Big XII Domination, sub-par SEC and Is the PAC-10 still USC and Everybody Else?

Ohio State-USC.  September 13, 2008.  This date was circled on calendars throughout college football.  This was billed by many to be the game of the year, especially in the non-conference schedule. 

So much for all the hype.  When the dust settled, USC likely denied Ohio State the national title, this time before the Buckeyes could embarrass themselves again in the BCS championship game. 

While USC asserted themselves as perhaps the top team in the country, other PAC-10 teams fell flat.  The bottom nine of the conference went 2-7 in non-conference games in Week Three.  

The only teams that won were Oregon in overtime and Oregon St. in a blowout.

Arizona St. and Cal lost to lesser opponents and BYU left no doubt this week by ripping UCLA a new one. 

Big day for Big XII 

While the PAC-10 as a whole stubbed its toe against lesser foes, the Big XII made a big splash by going 7-2.  The Kansas Jayhawks were the only team to fall in the non-conference in losing to a gritty South Florida team down in Tampa. 

Oklahoma and Missouri showed their top 10 worthiness as they continue to slaughter opponents with high-powered offenses.

The Arkansas-Texas game has been postponed until September 27.

SEC powers sluggish on the road in conference play

Knowshon Moreno and the Georgia Bulldogs took their show on the road to take on South Carolina.  As anticipated, this match-up was a low-scoring affair with two excellent defenses. 

Georgia took this game 14-7 in a contest too close for comfort for Dawg fans.  The Gamecocks had a chance to tie the score in the fourth quarter but fumbled away the ball into the end zone.

Auburn and Mississippi State decided to play baseball instead of football.  At least that's what you may have thought with a final score of 3-2.  The Tiger's spread offense obviously still needs some work. 

Buy: Mountain West Conference as the best non-BCS conference.  Two ranked teams (BYU and Utah) and four wins over the PAC-10 in week three, including UNLV over Arizona St.

Sell: Kansas Jayhawks in BCS bowl this season.  Loss at South Florida and tough conference schedule make the road to BCS bowl nearly impossible.

Games of interest-Week four:

Georgia @ Arizona State - Statement game for Bulldogs in their quest for a national title.

LSU @ Auburn - Road team hasn't won this annual match-up since 1999.  Winner will have a leg up in SEC West race.

Top Ten               Last Week

1. Oklahoma       No. 1

2. USC               No. 2

3. Georgia          No. 3

4. Missouri         No. 5

5. Florida           No. 6

6. Texas Tech    No. 8

7. LSU              No. 9

8. Auburn         No. 10

9. Texas          NR

10. Wisconsin    NR

Dropped out - No. 4 Ohio State, No. 7 Arizona State (second straight week my No. 7 lost)

Knocking on the door - Alabama, East Carolina, Oregon