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Sporting News' Dave Curtis analyzes what Friday's buzz means to college football. Where the Buffalo roam The buzz about Dan Hawkins getting dismissed (and bought out) at Colorado grew hot not because the Buffs lost by three on the road to a ranked team Thursday night. The bad vibes are back because of how things went down. Colorado's final four offensive possessions ended with a missed 49-yard field goal, a turnover on downs (incomplete pass on fourth-and-2 at the Oklahoma State 28), a fumble... near midfield and a punt with 2:45 remaining. The Buffs either led by four or trailed by three points on each occasion yet ended with another loss, sending Hawkins' record at CU to 16-32 (and 2-20 on the road). Missed opportunities such as Thursday's have plagued the Hawkins era, and the sum of them will inspire deep-pocketed boosters to fund his removal and replacement. Hawkins inherited an out-of-order program when he arrived from Boise State—some folks at CU didn't realize how much effort would be required to revive football in Boulder. But in this college football landscape, he hasn't worked fast enough. Despite a belief he's expressed through the press, Hawkins seems more and more like a week from unemployment. Black-out T-minus seven days to Tim Tebow's final game at Florida Field. And already, the Florida community has rallied to give him an expected, over-the-top salute. A group of area fans launched a Facebook group this week asking the folks attending UF's game with Florida State to wear eye black on their faces as a tribute to No. 15. Tebow, of course, made the eye black famous by inscribing New Testament passages on the make-up for television cameras to beam around the world. (Note to fans: your favorites verses from Corinthians are optional next). Tebow's eye-black has become as much his trademark as barreling through SEC linebackers. His choice of John 3:16 during January's BCS national championship game ranked among the Internet's most-searched phrases in the hours after the game. Although a small faction of fans has soured on Tebow for frequently promoting his Christian beliefs, the eye black seems a fitting shout-out. Look for a lot of painted faces next Saturday in Gainesville. Happy trails, Mickey Meanwhile, north on Interstate 75 and west on I-10, an era ends this afternoon in Tallahassee. Mickey Andrews, Bobby Bowden's sidekick for nearly three decades, coordinates the Florida State defense for the final time at Doak Campbell Stadium. Perhaps no defense (except maybe Hawkins' at Colorado) has looked as lousy as the 'Noles have, ranking No. 105 in the nation against the run, No. 109 in total yards allowed and 96th in average points allowed. The numbers place FSU last in the ACC. But Andrews' legacy won't be tarnished too much by his finale. His philosophy in the 1990s—speed over size—helped redefine defense and sent a slew of linebackers and defensive ends to multi-million-dollar NFL careers. Throw in game-changing cornerbacks Deion Sanders and Terrell Buckley, and Andrews goes down as one of the greats of all time. He forever can use Steve Spurrier as a reference—Florida's Fun 'n' Gun offense never sputtered as much as against the Seminoles. Eye black isn't the way to go, but hopefully FSU fans give him a standing ovation Saturday afternoon. Dave Curtis is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at dcurtis@sportingnews.com.more>>

Sporting News college football expert Matt Hayes projects the BCS bowl games: BCS national championship game: Alabama vs. Texas Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Oregon Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. Iowa Sugar Bowl: Florida vs. TCU Orange Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Pitt Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.  

College football, like much of the 2009 season, held to form Saturday. No. 1 Florida, No. 2 Texas and No. 3 Alabama kept the national title chase a three-team derby with typical wins.   No. 4 TCU looked like a sure BCS bowl team by waxing No. 16 Utah 55-28.   "If the nation didn't think that this was enough style points, then I don't know what is," coach Gary Patterson told reporters. "We're just going to go about our business."   But outside TCU's statement win, the biggest developments of... Saturday's college football games included the handful of storied programs that continued their shocking slides:   Notre Dame What happened: Anemic offense for three quarters put the Irish in an 18-point fourth-quarter hole at Pittsburgh. The No. 8 Panthers held on, 27-22, and eliminated ND from reaching a BCS bowl. What's next? Find somebody with Brian Kelly's cell phone number. Even with a rally late, this ND squad flustered even the most ardent Irish fan. Charlie Weis best start winning ... if he gets to keep coaching.   Southern Cal What happened: Stanford hung 55 points on the Trojans, one-upping the 47 Oregon scored two weeks ago in Eugene. "To be a senior and leave a legacy like this," Trojans safety Taylor Mays told reporters in Los Angeles, "it's sickening."  What's next? Put out the APB for Southern Cal's defensive prowess and swagger? Actually, a deep breath will do the trick. USC didn't start a single senior in its front seven; let's trust Pete Carroll to have that group better in 2010.   Michigan What happened: Wisconsin rolled up 469 yards and 45 points in handing Michigan its sixth straight loss against Division I-A competition. "We were really reaching defensively to find an answer to try to stop them," UM Coach Rich Rodriguez told reporters in Madison, Wis. What's next? A fourth Wolverines defensive coordinator in four seasons. Greg Robinson's defense has allowed 26 or more points in all seven Big Ten games and has Michigan on the brink of missing a bowl for the second consecutive year.     This story appears in Nov. 15's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.   Dave Curtis is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at dcurtis@sportingnews.com. more>>

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The Florida Gators know that, at this point in their undefeated season, margin of victory doesn't matter. They're the No. 1 team in the country, and each win -- regardless of any perceived style points -- takes them one step closer to a trip to the national championship game.   "The letter 'W' doesn't get any bigger if you win by more points or anything like that," Gators quarterback Tim Tebow said after his team secured a 24-14 victory with a dominating fourth-quarter effort... on the road against South Carolina. The Gators finished their SEC season with a perfect 8-0, and five of those eight wins were by 10 points or fewer.   "Well, we have some good players," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "It's almost like you expect somebody to make a play, not only myself but our team does, too."   The play of the night against South Carolina came on the first snap of the fourth quarter. The Gamecocks trailed 17-14 and faced a third-and-3 from the Gators' 22-yard line. Momentum was squarely in South Carolina's favor, and the 79,297 fans at Williams-Brice Stadium had the place rocking. The Gamecocks were in the midst of a 10-play drive that was remarkably similar to their two touchdown drives of the first half.   The first drive, a 14-play journey that ground up 84 yards and 6:13 of the clock, ended with a 1-yard plunge by junior tailback Brian Maddox. Their second touchdown drive didn't take quite so long -- just 3:54 -- but took eight plays and 64 yards.   But on this play, Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia rifled a short pass to wideout Moe Brown, who had cornerback Markihe Anderson right beside him. The ball popped up into the air and right to Florida defensive end Justin Trattou, who returned the ball 53 yards and probably would have reached the end zone if he hadn't gotten tripped up by the cadre of teammates who were trying to clear the way.   "That was huge," Meyer said. "The whole field was tilting (in South Carolina's favor). We started the second half and I think we had three drives where we pinned them down, but we needed to score. We needed to stop missing field goals, and then the field shifted back and the momentum completely swung (toward South Carolina). You felt it in the stadium. And then that play will go down in history as one of the great plays."   The Gators, as they so often do, took full advantage of South Carolina's mistake when Tebow scored on a 1-yard run -- the 53rd touchdown of his record-setting career -- to boost the Gators' lead to 24-14.   After rolling up 206 yards in the first half against the Gators, the Gamecocks were minus-16 after the interception.   "That turnover too a lot of steam out of us," South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said.   Spurrier's team is 6-5, and has a bye week before hosting in-state rival Clemson on the Nov. 28.   "It's much-needed," Garcia said. "The guys were saying in the locker room that we have to get ready for the second season, which is Clemson."   As for Florida, a date with Alabama in the SEC title game looms Dec. 5. The Tide have looked more dominant, especially on Saturday, through their SEC run.   But Florida keeps getting those bounces -- and that just might have more to do with a champion creating an opportunity to win more than simple good fortune.   This story appears in Nov. 15's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.   Ryan Fagan is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at rfagan@sportingnews.com.more>>

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Florida defensive end Justin Trattou made the play of the game for the Gators in their 24-14 victory over South Carolina. Trattou snagged a deflected pass for an interception on the first play of the fourth quarter and returning it 53 yards to set up the touchdown that gave Florida a 10-point cushion.   An impressive play, it edges toward amazing when you consider Trattou ruptured his biceps tendon against Arkansas but missed one game. Trattou talked about his Gators' win with... Sporting News' Ryan Fagan and other reporters.   Q: When you saw that ball go up in the air, did you feel like everything was going in slow motion? Justin Trattou: Yeah, when that ball popped up in the air it felt like it was up there for like five seconds, but once I got it, it all happened real fast. Q: Could you feel your teammates crowding around you on the return? JT: It felt like, honestly, everybody was around me lead-blocking. It was an amazing feeling. Q: Did you catch any flack for not taking it all the way for a touchdown? JT: A little bit. I think I tripped over my teammate Jermaine (Cunningham), but he was blocking the guy in front of me, so I can't get mad at him. Q: What happened with the biceps injury? JT: I got hit on the shoulder and it just, like, snapped off, and was rolling down my arm. They originally told me like four-to-six weeks, but I ended up coming back in one week. Gotta thank the trainers for helping me get through it and helping me help my team on the field. Q: What is it on the pain scale? JT: During the game, I don't even feel it. But during the week, mild pain. Nothing I can't handle, though. Q: When did it hurt the most? JT: When I first did it, it was like I couldn't lift my arm. Q: Did you carry the ball with that arm? JT: No, I used it to stiff arm, though. Q: You used it to stiff arm? JT: Yeah. (laughs) Q: Were you tired by the end of that run? JT: I wasn't tired when I fell down. I was more tired after trying to get to the sidelines and getting mauled by everybody. Q: You guys have won a bunch of these games late. Do you guys feel like you're going to pull out something like this every game? JT: Well, we know that if we play as hard as we can the whole game, it's eventually going to come our way because we train as hard as anybody and it shows on game day.   This story appears in Nov. 15's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.   Ryan Fagan is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at rfagan@sportingnews.com.more>>

1. Last chance OK, chaos lovers. Here's your last chance to see the season knocked sideways. The nation's top two teams in the BCS playing dangerous road games in the SEC, trying to clear one final hurdle toward the biggest regular season game ever. Greg McElroy and Alabama could be in trouble if they overlook Mississippi State. Yep, ever. On the surface, BCS No. 1 Florida at South Carolina and BCS No. 2 Alabama at Mississippi State shouldn't be the biggest remaining tests for the SEC... heavyweights. It should be season finales against rivals Florida State and Auburn. But those two games, despite the bitter, ugly nature, won't cause problems for the Gators and Tide. They're rivalry games; which is to say, Florida and Alabama will be emotionally and mentally ready for both. The danger is this week, with all the subtle subtexts pointing to fourth-quarter, last-team-with-the-ball wins. "Every game is its own entity," Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy said. "You can't ever say you won't face adversity again, because you will." And it could be where you least expect it: South Carolina. The Gamecocks are desperate and in danger of tanking down the stretch for the third straight season. Last year, it was three straight losses to end the season; in 2007, it was five straight losses. South Carolina has lost its last two games this season, and has home games remaining against Florida and Clemson. This team also is No. 19 in the nation in total defense, and has enough juice to confuse Florida's predictable offense. Mississippi State. If the Bulldogs can play with the same emotion they did against Florida, this will get interesting. They have won two of the last three against Alabama, and the players believe they can win—a hugely, underrated factor. Mississippi State also played well at home against LSU and Florida: A fourth-quarter, goal-line stand saved LSU, and the officials—I mean, Tim Tebow—saved the Gators. If an upset is going to happen, it'll be this weekend. 2. Avoidance, 101 Earlier this decade, Pitt and Notre Dame agreed on an eight-year contract to play games through 2015. We're in Year 2 of the series, and already it's the most anticipated game of the weekend: A primetime national television game that will clearly define two oft-maligned coaches, the state of two programs and two hot quarterbacks. And somewhere on the fringe sits Penn State, Pitt's longtime rival that decided not long ago they're not playing Pitt because it's not in the best interest of Penn State. Playing the Temples of the world (no offense, Owls; nice season), however, most certainly is in the best interest of those in Happy Valley. Here's the Penn State argument: The once storied Pitt-Penn State rivalry means more to Pitt than Penn State. Pitt doesn't annually sell out home games, so Penn State would essentially be contributing to the financial well-being of its rival by bringing busloads of fans to see the game every other year at Heinz Field. That's why Penn State offered a two games for one deal that Pitt, wisely, has declined. Now, back to this week (and reality): Apparently it's OK for Notre Dame, merely the biggest name in the history of the game, to agree to a home-and-home series with Pitt and help fill Heinz Field. But it's not in the best interest of Penn State. Sounds a whole lot like somebody doesn't want to play somebody. And it has nothing to do with JoePa's ornery grudge about Pitt not joining an all East Coast league way back when. It has everything to do with Penn State not wanting to lose, knowing full well Pitt won't accept a two-for-one deal. Shameful. 3. Next in line Two jobs already are open (Western Kentucky, Memphis), more are on the way. It starts this weekend in Louisville, where the Cardinals play host to Syracuse in what can only be described as win or clean out your office on Monday for coach Steve Kragthorpe. Two coaches have already been fired: Louisville's Steve Kragthorpe could be next. It's bad enough that Kragthorpe's teams have underachieved in his three seasons; it's worse that his era has taken a program that had joined the nation's elite and left it fighting with Syracuse to stay out of the Big East cellar. Louisville already has lost twice to Syracuse under Kragthorpe, losses that, in the grand scheme, probably hurt his job security more than any others. Had Louisville not lost to the Orange in 2007 (one of two Syracuse wins that season), it would've finished 7-5 and earned a bowl bid. Had the Cardinals not lost to Syracuse last year, it would've finished 6-6 and been eligible for—and likely received—a bowl. Those two bowl seasons could've protected Kragthorpe from the current meltdown of a season. Others big names fighting for their jobs in the last month of the season: Charlie Weis, Notre Dame: A victory over No. 8 Pitt—his first over a ranked team in the month of November—would be a big step toward righting the ship. Rich Rodriguez, Michigan: Got a vote of confidence earlier this week from outgoing athletic director Bill Martin. That holds as much weight as the 4-0 start this fall. Bobby Bowden, Florida State: Doesn't matter what Bowden wants, losing out—including this week at Wake Forest—and finishing 4-8 will be hard to overlook. Mike Price, UTEP: The loss last week to Tulane was bad, and the uneven play (wins over Houston and Tulsa; losses to Tulane and Memphis) could be his undoing. 4. The state of the Big 12 Admit it, after watching the Nebraska-Oklahoma game last week, you had your reservations about Texas and the rest of the Big 12. The Longhorns' big win this fall was in the Red River Rivalry, a 16-13 nail-biter over a team that, let's face it, isn't exactly what it was a year ago. A team that scored three measly points against Nebraska, which lost to Iowa State at home. I'm not really into the transitive property of comparing college football teams, but the way the Big 12 has played out this fall, there has to be serious concerns about what kind of product we're seeing—especially since last year's PlayStation results were exposed in the bowl season. Colorado (3-6 overall, 2-3 in Big 12) can still win the North Division. Kansas, the preseason favorite, is 1-4 in league play and gets Nebraska at Lawrence this weekend in yet another gut-check game for the Huskers, who already have sustained head-scratching losses to Texas Tech and Iowa State at home. Here's what we know: Kansas State (vs. Missouri this week) and Nebraska control their destiny. One of those two likely will play Texas in the Big 12 championship game, which on the surface looks like an awful game. Then again, what do we really know about Texas? 5. Orange crushed Karma is just so fabulously beautiful sometimes. There was Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin, a guy who never met a sound bite he wouldn't avoid, speaking up on the SEC's weekly teleconference and bragging about his trouble-free players since he arrived in Knoxville. On cue, the following day, three Tennessee freshmen—including high-profile starting safety Janzen Jackson and wideout Nu'Keese Richardson—were charged with attempted armed robbery. Off the field, it's a simple decision. If the three players (including defensive back Mike Edwards) are convicted of the crime, they're out. Not even a question. On the field, there are bigger issues: This Tennessee team was finally hitting a groove, finally getting consistent play from quarterback Jonathan Crompton and on the verge of taking a big step in this week's game at Ole Miss. Just when the Vols survived a brutal month of October with a 2-2 record, they go into an emotionally charged game against defensive line coach Ed Orgeron's former team with a weekend full of drama and distraction. A season that looked like it could finish with as many as nine wins and close losses to the SEC's best (Florida and Alabama), is suddenly a little squirrelly again. Too many distractions off the field leads to too many mistakes on it, especially for an emotional team still finding itself. Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.more>>

Sporting News' Dave Curtis analyzes what Wednesday's buzz means to college football.   Bill Snyder has his Wildcats in line for a run to the Big 12 title game. Snyder saves again Amid the carnage that doubles as the Big 12's North Division, we give you this: Kansas State boasts a winning football team again.   With Oklahoma battered, Texas lacking style points and Nebraska showcasing multiple football personalities, Bill Snyder and the Miracles in Manhattan rank as the league's feel-good... story. A Senior Day win Saturday against Missouri, and a triumph the next week over the Cornhuskers, will send the Wildcats to their first Big 12 championship game since 2003. Those are Darren Sproles days, folks.   And while this team lacks the firepower of Snyder's past teams, they resemble those winners. A bunch of transfers, most from junior colleges, contributing in their first years. A solid rushing attack, this year led by Daniel Thomas' 1,087 yards and 11 scores. And a team trained to play almost mistake-free football -- the '09 Cats lead the Big 12 with a plus-11 turnover margin. Not bad for a team that lost to Louisiana-Lafayette back in Week 2.   Daniel Thomas is the toast of Manhattan. "They're very consistent," Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel said on a teleconference. "I'm very, very impressed."   Two more victories, and the nation will be wowed as well.   State title sparring Credit Idaho coach Robb Akey for getting his team to seven wins and setting the Vandals up for a Humanitarian Bowl bid. But give the guy even more love for the way he's approaching Saturday's "Spud Bowl" against big brother Boise State. Instead of rolling over on the blue turf Saturday afternoon, Akey has said his team plans on beating the Broncos for the first time in 11 years, even if it bumps Boise from a BCS game.   "I want to be the least popular individual with all the WAC administrators after we get done Saturday," Akey said on a teleconference this week.   As expected, staid Broncos coach Chris Petersen chose not to volley back. But there's no doubt Akey's presence and Idaho's improvement have added spice to what could be a fun November rivalry. And he hasn't Kiffin-ized the series, either: There's no slam of Boise anywhere in his comments.   One problem, though -- Idaho is light years behind the Broncos in talent. The Vandals gave up 70 points to Nevada and aren't sure about the playing status of QB Nate Enderle, who has a bad rotator cuff. Maybe someday, Idaho's muscle will match its mouth.   Steve Spurrier again faces Florida and needs a big day from his QB. A tale of two Steves Steve Spurrier took the South Carolina job almost five years ago hoping to lift the program to SEC championship level. Now, with No. 1 Florida set to visit Columbia on Saturday afternoon, he's taking solace in how some Gators opponents have stayed close this season.   "Hopefully," he said on a teleconference Wednesday, "that's what happens here Saturday."   The Gamecocks should be fine on defense, especially if end Cliff Matthews returns from a bad shoulder. Offensively, though, South Carolina needs a big day from Stephen Garcia. The sophomore from Tampa has three consecutive 300-yard passing games, with most of the yards coming with the Gamecocks trailing. The numbers, Spurrier said, help show how much Garcia has improved from last November's game with florida.   "He was a lost Gamecock down in the Swamp last year," Spurrier said.   If Garcia looks lost again, his team will finish 6-6 and send Spurrier's frustration level even higher.   This story appears in Nov. 12's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today.   Dave Curtis is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at dcurtis@sportingnews.com.more>>

Sporting News college football columnist Matt Hayes looks at who will be feeling the heat heading into Week 11. 1. Heisman Trophy voters Case Keenum leads the nation in passing yards per game and touchdown passes. One month remains in the race for the Heisman Trophy, and this thing is only "wide open" because voters refuse to buy into Case Keenum. These, of course, are the same people who a week ago believed Oregon was better than Boise State because, uh, they just are—no matter what that... insignificant thing called scoreboard proclaimed in bold white lights on the first Thursday of the season. A quick aside to my Legends Poll friend Terry Donahue: Coach, there's no such thing as "if they played again." That's the NFL; this is college football. They played, Oregon lost (badly), move on. Now, back to the Heisman: The pressure rests squarely on the collective shoulders of the voters. Mark Ingram of Alabama is a good choice, but he's not the best tailback in the nation (see: Gerhart, Toby). And if Trent Richardson, Alabama's dynamic freshman backup, got Ingram's carries, he'd have the same numbers. I don't want to hear about Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow. While both have had nice seasons, neither has come close to the ridiculous standards they set the previous three seasons. Unless one of the two gets really hot, really quickly, I can't see voting for them—and I'm the guy who still will proclaim Tebow as the greatest player of the modern era. This leaves us with Keenum, whose candidacy is hurt only because his Houston team plays in Conference USA. In nine games, Keenum has thrown for 3,815 yards, 28 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He's completing 71 percent of his passes, and he likely has three regular-season games plus a likely C-USA championship game to further pad those numbers. He led the Cougars to victories over Big 12 South heavies Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, throwing for 801 yards and four touchdowns (two interceptions), and running for two more touchdowns. Against those same two teams, McCoy threw for 376 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Keenum has thrown for more than 500 yards in a game three times, and in Houston's only loss, on the road to UTEP, he completed 51 passes for 536 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Why does playing in a non-BCS league make Keenum's accomplishments less important than average seasons from McCoy and Tebow? In this season without a BCS player seizing the moment, maybe we should look to the best player regardless of conference affiliation. 2. The Notre Dame administration The Charlie Weis question will come down to athletic director Jack Swarbrick, university president Rev. John Jenkins and a few of the school's heavy hitters. Late last year, a few media outlets reported that Weis' buyout wasn't as heavy as many believed. But sources told Sporting News this spring that it is that heavy—and then some. If ND fires Weis after this season, it owes him $18 million. It's cut and dry; don't believe anything else you hear. Notre Dame will have to consider Charlie Weis' $18 million buyout before firing him. That doesn't mean the university won't take that step in stressful economic times, but you better believe it has to be part of the discussion. Firing Weis is a minimum $33-43 million investment, including the Weis buyout and the hiring of a new coach. It will cost at least $3 million a year to get Brian Kelly or Paul Johnson (on typical five-year deals), and maybe as much as $5 million a year for the pipe dream of getting Urban Meyer from Florida. The Irish hired Weis because of his offensive prowess, and because his dynamic personality (while you may not like him, 18-year-old kids and their parents do) would translate to big recruiting classes. In both of those areas, he has delivered. The one area where he hasn't delivered: defense. That has cost him in the win/loss column, where it matters most. Because Weis is the head coach, failure on that side of the ball falls on him. He'd be the first to admit it. Two years ago, Weis hired one of the most respected coordinators in the business, Jon Tenuta, to run the unit, and it hasn't worked out. No one knows the magic number of wins to keep Weis in South Bend, but it's more complicated than wins and losses. 3. The curse of Clemson Admit it: You're starting to believe. As much as I don't want to admit it, because I've been burned by this bandwagon before, I'm hopping aboard again. Clemson—yes, people, Clemson—may finally be for real. Dabo Swinney did a terrific job of holding together the program last fall, and he did it again earlier this year after the meltdown at Georgia Tech and the back-to-back losses to TCU and Maryland. Since the unthinkable against the Terps, Clemson has peeled off four straight wins and needs victories over N.C. State and Virginia in the next two weeks to win the ACC Atlantic Division and play for its first league championship since 1991. I'm all in, you're all in, yet we know what's lurking. The Tigers are hot, C.J. Spiller suddenly is a Heisman Trophy candidate, and quarterback Kyle Parker has eight touchdown passes and two interceptions in his last three league games. It's all set up for ... Clemson's typical flop. If Swinney gets two more league wins out of this team, he's a lock for ACC coach of the year. If not, well ... let's not be the buzzkill just yet. 4. The panic in Ann Arbor Remember when all was well with Rich Rodriguez at Michigan? The team rallied around its embattled coach days before the season opener amid possible NCAA violations, and everything looked peachy a month into the season. Now Michigan is 1-5 in the Big Ten, and two things are clear: 1. TCU or Boise State would win the Big Ten, which could have its worst collection of teams in two decades. And Michigan isn't close to competing in the league. Related Links Hayes' conference calls What we learned Monday This Week In Schadenfreude Introducing UNC DE Robert Quinn 2. The Wolverines' only league win could've—and probably should've—been a loss to Indiana. So where do we go from here? If Michigan doesn't win one of its final two games (against Wisconsin and Ohio State), then it will miss a bowl game in consecutive seasons for the first time since it missed three straight from 1972-74. Don't be foolish and believe Rodriguez is in trouble—at least, not yet. If Michigan fails to become bowl-eligible, Year 3 in 2010 will be make-or-break. And if those alleged NCAA violations are true, the heat will be tenfold, because Michigan then could fire Rodriguez for cause (breaking NCAA rules; it's specifically stated in his contract) and not owe him a dime. 5. Winning as the favorite For the first time since 2005, the college football season has a sense of inevitability in early November. No wild upsets, no crazy possibilities; just three teams with clear paths to the BCS national championship game: No. 1 Florida: at South Carolina, FIU, Florida State, vs. Alabama. No. 2 Alabama: at Mississippi State, Tennessee-Chattanooga, at Auburn, vs. Florida. No. 3 Texas: at Baylor, Kansas, at Texas A&M, Big 12 championship game. In every remaining game—with the exception of the SEC championship—Florida, Alabama and Texas will be double-digit favorites. But as boring as the inevitable looks, imagine the chaos if one of the three loses, and voters are forced to choose between unbeaten Cincinnati, TCU or Boise State—or one of the aforementioned Big Three with a bad loss late in the season? Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.more>>

Each week, Sporting News' Matt Hayes ranks the Division I-A conferences—and the teams within each league. Conf. rankings No. 1 SEC No. 2 Pac-10 No. 3 ACC No. 4 Big 12 No. 5 Big Ten No. 6 Big East Nos. 7-11 1. SEC 1. Florida 2. Alabama 3. LSU... 4. Auburn 5. Tennessee 6. Ole Miss 7. Georgia 8. Arkansas 9. South Carolina 10. Mississippi State 11. Kentucky 12. Vanderbilt Rising Tennessee: Vols navigated a brutal October with a 2-2 record and are easing into the annual November tomato can schedule with a realistic shot at eight victories—if they can win Saturday at Ole Miss. Falling South Carolina: This is it for the Gamecocks. Lose to Florida this week, and it's looking like another 6-6 season and possibly the end of another coach—Steve Spurrier may just give someone else a chance—who can't change the culture of losing. Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.more>>

Sporting News' Matt Hayes analyzes what Wednesday's buzz means to college football. Tim Tebow says the Bulldogs gave as good as they got Saturday. Tebow's coach isn't pleased about that. Clean up the mess Welcome, everyone, to the World's Largest Steel Cage Match. You want dirty? We've got dirty. Earlier this week, when Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes was getting gouged by the court of public opinion for his dirty play in the Georgia game, Florida QB Tim Tebow defended Spikes—an odd moment... for Mr. Clean in such an obvious situation of guilt. But when Tebow said earlier this week that Florida didn't do "anything in that game that (Georgia) didn't do," he wasn't kidding. Florida coach Urban Meyer said on Wednesday's SEC teleconference that he sent tape into the SEC office showing a late hit Tebow sustained against Georgia. The video is just as brutal, perhaps more, as Spikes' fingers in the facemask of Georgia tailback Washaun Ealey.   Meyer said "that should've been a penalty, in my opinion." This, of course, brings us to another sticky situation. It was last week when SEC commissioner Mike Slive told league coaches to stop publicly criticizing officiating—or feel the consequences of a fine or suspension. What does Slive now do with these comments from Meyer: "Obviously it should have been (a penalty). You have to protect the quarterbacks. That's the whole purpose. It's right in front of the referee." All about Bobby Poor Jimbo Fisher. At some point, you start feeling for the Pinata in Waiting. Bobby Bowden took it upon himself during the ACC's weekly teleconference to announce that, yes, he will make the decision on who replaces Mickey Andrews as defensive coordinator. "It's one of those things I'll make the final decision on," Bowden said. "But I'll definitely get (Fisher's) input—and very strongly." That and a quarter will get a ducat to a game at Doak Campbell Stadium, where there were more than 15,000 empty seats for last week's victory over N.C. State. Bottom line: Bowden again is asserting himself—and digging in—to coach the 2010 season. What defensive coordinator would want to step into this mess? Ladies and gentlemen, your new FSU defensive coordinator: Tommy Bowden! Fed to the lions The way Oregon has been canonized this week for rolling an—can we finally say it?—overrated USC defense, you would think Stanford is preparing to play the Indianapolis Colts this weekend at The Farm. And Cardinal coach Jim Harbaugh is feeding the masses. Pun intended. Harbaugh said he has been watching a YouTube video of a baby water buffalo that gets attacked by lions and then bitten at by an alligator.  Related Links Spikes asks to sit out full game; Florida obliges News: Meyer says Tebow received cheap shot Cook: The All-Mickey Andrews Team "I don't think we got it as bad as this baby water buffalo, and he was in maybe even a little more of a predicament," Harbaugh said. "He was able to survive, though. So we draw some inspiration from that." Stanford has lost seven straight to Oregon and eight of the last nine. Yet this has the potential to be a classic letdown game for the Ducks after their big win over USC. This story appears in Nov. 5's edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free. Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.more>>

Analyzing what Monday's buzz means to college football: A plug for Pryor In early October 2004, Vince Young and the Texas Longhorns got shut out in the annual rivalry game with Oklahoma. It would be the last game Young would lose as a college player. Maybe that gives Mack Brown some credence to make a similar prediction for Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, whose career sits near the point Young's was when he started his run. Brown has some knowledge of Pryor from Saturday night highlight... shows and from facing him in January's Fiesta Bowl. And Brown said on Monday's Big 12 coaches teleconference that from his observations, Pryor will enjoy a bright future as a Buckeye. "Before he leaves Ohio State, he'll lead them to a national championship," Brown said. "He's that kind of player." That's a bold statement, sure, but it comes from the leader of a program that's rolling toward another national title opportunity. And after such an endorsement, giving up on Pryor seems like an activity better suited for 2010 than 2009. Soft on Spikes Shame on Florida and the SEC for not extending linebacker Brandon Spikes' suspension to at least a game. As Dan Wetzel from Yahoo! Sports pointed out Monday afternoon, the eye gouge Spikes attempted on Georgia running back Washaun Ealey is illegal in mixed martial arts. (Time for a new adage: What's illegal in the octagon is a felony on the gridiron.) A boost of his punishment, plus a little creativity — maybe some community service involving the blind residents of Alachua County in Florida? — would hammer home that such activity has no place in football. The subplot here is teammate Tim Tebow's comment Monday that the Gators were doing nothing that Georgia wasn't trying on them. Even if Tebow is accurate, it seems like turning the other cheek would be the prudent move for Florida. Instead, Spikes lashed out and pretty much got away with it, placing a temporary black stain on the orange and blue. Not so Happy Valley Ohio State figures to face its toughest road challenge of this season this weekend at Penn State. But take it from veteran offensive tackle Jim Cordle — the hard part starts well before opening kickoff. Here are some reflections from Cordle on OSU's 2007 visit to Beaver Stadium. "The term we use around here is black flag city. You obviously have to keep your head on a swivel, close ranks and just focus in. On the bus ride there, you come up a hill, then down by the stadium, and our bus is getting rocked. We're getting all kinds of beers thrown at us. "Then you get to the locker room, and it's pretty bad. It's this old little shack under the bleachers. When you're walking out to the field, they have old steel bleachers you can see through, and people just line up and let you have it. "Then, on the field, you see the whiteout. They get 'Zombie Nation' going, and obviously, that's the most feared stadium to play in. There's a lot of fierceness in those fans."more>>

Each week, Sporting News' Matt Hayes ranks the Division I-A conferences and the teams within each league. Conf. rankings No. 1 SEC No. 2 Pac-10 No. 3 Big Ten No. 4 ACC No. 5 Big 12 No. 6 Big East Nos. 7-11 1. SEC 1. Florida 2. Alabama 3. LSU 4.... Auburn 5. Tennessee 6. Mississippi 7. South Carolina 8. Georgia 9. Arkansas 10. Mississippi State 11. Kentucky 12. Vanderbilt Rising Tennessee: Lane Kiffin's whining and those putrid black/orange unis overshadow a team beginning to find itself—and heading into a winnable month of November. Falling South Carolina: Arkansas, Florida and Clemson remain. Who else sees another November swoon for the Gamecocks? Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. E-mail him at mhayes@sportingnews.com.more>>