 | Quarterback Taylor Tharp and Boise State should challenge Hawaii on Friday night. Brad Mangin/SI |
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Saturday night in Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri will square off to settle the issue of, "Who should be No. 2?" One night earlier, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii and Boise State will meet to settle the issue of, "Should one of these teams be ranked in the top 14?"
The question of where to rank Hawaii has been one of the more vexing challenges as a voter all season long. At the end of last season, when the 11-3 Warriors beat an 8-5 Purdue team, took 10-4 Oregon State to the wire and throttled 7-6 Arizona State in their bowl game, there was at least tangible evidence to suggest Hawaii might legitimately be one of the 25 best teams in the country, and I ranked them accordingly (24th) heading into this season.
As the Warriors have worked their way through this season, jousting weekly with the likes of Northern Colorado, Charleston Southern and Utah State, I've very gradually moved them up to their current post of 17th, but it's been more the result of teams ahead of them losing than anything Hawaii itself has done. Even at this late point in the season, with the Warriors sitting at 10-0, it's utterly impossible to say whether they're better or worse than No. 16 Virginia or No. 18 Clemson.
The only thing we know for sure is they were capable of going on the road last week and notching a last-second win over 5-5 Nevada, despite having to play their backup quarterback. It was Hawaii's most impressive feat to date for sure, but it wasn't anything that unranked Nebraska, Northwestern and Fresno State haven't accomplished as well.
Some would argue that Hawaii, having faced the nation's 153rd-most difficult schedule -- weaker than those of more than 30 I-AA teams -- according to Jeff Sagarin's Division I ratings, should not be ranked at all. Others would argue that in a sport where Louisiana-Monroe is capable of defeating Alabama, Hawaii deserves far more credit than it's receiving for going 10 games without losing.
I suppose my ballot stands somewhere between the two extremes, rating the Warriors not quite as high as the general AP poll (14th) and not nearly as low as some of the BCS computers (average ranking: 22nd). Friday, they'll finally get a chance to prove themselves against a reputable opponent, Boise State, whose Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma still carries enough credibility that the Broncos have risen nearly as high in the polls (17th) despite the presence of a loss (I have them 21st).
Though my ballot will play no role in dictating whether Friday's winner qualifies for a BCS berth, I still plan to tune in and try to judge accordingly. The reality is, we won't really find out how good either team is unless one of them does reach the Sugar Bowl.
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Get ready for several weeks of this: "I'm not talking jobs, not looking for jobs, don't want jobs," Les Miles said at his weekly Monday press conference. "I've got a great job. I love this place." And later: "I'm not talking jobs," Miles said. "Don't ask me that again." Someone asked him again.
Last game: Beat Ole Miss, 41-24.
Next game: Friday vs. Arkansas.
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Though the Jayhawks voluntarily moved Saturday's "home" game to Arrowhead Stadium, the ticket distribution is still about 70-30 in favor of Kansas. With a capacity of 79,400, that works out to nearly 56,000 Jayhawks fans -- more than would normally fit into 50,000-seat Memorial Stadium.
Last game: Beat Iowa State, 45-7.
Next game: Saturday vs. Missouri.
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Before the Mountaineers can start entertaining thoughts of a national title, they must defeat 9-2 Connecticut this weekend in order to secure the Big East crown. Vegas apparently does not consider the Huskies to be too threatening a challenger: West Virginia is a 17-point favorite.
Last game: Beat Cincinnati, 28-23.
Next game: Saturday vs. Connecticut.
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If you haven't seen Tigers frosh Jeremy Maclin yet, get ready for a treat Saturday night. The receiver/return man/general spread-option threat racked up 360 all-purpose yards against Kansas State to raise his season total to an NCAA freshman-record 2,309. He averages 15 yards a touch.
Last game: Beat Kansas State, 49-32.
Next game: Saturday vs. Kansas.
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Of all the great running backs to come through Columbus -- Archie Griffin, Robert Smith, Eddie George, et al. -- none ever ran for more yards against Michigan than the 222 Beanie Wells put up last Saturday. Scary thought for Wolverines fans: He'll be back for at least one more Game.
Last game: Beat Michigan, 14-3.
Next game: Bowl game TBA.
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Asked about his team's radical turnaround since its Oct. 6 drubbing at Tennessee, Georgia coach Mark Richt said, "I'll have to look back one of these days and figure out how it happened." It might have something to do with Knowshon Moreno averaging 26 carries for 153 yards since that game.
Last game: Beat Kentucky, 24-13.
Next game: Saturday at Georgia Tech.
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All season long, first-year offensive coordinator Chip Kelly earned raves for transforming Dennis Dixon into a masterful run-pass quarterback. Now, he faces an even bigger challenge: reinventing his offense to fit a less mobile QB, Brady Leaf, and to lean more heavily on RB Jonathan Stewart.
Last game: Lost to Arizona, 34-24.
Next game: Saturday at UCLA.
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The Sun Devils sure have caught a lot of breaks when it comes to opposing QBs. They faced Cal in Nate Longshore's first game back from injury, UCLA without its top two QBs, and now -- due in large part to Dixon's injury -- they've moved back ahead of an Oregon team that walloped them.
Last game: Beat UCLA, 24-20.
Next game: Thursday vs. USC.
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Sam Bradford's concussion was not the only costly injury sustained in the Sooners' loss at Texas Tech. Top rusher DeMarco Murray will miss Saturday's Bedlam game after dislocating his kneecap on OU's last-ditch onsides kick attempt. The Sooners do still have Allen Patrick and Chris Brown.
Last game: Lost to Texas Tech, 34-27.
Next game: Saturday vs. Oklahoma State.
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The 'Horns go into College Station looking to avenge a 12-7 loss last season that knocked them out of the Big 12 title game. QB Colt McCoy left that game on a stretcher after re-injuring his neck. A year later, he's healthy and coming off a four-TD day against Texas Tech.
Last game: Beat Texas Tech, 59-43.
Next game: Friday at Texas A&M.
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