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Posted: Monday September 25, 2006 11:09AM; Updated: Tuesday September 26, 2006 1:02PM
Quick Hits
Chris Leak
AP 
For Chris' Sake
The Chris Leak love-hate affair continues in Gainesville. He's tops in the nation with 12 TD passes, but with less than 12 minutes to play in a 26-7 win over Kentucky, he was greeted with chants of "Tebow ... Tebow." He wasn't perfect Saturday, but make no doubt: Leak's making a serious case for the Heisman and the Gator faithful need to give No. 12 a break.
Ohio State Of Defense
No Carpenter? No Hawk? No Schlegel? No problem. The Ohio State D isn't the shut-down unit of last year, but a group that lost nine starters has nine takeaways, three short of '05's total, hasn't allowed a rushing TD and has given up just 32 points. The flair and hair may be gone, but this 'no-name' D has proven just as capable as its star-studded predecessor.
Agony In East Lansing, again
While Notre Dame put the finishing touch on a season-saving, come-from-behind win for the ages, John L. Smith could be seen with a familiar look on his face (think Michigan in '04 or Ohio State last season). With Drew Stanton at his disposal, why did Smith get conservative in the second half? It was yet another implosion for a coach who's the master of the blowup.
Razing Arizona (State)
You can bet that Dirk Koetter is rethinking that whole Rudy Carpenter-Sam Keller thing. Carpenter, who led the nation in passing efficiency last season, tossed four picks in losing to Cal 49-21, and has thrown eight in four games. Frosh Danny Sullivan is No. 2 on the depth chart, meaning Koetter is stuck with Carpenter, who looks nothing like the player of 2005.
Best In Show
Joe Cox salvaged Georgia's perfect record, dodged an embarrassing loss to a Colorado team that was a 27-point underdog, and most importantly, showed Mark Richt who should be at the controls of the Dawgs' attack. Cox helped the offense produce 195 of its 284 yards and threw a pair of TDs. We'll see Matthew Stafford again, but Cox has earned his shot.
Ups & Downs
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Behind Ray Rice, Rutgers has cracked the AP Top 25 for the first time in 30 years. Coach Greg Schiano has pulled off a truly impressive feat: making the N.J. school known for something other than Tony Soprano.
Boston College
After living on the edge with back-to-back double-overtime wins over Clemson and BYU, the Golden Eagles strayed too far against N.C. State and missed out on a key victory in the wide-open ACC Atlantic Division.
Missouri Tigers
Wasn't this team supposed to fade away without Brad Smith at QB? The Tigers are ranked for the first time since 2004, behind new QB Chase Daniel, who is on pace for a 3,000-yard season as a first-time starter.
Colorado Buffaloes
Yes, it did get worse for Dan Hawkins. He had his first win at Colorado ripped away with 46 seconds to play as his Buffs squandered a 13-0 lead at Georgia. Colorado has lost eight straight dating back to last season.
Arkansas Razorbacks
He may have Alabama kicker Leigh Tiffin to thank, but Houston Nutt gained some breathing room. After back-to-back losing campaigns, the Nutt has the Razorbacks 2-0 in the SEC for the first time since 1998.
Northwestern Wildcats
Pat Fitzgerald did wonders in bringing the Wildcats together after the death of Randy Walker. But on the field, the Wildcats are struggling. They're 91st nationally in scoring offense and their air game is 107th.
They Said It
"I can get used to this. I just hope we can keep this up as a team because we're trying to run the table."
--Michigan wide receiver Mario Manningham after catching seven balls for 113 yards and two touchdowns in the sixth-ranked and unbeaten Wolverines 27-13 win over Wisconsin.
"It's not like it was Notre Dame out there. They did what you hoped they would do.''
--Florida State coach Bobby Bowden on his much-maligned offense, which had 500 yards, including 287 on the ground behind Antone Smith (137, 2 TDs) in a 55-7 win over Rice.
"I just feel like everybody kind of gave up on us after the USC game, and a lot of people were down on us when we came into the Troy game because Troy almost beat Florida State and Georgia Tech. We're a hell of a team, too."
--Nebraska wide receiver Terrence Nunn, who finished with four receptions for 102 yards as the Cornhuskers rebounded from a loss against USC with a 56-0 victory over Troy.
Big Men On Campus
David BallWR - New Hampshire
The senior came down with a jump ball in the corner of the end zone Saturday for his third TD reception of the day and the 50th of his career, which happened to tie him with some guy named Jerry Rice for the Division I-AA all-time mark.
Terrail LambertCB - Notre Dame
Lambert capped a stunning comeback by returning an interception for a 27-yard touchdown with 2:53 to play, then ended any chance of the Spartans answering with an acrobatic pick on their last-grasp drive as ND won 40-37 in East Lansing.
Calvin JohnsonWR - Georgia Tech
The junior had a career day in the Yellow Jackets' 24-7 victory over Virginia. Johnson totaled six receptions for a career-best 166 yards and had his longest touchdowns receptions (66 and 58 yards), both of which came in the first half.
Statitudes
-16
Number of rushing yards USC's defense limited Arizona to in the No. 3 Trojans' 20-3 win. USC allowed 154 yards and eight first downs in their record 24th straight Pac-10 victory.
7
Clemson totaled seven rushing touchdowns in a 52-7 win over North Carolina. James Davis had four TD runs, while C.J. Spiller had two and Reggie Merriweather had one.
95
Middle Tennessee's total yards in a 59-0 loss to No. 17 Oklahoma. The Blue Raiders ran for just 22 yards in their most lopsided defeat since making the move to Division I-A in 1999.
Top 25 Photo Gallery: Week 4

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Crystal Ball
Ohio State at IowaSEPTEMBER 30
This could be trouble for Ohio St. Night game. Hostile environment. Not to mention the first experienced quarterback they have faced in Drew Tate. Look for a statement game out of Troy Smith. Ohio State 24, Iowa 17
Georgia Tech at Virginia TechSEPTEMBER 30
The unbeaten Hokies' first test won't be how they defense GT's Johnson. It's all on VT quarterback Sean Glennon and how he handles the constant pressure of the Yellow Jackets' front seven. Virginia Tech 28, Georgia Tech 14
Boise State at UtahSEPTEMBER 30
The Broncos have designs on a perfect season and a BCS bid, but face a big roadblock in the Utes. This one's away from the Smurf Turf, which could be trouble, but Boise St. still has Ian Johnson. Boise State 37, Utah 31

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