College Football Top 25 Review
College Football Top 25 Review
Leave it to the nation's top-ranked team to muster only 273 total yards and still dismantle a top-10 power by 25 points. Of course, it helps to have reigning Heisman Mark Ingram scoring two touchdowns from his modest 65 total yards. Up next for the No. 1 Tide: A road clash with South Carolina.
The Buckeyes received a scare when Terrelle Pryor briefly left the game with a leg injury in the third quarter, but the Heisman hopeful returned in time to lead Ohio State on a touchdown drive in the final minutes to put away an Illinois squad that had kept it close all day.
East Coast voters, take notice: The Heisman candidacy for RB LaMichael James (257 rushing yards, 3 TDs) is as real as the Ducks' pursuit of the Pac-10 crown and a spot in the BCS title game. If anything, 5-0 Oregon has proven to be the nation's best team in the second half, thanks to megatalents like James.
TCU started slow in its first game of the season outside of the state of Texas, leading just 6-0 at halftime. But Ed Wesley's two third-quarter touchdowns helped the Frogs pull away, as did a season-high 346 rushing yards and two forced fumbles.
For three quarters, Oklahoma controlled the Red River Rivalry. Then the fourth quarter came. The Sooners allowed the Longhorns to score 10 straight points, then nearly saw quarterback Landry Jones fumble away the game. Oklahoma punted to Texas with 62 seconds remaining, but Aaron Williams dropped the ball, the Sooners recovered and bled out the clock to hand Texas its second straight loss.
After three straight wins that weren't decided until the final minute, Auburn delivered a blowout victory that was never in doubt. Cam Newton connected with Emory Blake for a 94-yard touchdown on his first pass of the day and finished with 245 passing yards and three scores despite sitting out most of the second half.
Michigan State overcame three first-half turnovers to knock off No. 11 Wisconsin and remain undefeated heading into next weekend's showdown with Michigan. The Spartans also overcame the absence of head coach Mark Dantonio, who suffered a heart attack on Sept. 19 and was hospitalized again on Thursday due to a blood clot in his leg.
Trailing 14-10, a confused LSU squad allowed the clock to run nearly to zero while subbing in new players. Then the Tigers botched the snap. Tennessee players swarmed the field in celebration. Then the flags came. Tennessee had subbed in new players along with LSU, and 13 Volunteers ended up on the field. LSU got to run one more play with time expired, and Stevan Ridley punched in a one-yard winning score.
Clemson entered this contest having committed the fewest turnovers in the ACC (two through three games). But Miami's defense forced three fumbles and three interceptions and quarterback Jacory Harris delivered four touchdown passes to help the Hurricanes open ACC play with a 30-21 win.
The Hawkeyes kick-started their quest for the Big Ten title with a rock-solid defeat of JoePa and the Nittany Lions. On the day, RB Adam Robinson accounted for 101 of Iowa's 349 yards, while helping the ranked Hawkeyes win the crucial time-of-possession battle.
Jake Locker (429 total yards, 1 TD) may not win the Heisman, and his Huskies might not win the Pac-10 title. But Washington has toppled the Men of Troy in back-to-back seasons -- something very few clubs can boast since USC's renaissance in 2000.
The Denard Robinson show continues. Against Indiana, Robinson threw for 277 yards and three scores and ran for 217 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 17 seconds remaining. It's the second time in five games Robinson has passed and rushed for more than 200 yards.
Virginia Tech's comeback continues. The Hokies rallied from a 17-0 deficit and improved their 2010 mark to 3-2 thanks to a balanced day from quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who ran for 121 yards and passed for 123 and three scores, including a 39-yard strike to Jarrett Boykin with 1:27 remaining.
Nevada's undefeated train kept rolling with an impressive win in Vegas. For the day, Courtney Randall (35) and the Wolf Pack racked up 516 total yards and moved one step closer to their Nov. 26 showdown with No. 3 Boise State.