Shootout in the desert....

Oh wait, nevermind. Defense took centerstage as USC held off Arizona 17-10, though the Wildcats never really threatened to score after they tied the game at 10. UoA came in averaging over 40 points per game, ranked top 10 in the nation, while the Trojans were coming off hanging 69 on Washington State, but neither team was able to crack 20 points. It seems like Arizona coach Mike Stoops has figured out USC, but hasn't flipped the right switch to push the Wildcats over the top. In 2006, the Wildcats held close until a late touchdown pushed the Trojans to a 20-3 win. Last year, in Mark Sanchez's first start, USC rallied past Arizona 20-13 in the Coliseum. This year, the Trojans dominated the second half, especially on the defensive end, but the offense was not able to sustain any drives and make the fourth quarter less stressful.

Problems? After committing only 2 penalties against the Cougars, the Trojans were flagged 10 times for 68 yards, including two holding calls on big plays that really changed the momentum of the play. Ugh, so much for that problem being solved. Special teams continues to plague USC. Stafon Johnson had a couple of good punt returns, including a 54 yarder to set up the Trojan's first points, but some were nullified by blocking in the back penalties, as well as Johnson catching a punt in the endzone, a huge no-no. Greg Woidneck had a 15 yard punt. I think I can punt the ball 15 yards. Is it too much to ask to recruit a kicker? We've been lucky in the past with finding gems with Ryan Killeen, Mario Danelo, and David Buehler, but now Buehler has been really shaky in close games (Washington in 2007 and Arizona this year), and Woidneck is just ugh. Does Tom Malone have any eligibility left? Please? And that last punt return could have been a disaster... The offensive play calling was spotty down the stretch too, with passes being called while we were clinging to that seven point lead and trying to bleed some clock. Nice to see Johnson get 19 carries, but he should have had waaay more, especially in the fourth quarter. Oh well. Sanchez does need to improve on his decision making, scramble for the first when no receivers are open, or hit the underneath receiver instead of forcing the bigger gain.

The offense can thank the defense though. Huge stop on the QB sneak on 4th and 1 at midfield on the fourth quarter, but the defense can also thank Willie Tuitama for being so off the mark, as he completed only two passes in the second half, and Taylor Mays for knocking Keola Antolin out of the game, as the defense were having flashes of Oregon State RB Jacquizz Rodgers. At this point of the season, with the lack of upsets ahead of USC, the best I can hope for is another trip to the Rose Bowl, but the Trojans will need some help getting there. Assuming USC wins out in Pac-10 play, they need the Beavers to lose once, with the best chance of that happening being against Cal, Arizona, or Oregon to close the season. Then again, the Trojans needed much more help last year to make the Rose Bowl after losing to Oregon late last season, but the pieces fell into place (notably, Oregon QB Dennis Dixon's knee exploding) and USC made their third consecutive trip to Pasadena. On to the Pac-10 rankings:

1. USC (6-1 overall, 4-1 Pac-10) - Didn't avoid penalties and turnovers, which lead to a slow start against Arizona, but the defense saved the day this week. Washington limps into the Coliseum for Homecoming next week, but honestly haven't seen any spark from the Huskies since they lost to BYU. The Trojans do not leave California for the rest of the season, and guess what next Saturday is.... November 1st!!!! 24 straight in November, and I don't see that streak ending next week.
2. Oregon (6-2, 4-1) - Solid performance against Arizona State this week in Tempe, but that Sun Devil team is falling apart at the seams. Big game next week at Cal, which should help clear up the top of the Pac-10 standings, with four teams having one loss in conference play.
3. Oregon State (4-3, 3-1) - Licking their chops as a hobbled and downtrodden Arizona State team arrives in Corvalis. The Beavers are the only team in the Pac-10 that controls their Rose Bowl destiny, but they close the season with a brutal stretch of Cal, at Arizona, and Oregon. No room for error, as the Trojans look to have bounced back from their loss to the Beavers, and Cal and Oregon also standing at one loss in conference play. But first things first, take care of Arizona State.
4. Arizona (5-3, 3-2) - Valiant effort by the Wildcats, but their offense really let them down in this game. The defense kept giving the offense chances to tie the game, but no go. Arizona heads into a bye, where coach Stoops should keep his team focused for their visit to Pullman in two weeks (seriously), as it would make them bowl eligible for the first time this decade (I think).
5. California (5-2, 3-1) - Sloppy game against UCLA until the Bruins failed on their fake punt, which really turned the game around for the Bears. After losing to Arizona the week before where they were outscored in the third quarter 28-3, Cal outscored UCLA 24-7 in the fourth to put UCLA away. Strange concept though, a team making the Bruins pay for Kevin Craft's turnovers. Tennessee and Stanford couldn't do it. Maybe, just maybe, teams from here on out will convert on those turnovers by Craft so UCLA won't be in striking distance in the fourth quarter, when they are oh so dangerous. Cal hosts Oregon next week, hoping to get some momentum before travelling to the Coliseum to play the Trojans.
6. Stanford (4-4, 3-2) - Spent their bye week trying to find their sixth win in their remaining scheudle. The Cardinal should take care of business against Wazzu, but a trip to Oregon looks daunting, the Trojans will be looking for revenge after last year's game, and the Big Game against Cal is no gimme. But it will be all for naught if Stanford doesn't beat Wazzu.
7. UCLA (3-5, 2-3) - MAKE THEM PAY FOR KEVIN CRAFT'S BONEHEADED THROWS!!!! Seriously. Good job Cal, turning Craf't's four interceptions into 17 points. If you don't make him pay, Craft keeps his confidence, especially if the game is close. He is capable of scoring drives at the end of halves (seemes like UCLA always tacks on a field goal at the end of the first half). Oh well. After a bye, Oregon State should smack the Bruins around in the Rose Bowl. By the way, I will always question Slick Rick's special teams gambles (haha) at terrible times until one of them pays off (or he gets fired. Get it? nevermind...). Anyway, he was about a yard short on his gamble, which still failed, and on the next play, Cal scored on a flea flicker and a 17-13 game turned into a rout.
8. Arizona State (2-5, 1-3) - A team that's lost 5 straight and has no hope of winning until the Washington schools show up on the schedule should be ranked last in the conference. Unless of course you're in the same conference as
9. Washington (0-7, 0-4) - and
10. Washington State (1-7, 0-5). Ugh indeed.

Top 25 rankings (assuming Tulsa wins tomorrow (STOP PLAYING ON DAYS OTHER THAN SATURDAY!!!):

1. Texas (8-0) - Over/under of their game next week against Texas Tech: 100. Has an over/under even been that high before? Would anyone even flinch at that number when the lines open on Monday? Does the Big 12 play defense anymore?
2. Penn State (9-0) - Gutty win against Ohio State in the Horseshoe. Can't really see them losing the rest of the way. They should be a lock to make the BCS Championship game because:
3. Alabama (8-0) - still has to play LSU, then Georgia/Florida in the SEC championship game. At least they outscored Tennessee in the second half of this game, but the Vols looked terrible. It's one thing to be just bad, but penalties and missed field goals are just marks of a poorly coached team.
4. Oklahoma (7-1) - Seriously. When did they outlaw playing defense in the Big 12. OU and K-State combined for 93 points. 93!!!
5. Florida (6-1) - I'm just saying, but Florida beats Kentucky 63-5, and it's a quality win in the SEC, but USC beats Washington State 69-0, and the Trojans are running up the score? Works for me this week, but HUGE game against Georgia next week.
6. Texas Tech (8-0) - Just setting them up for their epic fail next week against Texas. By the way, are not making a big enough deal of the Longhorns playing four straight teams ranked in the top 11? Has any other team done this before? Does anyone care that the Red Raiders has not played anyone of relevance this season and will fall flat on their faces against Texas? That they too run up the score?
7. Georgia (7-1) - Impressive win over the defending champs this week in Baton Rouge. Can vault themselves back in the title picture with a win over Florida next week at the World's Largest Cocktail Party, but it will be hard to crack Texas and Penn State's resumes. I still think Florida and Georgia are better than Alabama and either team will beat the Tide in the SEC championship.
8. USC (6-1) - Only because Oklahoma State, LSU, and Ohio State all lost, though the Pokes and Buckeyes looked more solid in their losses than the Trojans did in their win. The good news? If they beat the Huskies next week, Georgia/Florida will fall, as will Texas Tech, so they should move up back into the top 6. Bad news? Thanks to a weak schedule, the Trojans will probably be left out of the BCS Championship game. But you'll hear no complaining from me.
9. Oklahoma State (7-1) - Gave Texas a run for their money, so no change from last week's ranking. They did show that they are the real deal though, and should finish the season with a solid mark.
10. Utah (6-0) - We might have two BCS busters this season. Here's the breakdown: the 6 champions from the BCS conferences are locks. The Pac-10, Big Ten, ACC, and Big East are not going to be sending a second team to a BCS bowl, unless both Oregon State and USC win out and the Beavers go to the Rose Bowl while the Trojans earn an at-large berth. Assuming that does not happen, the Big 12 and SEC will also send another rep to a BCS game, whether by the automatic bid (too complicated to explain), or by reputation (ala Oklahoma, Florida, etc). This leaves 2 spots open for Utah and
11. Boise State (7-0) - to earn automatic bids under the non-BCS clause (top 12 ranking). Complicated indeed.
12. Texas Christian (8-1)
13. Ohio State (6-2)
14. Missouri (6-2)
15. Brigham Young (7-1)
16. Tulsa (8-0)
17. Louisiana State (5-2)
18. Ball State (8-0)
19. South Florida (6-2)
20. Minnesota (7-1)
21. Florida State (6-1)
22. Oregon (6-2) - Just plug and chug for the bottom 4 spots...
23. Michigan State (7-2)
24. North Carolina (6-2)
25. Maryland (6-2)

138-0

Stat of the day: USC is on a 138-0 scoring run since falling behind 10-3 vs. Oregon three weeks ago. Geez. I have a feeling the scoreless streak will end when the Trojans travel to Tuscon next week to take on the Arizona Wildcats, but it is fun while it lasts. The outcome of the game at Pullman was never in question when Wazzu ran the ball three straight times on their opening posession. Mark Sanchez was almost perfect, throwing for 5 touchdowns in the first half, while the run game produced three 100+ yard rushers in Stafon Johnson, C.J. Gable (with 3 TDs), and Broderick Green (2 TDs) as Joe McKnight and Marc Tyler sat out with injuries. The defense posted its second straight shutout, blanking the Cougars for the first time in 280 games, which was the second longest active streak behind Michigan. If anything, it was nice to see the Trojans get off to a fast start, allowing Coach Pete Carroll to rest most of the regulars while getting some guys lower on the depth chart some valuable experience, including walkon Daniel Harper, who had an interception in the fourth quarter. On to this week's Pac-10 rankings:

1. USC (5-1 overall, 3-1 Pac-10) - ... and the Trojans are back atop the conference standings after Cal lost to Arizona (again). Four teams are tied for the lead (USC, Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State), and USC travels to Arizona next week. Nice win by the Wildcats today, but if the Trojans avoid turnovers and costly penalties, that game can also get out of hand quickly. This game has upset potential for USC, and after last year's 20-13 game at the Coliseum, Arizona and Coach Mike Stoops has a lot to build upon.
2. Oregon (5-2, 3-1) - Hopefully used their bye week to get their QBs healthy and ready to go. They must travel to Tempe, where the Sun Devils will have a hard time ending their 4 game losing streak. Tough stretch after next week's game for the Ducks, as they have to travel to Berkeley, host Stanford and Arizona before the Civil War game. No more gimmies for Oregon til the end of the season.
3. Oregon State (4-3, 3-1) - The Beavers should be pretty satisfied going into the bye week having won 4 of 5 games. But like the Ducks, Oregon State still has to face the better teams in the conference. Solid win against Washington today, and will look to hand Arizona State their sixth straight loss (probably) in two weeks.
4. Arizona (5-2, 3-1) - Again, the Wildcats could very well be 7-0, save for unbelieveable losses to New Mexico and Stanford. Arizona looks well on their way to a bowl game (Wazzu still looms on the schedule) after upsetting Cal today, thought it was more the Bears imploding than UoA doing anything special. The 'Cats will look to become bowl eligible next week against the Trojans, though USC looks to be so suffocating on defense (allowing 7.8 points per game) that Arizona may have to force some turnovers out of the Trojans' offense.
5. California (4-2, 2-1) - Ready for that late season collapse again? Cal was in control of Arizona before that third quarter, when the Bears were outscored 28-3. Things do not get easier from here on out for Cal, as after hosting UCLA next weekend, they play Oregon and travel to USC and Oregon State before the Big Game. If the QBs have trouble as they did today, watch out. And again, if you let the Bruins stay close into the fourth quarter, they are very dangerous, as Stanford found out today.
6. UCLA (3-4, 2-2) - Hate to see them be so scrappy. And all of a sudden, the Bruins game next week against Cal doesn't look so daunting. Kevin Craft is the definition of Jekyll/Hyde. Geez. If Cal an make UCLA pay for Craft's miscues and go for the jugglar, Cal should have their time with the Bruins. Coach Rick Neuheisel will win my Coach of the Year vote for the Pac-10 if he gets to a bowl (hopefully the Hawaii Bowl so I can see them in action.... false).
7. Stanford (4-4, 3-2) - The Bruins were unable to move the ball consistently all game, until, of course, the game's final drive, where UCLA travelled 88 yards for the game winning score. It may be hard for the Cardinal to become bowl eligible, as this was the game that would have mostly likely locked up a bowl bid. Instead, they head to their bye week looking to regroup before win #5 (Wazzu), then will have to look for their sixth win against Oregon, USC, or Cal. Good luck with that.
8. Arizona State (2-4, 1-2) - So when does Dennis Erickson's name come up fo the job openings around the NFL and NCAA? The Sun Devils could very well have dropped six straight before they visit Washington. Hard to see Oregon losing to Arizona State next week, but stranger things have happened. Hopefully Rudy Carpenter has recovered from his injuries so he can make the start.
9. Washington (0-4, 0-6) - At least they're more competitive than:
10. Washington State (1-7, 0-5) - I think Hershel Dennis just ran for a 7 yard gain. Seriously. I know USC is good, but you can't let teams score on you on fourth-down, and if you know USC is just going to run the ball down your throat, put 8 or 9 in the box to stop the run. At least they won't give up 60+ points this week, though when they return to play Stanford in two weeks, the Cardinal may have a sour taste in their mouth after the UCLA loss.

And the top 25, without too much shakeups with not too many upsets this week:

1. Texas (7-0)
2. Penn State (8-0)
3. Alabama (7-0)
4. Oklahoma (6-1)
5. USC (5-1)
6. Florida (5-1)
7. Texas Tech (7-0)
8. Georgia (6-1)
9. Oklahoma State (7-0)
10. Ohio State (7-1)
11. Louisiana State (5-1)
12. Utah (8-0)
13. Boise State (6-0)
14. South Florida (6-1)
15. Tulsa (7-0)
16. Texas Christian (7-1)
17. Brigham Young (6-1)
18. Ball State (7-0)
19. Missouri (5-2)
20. Pittsburgh (5-1)
21. Kansas (5-2)
22. Minnesota (6-1)
23. Georgia Tech (6-1)
24. Northwestern (6-1)
25. Vanderbilt (5-2)

Nice shutout, but...

the offense took some major steps back today. Nice to see the defense really step up today, pitching a shutout, forcing four turnovers, collecting three sacks, blocking two field goals, and a partridge in a pear tree (points after interception, PAINT, lol). But the offense was very anemic, especially in the third quarter, where the Trojans started off with four possessions that ended in fumble, interception, interception, interception. Arizona State took full advantage of those turnovers, going blocked field goal, blocked field goal (going -20 yards in three plays), punt, and punt. Ugh. Mark Sanchez reverted, to, um, really Sanchez? Can't blame the lost fumble after being blindsided, but the interception on the screen play was terrible. The receivers are not helping Sanchez out with all of the drops, especially Damian Williams on Sanchez's third pick, as well as Ronald Johnson and Williams dropping bombs as well. Oh well. CB Kevin Thomas had a career game, with a sack and an interception returned for a touchdown, USC's second defensive touchdown after not having one since 2005. Woot for the defense indeed. But I guess when you complain about a 28 points loss, things can't be going too bad. As for the Pac-10 rankings...

1. USC (4-1, 2-1) - Two straight wins ties for the longest win streak in the conference (seriously...). Another dominant perfomance on the defensive side; always nice to see a shutout, but questions on the offense arise as the Trojans make the trek up to play Washington State. Over/under on the spread for this one: 37, though USC will probably have trouble covering this one (a la Stanford?).
2. California (4-1, 2-0) - Bye week should have helped settle the QB controversy between Kevin Riley and Nate Longshore, and hopefully gave RB Jahvid Best some extra time to recover from his elbow injury. The Golden Bears play Arizona next week in Tuscon, but the matchup lost some luster when the Wildcats were upset by Stanford. Cal is the only remaining undefeated team in Pac-10 play, and would be in serious contention for the top spot had they not lost to Maryland.
3. Oregon (5-2, 3-1) - Oregon showed that if you let UCLA hang close, they will bite you, and the Bruins almost took a chunk out of the Ducks. The Ducks passed for only 40 yards, but ran for over 300 in holding off UCLA. They were able to bounce back after being trounced by USC, and now have a bye week to settle their own QB controversy with Justin Roper coming back from a concussion. After the bye, they travel to Tempe to face a reeling Arizona State squad.
4. Stanford (4-3, 3-1) - Is the Pac-10 really this weak? Ugh. Arizona blew a chance to take a huge step to becoming bowl eligible while the Cardinal took a giant leap in their bowl chances. Stanford now has a really winable game against UCLA in the Rose Bowl next week, and if they are able to beat the Bruins, they are a lock to make a bowl game, with Wazzu still on their schedule. Nice win for Stanford.
5. Oregon State (3-3, 2-1) - Washington State is the cureall for reeling Pac-10 teams. Dominant 66-13 win, with the Beavers taking care of business. Tough loss against Utah last week, but they have a favorable stretch of games coming up (@ Washington, vs. Arizona State, @ UCLA) which should get them to being bowl eligible. Oregon State is very dangerous down the stretch, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them win 5 of their last 6 games
6. Arizona (4-2, 2-1) - The Wildcats should very well be 6-0 right now, but instead have only themselves to blame. Three field goals from inside the 10 yard line won't get it done. And they could not stop Stanford's run game either. Arizona hosts Cal next week, and will need to get the kinks out before USC arrives in Tuscon the following week. With only one gimme left on the schedule (Wazzu...), the Wildcats need to have another late season upset to make a bowl game.
7. UCLA (2-4, 1-2) - The Gutty Little Bruins showed some spunk in Eugene, maybe with Oregon letting UCLA hang in the game too long. Teams need to put UCLA away quickly, because the Bruins are a very dangerous team when they are in striking distance. Good to see that UCLA did not just roll over, but coaching mistakes (poor clock management at the end of the first half, going for an onside kick in the third quarter, not going for an onside kick down 24-17 late in the game) may have cost UCLA a chance to steal the game. They host an upstart Stanford team looking to continue their nice little hot streak.
8. Arizona State (2-4, 1-2) - The preseason pick to finish second in the conference is on a nasty four game losing streak, starting with the terrible loss to UNLV, then being dominated by Georgia, beaten by Cal, then shutout by the Trojans. At least Arizona State won't lose next week (bye), but the following week, they get to host an Oregon team looking to establish their spot as #2 in the Pac-10 pecking order.
9. Washington (0-5, 0-3) - At least they didn't lose by 53. Though Oregon State is in the home stretch of their schedule, a time when the Beavers are almost unbeatable.
10. Washington State (1-5, 0-4) - If I could put the Cougs lower, I would. At least they won't be playing a team coming off a loss, as it seems like Washington State is the cureall for struggling teams. But then again, the Trojans may look to sharpen their offense against a team allowing 55.8 points per game in conference play. Even that game in Hawaii doesn't look like a gimme anymore. 1-12 anyone?

And more shuffling in the top 25, with no teams in the top 4 winning (Alabama had a bye). Whoa.

1. Texas (6-0)
2. Alabama (6-0)
3. Penn State (7-0)
4. Oklahoma (5-1)
5. USC (4-1)
6. Brigham Young (6-0)
7. Texas Tech (6-0)
8. Florida (5-1)
9. Georgia (5-1)
10. Missouri (5-1)
11. Louisiana State (4-1)
12. Utah (7-0)
13. Ohio State (6-1)
14. Oklahoma State (6-0)
15. Boise State (5-0)
16. South Florida (5-1)
17. Kansas (5-1)
18. Tulsa (6-0)
19. Ball State (7-0)
20. Michigan State (6-1)
21. Wake Forest (4-1)
22. Vanderbilt (5-1)
23. Virginia Tech (5-1)
24. North Carolina (5-1)
25. Texas Christian (6-1)

Rebounding like Dwight Howard...

USC again started off slow this week at home against Oregon, but the game changed after Mark Sanchez found Damian Willaims on 4th-and-2 for a 34 yard touchdown pass to tie the game as the Trojans rebounded from being upset by Oregon State, 44-10. The USC defense had trouble getting the Duck offense off the field while having their first offensive drive stall at the 4 yard line and Sanchez fumbling a snap, which led to an Matt Evensen field goal. Penalties, penalties, penalties. I don't know if it's a lack of focus or what, but 13 penalties is waaaay too much for any team, especially and elite team like the Trojans.

But after flipping a switch, USC scored the game's final 41 points, including the final 24 of the first half to kill the will of Oregon. A fumble by Oregon late in the first half led to a Sanchez 11 yard TD pass to Patrick Turner which essentally put the game out of reach. Nice to see Mitch Mustain get an extensive look in the second half, as he threw for 111 yards and a 59 yard pass to David Ausberry, who also got some nice playing time in. The defense followed suit of the offense, as they forced 7 punts and 2 turnovers on Oregon's final 11 drives (the other drives ended at the half and on downs). Special teams play was led by David Buehler, who nailed 3 field goals, 5 point after attempts, and booted 6 touchbacks on kickoffs. On to the Pac-10 rankings:

1. USC (3-1 overall, 1-1 Pac-10) - Please, please, please no more Oregon State games. Please. No more games to look ahead to until maybe the Notre Dame matchup. Arizona State may have lost three straight games, but SC needs to stay the course, as going up against Dennis Erickson is always dangerous, and Rudy Carpenter has the skill to lead the Sun Devils to the upset. But the only way the Trojans lose is if they are looking ahead to.... Washington State.
2. California (4-1, 2-0) - That Maryland loss didn't look that bad after the Terps upset Clemson last week... until they got shut out by Virginia. Ouch. Second place in the Pac-10 should be decided by the matchup between the Golden Bears and Arizona. Cal got lucky this week by finding that Nate Longshore provided the hot hand, but they really need Jahvid Best to be healthy for the game against Arizona. The Bears have a bye to get healthy and find out if Longshore or Kevin Riley will provide Cal's best chance to keep the ball moving towards a Pac-10 championship.
3. Arizona (4-1, 2-0) - The other undefeated team in conference play. They took care of business against Washington, and now head to Palo Alto to see if they can continue their hot start. The Wildcats need to get their wins in now, as after their game against the Cardinal, they host Cal and USC in back-to-back weeks. Not saying they need to win both games, but if they are embarrassed in both, watch out for a collapse down the stretch. But right now, things are looking up for Mike Stoops and co.
4. Oregon (4-2, 2-1) - The Ducks can thank Oregon State for this ass-kicking. No way the Trojans were going to lose two games in a row, and Pete Carroll and co. made sure of that. Oregon got off to a fast start, but collapsed at the end of the first half as USC scored 10 points in the final minute of the second quarter. The Ducks should be able to rebound next week against UCLA at home before their bye week, which will hopefully help them get back one of their quarterbacks.
5. Oregon State (2-3, 1-1) - Called the Utah game, kinda/sorta, though the Utes received a gift on their two-point conversion. But the Beavers also had terrible clock/game management on their final drive, which left waaaaay too much time on the clock for Utah to drive into field goal range for the win. I have a feeling with the weaker bottom half of the conference, the Beavers win over the Trojans will keep them in the 4-6 range for the rest of the year. The Utah game was not a bad loss, as the Utes should remain undefeated until their game against BYU. The Beavers host Washington State next week, which will get them back to .500 on the year, before travelling to Washington to get over .500 on the season (please, please, please Mike Riley...)
6. Stanford (3-3, 2-1) - Tavita Prichard is not the answer at QB, but then again, the Cardinal may not have their answer at QB on their roster this season. Terrible performance against Notre Dame overshadowed by the fact that Stanford only lost by a touchdown. All of these crappy teams giving the Irish hope; please stop now. Thanks. Big test against Arizona next week before a game at UCLA to determine which of those two teams enters the bottom part of the rankings.
7. Arizona State (2-3, 1-1) - The Sun Devils are limping into their game at USC next week. Hard to see Arizona State beating the Trojans in the Coliseum, but also, um, nevermind (Stanford ugh). Four game losing streaks are great ways to free fall on any rankings. All started from the UNLV game, which took a lot of the confidence from the Sun Devils.
8. UCLA (2-3, 1-1) - Closed their 3 game homestand strong, but should fall flat next week in Eugene, where the Ducks won't be happy after being destroyed by the Trojans. A win's a win, but Tennessee has not looked good since their loss on Labor Day, and Washington State is, well, Washington State.
9. Aw screw it....
10. Washington (0-5, 0-3), and Washington State (1-5, 0-3). Both teams are waiting for the Apple Cup for their next win. Until one of these teams shows signs of life, they will both be #10 in the rankings (tied for last, not tied for 9th, get it right....) Washington was terrible against Arizona, and will continue to struggle with Jake Locker out. And Wazzu is, well, Wazzu. Ugh.

And for the top 25:

1. Oklahoma (5-0)
2. Louisiana State (4-0)
3. Texas (5-0)
4. Alabama (6-0)
5. Missouri (5-0)
6. Penn State (6-0)
7. Brigham Young (5-0)
8. Texas Tech (5-0)
9. USC (3-1)
10. Georgia (4-1)
11. Florida (4-1)
12. Vanderbilt (5-0)
13. Ohio State (5-1)
14. Utah (6-0)
15. Kansas (4-1)
16. Boise State (4-0)
17. South Florida (5-1)
18. Auburn (4-2)
19. Tulsa (5-0)
20. Ball State (6-0)
21. Northwestern (5-0)
22. Oklahoma State (5-0)
23. Virginia Tech (5-1)
24. Michigan State (5-1)
25. Wake Forest (3-1)