Another shutout...

but was it really that impressive? USC shutout 56-0 for the Trojans' third shutout in four games, but it was against the only remaining winless team in FBS. So much for losing early being a good thing for USC, as the weak Pac-10 slate is really taking centerstage as the Big 12 and SEC have top ten matchups week in and week out. Like the Washington State game, can't really say much about this one. USC again tried to run out the clock in the second half after jumping out to a 42-0 lead at the half by calling simple run plays. The defense did earn the shutout by collecting interceptions on two long Washington drives that made it deep into USC territory. Oh well. Can't really do anything about the national championship picture, as there really is nothing USC can do to control their destiny. After all the chaos at the top in recent years down the stretch, I can't really see that repeating. Or maybe... hmm. Penn State should win out and make the BCS National Championship game, even with people trying to build up Iowa and Michigan State. Alabama still has to travel to LSU next week and play Florida (probably) in the SEC championship. Texas Tech still hosts Oklahoma State and travels to Oklahoma. Florida looks to play their way back into the National Title picture after blowing out Georgia, as they should be favored in their remaining games until the SEC championship. But for now, all USC has to worry about is a dangerous Cal team coming in to take the perch atop the Pac-10 standings away from the Trojans. Here's the Pac-10 rankings:

1. USC (7-1 overall, 5-1 Pac-10) - Pac-10 game of the year (so far anyway) when Cal travels to the Coliseum next week. USC took care of business against the Huskies, but the Trojans will face a stiff test from the Bears, who almost always seem to give USC their A-game. Mark Sanchez must show that he can make the correct decisions in a big game, as this one could go down to the fourth quarter, where Sanchez is only 2-2 in games decided by 7 points or less (W vs. Arizona, L @ Oregon in 2007, L @ Oregon State, W @ Arizona in 2008).
2. California (6-2, 4-1) - I'll admit that I had them a little low last week, but a very impressive win over Oregon in terrible weather. After a terrible third quarter against Arizona, the Bears have bounced back with solid wins over UCLA and Oregon and bring some momentum with them into the Coliseum. If they can get solid play out of either Kevin Riley or Nate Longshore, and Jahvid Best holds up all game, they have a shot at the upset. But again, this is November, where Pete Carroll hasn't lost while at USC.
3. Oregon State (5-3, 4-1) - Survived a scare against Arizona State, but they still face a tough stretch to finish off the season. UCLA may not be a scary team on paper, but if the Beavers let the Bruins hang around like they let the Sun Devils today, the Bruins are capable of putting a coherent offensive drive together for a game winning touchdown. Not looking ahead, but after UCLA, Oregon State still has to play Arizona, Cal, and Oregon. Dang. But that all said, they still control their Rose Bowl destiny (as does Cal, which even I failed to see).
4. Arizona (5-3, 3-2) - They should become bowl eligible next week against Washington State, which makes the rest of the schedule a breeze without the pressure of making a bowl game.
5. Oregon (6-3, 4-2) - Quite a drop, but that's how the cookie crumbles... Tough loss at Cal today, and they need to rebound against a scrappy Stanford squad, who might be desperate in finding their sixth win to become bowl eligible...
6. Stanford (5-4, 4-2) - Cause there aren't a lot of chances for win number six. It's always tough winning in Autzen, USC will be determined not to have a repeat of 2007, and Cal looks to have found their groove.
7. UCLA (3-5, 2-3) - The Bruins have a real shot against Oregon State next week in the Rose Bowl, as long as Kevin Craft keeps his interception count under four (seriously, he only has 11 interceptions!?!). A loss here makes the road to a bowl game really tough for UCLA, as it means they would have to win out... meaning beating USC.
8. Arizona State (2-6, 1-4) - Just dug a hole too deep to climb out of, and now have a six game losing streak. Though it should end next week when they travel to Seattle for the Pillow Fight of the week.
9. Washington (0-8, 0-5) - How can the only winless team left in FBS not be last place in any conference rankings?
10. Washington State (1-8, 0-6) - When they're in the same conference as Washington State.

A lot of great finishes this week. What a game between Texas and Texas Tech, with Graham Harrell connecting with Michael Crabtree for the game winning touchdown with one second left for the upset. Missouri needing a late field goal to hold of Baylor. Michigan State beating Wisconsin with a late field goal. Northwestern using a pick-six for the game winning score against Minnesota. Pittsburgh edging Notre Dame in four overtimes. Oregon State intercepting Rudy Carpenter's two point attempt to hold off Arizona State. Solid day overall for college football. A lot of changes in the top 25...

1. Alabama (8-0) - Yeah I know, I've had Penn State ranked higher than Bama in the past few weeks, but I can't move the Nittany Lions to #1 after a bye, even if the Tide only beat up a Sun Belt team. Though they still have a tough road left, as they travel to LSU next week, and if they get there, a date with Florida (most likely) in the SEC championship.
2. Penn State (9-0) - But #2 is what counts these days. All you can hope for is a shot in playing in the BCS national championship game. I don't know why everyone is building up Iowa so much, this isn't like Iowa of the early 2000's, where they averaged 10 wins a season. Right now, the Nittany Lions are a lock for the BCS title game, much to the delight of the nation (just joking....)
3. Texas Tech (9-0) - Still not buying into them, as they still have to play Oklahoma State, at Oklahoma, and if they make it, Missouri in the Big 12 championship. But nonetheless, very impressive win against Texas.
4. Florida (7-1) - Unless Georgia isn't the team we thought they were... Other than the head scratcher against Mississippi, Florida has been really dominant, racking up gaudy numbers against decent competition.
5. Texas (8-1) - Even though it wasn't a bad loss, Florida looks terrific today, and the Longhorns have to drop behind the three big undefeated teams.
6. Oklahoma (8-1) - Hey, USC isn't the only team that can fall in the polls while playing weak competition, though the defense really does need to clamp down. They combined with Nebraska for 90 points today. Geez. But Florida was dominant against Georgia, and Tech deserves to be in the top 3.
7. USC (7-1) - Seems to be cockblocked from the top of the polls by the Big 12 South, but wiht good reason. All of the teams in the Big 12 South are really solid. Can't take anything away from them, weak out of conference schedule or not. And the Pac-10 is really weak. All USC should worry about is getting back to the Rose Bowl. If major upsets happen ahead of them, great. If not, oh well, stop losing to weaker teams.
8. Oklahoma State (8-1) - Solid bounce back win against... Iowa State. Oh nevermind. Quick aside, Iowa State sure did pick the right team to copy their uniform design from, heh.
9. Utah (9-0) - First big showdown in the MWC against TCU on Thursday (wow, the Mtn. really blew a shot there...). Winner (even TCU with one loss) has the inside track to a BCS game, as its unlikely two of Utah, TCU, or BYU will make it there, as the Cougars have looked unimpressive since their loss to TCU, a second loss would end things for the Frogs, and Utah stil has to play BYU in their season finale.
10. Boise State (8-0)
11. Texas Christian (9-1)
12. Ohio State (7-2)
13. Missouri (7-2)
14. Louisiana State (6-2)
15. Brigham Young (8-1)
16. Ball State (8-0)
17. Georgia (7-2)
18. North Carolina (6-2)
19. Michigan State (8-2)
20. West Virginia (6-2)
21. California (6-2)
22. Georgia Tech (7-2)
23. Northwestern (7-2)
24. Maryland (6-2)
25. Tulsa (7-1)