| Quick Hits |
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California Love
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Pete Carroll should be looking over his shoulder, because a rejuvenated Cal appears set to end USC's Pac-10 domination. The Bears looked like top-10 imposters while being ripped by Tennessee in the season opener, but have rebounded by scoring 40-plus in five straight games, including a win over Oregon. This isn't just Jeff Tedford's latest scoring machine; Cal can play D, holding Ducks RB Jonathan Stewart to 25 yards. Watch out Nov. 18, USC.
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Hog Heaven?
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Is Arkansas really this good? The Razorbacks blew the lid off Auburn's D as backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones totaled 249 yards and two TDs against what was thought to be the nation's best D. The Hogs have a strong nucleus and the win over AU could be what carries this program to the next level, but they're a year from being a real SEC contender.
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Chuck Is Dynamite
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No one knows how to save their job quite like Chuck Amato. With his fourth win against his former boss Bobby Bowden's 'Noles, the N.C. State coach looks poised for his best ACC finish. By far, his best move yet was turning to QB Daniel Evans, who has led the 'Pack to consecutive wins over ranked teams. Another reason to keep Amato? This never gets old.
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Northern Exposure
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It's time to start talking about Missouri as the frontrunner in the Big 12 North. Mizzou proved it has the defense to go along with Chase Daniel and the offense, forcing five turnovers in a convincing win over Texas Tech, including two interceptions in 28 seconds that were both returned for TDs. The Tigers may just be the North's best bet to land in K.C. on Dec. 2.
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Get On The Ball
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Welcome to the history books, David Ball. The New Hampshire WR hauled in his 51st TD pass on Saturday, breaking Jerry Rice's Division I-AA record. So what did Ball's dad say is the best part? "That [Rice] will always be linked with David Ball." He's done more than that; he's joined Rice, Walter Payton, T.O. and Randy Moss as the best I-AA players ever.
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| Ups & Downs |
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Florida Gators
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The Chris Leak-Tim Tebow coalition is proving having two QBs doesn't always mean you don't have one. The Gators, now 6-0, have history on their side: they're off to their best start since '96, when they won it all.
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Auburn Tigers
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Is this almost prophetic? Days after Tommy Tuberville said he doubts any SEC team can make the title game without a playoff, the tough SEC sked ruins his title dreams. The big question: what happened to the D?
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Michigan Wolverines
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The Wolverines retained the Paul Bunyan Trophy by dominating the line of scrimmage. UM ran for 211 yards and the nation's best run defense gave up just 60. Sorry Gators, but this is the nation's second-best team.
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Georgia Bulldogs
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If you'd told Mark Richt his Dawgs would have two special teams TDs and 33 points against the Vols, he would've been ecstatic. But UGA's D folded, resulting in the most points ever allowed (51) in Richt's tenure.
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Army Black Knights
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It's time to give a service academy props. Army drubbed VMI 62-7 for its first 60-point game since '58 to help the Black Knights to their best start in 10 years. Army (3-3) is halfway to its combined '04 and '05 wins.
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Oregon Ducks
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Stewart, the Pac-10's leading rusher, never got going as the Ducks were ripped by Cal. Dennis Dixon threw for 263 yards, but most came when the game was out of reach. The Ducks' Pac-10 title dreams are finished.
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| They Said It |
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"I would very much say if we continue to do well, that could very well be the [signature] play of Clemson's season."
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--Clemson coach Tommy Bowden on DL Gaines Adam's 66-yard fumble return for a TD, which sparked a rally from 14 down in a 27-17 win over previously unbeaten Wake Forest.
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"I'm just sitting there like, 'What the, you know, is going on?'"
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--Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, who thought his fourth-quarter drop was an incompletion, not a fumbled lateral. Texas' Aaron Ross returned the loose ball for a TD.
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"That's longer than I've run in a long time. I got tired about 60 yards into it."
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--Boise State safety Marty Tadman, who returned an interception 98 yards for a score in the Broncos' 55-14 win over Louisiana Tech, which moved Boise St. to 6-0 on the season.
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| Big Men On Campus |
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Tim TebowQB - Florida
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He accounted for three touchdowns on just 15 snaps, including a 1-yard jump pass that would have made Jimmy Chitwood jealous in the Gators' 23-10 win over LSU and a QB keeper that was the first rushing TD LSU had given up in '06.
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P.J. HillRB - Wisconsin
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He's gaining comparisons to Badgers' great Ron Dayne and the 242-pounder showed why in a 41-9 rout of Northwestern. The mix of power and speed ran for 249 yards and a TD and hit the century mark with 5:13 left in the first quarter.
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Colt BrennanQB - Hawaii
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The Warriors' gunslinger threw for 419 yards and four touchdowns on 36 of 47 passing in Hawaii's 41-34 win over Nevada. At one point, Brennan was 20 of 22 for 242 yards and three TDs and by the half, he had 252 yards and four scores.
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| Statitudes |
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12
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Number of Ohio State interceptions this year. Defensive end Vernon Gholston picked off a Bowling Green pass to equal '05's combined number of interceptions and fumble recoveries.
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134
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Number of penalty yards West Virginia was hit with in the Mountaineers' 42-14 victory over Mississippi State. The 'Eers were hit with 11 flags on the day, including four personal fouls.
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251
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Nebraska's rushing yards in a 28-14 win over Iowa State. Cody Glenn led with 148 yards as the Cornhuskers ran their season total to 1,264, 112 more than they had all of last year.
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| Top 25 Photo Gallery: Week 6 |
Click image to launch gallery
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| Crystal Ball |
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Virginia Tech at Boston CollegeOCTOBER 12
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Hokies QB Sean Glennon has gained confidence in his last three games, throwing six passes of 40-plus yards. He should cut up the Eagles pass D, which is 109th in the nation, giving up 256.6 ypg.
Virginia Tech 30, Boston College 20
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Florida at AuburnOCTOBER 14
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Like we've come to expect from key SEC matchups, defenses will rule and points will be at a premium. The Tigers should be fired up after last week's loss to the Hogs and will end Florida's perfect run.
Auburn 17, Florida 14
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Ohio State at Michigan StateOCTOBER 14
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Ohio State's No. 1. The Spartans are slumping. Is this '98 all over again? I don't think so. The Buckeyes are too explosive on offense and Michigan State won't be able to keep up -- or slow them down.
Ohio State 31, Michigan State 10
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Arizona State at USCOCTOBER 14
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It doesn't get any better for Dirk Koetter's crew. The Sun Devils end a tough three-game run against USC. ASU has allowed 49 and 48 points in two losses and USC is due for an offensive breakout.
USC 40, Arizona State 28
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Rutgers at NavyOCTOBER 14
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The one could be trouble for Rutgers. The Knights are 13th against the run, but there's nothing like Navy's triple option, which tops the nation (357.2 ypg). Rutgers can rest assured, Navy's D can't hang.
Rutgers 30, Navy 21
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