Unrest among unbeatens
Terry's new Sweet 16 | |||||
First number denotes AP ranking. | |||||
1 | 1 | 1 | 7-0 | ||
2 | 2 | 2 | 7-0 | ||
3 | 3 | 3 | 7-0 | ||
4 | 4 | 4 | 7-0 | ||
5 | 5 | 5 | 7-0 | ||
8 | 8 | 6 | 7-0 | ||
6 | 6 | 7 | 5-1 | ||
7 | 7 | 8 | 5-1 | ||
10 | 9 | 9 | 6-1 |  1 | |
11 | 12 | 10 | 7-1 | 1 | |
9 | 10 | 11 | 5-2 | 1 | |
12 | 13 | 12 | 5-2 | 1 | |
13 | 11 | 13 | 6-1 | NR | |
14 | 14 | 14 | 7-1 | ||
15 | 15 | 15 | 7-1 | 1 | |
17 | 16 | 16 | 6-1 |  7 | |
Dropped out | |||||
19 | 19 | NR | 5-2 | (15) | |
NR = Not ranked last week. | |||||
There wasn't a lot of movement this week in the Sweet 16, although Texas Tech took a hit after being routed by Texas.
But that doesn't mean there was no news this week, as Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley suffered a sprained knee. Shockley's physical status now becomes the biggest factor in who will stay undefeated as the season winds down.
Big 12: Texas 52, Texas Tech 17 Recap - Box |
  Texas continues to dominate almost every opponent. Other than a three-point victory over Ohio State, the Longhorns' average margin of victory has been 37 points. If you're a championship-caliber team and you're going up against a top-10, undefeated team that's trying to prove itself, you can make a statement by beating them by 35. And the Longhorns did. The top reason I've been so sold on Texas is its defense. Holding the nation's No. 1 scoring team to 17 points says a mouthful. Texas Tech was able to put up 369 yards passing, but with all the skill on defense for Texas, the Red Raiders weren't able to get in the end zone. |
Pac-10: USC 51, Washington 24 Recap - Box |
  USC continues to care of business, showing no signs of a post-Notre Dame letdown in a victory at overmatched Washington. Matt Leinart gave us his usual performance with four touchdown passes, including three to Dwayne Jarrett. In a game like this, it's almost more about who makes the best impression in the Heisman Trophy race than about who's going to win the game. Although Leinart was steady, Reggie Bush gave us another video highlight with an unbelievable 84-yard punt return for a touchdown. It's easy to say that Southern California's defense hasn't played well enough to win a championship, but this team has such an ability to score quickly that I'm not sure they can't simply outscore just about anyone. On Saturday the Trojans got off to a slow start, then scored four touchdowns in nine plays. Game over. |
 |
  The loss of D.J. Shockley to a sprained knee for this week's key matchup with Florida is big. With all the talk about Leinart and Young, Shockley's physical status now becomes the biggest factor in who will stay undefeated. Backup Joe Tereshinski didn't do much Saturday, and I'm sure head coach Mark Richt chose to win this game with his defense and special teams. I have to believe Richt will build an offensive plan this week around the talents of Tereshinski, and he'll have a much better performance against the Gators. If Georgia can come up with a big win this week under these circumstances, the Bulldogs not only clinch the SEC East but also hang on to their hopes of sneaking into the Rose Bowl. |
Recap - Box - Phil Fulmer Television Show  |
  There's a perception in college football that teams on the East Coast know how to play defense and teams on the West Coast know offense. After games like this, you can see where that comes from. It's often said when you have a great year it's as much about luck as it is about being good. And in the closing minutes of this game, Tennessee running back Cory Anderson fumbled through end zone for a touchback that kept the game tied. Luck seemed to be on the Tide's side – but they still had to be good as well as lucky. Although Alabama doesn't seem to have enough offense to beat a team like Texas or USC, this still looks like a special season for the Crimson Tide. |
