By Kevin Graham
Expect Eddie Wide, the second leading-rusher in the MWC, to get back on track after being held to just 25 yards on 14 carries in last week's loss to TCU.  The subpar outing snapped a streak in which Wide had posted six consecutive 100-yard plus games.

By Craig Haley
The fascination with the 1968 game helps to fuel the longstanding Harvard-Yale series that is known as The Game. The series is the oldest in college football history (dating to 1875) and the third-most played behind Lehigh-Lafayette and Princeton-Yale, with Yale holding a 65-52-8 series lead heading into the 126th meeting on Saturday at venerable Yale Bowl in New Haven, Conn.

By Art Thompson III
The Stanford Axe returns having been tampered with each time it leaves the possession of Stanford and once again becomes the property of the Cal athletic department. That is the biased opinion of Cal supporters.

By Kevin Graham
After beating Utah 55-28, TCU coach Gary Patterson let his team enjoy the moment for a short while before immediately reminding them in the locker room of their next task -- playing at Wyoming.

By Keith Whitmire
They’ve brought back Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place. How about another 1990s throwback with the Huskers and Wildcats at the top of the standings? Of course, it’s merely the Big 12 North standings, not the entire league standings.

By Art Thompson
Oregon and Arizona have been headed for this collision for several weeks now, but perhaps the Wildcats might have been looking too far ahead because they were declawed last Saturday at Cal. All the Wildcats have to do is to beat Oregon, Arizona State and finally USC in a three-week span. Whew!

By Craig Haley
Many people would have thought Tom Williams said all the right words when he was introduced as Yale’s head coach last year. He talking about wanting his program to win the Ivy League championship and beat rival Harvard.

By Art Thompson III
Stanford is undefeated (5-0) at home this year and dating back to last season the Cardinal have won nine of the past 10 games played at Stanford Stadium. Cal lost at Stanford two years ago but the Bears beat Stanford on its home turf in 2005 and 2003. The tide will turn this time, however.

By Kevin Graham
During every football season rumors always seem to surface regarding MWC expansion.  It was no different last week when one implied that the MWC had struck a deal with the BCS to become an automatic qualifying conference by adding three teams.

By R.J. Rico
Ask any Yale student about “The Game,” and he would tell you that it is about far more than watching three hours of football on a cold Saturday afternoon. He would explain that it is about asserting Yale’s supremacy over Harvard in all areas -- playing football, yes, but also tailgating, partying, and having great senses of humor.

By Keith Whitmire
It looks like Kansas’ five-game losing streak is the window of opportunity some have waited for to air grievances about Jayhawks coach Mark Mangino. Players complaining about their coach is nothing new. When formal panels are conducted and the athletic director gets personally involved, it usually leads to bad things for a coach.

By Roland Williams
I loved Stanford early, but their mid-season struggles threw me off the scent. But this is a streaking team with a big physical offense and a Heisman darkhorse in Toby Gerhart. It all adds up to being "My Good".

By Art Thompson III
In the previous seven years, USC would have been closing in on at least a share of the Pac-10 championship. USC won the title outright in five of those seasons and were co-champions the other two. But holy Tommy Trojan what we have this year is a quagmire in front of the title throne.

By Keith Whitmire
Hard to imagine a team like Kansas State could go unrewarded for a turnaround season in Bill Snyder’s second stint as coach. The Wildcats have won four conference games and could be left out of the bowls, while a Missouri team that has won just two conference games became bowl eligible with the win.

By Kevin Graham
With no upsets, the top eight teams remained the same.  Florida stayed in the top spot after its 24-14 win over South Carolina.  Alabama hung on at No. 2 after beating Mississippi State 31-3.  The computer rankings continue to keep the Crimson Tide ahead of Texas, who beat Baylor, and once again stayed at No. 3 despite being second in both the coaches and Harris polls.

By Kevin Graham
Dominant on both sides of the ball as well on special teams, No. 4 TCU (10-0; 6-0) made a huge statement in their quest to bust into the BCS dominating No. 16 Utah (8-2; 5-1) Saturday night 55-28. The win enabled the Frogs to wipe away the memories of the last three years of losses to the Utes and extend their winning streak to 12 games.

By Art Thompson III
It was decisive and emphatic. Unranked Stanford (7-3, 6-2) left no doubt about which team was superior Saturday afternoon, as it wrecked No. 10 USC’s homecoming day, with a resounding 55-21 victory. USC’s once-proud run defense was barreled through as the Cardinal rushed for 325 yards.

By Art Thompson III
Arizona has been a member of the Pac-10 since 1978 and remains the only school that has not represented the conference in the Rose Bowl game. But the Wildcats control their own destiny and a victory Saturday would set up a possible conference championship deciding game next week against visiting Oregon.

By Keith Whitmire
Before the Wildcats can address a possible North showdown with the Huskers, they have to take care of business against a Missouri team that has seen its bottom drop out. Since conference play began, the Tigers haven’t resembled the team the opened the season with a rousing win over rival Illinois.

By Kevin Graham
For the second consecutive year, the TCU-Utah game not only could decide the MWC championship, but has BCS implications as well.  Last year, the Utes entered the game unbeaten while the Frogs had one loss.  Utah’s 13-10 win in the final seconds in Salt Lake City propelled them to a perfect seasonl. This year the roles are reversed.

By Kevin Graham
How big is Saturday’s game pitting the BCS’s No. 4 team, TCU, versus No. 16 Utah?  Big enough that there will be not one, but two national pre-game shows on hand. Big enough that the game in Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth is sold out for the first time in three years.

By Art Thompson III
Either USC (7-2, 4-2) or Stanford (6-3, 5-2) will be eliminated from the Pac-10 championship race Saturday afternoon, when the Cardinal visits the Coliseum. Stanford is coming off a signature victory over Oregon while USC struggled last week to defeat Arizona State. USC’s offense has been in a funk the last few weeks and the probable injury absence this week of standout wide receiver Damian Williams won’t help matters.

By Keith Whitmire
Texas Tech and Oklahoma State is a matchup that has featured a lot of offensive fireworks over the years, but this season both teams have been known to play a little defense. The stakes are fairly high for Oklahoma State, which has bounced back from tough losses to Houston and Texas. Now the Cowboys need to close strong to finish with a 10-win season.

By Art Thompson III
After his team’s thrilling 51-42 victory last week over Oregon, which gave the Ducks their first Pac-10 loss, Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh proclaimed the Pac-10 as the nation’s top conference. Supporters of the SEC, no doubt would disagree.

By Roland Williams
Stanford caught Oregon looking ahead, but must get credit for playing a great football game and are "My Good" from last week. On the flip side, Penn State had the worst loss of the week, but didn't quite qualify as "My Ugly".

By Keith Whitmire
There’s not a lot of good news around the Big 12 these days. Even teams that are winning are struggling with huge question marks. But there are some positives to look forward to, including a few teams being a win away from bowl eligibility and a potential North showdown on the horizon.

By Art Thompson III
Although Oregon’s disheartening loss last Saturday to Stanford essentially ended the Ducks’ BCS title game hopes, there was some good news on Monday. Oregon senior running back LaGarrette Blount was reinstated by the Pac-10.

By Keith Whitmire
His numbers aren’t nearly what they were when he won the Heisman two years ago, but his legend has grown immensely since then. As long as Florida remains unbeaten and the consensus No. 1, Tebow will remain at the top of most ballots.

By Kevin Graham
Thanks to previous No. 4 Iowa being upset by Northwestern 17-10, the Frogs of the MWC moved up two slots to fourth after dismantling San Diego State 55-12 Saturday. It is the highest BCS ranking ever for a team from a non-automatic qualifying conference as TCU is the clear favorite to bust into a BCS bowl game this year. 

By Keith Whitmire
Baylor’s 40-32 win over Missouri was shocking in a number of ways. Colorado’s 35-34 win over Texas A&M was perhaps even more bizarre. Nebraska and Oklahoma played a throwback game – low-scoring and defense-oriented. What does it all mean?

By Kevin Graham
Neither TCU nor Utah overlooked their respective opponents, which now sets up a showdown Saturday between the two top contenders for a MWC title with BCS implications also on the line. TCU continued its run for a BCS Bowl bid posting a 12th straight victory, the third-longest winning streak in the nation.

By Art Thompson III
Last weekend, Oregon’s offense made mincemeat out of USC’s once-invulnerable defense. Now, the No. 7 Ducks (7-2, 5-1) know just how bewildered and disheartened USC felt after Oregon’s 47-20 trouncing. Unranked Stanford (6-3, 5-2) continued its dominance at home and pulled itself smack into the Pac-10 title race Saturday by upsetting Oregon 51-42.

By Keith Whitmire
It’s called the Sunflower Showdown, but the sun is shining on only one team at the moment in the Kansas-Kansas State rivalry. Kansas State has been the surprise team of the Big 12 this season. The Wildcats, expected to struggle in their first season under new/old coach Bill Snyder, lead the Big 12 North.

By Kevin Graham
One team is an established MWC power and is considered among the nations' elite programs this year.  The other is looking to emerge from mediocrity to respectability under a new coach.  Saturday, TCU will try to continue its trek towards the BCS at San Diego State on Versus.

By Art Thompson III
Coming off its 47-20 shellacking last week of USC, Oregon (7-1, 5-0) has its focus on a dangerous Stanford team (5-3, 4-2) that is 4-0 at home, remains alive in the conference championship race, and including last season, has won eight of its past nine games at home.

By Keith Whitmire
The Sooners have won the last four against Nebraska a series that used to decide the Big 8 champion nearly every year. Since the formation of the Big 12 has made this an off-and-on rivalry, OU has dominated.  A struggling Nebraska offense isn’t likely to change that trend.

By Kevin Graham
When we last saw No. 25 BYU, they were walking off their home field after being manhandled 38-7 by TCU. Coming off a bye week preparing to play Wyoming on the road this Saturday, the Cougars are now reenergized and focused on closing out the season strong.

By Keith Whitmire
Now that Texas has gotten past Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, what’s the biggest challenge left for the Longhorns? Basically, it’s not showing up flat for any of the four remaining contests: UCF, Baylor, Kansas and Texas A&M.

By Art Thompson III
The interest brewing in the break rooms around the conference these days are which schools are going to receive bowl bids. I break it down from a trio of teams that are definitely going to those with no hope.

By Kevin Graham
You know the old saying, “defense wins championships.”  In TCU’s case, defense could also get you to a BCS bowl game and maybe a national championship opportunity if all the planets align properly. And the scary thing for upcoming opponents is that the Frogs just keep getting better.

By Roland Williams
Pete Carroll's USC Trojans getting roughed up to the tune of allowing more than 40 points and 600 yards? That was real bad. A young QB makes it understandable there might be some rough patches on the offense, but an elite "D" getting roughed up like that?

By Art Thompson III
USC’s hopes of playing in the BCS title game in January are gone and likely gone too is USC’s chance of playing in a BCS game for the eighth consecutive year. Oregon took care of that with as thorough a lashing as USC has endured in the Pete Carroll-coached era.

By Keith Whitmire
Texas took advantage of an Alabama bye week to move ahead of the Tide and into second place overall. This is merely shuffling the deck chairs because if Alabama wins out, it will be in the championship game. Same goes for No. 1 Florida – win out and the Gators will play for the national title. 

By Keith Whitmire
Maybe it was wishful thinking that Oklahoma State could beat Texas. It was certainly the right setting: Halloween night in Stillwater, Okla. But there was nothing scary about Oklahoma State, while Cowboys’ quarterback Zac Robinson will be seeing nightmares after throwing four picks.

By Kevin Graham
At this point it’s hard to imagine Boise State would be able to overtake TCU as long as the Frogs win the rest of their games this season.  The Broncos play in the WAC, an overall weaker conference than the MWC.  Three of their final five games come against conference teams with losing records. 

By Kevin Graham
It took a quarterbacking change and strong defensive play in the second half for Utah to grind out a 22-10 win over Wyoming.  And while it wasn’t pretty again, the Utes (7-1, 4-0) keep their MWC title hopes alive as well as their outside shot at the BCS.

By Art Thompson III
No. 10 Oregon’s offense diced up No. 4 USC’s defense for an astounding 613 offensive yards in the Ducks’ shockingly one-sided 47-20 victory over the Trojans. It was the most yards allowed by a Pete Carroll-coached USC team in his eight years at the helm and the most points allowed by the Trojans during his tenure.

By Art Thompson III
The age-old football adage states that offense woos fans but defense wins games. That rings true because the best three defensive teams – top to bottom – in the Pac-10 are the units for Arizona State, Oregon and USC.

By Keith Whitmire
Both teams are in losing streaks. Both are pondering quarterback changes. Both teams really need a win. Nebraska hasn’t been the same since a furious, fourth-quarter rally to beat Missouri, 27-12, on October 8.

By Keith Whitmire
A win for Oklahoma State would vault the Cowboys into the national consciousness, and perhaps into contender status for the national title game. Quarterback Zac Robinson has done a nifty job navigating the ship without RB Kendall Hunter and WR Dez Bryant.

By Kevin Graham
In the wacky world of the BCS, where people polls mix with computer formulas to determine who reaps the millions of dollars playing in those big bowls, TCU coach Gary Patterson is attempting to keep the focus on Saturday's game against UNLV.

By Kevin Graham
In the 1990’s, Kyle Whittingham and Dave Christensen coached together on the same staff at Idaho State.  Now Whittingham, in his fifth year as head coach at Utah, hosts his good friend Christensen, in his first season at Wyoming, in a Halloween night battle Saturday in Salt Lake City.

By Natalie Meisler
Ryan Wolfe, the MWC record-holder for receptions, is quarterback Omar Clayton’s go-to-guy. He fills the same role for UNLV athletic department spokesman Mark Wallington, who knew who to call for a video shoot with pop star Justin Timberlake.

By Keith Whitmire
With the preseason favorites in the Big 12 North floundering, some good old-fashioned coaching could end up being the difference. That’s where Kansas State’s Bill Snyder, architect of one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history in his first stint in Manhattan, has the advantage over the rest of the field.

By Art Thompson
Both Oregon (6-1, 4-0) and USC (6-1, 3-1) hoped to have been undefeated going into this Saturday night’s game at what promises to be a jam-packed Autzen Stadium. But each team’s lone loss is a mere speck in their rearview mirror.

By Kevin Graham
Looking ahead, due to the MWC being stronger than the WAC and as long as TCU runs the table, they should stay ahead of Boise State in the standings. Also, if Utah, now ranked No. 16 in the BCS, stays there or higher when they play in Fort Worth on Nov. 14, that will be a big plus for TCU in the computer polls.

By Craig Haley
The Ivy League may be home to some of the world’s best minds, but when an outstanding offense like Brown’s squares off against an outstanding defense like Penn’s, the key to winning just may come down to not overthinking.

By Roland Williams
Anyone who doesn’t believe in TCU after their impressive performance over BYU doesn’t know football.  They may not be a top five team in the country, but they sure are close!

By Art Thompson III
Arizona (5-2, 3-1) broke into the top 25 of the three major polls with its 27-13 victory last Saturday over UCLA. It was a victory more one-sided than the final score would indicate as the Wildcats’ defense completely throttled an inept UCLA offense that was 2 of 15 in third-down efficiency.

By Keith Whitmire
How fitting that Halloween is just around the corner. It’s a night of transformations, invisible beings and pretending to be something you’re not. In short, just about everything that’s gone on in the Big 12 this season.

By Keith Whitmire
TCU leapfrogged Boise State in this week’s BCS standings to claim the highest-ranking among teams from non-automatic bid conferences. Not only did the Horned Frogs whip then-No. 16 BYU, 38-7, in Provo on Saturday, but Clemson beat Miami, 40-37, in overtime to give TCU a BCS bump. TCU beat Clemson, 14-10, last month.

By Kevin Graham
For TCU, it’s uncertain how the win will impact them in the BCS standings. But what is certain at this time, is that this team is definitely deserving of BCS consideration. And if they run the table with a break here or there, who’s to say they don’t deserve at least a look at a National Championship opportunity? 

By Keith Whitmire
While the Cowboys best not look ahead to Texas, the Bears have not been the same since their leader, dual-threat quarterback Robert Griffin, was lost for the season with a knee injury. Baylor was 2-1 with Griffin in the starting lineup and 1-2 without him.

By Keith Whitmire
Oklahoma has now suffered three losses, the latest being last week’s 16-13 heartbreaker to hated rival Texas. The Sooners are clinging to Top 25 status and are in danger of becoming the forgotten power in the Big 12.

By Art Thompson III
For the first time this season, all 10 teams will be involved with conference games Saturday. It only will be one of three times that occurs this year. So, let’s take a look at those games and the ramifications that it could have on the Pac-10 race to the Rose Bowl and possible Bowl Championship Series.

By Keith Whitmire
A year ago the Big 12 was the Quarterback Conference. This year, it’s the Conference of the Quarterback Change. On Saturday, at least half the league’s teams could start quarterbacks that were not the starter on opening day. Some of the changes are the result of injury, others are by coaches’ decisions.

By Kevin Graham
Between two gorgeous mountain ranges lies what is typically a very peaceful valley. People go about their lives dealing with their day-to-day issues as the fall colors are in full bloom and a dusting of snow covers the tallest peaks. Come Saturday, though, the state of Utah becomes a fervent football nation.

By Art Thompson
Oregon’s suspension of LaGerrette Blount created an opportunity for LaMichael James, who has emerged as one of the top offensive newcomers in the conference. James has lots of wiggle and shake, and yet he always manages to square his shoulders north and south, as he churns out yardage.

By Kevin Graham
In deflecting BCS talk last week, TCU coach Gary Patterson said it’s difficult to discuss when the first standings have yet to be released.  Well, Sunday that changed as TCU debuted at No. 8 in the BCS rankings.  Now, will Patterson talk?

By Roland Williams
Purdue gets kudos for its fine win over Ohio State. Speaking of the Buckeyes, the Top 10 has its issues, but nothing as bad as the Big 12 North -- or at least the Jayhawks' ugly defeat.

By Craig Haley
Ivy League coaches are always talking about the parity among their eight teams. However, midway through the season, with the non-league schedule finally over, the two teams expected to be at the top of the title race – Harvard and Penn – are right there, with everybody else behind.

By Keith Whitmire
So if the Gators and Tide remain undefeated, what the BCS will create is a true national championship game on Dec. 5 in Atlanta. How fun. Why bother to show up to Pasadena on Jan. 7? Just to make rich programs richer?

By Art Thompson III
The season’s first Bowl Championship Series standings were released Sunday and USC debuted at No.7. Although the Trojans are ranked No. 4 in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 and No. 4 in the Coaches’ Poll, the BCS computer ranking should not come as a shock to USC faithful. After all, USC only has itself to blame for its pratfall last month at unranked Washington.

By Keith Whitmire
While Texas and Oklahoma were struggling to generate excitement Saturday at the Cotton Bowl, it was an even darker day for the Big 12 North. All three of the division’s supposed contenders took it on the chin.

By Kevin Graham

By Art Thompson III
It truly was a game that came down to the final play, as visiting No. 6 USC held on to defeat No. 25 Notre Dame 34-27 Saturday night. Aided by two defensive penalties, Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen led the Irish on a thrilling last-minute drive and put his team in position either to send the game into overtime or win it with a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

By Keith Whitmire
While the offensive stars took a PR hit, the Texas/OU lived up to its true essence as a battle of two of the nation’s top defenses. Oklahoma was held to a minus-16 yards rushing and Sam Bradford faces a long process of healing and convincing NFL scouts that he can stay upright.

By Art Thompson III
Although Arizona leads the series 13-11, Stanford has won five of the past six meetings. Based upon the last two years, however, it would not be described as one-sided as the Cardinal has won the past two meetings by a combined two points.

By Kevin Graham
After last week’s 20-17 victory over Air Force, TCU dropped two spots in the AP Poll.  But in the polls that are counted in the BCS standings, the Frogs moved up a spot to No. 8 in the coaches and remained at No. 10 in the Harris rankings.

By Craig Haley
Elimination games start early with Ivy League football, where there is a meaningful, 10-game regular season but no postseason for the teams. When one suffers its first loss in Ivy play, it’s unlikely it can afford another one.

By Keith Whitmire
Texas fans are still upset about Oklahoma getting a shot at the BCS championship last season even though the Longhorns beat the Sooners, 45-35. If you hooked Texas’ players up to a lie detector, they would admit to being angry, too.

By Keith Whitmire
Texas, with its lofty ranking and 5-0 record, should be a heavy favorite over twice-beaten, 20th-ranked Oklahoma. But this is the Red River Rivalry, where the cliché “Throw out the records” originated.

By Matt L. Stephens
While their first 3-0 start since 1994 -- the season in which the Colorado State Rams went to the Holiday Bowl -- felt like an epic beginning to what seemed to be a blockbuster season, three consecutive losses have resulted in a lackluster mid-week football environment throughout Fort Collins.

By Art Thompson III
Four years ago, it took a push by tailback Reggie Bush on the back of quarterback Matt Leinart that capped a one-for-the-ages, last-minute drive to propel USC to a come-from-behind victory over the Irish. Now, a victory by USC this weekend very well could be the impetus that shoves Charlie Weis out of his job as Notre Dame’s head coach.

By Kevin Graham
While San Diego State is hoping that having two weeks to prepare for No. 18 BYU will give them a better chance to pull off the upset, the Cougars are trying to stay focused on the Aztecs and not looking ahead to next week’s showdown with No. 12 TCU.

By Kevin Graham
For the second straight year, the MWC appears to be the “Big Three” and everyone else. Number 12 TCU, No. 18 BYU and No. 24 Utah were a combined 18-0 last year against the other six schools in the MWC and 4-0 thus far this season.

By Roland Williams
My Good: Top of the SEC with Alabama and Florida.  I know Texas will get some consideration, but these two teams are without a doubt the best in college football.

By Natalie Meisler 
If winless New Mexico -- 118th and 117th respectively in Division I scoring offense and defense -- topples stumbling UNLV Oct. 24, maybe then UNM first-year coach Mike Locksley will be in bigger trouble.

By Craig Haley
Columbia isn’t the same ol’ Columbia anymore. The struggling program that hasn’t enjoyed a winning record either overall or in the league since 1996, and only three overall winning marks (and two in the league) since 1963 has a chance for one this season.

By Art Thompson III
Although Stanford had not cracked the Associated Press Top 25 poll, the Cardinal was flying high atop the Pac-10 standings and off to its best record in years.

By Kevin Graham
TCU not only had to battle Air Force, but also weather conditions that a team from Texas is not used to seeing.  With temperatures in the teens, a frozen mist and drizzle falling, the Frogs remained unbeaten with a 20-17 victory at Colorado Springs.

By Keith Whitmire
Though they trailed at the half, Texas won its game Saturday against Colorado, and by a decent margin: 38-14. Yet the Longhorns dropped from second to third in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

By Keith Whitmire
While it was an exciting game that kept Kansas undefeated at 5-0, the game should make Jayhawks fans and Big 12 North proponents nervous about the rest of the season.

By Art Thompson
Who would have bet at this juncture of the season that the Stanford Cardinal – and not the USC Trojans – would sit atop the Pac-10 standings? Anyone? Anyone?

By Keith Whitmire
Kansas is one of the favorites for the Big 12 North title and has shown little reason to doubt that opinion during non-conference play. Conference play is another matter. Longtime rivalries and familiarity can make win-loss records obsolete.