Flexing Muscles: Five Things We Learned In Week Six

Saturday saw the return to the field of the previous Heisman Trophy winners in Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford. Both won their latest games, and each has another crucial conference game as the push for the BCS heats up.

After about half a season, we also now have a small list of BCS contenders. And as we go on further, the gap of separation only will get larger.

With all that said, here are five things we can take away from another exciting week in college football:

1. Florida can win even with a ball control offense

With a quarterback dealing with post-concussion symptoms in Tim Tebow at the helm, the Gators offense played a more slow tempo offense in their 13-3 win over LSU on Saturday night.

The Gators held a 13-minute advantage in time of possession, and they ran the ball 48 times offensively.

They weren't their usual electric selves offensively, but given the circumstances of Tebow's concussion, conservative was a good way to go.

The motive was to be deliberate and keep Tebow from taking hits while still having the ball in his hands throughout the game. And by that standard, the gameplan was a success.

The defense did the rest, locking down LSU and not letting the Tigers get anything going offensively.

2. Alabama, Florida, and Ohio State might have the most electrifying defenses in college football

And speaking of defense, it's no surprise that the three biggest games of the weekend, UF-LSU, 'Bama-Ole Miss, and Ohio State-Wisconsin, were all about what could be three of the best, if not the best, defenses in the nation.

Combined, the three defenses gave up a grand total of 19 points (seven off a fake FG by Wisconsin). And all three units got the job done in different ways.

Florida has talent everywhere and they look like an NFL defense. Alabama has a stout run defense and they get after people so well in both phases of the offense.

The Buckeyes are more opportunistic, controlling games with probably the deepest defensive line unit in the country. And the depth showed as even though the defense was on the field for 42 minutes, the line never lost a step and kept up the pressure all game long.

It's no surprise that all three teams are on top of their conferences right now, though Ohio State has to find an offense to be considered one of the elites like Florida and Alabama.

3. Jimmy Clausen's Heisman campaign is all about Saturday night against USC

What could be argued as the best game of Week Seven should be the rekindling of the rivalry in South Bend with Notre Dame welcoming USC.

Both teams come in with identical 4-1 records, and both are also coming off of bye weeks.

But all Irish eyes will be on QB Jimmy Clausen, who could put a stamp on a Heisman campaign if his Irish can beat USC for the first time under Charlie Weis.

He will have to do it against a USC defense that once again is among the best in the country, and didn't allow a first down until late in the second half the last time the two teams met.

Right now, USC has given up at most 16 points in any game, and double figures in only one other game against the Buckeyes.

All that said, if Clausen wants to be the Heisman winner, he will need to carve up the Trojans defense to do so, with or without WR Michael Floyd.

4. Oklahoma is almost fully healthy for the first time all season

There is an old adage in sports that the best teams peak at the right time. If Oklahoma still wants to win the Big 12, they will have to beat No. 3 Texas in the Red River Rivalry.

The good news for the Sooners is that Sam Bradford is finally back and he has had a game to get back into the groove of the offense.

The even better news is that top receiver Ryan Broyles could be back in the lineup this Saturday, as well. And if the Sooners want revenge, they will need all of their weapons to pull out all the stops against the Longhorns.

Oklahoma has a defense capable of containing the high-powered Longhorns, but they will need the offense in high gear to really have a shot at pulling the upset.

If they do get the upset, there will be total chaos at the top of the polls.

5. Iowa is still very clutch, Michigan is still very feisty

Anyone who saw Iowa hold on and beat an upset-minded Michigan team had to be impressed on both ends.

Ricky Stanzi might just be the most clutch quarterback in the Big Ten, coming up with big play after big play despite an early pick-six.

The Hawkeyes defense was just as impressive, forcing five Michigan turnovers, much to the ire of Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez.

But one has to admire the heart of Michigan, as they would not quit. Backup QB Denard Robinson led a gutsy comeback effort after Rodriguez benched QB Tate Forcier, who is now reportedly suffering concussion symptoms.

Robinson's final drive ended in an interception, giving the Hawkeyes the win, and showing that they might be the most clutch team in the country right now. But don't sleep on the Wolverines, because they always find ways to have a shot at winning every game they play.