Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1. Louisiana State, 10-0, 1

2. Oklahoma State, 10-0, 2

3. Alabama, 9-1, 4

4. Oregon, 9-1, 6

5. Oklahoma, 8-1, 5

6. Arkansas, 9-1, 8

7. Clemson, 9-1, 9

8. Virginia Tech, 9-1, 10

9. Stanford, 9-1, 3

10. Michigan State, 8-2, 12

11. Kansas State, 8-2, 11

12. Wisconsin, 8-2, 13

13. South Carolina, 8-2, 14

14. Georgia, 8-2, 15

15. Boise State, 8-1, 7

16. Southern Cal, 8-2, 16

17. Houston, 10-0, 17

18. Florida State, 7-3, 19

19. Michigan, 8-2, 22

20. Nebraska, 8-2, 23

21. Texas Christian, 8-2, NR

22. Southern Miss, 9-1, 24

23. Penn State, 8-2, 18

24. Notre Dame, 7-3, 25

25. Baylor, 7-3, NR

OUT: Georgia Tech (21) and Texas (20)

VOTES: Texas, Missouri, Iowa, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Florida, Auburn, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Virginia, Utah, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Washington and BYU.

Yet another honors candidate players is lost for the season as RB Henry Josey of Missouri tore up his knee versus Texas on Saturday...Houston, held scoreless in the opening quarter, still put 73 on Tulane....Colorado got a big win, blasting Arizona...Arizona State's hopes for a big season hit the floor as they were dumped at Wazzu...Toledo lost 63-60 to Northern Illinois last week, but got the win this week 66-63 over Western Michigan wearing out the scoreboard operator....UCF fired their AD under allegations of violations, just as a Big East invite is looming...Oregon laid a smack down on Stanford, and seemingly damaged Andrew Luck's walk away Heisman win...Florida is woeful on offense and will be dogs at home versus FSU for potential sixth loss...Michigan State got a big road win at Iowa....Georgia spanked Auburn is surprising fashion and the Dawgs seem to be peaking after 0-2 start....Ole Miss got punted by LA Tech, and Houston Nutt is gone at seasons end....It does not appear anyone is interested in winning the Big East....Ohio State, just getting their footing in 2011, fell at Purdue for the fourth time in six seasons.....Kentucky is really having a poor season, as is Tennessee....Okie State smashed Texas Tech at Lubbock....The Texas Aggies lost another close one....Early promise of a good season has crashed at Mississippi State and Maryland.

It was perhaps the worst week for the game of college football with the horrific events that have occurred at Penn State coming to light. Former Defensive Coordinator Jerry Sandusky set this all in motion with the alleged heinous acts he committed, and the cover up has led to the arrest of school administrators and the firing of the school President and legendary football coach Joe Paterno. Chris Fowler of ESPN nailed it by saying the situation is simply incomprehensible.

With deep sadness across the land, a game was to be played on Saturday at State College, and it was the Nebraska Cornhuskers, a program know for its great fan base, as the opponent. Nebraska receivers coach Ron Brown, a former executive with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, led the two teams in prayer before the game in a very touching gesture.

It was difficult to predict how this game would go, with all the mind boggling levels of emotion engulfing both squads. Against Penn State's strong defensive unit, the 'Huskers navigated their way through, and threw out some strong defense as well, to lead the whole way winning a close game 17-14. The 'Huskers needed the victory, and are happy to have escaped this ordeal with the win, saved in part by LB Lavonte David stuffing a Lion tailback on 4th and 1 and the NU 37 late in the ball game.

The horrendous Penn State story will continue to unfold, and it is likely to get much worse before it gets any better. This is an unprecedented story, which will permanently damage Penn State University on every front. Perhaps the game Saturday could begin the healing process for all involved.

Florida State held of the Miami Hurricanes, not withstanding a frontal assault by a horrendous officiating crew, 23-19 in Tallahassee. While the weather was top notch, the officiating was not. The Seminoles had three touchdowns taken off the board and numerous bogus personal foul penalties late kept Miami in the game. Defeating the Hurricanes is tough enough, but having to beat the officials on top of it is a real challenge.

Leading Seminole tackler Nigel Bradham was ejected for the following classic, and quite legal, hit, with ABC's Matt Millen once again with solid analysis.

Miami brought their A game, and I would expect nothing less. Florida State quite obviously remains a work in progress, as they did not play anywhere near their best football. But, a win against the Hurricanes, given the heartbreaking defeats over the years, is sweet no matter the score. A great evening in Tallahassee indeed!

Top 25

College Football

Top 25

1. Oklahoma, 5-0, 1

2. Alabama, 6-0, 2

3. Louisiana State, 6-0, 3

4. Stanford, 5-0, 4

5. Oklahoma State, 6-0, 5

6. Wisconsin, 5-0, 5

7. Boise State, 4-0,6

8. Clemson, 6-0, 7

9. Oregon, 4-1, 8

10. Arkansas, 5-1, 10

11. Michigan, 6-0, 11

12. South Carolina, 5-1, 15

13. Georgia Tech, 6-0, 17

14. Nebraska, 5-1, 18

15. Texas A&M, 3-2, 14

16. Auburn, 4-2, 13

17. West Virginia, 5-1, 19

18. Georgia, 4-2, 21

19. Illinois, 6-0, 23

20. Virginia, Tech, 5-1, 20

21. Arizona State, 5-1, 24

22. Michigan State, 4-1, 25

23. Kansas State, 5-0, NR

24. Baylor, 4-1, NR

25. Houston, 6-0, NR

OUT: Florida State (12), Texas (16), Florida (22)

VOTES: Penn State, Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Florida, Texas, Florida State, North Carolina, Rutgers, Southern Methodist, Southern Miss, Miami and Texas Tech.

Oklahoma destroyed Texas in the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl at the Texas State Fair in Dallas....Florida is hurting at quarterback and has Auburn and improving Georgia Bulldogs upcoming.....Okie State had 56 at the half against Kansas, and they are a title contender for sure....Arkansas got throttled by BAMA but is whipping everyone else....Pitt got hammered by Rutgers, which is not good....K State dumped Mizzou, and is undefeated....Baylor and RGIII rebounded by thrashing Iowa State...Stanford hammered Colorado, where the wheels have come off...Georgia controlled Tennessee...Michigan outlasted Northwestern in Evanston....UCF flooded Marshall, as we had 6 inches of rain in greater Orlando yesterday....Virginia Tech outlasted Miami in Blacksburg in a great game, with my Cane friends Danny and Pat in attendance....Penn State beat Iowa, usually a problem game for the Lions...Illinois is the surprise of the Big Ten, out to a 6-0 record, the best for them in 60 years...Texas A&M, off to the SEC, won at Texas Tech in Lubbock on Saturday in a hard fought 45-40 game, but when they got back to the team buses, things took a turn for the worse as Red Raider sportsmanship, or lack thereof, lost containment.

While excuses could be made for the first two losses of the season for Florida State, the loss yesterday at Wake forest was quite simply inexcusable. This one is on the coaching staff. Yes, the offensive line, pedestrian at best without injury, is injury ravaged and a major liability. It is upon the coaches to game plan around it. Certainly, Clint Trickett performed well at Clemson, but with a week off he should have been better prepared for Wake if he was gong to start. Early on, he made several mistakes and looked lost, expected for a young player. If Manual could play, he should have been playing. Either way, this is a coaching issue. The defense, expected to be a strength, is unable to get off the field, either by mental lapses or penalties. Again, coaching. As my friend RP5 correctly noted, Florida State is woefully lackadaisical in getting plays off, even when you should have a sense of urgency. This is regrettably typical for FSU, and again lies on the coaches. I fear we could see the individuals on this team emerge, and the season could be lost. The coaches may not recognize the sense of urgency on the field, but they had better see it in the locker room. Fisher and his staff had better get a grip on this situation fast, for a season of promise, and one to set the stepping stone to what could be a great year in 2012, could be lost.

With Ohio State mauling Nebraska much of the night, ABC analyst Matt Millen was strong. When you think of what analyst you would want calling the game for your team, Matt Millen may not be the first name you think of, but he does have decent points most days. Millen, no doubt with a heavy heart after learning of the passing of the passing of the king of the Raider family, Al Davis, Millen was spot on in calling Ohio State at Nebraska. Millen correctly pointed out the OSU was whipping the Big Red at the line of scrimmage, using a cut back rushing plan to counter the Blackshirt speed and the confidence freshman Buckeye QB Braxton Miller was playing with. For Nebraska, who broke a school record coming from down 21 points to win, Millen nailed several key points. Jared Crick is not himself, and his play shows it. Don't know what the deal is. Lavonte David is phenomenal, and should win the Butkus Award. Taylor Martinez played very well, even while the 'Huskers were getting killed. The Husker offensive line, who played well late, were terrible for three quarters and this is a major issue. Rex Burkhead is a wonderful player, one who can be counted on to produce. Big win for Pelini and the Cornhuskers, for the season was in danger of collapse. In honor of Al Davis, just win, baby!

PHOTO: RIVALS.COM