College football beat

Here are some thoughts on the Volunteers, Big Red and the Heisman race.

Volunteers Vanquished

We should have seen this coming. Florida down on their luck. Tennessee flying high. An easy Vols victory. Right? Well, that's why they play the game. What was most disturbing about Tennessee's 30-13 loss to Florida was that it didn't appear they even belonged on the field with the Gators, let alone a lofty #4 ranking. They were whipped and embarrassed, and the problems may run deeper than just one game. Eight fumbles - seven in the first half and four in a row - show a lack of preparation and focus. As for the rain, well, Florida didn't seem to have trouble with the ball.

Part of the problem may lie with the Volunteers biggest star. Kelley Washington is an incredible talent, but his attitude is a cancer to the team. Besides humiliating teammates in practice, he appears to be more interested in "re-defining" the position than winning games. Another loss and watch out for a Knoxville meltdown.

Are the Big Red Dead?

Down in Ames, Iowa State QB Seneca Wallace and company are eagerly awaiting a wounded dog on Saturday when Nebraska comes limping into town. Yes, that's correct, the Mighty Cyclones are ranked higher than the Huskers by the AP and currently are favored by a point. This is a program that has lost seven straight times to Nebraska by an average margin of 40.4 points.

Nebraska enters the game at 3-1, a week removed from a humiliating 40-7 loss to Penn State in which their defense surrendered 476 total yards. Iowa State is 4-1 and came within a controversial yard of possibly beating Florida State.

So can Nebraska rebound? They may have trouble containing Heisman hopeful Wallace, and the Cyclones seem poised for a major breakthrough. A loss by Big Red would have folks in Lincoln asking for Frank Solich's head.

Irish eyes are smiling!

Notre Dame is again at the center of the college football world after their victory over Michigan State last week. Who would have thought a walk-on quarterback could bail them out against the Spartans? Pat Dillingham is now part of Irish lore. His 60-yard touchdown pass to Arnaz Battle was amazing, especially considering that the game appeared over after Charles Rogers' spectacular TD reception.

Next up for the Irish are Stanford, Pittsburgh, then Air Force. If they win all three (and they will), it's on to Florida State on October 26th. Hmmm, Notre Dame-Florida State in a big game. Seems like old times.

This Weekend's Player to Watch

Chris Hurd, QB, Washington State

Starter Jason Gesser has a dislocated rib and backup Matt Kegel has a bruised left knee. That leaves freshman Chris Hurd as the 16th ranked Cougars take on California in a PAC-10 match-up.

Head coach Mike Price would not say for sure whether Hurd, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound quarterback from Antioch, Calif., would start, but it's a possibility. Last week, Hurd completed five of six passes for 44 yards in Washington State's 45-28 victory over Montana State.

The Really Early Heisman Outlook

Byron Leftwich is out after his team's loss to Virginia Tech. Rex Grossman may have saved himself Saturday, but he still has a long way to go to erase the bitter taste from the Miami game. Chris Simms is a major question mark until he plays BIG in a big game. Ken Dorsey is nice, but teammate Willis McGahee is hurting his campaign.

Currently Michigan State WR Charles Rogers and Ohio State RB Maurice Clarett appear to be the frontrunners. If Seneca Wallace has a great game on Saturday, throw him in as well.

The Unbiased Top 5

1. Miami -- All systems go! 2. Virginia Tech -- Impressive win Saturday. 3. Oklahoma -- Can Hybl get it done? 4. Ohio State -- Clarett for Heisman! 5. Texas -- Let's wait and see.