| DesertSAPPER's Top 10 |
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| This week's big games |
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| All the cool helmet designs are due to the creative talents and abilities of Charles Arey, who manages the helmet project site. His artwork is awesome, and he makes it free to use. Thanks Charles! |
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| POOL RANKINGS |
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| Brooks |
| Crain |
| Kozak |
| Weekly W-L-T |
| Total Points |
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| Next week's big games |
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| *Changes in Bold |
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| CHAMPIONS |
| 2000 Kozak 31-24-0 2001 Kozak 36-30.5-24.5 2002 Crain 33.5-29.5-17-4.5 2003 No Champion - 2 Deployed 2004 Crain 51-35-31 |
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| 22 October |
| Auburn @ LSU Tennessee @ Alabama Michigan @ Iowa Georgia Tech @ Miami Louisville @ Cincinnatti |
| #6 Alabama (5-0) Idle Next Week: @ Ole Miss (2-3) |
| #1 USC (5-0) 42 Arizona (1-4) 21 This game was much closer than it maybe should have been. If Pete Carrol's suggestion earlier in the week that they were preparing for ND has any merit, it showed on Saturday, as the Trojan Offensive Juggernaut needed a 4th Quarter surge at home in the Colliseum to get past the lowly Wildcats. To Arizona's credit, they were with USC the whole game, harassing Matt Leinart and forcing turnovers, but they don't have enough O yet to stay in these kinds of games. Notre Dame has had an extra week of preparation for the Trojans and play host in South Bend. It should be a good one this weekend. Next Week: @ #7 Notre Dame (4-1) |
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| #2 Texas (5-0) 45 Oklahoma (2-3) 12 The Red River War was a blowout again, only this time it was vindication for the Longhorns who had been without a victory in Dallas for 6 years (marking the longest drought for the Longhorns in the series history). For Vince Young, it was a showcase for his arm (241 yards through the air). For the Sooners it was a testament to their weakest links (Offense and Passing D). The young Sooner defense held their own on the ground, giving up one big run to Jamaal Charles of 80 yards, but otherwise forcing the Longhorns to pass (which may have been a mistake). The resurgent Colorado Buffaloes come to Austin on Saturday. Next Week: v. Colorado (4-1) |
| #3 Va Tech (6-0) 41 Marshall (2-3) 14 This game was unsurprisingly not even close. The Hokies are proving themselves on O, and have one of the best Defenses in the country. They get a bye this week before traveling to Maryland to face a Ralph Friedgen surprise Terp team. Next Week: Idle |
| #4 Florida State (5-0) 41 Wake Forest (2-4) 24 The Noles are getting better by the week on Offense. Their Defense is not too shabby either. Fortunately for them, they haven't had to test it against anybody since BC. Wake was no match for Drew Weatherford, whose 351 yards through the air accumulated a wealth of points for FSU. Now they will face another test, when they travel to Virginia to take on the Cavaliers. Next Week: @ Virginia (3-2) |
| #5 Georgia (5-0) 27 Tennessee (3-2) 14 The UGA Bulldogs were fortunate enough to face an injury-plagued Vols team when they travelled to Knoxville this past weekend. They were able to secure an early lead and, unlike LSU, were able to hang on to defeat Tennessee. It is never easy to win in a hostile environment, particularly when the venue plays host to more than 100,000 fans, but DJ Shockley has proven himself a leader, and the Bulldogs will follow. They face an upstart Vandy team that held on for three, but was completely obliterated by LSU in the 4th last week. Make no mistake, this ain't your daddy's Vandy. Next Week: @ Vandy (4-2) |
| #7 Notre Dame (4-1) Idle Next Week: v #1 USC |
| 15 October |
| Florida @ LSU Wisconsin @ Minnesota Colorado @ Texas USC @ Notre Dame Florida St @ Virginia |
| #8 Penn State (6-0) 17 Ohio State (3-2) 10 The Nittany Lions pulled off their biggest win since 1999 with an upset over the heavily favored Buckeyes. Granted, the 100,000+ in Beaver Stadium were rocking, and the weather was definitely working for Penn State, but it was defense, traditionally a strongpoint for Paterno's teams, that pulled out the win in State College. Ohio State's much ballyhooed D lived up to its press, as well, but sensational frosh Derrick Williams and senior QB Michael Robinson proved too much for The Ohio State. The unfriendly atmosphere of the big house should be a sterner test, even if the Wolverines themselves have struggled so far. Next Week: @ Michigan (3-3) |
| #9 UCLA (5-0) 47 California (5-1) 40 The Bruins and the Bears faced off in Pasadena for a game that was not short on Offensive fireworks. The game went back and forth, and nothing was decided until the fourth quarter. The most amazing performance of the game came from UCLA tailback Maurice Drew, who caught 1 TD pass, ran for 3 TDs, and had a punt return for a TD. He has been playing inspired football since the tragic death of his Grandfather Maurice Jones during the Rice game. Since then, Drew has worn the name Jones-Drew on the back of his jersey in memorium to his grandfather, and has been playing as though guided by a force from the great beyond. His performances against Oklahoma, Washington, and now Cal have been incredible, and UCLA is poised for making a go at being undefeated when they host Arizona State on November 12. First, however, they must get by Wazzu in Pullman this weekend. Next Week: @ Washington State |
| #10 Texas Tech (5-0) 34 Nebraska (4-1) 31 The Red Raiders are undefeated. The Red Raiders beat Nebraska in Lincoln. The Red Raiders may just be the best team in the Big XII north of Austin. And they almost didn't make the top 10 this week. After squandering a 21 point lead, it was a fumble by Nebraska Nose Tackle LeKevin Smith after intercepting Cody Hodges in the fourth quarter that allowed Tech to squeak out. His fumble gave the Raiders a second chance, and they capitalized, with Hodges hitting Joel Filani on a ten-yard TD pass with 12 seconds left to secure the win. Of course, Tech has always flown by the seat of their collective pants, at least ever since they brought Mike Leach in from Oklahoma. Now, on the other hand, they have a lot on the line. Next Week: v. K-State (4-1) |
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