Joe Juliano's College Football Report
Top 10 Topics
1. Love that BCS
Seven teams remain undefeated and at various levels of worthiness for a spot in the Bowl Championship Series title game, while some interesting one-loss teams are still in play. One of those one-loss teams, however, is not Penn State, although the Nittany Lions are assured to a degree of getting into a BCS bowl if they run the table. Southern Cal is the highest-rated one-loss team but stands fifth in the BCS, meaning the Trojans need some help before they can be considered a championship contender.
Seven teams remain undefeated and at various levels of worthiness for a spot in the Bowl Championship Series title game, while some interesting one-loss teams are still in play. One of those one-loss teams, however, is not Penn State, although the Nittany Lions are assured to a degree of getting into a BCS bowl if they run the table. Southern Cal is the highest-rated one-loss team but stands fifth in the BCS, meaning the Trojans need some help before they can be considered a championship contender.
2. Living on the edge
The Big Ten is represented by unbeaten Iowa, which is disdained by the pollsters (No. 7 in the AP poll) but loved by the computers. Five of the six mathematical formulas used by the BCS have the Hawkeyes as the nation's No. 1 team. That amuses head coach Kirk Ferentz, who said that if computers "had eyes and ears and could see us play, they would say, 'Are you kidding me?'" The Hawkeyes (8-0), who beat Michigan State on the game's final play last week, host Indiana (4-4).
3. Now, boys ... boys!
With the Southeastern Conference approaching anarchy with its coaches complaining about officiating, commissioner Mike Slive has put his foot down. Slive told the Associated Press yesterday that, rather than reprimands, any coach who criticizes officials publicly will face a fine or suspension. This week, Tennessee's Lane Kiffin and Mississippi State's Dan Mullen complained about the officiating in their team's losses to the nation's top two teams and were reprimanded.
4. In a funk
It's been a rough season for Florida's Tim Tebow. First the leader of the Gators (7-0) suffered a concussion, and now he's directing a sputtering offense that has converted on just two of 15 trips to the red zone in the last three games. Coach Urban Meyer said "there's a chance" that Tebow is putting too much pressure on himself. But the sight of archrival Georgia (4-3) today in Jacksonville, Fla., should do wonders for the Florida offense.
5. Seeking faster starts
On its last two trips to Oklahoma State, Texas has rebounded from deficits of 19 and 21 points to defeat the Cowboys (6-1). Coach Mack Brown hopes his No. 3 Longhorns (7-0) can get off to a better start and not tempt fate against their 13th-ranked hosts, who are without top receiver Dez Bryant. And how good is the Texas defense? The Longhorns have committed 15 turnovers this season, and opponents have scored just one touchdown and one field goal off these miscues.
6. Meanwhile, in the Pacific Northwest . . .
Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli will test the suddenly shaky defense of Southern Cal in a game that will go a long way toward deciding the Pac-10 champion. The fourth-ranked Trojans (6-1) have allowed 285 and 329 passing yards in the last two weeks, to Notre Dame and Oregon State, respectively. The No. 10 Ducks (6-1) rank only 66th in the nation in total offense but average 34.0 points per game, good for 16th.
7. Pryor's take
Even after accounting for 343 yards of total offense and three touchdowns last week, Terrelle Pryor continues to hear from the rabble rousers who still can't understand why he is Ohio State's quarterback. "Criticism comes with the territory," Pryor said. "You have to let that stuff go by you." The 17th-ranked Buckeyes (6-2) will prepare for next week's Penn State showdown by playing ferocious New Mexico State (3-5). Hey, at least it's an FBS team.
8. Playing unlike a sub
In the meantime, Ohio's best team (sorry, couldn't resist) hits the road for a game against Syracuse (3-4). Fifth-ranked Cincinnati (7-0) again will go with Zach Collaros for the injured Tony Pike at quarterback. Last week, Collaros threw more touchdown passes (three) than incompletions (two) in the Bearcats' romp over Louisville. Pike, who underwent surgery on his left (non-throwing) forearm to replace a plate, is expected to be ready for next week's game against Connecticut.
9. Ready to break through?
We talked earlier about Kiffin and his moaning about officials. But the guy has got something going at Tennessee, and that could mean a victory tonight against No. 21 South Carolina (6-2). The Volunteers (3-4) are 10th in the nation in total defense and narrowly missed upsetting then-No. 1 Alabama last week. The Gamecocks, however, are motivated by a statement Kiffin is alleged to have made to a recruit, that he would end up "pumping gas" if he signed at Carolina.
10. Those lowly Seminoles
Florida State lost only one game at home during the 1990s, going 56-1-1. The Seminoles enter their contest against North Carolina State seeking to break a five-game home losing streak to FBS teams dating back to Nov. 8. The FSU defense has allowed 30, 49 and 52 points in its last three games, negating an offense that ranks eighth nationally in passing, led by quarterback Christian Ponder.
Games of the Week
Rutgers at Connecticut, noon, 6ABC: The Huskies face yet another emotional day, their first home game since the tragic death of defensive back Jasper Howard.
Indiana at Iowa, noon, ESPN: The Hawkeyes have had more trouble with mediocre teams at home than good teams on the road, and who's to say it won't happen again.
Penn at Brown, 12:30 p.m., WNTP-AM (990): Playing the 1,300th game in their history, the Quakers need another supreme effort from their defense to keep their place in the Ivy League race.
Temple at Navy, 3:30 p.m., WHAT-AM (1340): The Owls' defense, ranked 15th in the nation in rushing yards allowed, gets a bit of a break with Mids quarterback Ricky Dobbs out due to a knee injury.
Florida vs. Georgia at Jacksonville, Fla., 3:30 p.m., CBS3: The Bulldogs, with a minus-11 turnover ratio (119th in the nation), should make enough mistakes to give the beleaguered Gator offense chances at short fields.
Penn State at Northwestern, 4:30 p.m., ESPN, WFIL-AM (560), WNPV-AM (1440): The Nittany Lions must pay attention to the Wildcats' potent offense and not look ahead to next week's duel with Ohio State.
Notre Dame vs. Washington State at San Antonio, 7:30 p.m., NBC10: Only the airlines benefit from this wacky bit of neutral-field scheduling.
South Carolina at Tennessee, 7:45 p.m., ESPN: Rookie coach Lane Kiffin has the Volunteers faithful excited again and a win over the No. 21 Gamecocks will send them into orbit.
USC at Oregon, 8 p.m., 6ABC: Quarterbacks Matt Barkley of the Trojans and Jeremiah Masoli of the Ducks are the featured attractions, but this Pac-10 showdown will come down to defense.
Texas at Oklahoma State, 8 p.m., ESPN2: The Cowboys desperately need a win to stay alive for a BCS bowl while the Longhorns want to stay in the series' title picture.
The Real Top 10
Staff writer Joe Juliano's rankings for Week 9:
1. Florida
2. Alabama
3. Texas
4. Cincinnati
5. Southern Cal
6. TCU
7. Boise St.
8. Iowa
9. Georgia Tech
10. LSU
Contact staff writer Joe Juliano at 215-854-4494 or jjuliano@phillynews.com.
