College Football Round-Up, Week 10

Canes Play Leapfrog
Miami jumped over unbeaten Alabama, though just barely, and into the No. 3 spot in The Associated Press Top 25.
The Hurricanes (7-1) moved up two spots Sunday in the media poll behind No. 1 Southern California and No. 2 Texas, a day after their 27-7 victory at previously unbeaten Virginia Tech.
Alabama improved to 9-0 with a 17-0 win at Mississippi State, but stayed put in the Top 25. Only two points separate Miami (1,452) and Alabama (1,450).
I still don’t understand how an undefeated team gets jumped by a team with a loss. Yes, I do think that Miami would beat Alabama, but I don’t feel as if they deserve to be ranked ahead of the Tide. Alabama has won all of its games and Miami has not. It’s plane and simple. It’s not like Bama plays in the WAC or Sun Belt Conference.

UCLA A Fraud!
Arizona rolled for 519 yards in a 52-14 rout of the previously unbeaten and seventh-ranked Bruins. The Wildcats rushed for 320 yards led by senior Mike Bell who had 153 yards on 16 attempts.

``It was one of those things you dream of,'' said Bell, ``It was just a blessing for it to finally happen here.''

Freshman Mike Thomas caught five passes for 104 yards. He had a 48-yard touchdown catch and a 17-yard touchdown run, both in the first quarter to help give second-year coach Mike Stoops by far his biggest victory.
It was the highest-ranked team to lose to Arizona since the Wildcats beat No. 1 Washington 16-3 in Tucson on Nov. 7, 1992.
Pac 10 fans had hope that the Bruins were the real deal but their fears were realized that UCLA benefited greatly from playing in a weak conference.

Bama Pitches Shut-Out
Alabama's defense scored a touchdown against Mississippi State. So did the special teams.
It's the offense that's having trouble finding the end zone, and that lack of productivity is nagging Brodie Croyle and the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide.
``Our defense is good enough to win the national championship,'' Croyle said. ``We just aren't playing up to their standards.''
The Tide could wind up in the same shoes as UCLA if they don’t find an offense. Their defense can keep them in some games on their schedule but if they want to win the SEC they are going to have to find their offense again.

Trojans and Longhorns on Collision Course?

With the Virginia Tech loss to Miami there is no doubt now that Texas and USC will meet in the Rose Bowl if both teams finish out their regular seasons undefeated. Texas seems to have the tougher of the two schedules left with Kansas, Texas A&M and the Big 12 Championship game. The Trojans have California, Fresno State and UCLA left. Neither team will leave their home state for the remainder of the regular season.

The Longhorns will get to stay in their home state for the Big 12 Championship game in Houston and the Trojans will have a home game in the Rose Bowl for the BCS Championship.

Best Offensive Performance: Texas Longhorns – 663 yards and 62 points against Baylor.
Worst Offensive Performance: New Mexico St. – 176 yards and 6 points against Boise State.

Best Defensive Performance: Alabama - 0 points and 127 yards allowed against Mississippi State.
Worst Defensive Performance: Texas A&M - 56 points and 651 yards allowed against Texas Tech.