Joe Juliano's College Football Report

2. . . . Or not
Then again, there's a long way to go. If Alabama fails to find its lost offense, it could lose today to Louisiana State. Texas has an easy schedule, but archrival Texas A&M lies waiting in College Station on Thanksgiving. Iowa, which has led a charmed life all season, travels to Ohio State next week. Cincinnati still must play Pittsburgh in the Big East. One of the unbeaten non-BCS schools will be shunned if Notre Dame can win out and get a wild card at 10-2. And Penn State? The Nittany Lions' BCS hopes will end today if they lose to the Buckeyes.

3. Hawkeye hocus-pocus
Here's the deal at Iowa: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw five interceptions - four in one quartercq - last week against Indiana and has 13 for the season, tied for second in the nation. The Hawkeyes got a gift on an apparent Hoosiers touchdown that was overturned on review. With Indiana going in for a score from the 2, Tyler Sash returned an interception that was deflected four (four!) times to the house. While everyone wonders when their balloon will burst, the Hawkeyes (9-0) try to provide more magic at home against Northwestern.

4. Alabama all-Americans
Running back Mark Ingram and linebacker Rolando McClain have an agreement during practice. "I won't try to kill him every time I hit him," McClain said, "and he won't try to run me over." The Crimson Tide (8-0) need huge performances from both players on their home field to defeat LSU (7-1). With each side playing a first-year quarterback, look for both teams to try to establish the run against defenses that rank in the top 15 nationally in yards allowed.

5. Look out, Lions
For all you old-timers who remember the epic duels between Penn State and Pittsburgh, you must be a bit intrigued to find the Panthers only two rungs below the No. 11 Nittany Lions in this week's BCS standings. After a no-sweat game today against Syracuse, Pitt (7-1) finishes up with Notre Dame, archrival West Virginia, and Cincinnatiall, and can steal a BCS bowl bid if it runs the table. Quarterback Bill Stull is third nationally in passing efficiency, with 16 touchdown passes and just four interceptions.

6. Meet LaMike
His name is LaMichael James, but you can call him "LaMike" - as Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli does. The Ducks turned to James, a redshirt freshman, after running back LeGarrette Blount was suspended for the season for punching a Boise State player, and James has seized his opportunity. James rushed for 183 yards in 24 carriescq last week in the Ducks' 47-20 romp over Southern California, giving him five games over the century mark in seven starts. Oregon (7-1) needs to guard against a letdown at Stanford (5-3).

7. A costly whine
The SEC coaching complaint for the week was posted (again) by Florida's Urban Meyer, who sent to the league office a video of what he called a late hit against Gators quarterback Tim Tebow by Georgia linebacker Nick Williams. Last week, SEC commissioner Mike Slive announced that coaches who publicly criticize officials would be fined or suspended instead of reprimanded. Meyer was fined $30,000 yesterdayfri.

8. About that eye-gouge . . .
Initially, Meyer came up weak in the punishment department by announcing that linebacker Brandon Spikes would be suspended for the first half of tonight's game for appearing to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey last week. After two days of criticism, the coach lengthened the suspension to include the entire game against SEC doormat Vanderbilt. His reason: "A lot of the negative things out there are really weighing heavy on [Spikes'] heart right now."

9. A good wingman
The Heisman Trophy candidacy of Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen received a shot in the arm when wide receiver Michael Floyd was cleared to play today against Navy. Floyd was second in the nation in receiving yards when he broke his left collarbone in a Sept. 19 game. Clausen has passed for 2,318 yards and 18 touchdowns, with two interceptionsall cq, in the Irish's eight games. During Floyd's five-game absence, wideout Golden Tate caught 37 passes for 626 yards.

10. Those were the days
Remember all those years when the Nebraska-Oklahoma game had national-championship implications? Well, today's game in Lincoln, Neb., is bringing out reminders of that glorious past while attempting to overshadow the three losses sported by each of the current teams. Six Heisman Trophy winners, a list that includes Camden native Mike Rozier of Nebraska and Billy Sims of Oklahoma, were scheduled to be honored last night at a dinner, and were expected to attend the game.

Games to Watch

Northwestern at Iowa, noon, ESPN: Harry Houdini would have loved the seventh-ranked Hawkeyes, who may need to perform another escape if quarterback Mike Kafka plays for the Wildcats.

Navy at Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m., NBC10: Each team welcomes back a valuable player - Fighting Irish wide receiver Michael Floyd, Midshipmen quarterback Ricky Dobbs - from injury.

Ohio State at Penn State, 3:30 p.m., 6ABC, WNTP-AM (990), WNPV-AM (1440): The winner, which stays alive for a spot in the Rose Bowl, will be the team with the defense that can force more mistakes from the opposition.

Villanova at Richmond, 3:30 p.m., CSN, ESPN-AM (950): The Wildcats have two advantages on offense - the nation's fifth-best rushing attack and third-lowest turnover figure - as they look to knock off the No. 1 team in the FCS.

Princeton at Penn, 3:30 p.m., TCN, WFIL-AM (560): While the Quakers offense continues to search for an identity, the defense is what's keeping them tied for first in the Ivy League.

LSU at Alabama, 3:30 p.m., CBS3: The Crimson Tide, who tallied only four field goals in their most recent game, hope they rediscovered their offense during a bye week to reclaim a top-two spot in the BCS.

Oregon at Stanford, 3:30 p.m. (not on local television): After last week's humongous victory over USC, the Ducks can't afford a letdown against a team they've beaten seven straight times.

Vanderbilt at Florida, 7:15 p.m., ESPN2: Tim Tebow gets an opportunity to build up his stats and restore his standing in the Heisman Trophy race.

Connecticut at Cincinnati, 8 p.m., 6ABC: The Bearcats finally make it to prime time, meaning the country gets to see an explosive passing attack, to be led once again by backup Zach Collaros.

The Real Top 10

Staff writer Joe Juliano's rankings for Week 10:

1. Florida
2. Alabama
3. Texas
4. Cincinnati
5. TCU
6. Boise State
7. Iowa
8. Oregon
9. Georgia Tech
10. LSU