TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!

This is becoming a common occurence at Michigan Stadium...the Michigan football program has sunk to an all-time low after losing to a 1-win Toledo team 13-10...over the last two years Michigan has allowed Appalachian State, Oregon, Ohio State, Utah, Illinois, and now FUCKING TOLEDO come into the Big House and walk out winners!!!...

Texas-Oklahoma: the battle between Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford

#5 Texas vs. #1 Oklahoma
Saturday, October 11, 2008 - Noon (EST) ABC Sports
Cotton Bowl - Dallas, Texas
Oklahoma -7.5

Summary
The seats are divided in half at the 50-yard-line...half of the Cotton Bowl goes to Oklahoma fans and thier crimson shirts while the other half goes to Texas fans and their burnt orange shirts...it is one of the great rivalries in sports...this year's game is being played at a $50 million renovated Cotton Bowl...the seating capacity was raised from 76,000 to 92,000 which will probably produce the largest crowd to see this match-up...yep, this time, there is a lot riding on this game...

So far this decade, OU has won six of the eight games including last season's 28-21 game...this will mark the first time that both teams are ranked in the top 10 for the big game since 2004 when #2 Oklahoma shutout #5 Texas 12-0...after this game is settled both teams have tough matches next week as Texas hosts Missouri and Oklahoma hosts Kansas...

As for this game, most of the talk this week has been about the top-ranked Sooners...but quietly, Texas has been a force...the Longhorns are ranked 12th nationally in total offense with 472 yards/game and sixth in scoring offense with 47.2/game...junior QB is having a Heisman-like season as he has tossed 16 TDs and only 3 INTs...McCoy also leads the team in rushing with 317 yards and four TDs...Quan Crosby and Jordan Shipley are his favorite targets as they have combined for 56 catches and 10 TDs...

The Texas defense is a bit unbalanced...they have the third best rush defense in giving up 51.80 yards/game but they are ranked 96 in pass defense by giving up 244 yards/game...despite the weakness in pass defense, Texas is ranked fourth overall in scoring defense by giving up only 11.40 points per game...the Longhorns defense has held its opponents to 14 points or less for the first five games for the first time since 1991...they have not given up a TD in th first quarter this year either...the Horns lead the nation in sacks per game...

The offense that Texas will try to contain will be led by QB Sam Bradford...Bradford has tossed 18 TDs and 3 INTs...unlike McCoy, Bradford does not run...the OU running attack is led by DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown who have combined for over 700 yards and 10 TDs...Bradford has two veterans receivers in Juaquin Iglesias and Manuel Johnson...

The Sooner defense is just as stout at Texas...they are third in the nation in sacks per game and are led by Keenan Clayton and Auston English...overall, they are ranked 11th in the nation in defense and 15th in scoring defense...

General stories
Jake Trotter of the Oklahoma City Oklahoman writes about the rennovated Cotton Bowl... "The Cotton Bowl provides one of the distinct settings in college football, with the stadium surrounded by the Texas state fair and the cheering section divided down the 50-yard line." ...

Jake Trotter

Ivan Maisel of ESPN breaks down the game...

Ivan Maisel

College Football News gives its take on the game...

College Football News

The Houston Chronicle provides a nice series of photos of past Texas-Oklahoma games...

Red River Photos

What the "experts" say...
The Gold Sheet - Oklahoma 35-22
Pointwise - Oklahoma 31-20

Texas Longhorns (5-0) - Head Coach Mack Brown
Here are the Longhorns Game Notes for the Oklahoma game...

Texas Game Notes

For more information about the Longhorns, check out the Burnt Orange National blog...

Burnt Orange Nation

Kirk Bohls of the Austin American-Statesman writes about Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and how he was hired for this game... "By now, everyone in college football realizes that the emotional, 37-year-old whiz kid from Georgia has transformed the defense on a Texas team that Howard Schnellenberger labeled softer than Oprah's heart into a band of fire-breathing mercenaries." ...

Kirk Bohls

Ivan Maisel from ESPN writes about the maturation of Colt McCoy... "The Texas quarterback is not concerned about whether his teammates believe in him. They have seen him become not only one of the leading passers in the nation, but also the leading rusher on their team. They have seen the way he took on two Rice defenders at the goal line and knocked them both out of the way to score a touchdown." ...

Ivan Maisel

Kevin Robbins of the Austin American-Statesman writes how this may be the biggest game in the long history between the two schools... "As they have for 102 previous games, one side will wear red Saturday. The other, orange. It won't be just the University of Texas versus the University of Oklahoma. It'll be Texas against Oklahoma. Period. But this year, it's even more." ...

Kevin Robbins

Dick Weiss of the New York Daily News writes how Texas has not been in the spotlight this season.. "It's hard to imagine Texas football flying under the national radar, especially when the Longhorns are 5-0 and ranked fifth in this week's AP and coaches polls." ...

Dick Weiss

Oklahoma Sooners (5-0) - Head Coach Bob Stoops
Here are the Sooners Game Notes for the Texas game...

Oklahoma Game Notes

For more information about the Sooners, check out the Crimson and Cream blog...

Crimson and Cream

Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News writes how Youngstown, Ohio native Bob Stoops has been a force since being named coach at OU... "After beating Texas six times in nine years, Stoops' winning percentage against the Longhorns is better than Barry Switzer's, better than Bud Wilkinson's and, well, quite a bit better than his immediate predecessors." ...

Tim Cowlishaw

John Shinn of the Norman Transcript writes how the Sooners secondary has blossomed this year... "Oklahoma’s Red Room has about 80 seats, but the middle 16 in the front are where the defensive backs sit to watch film. The starting four sit in the front followed by the second, third and fourth teams. The depth chart is always adhered to." ...

John Shinn

John Shinn of the Norman Transcript writes how the intense rivalry has not bothered the coaches... "Former Texas coach Darrell Royal has never spoken about former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer in high regard and has tried to avoid the subject over the last four decades." ...

John Shinn

LSU-Florida Preview: Will Tebow get KO'ed

#5 LSU @ #11 Florida
Saturday, October 11 - 8:00 (EST) - CBS
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - The Swamp
Gainesville, Florida
Florida -4.5

Summary
Last year's game was a classic...Les Miles had no fear of fourth down as he made grapefruit call after another...Jacob Hester (photo, right) was a beast in that game as LSU won 28-24...

This year's game is just as big...this will be the 10th time ever that the last two national champions will meet the year after they both won it...the last time was in 1990 when Notre Dame beat Miami 29-20 in South Bend...

Another loss by Florida will kill any hope of trying for another national title...LSU still has a strong chance to defend their BCS title as they roll in with a perfect record...this will be the 55th meeting between the schools with the Gators holding a 28-23-3 edge...LSU has won three of the last four meetings...

LSU found a hammer of a running back in Charles Scott who has rushed for 540 yards and eight TDs...the Tigers have also settled on freshman Jarrett Lee to quarterback the team...Lee had an impressive second half at Auburn a few weeks back...he has thrown six TDs and three INTs...his two favorite targets are Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd...the defense is anchored by D-linemen Tyson Jackson and Ricky Jean-Francois... the Tigers have outscored their opponents 37-3 in the first quarter this season...however, in the fouth quarter, the Tigers have been outscored in SEC play 27-23...

Florida is all about Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow...despite the image of this high powered offense, the Gators are ranked 47th nationally in total offense with 390 yards/game...however, when they do get in the redzone, they have scored 17 of their 18 trips...speedster Percy Harvin has not been 100% all year...the Gators are tied for fourth win the best scoring defense (11.4/game)...Florida has socred on 17 of 18 trips inside the redzone...

An interesting sidenote, Florida is 3-11-2 when playing against a defending national title winner...their last win against a champ came in 1999 over Tennessee...

What the "experts" say...
Gold Sheet - Florida 30-16
Pointwise - Florida 22-20

LSU Tigers (4-0) - Head Coach Les Miles
Here is the LSU Game Notes for the Florida game...

LSU Tigers Game Notes

For more information about LSU, check out the And the Valley Shook Blog...

And the Valley Shook

James Varney of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes how the Gators have no seniors on defense - which might favor LSU... "The Florida depth chart shows not one senior among the starting 11 defenders. Could that be an area LSU might exploit?" ...

James Varney

Varney writes how Ricky Jean-Francois has cooled his comments about taking out Tim Tebow even though most other SEC teams want to do the same... "Opponents stenciled a target on Tebow's No. 15 jersey even before last year when he became the first sophomore ever to win the Heisman Trophy. The big, dual-threat quarterback who almost single-handedly beat LSU last year at Tiger Stadium (LSU won 28-24) has, perhaps even more than most quarterbacks, been a topic of conversation among defenders throughout the Southeastern Conference." ...

James Varney

James Kleinpeter of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes how LSU freshman QB Jarrett is ready to handle the noise of The Swamp... "But it was outside the practice field where Lee may have done his best conditioning. His performance in relief of injured starter Andrew Hatch at Auburn was the best preparation for what Lee will face at The Swamp." ...

James Kleinpeter

Randy Rosetta of the Baton Rouge Advocate writes how LSU head coach Les Miles does not have a problem with a QB getting hit... "“The idea that he would hit him and hit him hard is something every quarterback in this league — our quarterback — will have to deal with." ...

Randy Rosetta

George Morris of the Baton Rouge Advocate writes how LSU is going to defend the hard running QB of Florida... "But Alem recognizes they’ll have to do it even better this week at Florida, where Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow is the centerpiece of an offense that leads the SEC in scoring (36.0 points per game)." ...

George Morris

Florida Gators (4-1) - Head Coach Urban Meyer
Here are the Florida Game Notes for the LSU game...

Florida Gators Game Notes

For more information about Florida, check out the Alligator Army blog...

Alligator Army

Mick Elliott of the Tampa Tribune writes how Florida may have the home field, but LSU may have the horses... "The undefeated LSU Tigers - 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference - are defending national champions, ranked No. 4 in the nation and, coming off an open date, are at full strength for Saturday night's game against the Florida Gators." ...

Mick Elliott

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel writes how Gator fans have been spoiled of late... "The reason I bring this up is because of all the conversation and consternation about Florida's offense and quarterback Tim Tebow in the aftermath of Saturday's embarrassing, humiliating 31-point, um, victory over Arkansas." ...

Mike Bianchi

Robbie Andreau of the Gainesville Sun writes how the Gators may have to make a play on special teams if it wants to win over LSU... "Two years ago in The Swamp, the Gators conducted a special-teams clinic that was the difference in UF's 23-10 win on the way to winning the national championship." ...

Robbie Andreau

Andreau writes about the LSU-Florida game, is it a rivalry or just another good game?... "Florida and LSU have a long history, dating all the way back to 1937. The two schools have played every season since 1971 and LSU is UF’s permanent partner from the Western Division. The series has featured many memorable games and moments, but is Florida-LSU a rivalry or just a big game?"...

Robbie Andreau

Antonya English of the St. Petersburg Times writes how the Gators run defense could have a problem... "In his weekly preparation for the Gators' upcoming opponent, coach Urban Meyer always includes playing great defense as an integral part of the plan. In a 38-7 win over Arkansas last weekend, Meyer said it was simply "good, but not great." This week, the Gators will need as close to great as possible." ...

Antonya English

Jim Brown compares Barack Obama to Ernie Davis

In this clip, the legendary Jim Brown talks about Ernie Davis...at around the 1:09 mark, Brown compares Barack Obama to Ernie Davis....

Jim Brown

Chris Fowler is excited about the Texas-Oklahoma game

ESPN's Chris Fowler gives his thoughts about the Texas-Oklahoma and LSU-Florida games... "I never use this space to promote "GameDay," but this game I am pretty excited about. The QB duel is pretty compelling, of course. I just think Sam Bradford has a better offensive line and better running backs to work with, and Colt McCoy will be facing a much better pass defense. Oklahoma looks like a clear favorite." ...

Chris Fowler

Chase Daniel faces another high powered offense as Okie State comes to The Zou

#17 Oklahoma State Cowboys @ #2 Missouri Tigers
Saturday, October 11th - 8:00 EST - ESPN2
Faurot Field - Columbia, Missouri
Missouri -13.5

Summary
This game pits two of the most high powered offenses in the land...Mizzou (569 yards per game) is ranked 3rd nationally while Okie State (530/game) is 6th...the Cowboys have scored 50 points or more 4 consecutive games..both teams also hold onto the ball as Mizzou has turned it over just 5 times this year while Okie State has done it 6 times...

The Cowboys have won only 3 of the last 11 contests with Missouri...this is the first time they meet since 2005 when the Tigers won 38-31...the Cowboys high powered offense starts with QB Zac Robinson who has thrown 10 TD to just 3 INTs...9 of those 10 TDs has gone to his favorite target in Dez Bryant...with such a high powered offense, many may think it is all passing...but that is not the case as OSU averages 215 yards through the air and 315 on the ground...the ground attack is led by Kendall Hunter (5'8" sophomore) who has 738 yards and 8 rushing TDS...the Cowboys rush defense is also underrated as they have allowed only 4 rushing TDs all year but have given up 11TDs through the air...keep an eye on #91, sophomore, DE Ugo Chinasa who has the talent to be a force at the next level...

The Tigers are led by Heisman candidate QB Chase Daniel who has a 25-7 mark as starting QB...as the conductor of the spread offense, Daniel has thrown 15 TDs to only 1 INT...he spreads the wealth around to his plethora of receivers, Chase Coffman, Tommy Saunders, and the ever dangerous Jeremy Maclin, a 6'1" sophomore...the running game is led by Derrick Washington who leads the nation in scoring...like Okie State, the Tigers have a strong run defense, allowing only 1 TD all year...but they are weak at pass defense allowing 10 TDs...

Over the last three games, Missouri punter Jake Harry has punted just twice...since 2003, Mizzou is 28-6 at "The Zou" (aka Faurot Field)...if recent history is any indicator, look for the game to be close as all but one of the 6 previous games have been decided by 7 points or less, and 3 of them have gone to OT...

Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0) - head coach Mike Gundy
Here is the Oklahoma State Game Notes for the Missouri game...

Oklahoma State Game Notes

Ryan Steele of the Stillwater News Press writes about Okie State's big game on Saturday... "Oklahoma State’s defense had one of its best outings of the season Saturday. Now comes the real test." ...

Ryan Steele

Jenni Carlson of the Oklahoma City Oklahoman writes about Okie State's unknown stud on defense Ugo Chinasa... "He is also an unknown. That won’t be the case much longer if the Oklahoma State defensive end continues playing like he did Saturday against Texas A&M. Chinasa had the game of his life in less than a quarter." ...

Jenni Carlson

Vahe Gregorian of the St. Louis Dispatch writes about Okie State's flashy wideout Dez Bryant and running back Kendall Hunter... "Primed by that duo, OSU (5-0) is the only team in the Big 12 averaging more than 200 yards a game both on the ground and through the air and equipped to help create another memorable clash between two schools that are among just 15 undefeated teams." ...

Vahe Gregorian

Tim Griffin of ESPN Blog Nation writes about Okie State's under-rated defense... "The Cowboys' improved defensive work has been one of the biggest surprises in OSU's 5-0 start that's its best since 2004. The OSU defense went into a feeding frenzy in its 56-28 victory over Texas A&M, providing five first-half turnovers and three three-and-outs to spark the early knockout." ...

Tim Griffin

Missouri Tigers (5-0) - head coach Gary Pinkel
Here are the Missouri Game Notes for the Oklahoma State game...

Missouri Game Notes

Dan Angell of the Columbia Missourian writes there are few similarities between Okie State and Mizzou... "Maclin's insistence that the two offenses are different is understandable, because Oklahoma State's style of the spread offense is different from Missouri's. While the Tigers are a pass-first team that can also win with the run, the Cowboys are more of a run-first team that can also win with the pass." ...

Dan Angell

Bryan Burwell, columnist for the St. Louis Post Dispatch writes about the high expectations in Columbia... "But it's different now. The undefeated Tigers (5-0) are, depending on your poll preferences, either the No. 2 or No. 3 team in the country. And the subtle difference between last season's sudden rise to prominence and this season's climb to No. 2 is this: Great expectations." ...

Bryan Burwell

Tim Griffin of ESPN Blog Nation writes about Missouri running back Derrick Washington who leads the nation in touchdown... "The bruising 215-pound Washington is a tough between-the-tackles runner as evidenced by his current status as the nation's leading scorer. But he's also a versatile receiver with soft hands and enough speed to streak by most linebackers on pass patterns." ...

Tim Griffin

Dom Rosselli: A coaching legend and a good person

The name Dom Rosselli may not ring a bell to many sports folks, but to those in the Mahoning Valley of Youngstown, Ohio and true sports historians, Rosselli was a coaching legend...he served as head basketball and baseball coach at Youngstown State University and combined to win over 1,000 games...he coached former Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher Dave Dravecky...

On a personal note, back in 1990, I had the opportunity to interview Rosselli when I was the sports editor of the school newspaper, The Jambar...Rosselli was probably the most pleasant interview I ever conducted...he was not some cranky, old person who was mad at the world...at that time he was 75-years-old and for two hours he told some great stories and fed me pizza...

I can remember him saying that he only did 1 resume in his lifetime, and it was for a job at YSU...he said he was fortunate to have a good job at a place like YSU, so he had no reason to leave...

Rosselli always wanted to help people...just a few years ago our paths crossed again...he was looking to help someone who was less fortunate...the person needed a new toilet and he was wanting to know if there was anyone who could do it for free...he said he would have done it himself if he was just a few years younger...

Rosselli was a good-soul...they don't make them like Dom Rosselli anymore...I can say it was an honor to know him...he was a truly nice man who got up every Friday and made pizzas at St. Anthony's...this year, the pizzas at St. A's will not be the same...

God Bless Dom Rosselli...

Below is the official release from the YSU Athletic Department...

The Youngstown State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is deeply saddened to announce the passing of former men's basketball and baseball head coach Dom Rosselli, who died at the age of 93 Tuesday morning, Oct. 7, 2008.

The school's winningest basketball and baseball coach, Rosselli guided Youngstown State's basketball and baseball teams for 38 and 31 years, respectively. Rosselli accumulated more than 1,000 career victories for the Red and White. He also served as an assistant football coach for 21 seasons.

“Dom Rosselli was one of the true champions of YSU, not only on the basketball court, the baseball diamond and the football field, but across the university and the Mahoning Valley," YSU President Dr. David Sweet said. "Though he was small in stature, he was a giant in YSU athletics and a role model for us all – students, faculty and staff. His enthusiasm for the university was relentless. His contributions to the university were innumerable. And his memory will live forever. My most heartfelt sympathies go to his family. He will be missed.”

"Coach Rosselli's sense of humor and unmatched love for YSU will be greatly missed," Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ron Strollo said. "The thoughts of the entire YSU athletics department are with the Rosselli family.

"An amazing number of former student-athletes had stayed in contact with him through the years, which is a testament of the true character of Coach Rosselli."

Born March 19, 1915, in Youngstown, Ohio, Rosselli was a fixture on the basketball bench from 1940 to 1982. He nurtured a program from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to NCAA Division II and then to Division I. He was also instrumental in Youngstown State's rise as an independent to conference play, first in the original Mid-Continent Conference on the Division II level and the Ohio Valley Conference in Division I.

In his 38 years, Rosselli compiled a career record of 589-388 for a .604 winning percentage. He led his teams to eight 20-win seasons, including a 24-3 mark with an .889 winning percentage in 1963-64. Both are still school records for most wins and highest winning percentage in a season.

During the 1956-57 season, Rosselli guided the Penguins to a 23-4 mark and an appearance in the NAIA Quarterfinals as the Penguins lost to Southeastern Oklahoma, 69-65. The following season Youngstown State finished 23-7 and advanced to the third round of the NAIA National Tournament before losing to Western Illinois, 70-67. For the third time in as many seasons, Rosselli and the Penguins made an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament after a 19-9 mark in 1958-59. YSU defeated Baldwin Wallace, 97-77, in the championship game of the NAIA Ohio District and Northern (S.D.) State, 85-76, in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament. In the second round, the Penguins lost to Tennessee A&I State, 89-80.

He coached the Penguins for two seasons before World War II duty as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force took him off the court and overseas.

Upon his return from the war, Rosselli was very involved in YSU athletics. Rosselli resumed full-time duty on the basketball court as soon as he returned.

He was an assistant coach on the football team before the war, and when he came home in 1946, he remained at his assistant’s position until 1963. He created the Penguin baseball program and was the coach from 1948-50 until it was discontinued. In 1958, he resurrected the Penguin baseball team and for the next 28 years was a fixture in the dugout.

In the spring of 1948, Rosselli became the first baseball coach in Youngstown State history and accumulated a 31-year career record of 489-316-1 for a .607 winning percentage. In 1958 and Rosselli led the Penguins to an 11-6 record and the NAIA District 22 championship. YSU repeated as district champions in 1959 with a 10-6 mark. In 1964 and 1966, YSU appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

From 1969 to 1977, Rosselli led the Penguins to nine consecutive 20-win seasons, including a 26-8 record and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Regionals in 1977. During that nine-year span, the Penguins amassed a record of 199-101 for a winning percentage of .663. In 1979, Rosselli recorded his 10th 20-win season with a 21-5 mark and collected his 11th and final 20-win campaign in 1982 with a 23-14 record.
Rosselli guided former major league pitcher and YSU Hall of Famer Dave Dravecky to a four-year career record of 21-7, including a 7-1 mark in 1977, and a career earned run average of 1.85.

His winning coaching ledger is a distant second to the person known as "Coach", someone who ate and slept Youngstown State athletics and always had time for anyone who requested to meet with him.

A graduate of Rayen High School, Rosselli attended Geneva College and started in three sports. Rosselli led Geneva to a football victory over Youngstown College in 1938, YSU's first season of football. Upon graduation in 1939, Rosselli earned a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and began his well-documented coaching career at Youngstown State. He began as an assistant football coach to the legendary late Dwight “Dike” Beede and assistant basketball coach to Ray Sweeney before taking over the reigns of the cage program in 1940-41.

His many coaching honors include the NCAA’s District IV Coach of the Year, Ohio’s College Coach of the Year, both in 1957 and 1964, and the Italian Coach of the Year.
Rosselli was named to the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame in 1978 and was named to the charter class of the Youngstown State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985. He was also named the Penguin of the Year in 1999.

He is survived by his wife, Connie, four children and several grandchildren.

Around the blog world

It's down to the Final Four in the "Who Would You Do" tourney...in today's match-up is Lindsay Soto vs. Hazel Mae...I cast my vote for Soto (photo, right)...the other semi-final is a dandy - Ines Sainz vs. Jill Arrington...be a true American and VOTE!!!...

The Big Picture

The Zone Blitz stirs up some gossip about LeAnn Rimes talking about Jessica Simpson's assets...

The Zone Blitz

Zell's Pinstripe Blog is already looking how the Yankees can rebuild...

Zell's Pinstripe Blog

Half naked Nicolette Sheridan showing she still has it as she struts her stuff at Malibu

44-years-old has not stopped Nicolette Sheridan from showing off hre body...

Missouri rolls in Lincoln; Vandy is for real: Top 16+1

The latest Stiles Points Top 16+1 (games through 10/5/08)... note, the second number in parenthesis is the previous week's ranking)

1. Oklahoma (5-0) (1) - Sooners are rolling but Texas is next...something will give...
2. Alabama (6-0) (2) - the Tide avoided a sluggish performance to outlast Kentucky...
3. Missouri (5-0) (3) - the Tigers made a statement in Lincoln as Chase Daniel (photo) and the Tigers dropped a 52 spot on The Corn...I still think they will make it to Miami...they got a tough one as Okie State comes calling...
4. Penn State (6-0) (4) - like Alabama, they took care of business at Purdue...the Lions are now going to Wisconsin...a team that lost two in a row...
5. Texas (5-0) (6) - Texas looked good at Colorado...don't sleep on the Horns against OU!...

6. LSU (4-0) (5) - the Tiggers were idle...big game at The Swamp this Saturday night...
7. BYU (5-0) (7) - the Cougars are laying real quietly...
8. Southern Cal (3-1) (8) - USC getting the engine running smoothly again after 44-10 whooping of the Ducks...
9. Texas Tech (5-0) (9) - Texas Tech is the forgotten team in the Big XII...
10. Georgia (4-1) (11) - Dawgs are still licking their wounds after that tough loss to Bama...

11. Florida (4-1) (12) - it took a few quarters, but the Gators got rolling against the Hogs...their season is in the balance this Saturday when LSU comes to town...
12. Ohio State (5-1) (13) - Pryor showed Wisky that he was the best quarterback on the field...
13. Vanderbilt (5-0) (NR) - the Dores answered the bell when called out as they beat a tough Auburn team...QB Mackenzi Adams (photo) threw for two TDs...
14. Kansas (5-1) (15) - down 20-0, the Fighting Manginos came back to hold off Iowa State 35-33...nice gut check win...
15. Utah (6-0) (16) - late field goal keeps their hopes alive...
16. Oklahoma State (5-0) (NR) - Okie State takes on Missouri...something will give in this game...are the Cowboys for real?...
+1 Pitt (4-1) - after losing a heartbreaker on opening day to Bowling Green, Wannstedt got the ship back on course as they won in impressive style at undefeated South Florida...

The thought behind blackouts; college football wrap-up

Illinois 45 Michigan 20
Bob Asmussen of the Champaign News-Gazette writes how Juice Williams tossed and ran through the Michigan defense... "After Saturday's game, Williams looked like a guy who had run and thrown himself into the game. He slowly moved away from the media table at Michigan Stadium, moving toward waiting ice and other treatments." ...

Bob Asmussen

Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press writes how Rich Rodriguez was not a happy camper after Michigan most recent whopping... "It’s obvious now when assessing the damage from Illinois’ 45-20 victory that the fluke was last week when Michigan made the biggest comeback in Michigan Stadium history." ...

Drew Sharp

Ohio State 20 Wisconsin 17
Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch writes how Ohio State broke through its problems at Camp Randall... "Camp Randall Stadium has been a field of broken dreams for Ohio State, and last night it came close to shattering some more." ...

Bob Hunter

Jim Polzin of Badger Beat writes how Wisconsin has become a mediocre team... "They were 5-0 in games decided by six points or less during Bielema's near-perfect start after taking over for Barry Alvarez. Starting with a 31-26 loss to Illinois last Oct. 6, they've gone 1-4 in games decided by that same small margin, including back-to-back heartbreakers to the Big Ten Conference's premier programs." ...

Jim Polzin

Alabama 17 Kentucky 14
John Clay of the Lexington Herald leader writes how Kentucky may have lost the game, but they came awaying knowing they put up a good fight... "Only here's the thing, as hard as Alabama tried, as quickly as it jumped to an early lead, as dominant as it looked at times, even though it squeezed out a 17-14 win by decision, the Crimson Tide could never really deliver the knockout blow." ...

John Clay

Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News writes how Alabam won, but it was not pretty... "Coach Nick Saban said it's always easier to learn lessons after a win than a loss, and that's fitting." ...

Ian Rapoport

Other news
Judy Battista of The New York Times writes about the new mic in defensive players helmets... "For the first time in N.F.L. history, a defensive player, like Farrior, is allowed to wear a speaker in his helmet that enables a coach to send in a defensive play before each down." ...

Judy Battista

John Branch of The New York Times writes about the blackouts, redouts, whiteouts, maizeouts and all other colorful outs... "In the past few weeks, several teams have promoted “blackouts,” urging fans to dress a bit like Johnny Cash in an attempt to create an intimidating atmosphere, build camaraderie and, basically, look cool for television viewers." ...

John Branch