scored on a 25-yard pass while Steve Smith caught a 37-yard touchdown on a fourth and two from Cal’s 37-yard line. The two receivers combined for 10 receptions for 156 yards and the two scores. The defense held the highest scoring SEC team to only six points (two points came on a safety). USC’s mission still hasn’t changed: win out and let the chips fall where they may.
Next Game: vs. Notre Dame, Nov. 25.
5. Arkansas (10-1)
After putting up a decent effort in the first half, Mississippi State was held scoreless in the final two quarters in its 28-14 loss to the Razorbacks. Heisman candidate Darren McFadden was held relatively in-check by the Bull Dog defense. McFadden was rendered scoreless and finished with 87 yards on 26 carries. With the victory, Arkansas clinched its first outright SEC West title since 1995. The win also sets up an SEC title match with No. 3 Florida. Arkansas is essentially in the same position the Gators are in as far as a national title appearance. AU will need to beat LSU, top Florida in the SEC Championship and then have USC fall to Notre Dame while fending off the Irish in the polls.
Next Game: vs. LSU, Nov. 24.
6. Notre Dame (10-1)
The Irish wrapped up their military tour with a 41-9 victory over Army. After Notre Dame was held out of the end zone in the first quarter, the Irish struck for 20 points in the second and 14 in the third. Darius Walker ran wild and finished with 162 yards and two scores on 25 carries. Brady Quinn hooked up with Jeff Samardzijia nine times for 87 yards and a 16-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. It’s no secret what the Irish need to do to even be considered in the big game – beat USC in Southern Cal next weekend or all hopes are squashed. However, as messed up as the BCS system is, I can’t see ND being considered in the title game with a loss to Michigan earlier in the season.
Next Game: at USC, Nov. 25.
7. Rutgers (9-1)
I’ve written the past two weeks how I thought the BCS mess would sort itself out. After Saturday, I’m on pace to be right. I, much like most of the public, enjoyed the Scarlet Knights ’06 story. Rutgers came from nowhere to crack the top ten, found itself a Hesiman candidate in Ray Rice and were included in national championship discussions. However, a 30-11 loss to a .500 Cincinnati program proves that all the talk about how Rutgers could hang with Ohio State in a title game is preposterous. The Scarlet Knights allowed a senior quarterback, making his first start mind you, to throw for nearly 300 yards and a score. Nick Davila took the first snap under center and fumbled it. Then, with help from nine different receivers and four different runners, Davila settled in and was able to beat the No. 7 team in the country. The Bear Cat defense deserves plenty of praise as well. The unit held Rice to 55 yards on the ground and one score, while forcing four turnovers. The dream is over for Rutgers and it all came at the hands of a team that has never beaten a program ranked higher than No. 9.
Next Game: vs. Syracuse, Nov. 25.
8. West Virginia (9-1)
The Mountaineers racked up 641 total yards of offense in a 45-27 win over Pittsburgh Thursday night. Supermen Pat White and Steve Slaton combined for 435 yards on the ground and four touchdowns. White threw well too, completing just 11 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns. The unbelievable thing about Slaton is that he was held to just seven yards rushing in the first half. Slaton became the first player in school history to have more than 100 yards rushing and receiving (130) in one game.
Next Game: vs. South Florida, Nov. 25.
9. LSU (8-2)
How does LSU get in a tight tussle with Mississippi? I swear the Tigers are the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NCAA. One week they’re beating Alabama and Tennessee and then the next week they’re in tight battles with teams like Mississippi and choking in big games vs. top opponents. Ah well, LSU did hang on to beat the Rebels 23-20 in overtime. JaMarcus Russell threw for 216 yards and three touchdowns. I’m just dumbfounded how LSU needed 13 points in the fourth quarter just to force overtime against a previously 3-7 Ole’ Miss program.
Next Game: at Arkansas, Nov. 24.
10. Louisville (9-1)
Much like West Virginia, the Cardinals bounced back from their first defeat of the season by bounding the next opponent they faced. Louisville beat a pretty decent South Florida team 31-8. Brian Brohm was 19 of 33 for 274 yards and two touchdowns. On both touchdown passes, Brohm connected with junior wide out Harry Douglas, who finished with seven receptions for 86 yards. I wonder how the Cardinals feel after losing to a team that just lost to Cincinnati. Ouch.
Next Game: at Pittsburgh, Nov 25.
Most impressed with: Ohio State is the best team in the country and the Buckeyes proved it on Saturday. That makes two #2 teams that OSU has beaten this season.
Least impressed with: It has to be Rutgers. A lot of people were on the Scarlet Knight bandwagon after the upset of Louisville last week. Cincinnati is just not that good and Rutgers fell victim to looking ahead.
Biggest upset: What a difference a week makes. Last Thursday the Rutgers faithful stormed the field in New Jersey after the Scarlet Knights topped #3 Louisville. One week later, the Cincinnati faithful are storming the field after a 30-11 pounding of #7 Rutgers.
Looking forward: Seems like the season gets put on pause after Ohio State-Michigan. However, there is still great football to be played. Nothing tops USC-Notre Dame next week, although Arkansas-LSU and Florida-FSU is worth keeping an eye on.
