Font Resize2. ... Or not -- Then again, there`s a long way to go. If Alabama fails to find its lost offense, it could lose today to Louisiana State. Texas has an easy schedule, but archrival Texas A&M lies waiting in College Station on Thanksgiving. Iowa, which has led a charmed life all season, travels to Ohio State next week. Cincinnati still must play Pittsburgh in the Big East. One of the unbeaten non-BCS schools will be shunned if Notre Dame can win out and get a wild card at 10-2.
3. Hawkeye hocus-pocus -- Here`s the deal at Iowa: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw five interceptions -- four in one quarter -- last week against Indiana and has 13 for the season, tied for second in the nation. The Hawkeyes got a gift on an apparent Hoosiers touchdown that was overturned on review. With Indiana going in for a score from the 2, Tyler Sash returned an interception that was deflected four (four!) times to the house. While everyone wonders when their balloon will burst, the Hawkeyes (9-0) try to provide more magic at home against Northwestern.
4. Alabama all-Americans -- Running back Mark Ingram and linebacker Rolando McClain have an agreement during practice. "I won`t try to kill him every time I hit him," McClain said, "and he won`t try to run me over." The Crimson Tide (8-0) need huge performances from both players on their home field to defeat LSU (7-1).
5. Panthers are back-- Don`t look now, but that`s Pitt at No. 11 in this week`s BCS standings. After a no-sweat game today against Syracuse, Pitt (7-1) finishes up with Notre Dame, archrival West Virginia, and Cincinnati, and can steal a BCS bowl bid if it runs the table.
6. Meet LaMike -- His name is LaMichael James, but you can call him "LaMike" -- as Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli does. The Ducks turned to James, James rushed for 183 yards in 24 carries last week in the Ducks` 47-20 romp over USC, giving him five games over the century mark in seven starts. Oregon (7-1) needs to guard against a letdown at Stanford (5-3).
7. A costly whine -- The SEC coaching complaint for the week was posted (again) by Florida`s Urban Meyer, who sent to the league office a video of what he called a late hit against Gators quarterback Tim Tebow by Georgia linebacker Nick Williams. Last week, SEC commissioner Mike Slive announced that coaches who publicly criticize officials would be fined or suspended instead of reprimanded. Meyer was fined $30,000 on Friday.
8. About that eye-gouge ... Initially, Meyer came up weak in the punishment department by announcing that linebacker Brandon Spikes would be suspended for the first half of tonight`s game for appearing to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey last week. After two days of criticism, the coach lengthened the suspension to include the entire game against SEC doormat Vanderbilt.
9. A good wing man -- The Heisman Trophy candidacy of Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen received a shot in the arm when wide receiver Michael Floyd was cleared to play Saturday against Navy. Floyd was second in the nation in receiving yards when he broke his left collarbone in a Sept. 19 game. Clausen has passed for 2,318 yards and 18 touchdowns, with two interceptions, in the Irish`s eight games. During Floyd`s five-game absence, wideout Golden Tate caught 37 passes for 626 yards.
10. Those were the days -- Remember all those years when the Nebraska-Oklahoma game had national-championship implications? Well, today`s game in Lincoln, Neb., is bringing out reminders of that glorious past while attempting to overshadow the three losses sported by each of the current teams. Six Heisman Trophy winners, a list that includes Mike Rozier of Nebraska and Billy Sims of Oklahoma, were scheduled to be honored Friday night at a dinner.
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