10 AROUND THE NATION
Games to watch Keep an eye on these matchups
FLORIDA VS.
SOUTH CAROLINA
The Gamecocks pose the biggest threat to Florida before the SEC Championship game against Alabama, but the Gators will be ready to play. The Gators' defense leads the nation in points allowed per game, and South Carolina will have a tough time getting into the end zone.
ALABAMA VS.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Running back Mark Ingram leads the Crimson Tide into a matchup with the Bulldogs. The Bull-dogs played Florida tough at home a few weeks ago, and they will try everything to pull off an upset. Alabama can't afford to lose this game if it hopes to win the National Championship.
The Utes are hoping to pull off an upset and derail the Horned Frogs' perfect season. TCU is giving up just 11 points per game while Utah averages close to 30 points per contest. Something's got to give, and it probably won't be the TCU defense.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
STANFORD VS. USC
The Cardinal take on the Trojans after upsetting Oregon last Saturday. The Trojans will need to play better against Stanford than they played in a narrow victory against Arizona State last week. Stanford has the momentum, but the USC defense should shut down the Cardinal attack.
IOWA QUARTBACKBACK Ricky Stanzi (12) fumbles the ball in the end zone as he is sacked during the second quarter of the Hawkeys game against northwestern last Saturday in Iowa City, Iowa. Stanzi was injured on the play and didn't return to the game. Northwestern recovered the fumble for a touchdown and the Wildcats won 17-10.
Big matchup will likely determine Big Ten champion
IOWA VS. OHIO STATE
The Hawkeyes head to Columbus for a matchup that will likely determine who wins the Big Ten and earns a trip to the Rose Bowl. Both teams have lost only one game in conference play, and the Buckeyes will be eager to return to the top of the standings. Iowa was undefeated before losing at home to Northwestern last week and it will be interesting to see how the Hawkeyes respond to their first loss of the season. The absence of Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who was injured last week, changes the whole dynamic of this game. If Terrelle Pryor can take care of the football, the Buckeyes should roll past the Hawkeyes at home.
AP TOP25
Team (First-place votes) Record Total Votes Prev. Rank
1. Florida (39) 9-0 1467 1
2. Texas (10) 9-0 1430 2
3. Alabama (11) 9-0 1422 3
4. TCU 9-0 1271 6
5. Cincinnati 9-0 1263 4
6. Boise State 9-0 1228 5
7. Georgia Tech 9-1 1127 10
8. Pittsburgh 8-1 945 14
9. LSU 7-2 904 9
10. Ohio State 8-2 898 15
11. USC 7-2 834 12
12. Miami (FL) 7-2 805 16
13. Houston 8-1 783 13
14. Oregon 7-2 752 7
15. Iowa 9-1 741 8
16. Utah 8-1 706 17
17. Oklahoma State 7-2 492 18
18. Arizona 6-2 476 21
19. Penn State 8-2 467 11
20. Virginia Tech 6-3 275 22
21. Wisconsin 7-2 274 24
22. Brigham Young 7-2 219 25
23. South Florida 6-2 167 NR
24. Clemson 6-3 149 NR
25. Stanford 6-3 107 NR
Dropped from rankings: Notre Dame 19, Oklahoma
29, California 23
Others receiving votes: Oregon State 95, West Virginia 54, Auburn 54, Texas Tech 24, Navy 19, Tennessee 12, Rutgers 11, Nebraska 9, Temple 7, Kansas State 5, Notre Dame 3, Mississippi 2, Fresno State 2, Troy 1
The Wave's Top 25 Wave editor Scott Toland ranks the nation's best teams
1. Florida - The Gators defeated Vanderbilt in workmanlike fashion to improve to 9-0.
2. Alabama - The Crimson Tide are on a collision course with Florida after a 24-15 victory against LSU.
6. Cincinnati - The Bearcats are 9-0 after a tough 47-35 victory against Connecticut at home.
7. Georgia Tech - The
3. Texas - The Longhorns are past the tough part of their schedule, but they can't afford to slip up now.
4. Boise State - The
Yellow Jackets are in good shape to win the ACC and qualify for a BCS bowl game
4. Boise State  The Broncos on for a 45-35 victory against Louisiana Tech to improve to 9-0.
8. Pittsburgh - The Panthers
11. LSU - The Tigers played very well against Alabama and Florida, but they couldn't pull out the victories.
5. TCU – The Horned Frogs just kept on rolling with a 55-12 victory against San Diego State.
should provide the toughest challenge to Cincinnati in the big East.
12. Iowa - The Hawkeyes would likely still be unbeaten if their quarterback hadn't been injured last week.
9. Houston - The Cougars would still be undefeated if they hadn't lost to UTEP earlier this season.
13. USC – The Trojans have new hopes for the Rose Bowl after Oregon slipped up at Stanford last Saturday.
10. Oregon - The Ducks suffered a latefall after beating USC by losing at Stanford, 51-42.
14. Miami -The Hurricanes
16. Utah  The Utes are 8-1 and are preparing for a big match at home with undefeated TCU.
14. Miami -The Hurricanes won big against Virginia to improve to 7-2 and 4-2 in the ACC.
17. Oklahoma State - The
21. Virginia Tech - The Hokies won't win the ACC, but they are one of the best 6-3 teams in the nation.
17. Oklahoma State - The Cowboys recovered from their loss to Texas with a big victory at Iowa State.
18. Penn State - The Nittan
15. Ohio State - Terrellle Pryor and the Buckeyes went to Penn State and took care of the Nittany Lions.
18. Penn State - The Nittany Lions lost at home to Ohio State, but they are still a quality team.
22. Clemson - The Tigers are 6-3 and 4-2 in the ACC after a 40-24 victory at Florida State.
19. BYU - The Cougars steamrolled Wyoming 52-0 to improve to 7-2 and 4-1 in conference play.
23. Wisconsin - The Badgers improved to 7-2 with a 31-28 victory at Indiana last Saturday.
24. South Florida - A
30-19 victory against West Virginia helped the Bulls improve to 6-2.
20. Arizona - The Wildcats are 6-2 at a 48-7 thrashing of Washington State at home last week.
25. Auburn - The Tigers piled up 63 points in a victory against Furman last week to improve to 7-3.
THE WAVE NOVEMBER 13,2009
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN