The Week at a Glance
Posted: Sunday October 11, 1998 08:09 PM
Sports Illustrated's
Ivan Maisel's
Top 25
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1. Ohio State (5-0) |
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2. UCLA (4-0) |
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3. Tennessee (5-0) |
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4. Kansas St. (5-0) |
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5. Florida (5-1) |
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6. Florida St. (5-1) |
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7. Virginia (5-0) |
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8. Va. Tech (5-0) |
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9. Oregon (5-0) |
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10. Texas A&M (5-1) |
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11. Penn State (4-1) |
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12. Nebraska (5-1) |
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13. Arizona (5-1) |
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14. W. Virginia (4-1) |
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15. Georgia (4-1) |
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16. Wisconsin (6-0) |
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17. LSU (3-2) |
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18. Missouri (4-1) |
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19. Colorado (5-1) |
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20. Washington (3-2) |
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21. Texas Tech (6-0) |
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22. Arkansas (5-0) |
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23. Syracuse (3-2) |
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24. Ga. Tech (4-1) |
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25. Tulane (4-0) |
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This is how senior writer Ivan Maisel voted on his AP ballot. |
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Top 25 Showdowns
By Albert Lin, CNN/SI
So much for Steve Spurrier picking Jesse Palmer as his starting quarterback ...
Since walloping Washington 55-7 Sept. 26, Nebraska has looked like anything but the Cornhusker teams we've come to expect. After gaining just 73 yards on the ground and escaping with a win against Oklahoma State, Nebraska managed a measly 141 rushing this past weekend against a better team, No. 18 Texas A&M, and suffered the consequences, dropping a 28-21 decision that ended its 19-game winning streak. The Aggies made plays on offense and defense, and the No. 2 Huskers uncharacteristically couldn't produce when needed.
Another surprise came between the hedges in Athens, where No. 4 Tennessee's defense manhandled No. 7 Georgia's multifaceted offense, coming away with a decisive 22-3 victory. The Vols may not miss star RB Jamal Lewis -- out for the season with a torn knee ligament --after all, because it's their defense that will likely carry this team to Tempe.
No. 5 Kansas State survived its first test, dominating for three quarters and then holding off No. 14 Colorado 16-9 in Boulder. The Wildcats' offense is brimming with talent if still a bit inconsistent, but their defense -- led by the best linebacking corps in the land -- will make up for some mistakes. And if you haven't seen Martin Gramatica kick the ball, make it a point because it's a real treat. You'll find yourself wondering how such a small person (5-foot-9, 170 pounds) can boot the pigskin so much farther than anyone else with so little effort.
In addition to Georgia, the other popular upset pick was No. 10 Arizona at home against No. 3 UCLA. All was well when the Wildcats held a 28-24 lead with 6:15 left in the third. But 12:05 later, it was 52-28 Bruins. And Heisman candidate Cade McNown still hasn't played even close to his ability.
No. 19 Southern Cal blew a 31-10, mid-third-quarter lead to California and fell 32-31. ... Georgia Tech demolished this season's roller-coaster team, No. 23 North Carolina State, 47-24. ... No. 12 Wisconsin and its secondary withstood a record day by Purdue's Drew Brees in a 31-24 win. The sophomore quarterback tied an NCAA record with 55 completions and set a new mark with a nearly inconceivable 83 attempts, for 494 yards and two TDs. Alas, the four INTs did his team in.
| Heisman Watch |
1. Ricky Williams, RB, Sr., Texas
Latest Performance (vs. Oklahoma): 31 carries, 139 yds., 2 TDs
Season Totals (6 games): 188 carries, 1,225 yds., 22 TDs
Next Game: Saturday, Oct. 24, vs. Baylor, TBA
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2. Cade McNown, QB, Sr., UCLA
Latest Performance (vs. Arizona): 10-24, 171 yds., 2 TDs, 0 INT passing; 4 carries, 8 yds., 1 TD rushing
Season Totals (4 games): 61-113, 1,030 yds., 7 TDs, 3 INTs passing; 12 carries, 13 yds., 2 TDs rushing
Next Game: Saturday vs. Oregon, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
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3. Tim Couch, QB, Jr., Kentucky
Latest Performance (vs. South Carolina): 29-42, 315 yds., 3 TDs, 0 INT
Season Totals (6 games): 215-303, 2,391 yds., 22 TDs, 7 INTs
Next Game: Saturday at Louisiana State, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2
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4. Daunte Culpepper, QB, Sr., Central Florida
Latest Performance (vs. Northern Illinois): 28-33, 327 yds., 1 TD, 1 INT passing; 13 carries, 38 yds., 1 TD rushing
Season Totals (6 games): 169-231, 2,133 yds., 16 TDs, 2 INT passing; 66 carries, 227 yds., 8 TDs rushing
Next Game: Saturday, Oct. 24, at Southwestern Louisiana, 8 p.m.
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5. Donovan McNabb, QB, Sr., Syracuse
Latest Performance (vs. Cincinnati): 15-18, 255 yds., 4 TDs, 1 INT passing; 7 carries, 39 yds. rushing
Season Totals (5 games): 83-117, 1,077 yds., 11 TDs, 2 INTs passing; 60 carries, 137 yds., 3 TDs rushing
Next Game: Saturday at Boston College, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
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On the radar:
Georgia CB/WR Champ Bailey
Kansas State QB Michael Bishop
LSU RB Kevin Faulk
Ohio State RB Michael Wiley
Texas Tech RB Ricky Williams
Done:
Tennessee RB Jamal Lewis
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Tell us your Heisman favorite.
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| Next Saturday's Games to Watch |
Oregon (5-0) at UCLA (4-0), 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
After exploding on previously unbeaten Arizona, the Bruins look to take command of the Pac-10 race by adding the first L to the Ducks' ledger.
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Oklahoma State (2-3) at Kansas State (5-0), 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
The Cowboys put a scare into Nebraska two weeks ago. Can they do the same to the Wildcats?
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Virginia (5-0) at Georgia Tech (4-1), 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
The Cavs are coming off a bye week and certainly had plenty to observe as the hot Yellow Jackets scorched N.C. State.
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| Storylines We'll Be Following This Week |
| Back to Work:
Can Nebraska rebound after suffering just its fourth loss in the last 69 games? Next up for the Huskers: a Kansas team that two weeks ago almost beat Nebraska conqueror Texas A&M.
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| See Ricky rest:
With both teams in arrears, the Florida State-Miami game is relegated from must-see to just-curious TV.
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| Poll jumping:
With upsets and Top 25 matchups galore this past weekend, the top 10 figures to change drastically. Ohio State stays No. 1, but who falls in line?
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| The Bandwagon |
| Ohio State |  |
Uh, should we just hand over all the hardware now?
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| North Carolina State |  | O.K., we're giving up on the Wolfpack for good
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| David Neill, Nevada QB |  | Now if the Wolf Pack had only won the game ...
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| Arizona State | | This team was supposed to contend for the national title?
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| Travis McGriff, Florida WR | | Love to watch this little guy catch, run -- and throw
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| Saturday's Top Performances |
| Devin West, RB, Sr., Missouri vs. Iowa State: 40 carries, 252 yds., 3 TDs
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| Eric Flowers, RB, Jr., Central Michigan vs. Eastern Michigan: 49 carries, 239 yds., 2 TDs
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| Reuben Droughns, RB, Jr., Oregon vs. Washington State: 39 carries, 217 yds., 4 TDs
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| Ken Simonton, RB, Fr., Oregon State vs. Stanford: 35 carries, 207 yds., 2 TDs
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| Geoff Noisy, WR, Sr., Nevada vs. New Mexico State: 14 rec., 283 yds., 1 TD |
| Jermaine Sheffield, WR, Jr., Eastern Michigan vs. Central Michigan: 12 rec., 192 yds., 2 TDs
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| Peter Warrick, Jr., Florida State vs. Miami (Fla.): 7 rec., 190 yds., 1 TD
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| Randall Lane, WR, Jr., Purdue vs. Wisconsin: 18 rec., 178 yds., 0 TDs
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| David Neill, QB, Fr., Nevada vs. New Mexico State: 30-57, 611 yds., 5 TDs, 4 INTs
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| Todd Husak, QB, Jr., Stanford vs. Oregon State: 26-48, 450 yds., 2 TDs, 2 INTs
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