9. Conference USA

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Last rank: 10

The skinny: East Carolina missed a chance at the North Carolina/North Carolina State sweep last weekend, falling to the Wolfpack 34-20. Still, Skip Holtz' squad has been better than advertised, and some of the top programs in the league -- Southern Miss, Central Florida, Houston -- are rounding into shape as the season winds down. The league has a shot at five bowl bids, which is all it can hope for after a less-than-impressive non-conference showing this year.

10. MAC

Last rank: 9

The skinny: Here's all you need to know about the MAC. Central Michigan is the league's lone unbeaten team in league play, winning three conference games by an average of 22 points. Take the Chippewas out of the MAC, and here's what you get: a 45-point loss to Kansas, a 23-point loss to Purdue, a 56-point loss to Clemson and ... a 30-point loss to Division I-AA (FCS) North Dakota State.

11. Sun Belt

Last rank: 11

The skinny: Middle Tennessee's win over Memphis a few weeks back was another feather for the nation's bottom conference. This season, the league can claim two wins over Memphis, plus victories over Oklahoma State, Minnesota and SMU. Troy appears poised to run away with the league title and berth in the New Orleans bowl.

Angry E-mail of the Week

Last week, I named each conference No. 1 in something and received solid feedback. Two themes emerged -- Mark Richt should have been mentioned among the SEC coaches, and there is NO WAY Ohio State is taking the 'Linebacker U' tag away from Penn State. Fair enough. Here's one reader that didn't appreciate the Pac-10's rank as No. 1 in "Spectacular Upsets."

How come every conference but the Pac-10 gets complimented? You pretty much called them the No. 1 Chokers. Why can't you say something nice about them too? You are much better writer than that.
-- Jason, Hayward, CA

Here is my Pac-10 compliment: Best Uniforms, as a whole. Even Oregon somewhat made up for past transgressions with those sweet all-whites last weekend.