Top 25 - Week Twelve

1. Texas Tech (1)
Record: 10-0 (6-0)
Coaches Poll: 2
Associated Press: 2
Last Week: BYE
It’s time for the defense to step out of the shadows — linebacker Brian Duncan has 74 tackles, safety Darcel McBath six interceptions and defensive end Brandon Williams 10 sacks.
Up Next: 11/22: @ Oklahoma; 11/29: vs. Baylor

2. Alabama Crimson Tide (2)
Record: 11-0 (7-0)
Coaches Poll: 1
Associated Press: 1
Last Week: Won Mississippi St. 32-7
It was all about the special teams – a blocked punt for a safety started the scoring before Javier Arenas took over, returning one punt to the two-yard line and another all the way to paydirt.
Up Next: 11/22: BYE; 11/29: vs. Auburn

3. Texas Longhorns (3)
Record: 10-1 (6-1)
Coaches Poll: 4
Associated Press: 4
Last Week: Won @ Kansas 35-7
The ‘Horns defense held a Kansas offense — one that had reached 30 points in nine of their first 10 games and had scored no fewer than 21 points in any game this season — to a single touchdown.
Up Next: 11/22: BYE; 11/27: vs. Texas A & M



4. Florida Gators (5)
Record: 9-1 (7-1)
Coaches Poll: 3
Associated Press: 3
Last Week: Won vs. South Carolina 56-6
Can’t say for sure if the Florida Gators are the best team in the country, but they can’t be doing wonders for CBS’ ratings. More often than not, Urban Meyer’s club pulls away early.
Up Next: 11/22: vs. Citadel; 11/29: @ Florida St.

5. Oklahoma Sooners (4)
Record: 9-1 (5-1)
Coaches Poll: 5
Associated Press: 5
Last Week: BYE
Junior tailback Chris Brown is coming on strong for the Sooners, averaging 110 yards per game and eight yards per carry over Oklahoma’s last four contests (six scores).
Up Next: 11/22: vs. Texas Tech; 11/29: @ OSU

6. Southern Cal Trojans (6)
Record: 9-1 (7-1)
Coaches Poll: 6
Associated Press: 6
Last Week: Won @ Stanford 45-17
You want vintage USC offense? On third and 13 from their own seven-yard line, Stafon Johnson broke off a 43-yard run. On the following play, Mark Sanchez connected with Stanley Havili for 50-yard scoring strike.
Up Next: 11/22: BYE; 11/29: vs. Notre Dame

7. Penn St. Nittany Lions (7)
Record: 10-1 (6-1)
Coaches Poll: 8
Associated Press: 7
Last Week: Won vs. Indiana 34-7
Can you say Iowa hangover? Penn St. took a 10-7 lead into the locker room before opening it up in the second half. Wide out Derrick Williams scored through the air and on the ground.
Up Next: 11/22: vs. Michigan St. (Final Game)

8. Utah Utes (8)
Record: 11-0 (7-0)
Coaches Poll: 7
Associated Press: 8
Last Week: Won vs. @ San Diego St. 63-14
Senior signal caller Brian Johnson (27-of-38) let loose in his tune-up for the “Holy War” by throwing for 280 yards and five scoring strikes.
Up Next: 11/22: vs. BYU (Final Game)

9. Oklahoma St. Cowboys (9)
Record: 9-2 (5-2)
Coaches Poll: 12
Associated Press: 11
Last Week: Won @ Colorado 30-17
Sophomore tailback Kendall Hunter turned in his ninth 100-yard game of 2008 and he did it on a season-low 11 carries, averaging 9.3 yards a pop.
Up Next: 11/22: BYE; 11/29: vs. Oklahoma

10. Georgia Bulldogs (10)
Record: 9-2 (6-2)
Coaches Poll: 13
Associated Press: 13
Last Week: Won @ Auburn 17-13
After surviving a shootout in Lexington, the Dawgs persevered through a slugfest in Auburn thanks to Knowshon Moreno (189 total yards) and A.J. Green (game-winning touchdown).
Up Next: 11/22: BYE; 11/29: vs. Georgia Tech

11. Ohio St. Buckeyes (11)
Record: 9-2 (6-1)
Coaches Poll: 10
Associated Press: 10
Last Week: Won @ Illinois 30-20
The one-two punch of Beanie Wells (24 carries, 143 yards, touchdown) and Terrelle Pryor (13 carries 110 yards, touchdown) on the ground was too much fight for the Illini.
Up Next: 11/22: vs. Michigan (Final Game)

12. Missouri Tigers (12)
Record: 8-2 (4-2)
Coaches Poll: 11
Associated Press: 12
Last Week: Won @ Iowa St. 52-20
While the quarterbacks get all the publicity in the Big 12, Derrick Washington (11 carries, 128 yards) is another sophomore back proving the conference is more balanced than you think.
Up Next: 11/22: BYE; 11/29: vs. Kansas

13. Boise St. Broncos (13)
Record: 10-0 (6-0)
Coaches Poll: 9
Associated Press: 9
Last Week: Won @ Idaho 45-10
While senior Ian Johnson (eight carries, 13 yards) was contained, sophomore Jeremy Avery broke loose for his first 100-yard game of the season with a career-high 156 yards (two touchdowns).
Next: 11/22: @ Nevada; 11/28: Fresno St.

14. Michigan St. Spartans (14)
Record: 9-2 (6-1)
Coaches Poll: 15
Associated Press: 17
Last Week: BYE
Senior quarterback Brian Hoyer told CFI Radio that while he did not relish the week 12 bye before the season, it came at perfect time for the Spartans as they get ready for Penn St.
Up Next: 11/22: @ Penn St. (Final Game)

15. TCU Horned Frogs (16)
Record: 9-2 (6-1)
Coaches Poll: 17
Associated Press: 15
Last Week: BYE
Extra preparation is needed when getting ready for Air Force’s triple-option attack according to TCU’s Head Coach Gary Patterson, who appeared on CFI Radio’s BCS Buster Show.
Next: 11/22: vs. Air Force (Final Game)

16. Brigham Young Cougars (17)
Record: 10-1 (6-1)
Coaches Poll: 14
Associated Press: 16
Last Week: Won @ Air Force 38-24
The Cougars took over in the third quarter – following their go-ahead score, BYU recovered an Air Force fumble on the ensuing kickoff and found the end zone again three plays later.
Up Next: 11/22: @ Utah (Final Game)

17. Ball St. Cardinals (18)
Record: 10-0 (6-0)
Coaches Poll: 16
Associated Press: 14
Last Week: Won @ UM (OH) 31-16
MiQuale Lewis fell just one-yard shy of his season-high with 165 yards (two touch-downs). The junior has not averaged less than five yards per carry in any game this season.
Up Next: 11/19: @ Central Mich.; 11/25: UWM

18. LSU Tigers (19)
Record: 7-3 (3-3)
Coaches Poll: 18
Associated Press: 18
Last Week: Won vs. Troy 40-31
With Troy leading 31-3 in the third quarter, it appeared Les Miles was going to see his Tigers lose back-to-back games for the first time since he arrived in Baton Rouge. They proceeded to score 37 unanswered points in the final 17 minutes.
Up Next: 11/22: vs. Ole Miss; 11/28: @ Arkansas

19. Oregon St. Beavers (25)
Record: 7-3 (6-1)
Coaches Poll: 21
Associated Press: 21
Last Week: Won vs. California 34-21
Coming off an injury, Lyle Moevao had concerns about rediscovering his rhythm and they were warranted (14-of-28 passing). No fear, the Rogers brothers are here – Jacquizz rushed for 144 yards and James scored on a run and a kick return.
Up Next: 11/22: @ Arizona; 11/29: vs. Oregon

20. Cincinnati Bearcats (23)
Record: 8-2 (4-1)
Coaches Poll: 20
Associated Press: 19
Last Week: Won @ Louisville 28-20
Tony Pike led the Bearcats to their third straight Big East win and second in a row on the road. The signal caller threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns, connecting nine times with Dominick Goodman.
Up Next: 11/22: vs. Pittsburgh; 11/29: vs. Syracuse

21. Pittsburgh Panthers (22)
Record: 7-2 (3-1)
Coaches Poll: 19
Associated Press: 20
Last Week: BYE
Star players LeSean McCoy and Scott McKillop receive national recognition – sophomore tailback McCoy as a Doak Walker semifinalist and senior linebacker McKillop as a Lott Trophy semifinalist.
Up Next: 11/22: @ Cincinnati; 11/28: vs. WVU

22. Oregon Ducks (NR)
Record: 8-3 (6-2)
Coaches Poll: 22
Associated Press: 24
Last Week: Won vs. Arizona 55-45
Jeremiah Masoli threw for 298 yards and rushed for 89 yards with five total touchdowns.
Up Next: 11/22: BYE; 11/29: @ Oregon St.

23. North Carolina Tar Heels (15)
Record: 7-3 (3-3)
Coaches Poll: NR
Associated Press: 25
Last Week: Lost @ Maryland 17-15
The baby Heels blew their chance to control their own destiny on Saturday. Junior quarterback Cameron Sexton (10-of-24 passing) struggled with his accuracy throughout the loss.
Up Next: 11/22: NC State; 11/29: @ Duke

24. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (NR)
Record: 7-3 (4-3)
Coaches Poll: NR
Associated Press: NR
Last Week: BYE
With a 1-3 record in Coastal Division play, the Jackets are a long shot to win the division, but could open things up for North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Virginia with a win.
Up Next: 11/20: vs. Miami; 11/29: @ UGA

25. Maryland Terrapins (NR)
Record: 7-3 (4-2)
Coaches Poll: 23
Associated Press: 22
Last Week: Won vs. UNC 17-15
If the Terps hold on to win the Atlantic Division, they will look back to Chris Turner’s nine yard run on fourth and five to keep their game-winning drive alive late in the fourth quarter.
Up Next: 11/22: vs. Florida St.; 11/29: @ BC

Dropped Out: South Carolina (20), Florida St. (21), Tulsa (24)

Five to Watch: Boston College, Central Michigan, Miami, Northwestern, West Virginia

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media