Open The Paddock

JD’S TOP 15
— Jeff Dantzler
1. GEORGIA - The Bulldogs clinched the SEC East title
with a 45-19 victory over Mississippi State, improving
to 10-0 on the season. Georgia is on the road again this
week, heading to Kentucky, which got upset by Vanderbilt this
past weekend.
2. OHIO STATE - The Buckeyes pummeled Indiana
56-14 to make it 10-0 on the season. Now comes a
tough test at Maryland in what could be a high scoring
affair. Then comes the big one with Michigan. Ohio State is the
last Big Ten team to win it all.
3. MICHIGAN - That Wolverines running game was
extremely impressive in a 34-3 win over Nebraska. There
has been no slip back for Michigan, which won the Big
Ten and made the playoff last season. Illinois heads to the big
house on Saturday.
4. TCU - The Horned Frogs are 10-0 and got the
signature win over in-state rival Texas. TCU has locked up
a
spot in the Big XII Championship Game and are firmly in
the playoff picture. It’s off to struggling Baylor Saturday.
5. TENNESSEE - Missouri hung around for a while,
and then Tennessee hit its full stride offensively, pulling
away from the Tigers for a 66-24 win. Style points. Next
up is South Carolina in Columbia and then Vanderbilt in Music City.
6. SOUTHERN CAL - The Trojans took care of
Colorado Friday night 55-17 to improve to 9-1 on the
season. Now comes the two big rivals. First it’s UCLA in
the Rose Bowl and then Notre Dame in the Coliseum. The Trojans
are in the thick of everything.
7. LSU - The Bayou Bengals took a hard-fought,
old school defensive battle in Fayetteville, downing
Arkansas 13-10. LSU faces Texas A&M in the regular
season finale, but have secured in the SEC Championship Game.
They get UAB Saturday.
8. ALABAMA - The Crimson Tide pulled out a 30-24
victory over Ole Miss to make it 8-2 on the season.
Bryce Young is just tremendous, and has a shot at a
second straight Heisman Trophy. Alabama hosts Austin Peay
Saturday, then it’s Auburn.
FOOTBALL
MORE SPORTS
This year is flying by, and there are just two weeks left in the regular
season. The SEC had an awesome weekend with seven intraconference
games. Washington pulled off a great win over Oregon in the rejuvenated
PAC-12. Ohio State and Michigan keep rolling right along, and TCU has
put itself in position.
9. CLEMSON - The Tigers are bound for the ACC
Championship Game for the seventh time in the
last eight years. Clemson hosts Miami Saturday.
The Hurricanes, who just beat the Yellow Jackets, have been
struggling. Clemson is still in the playoff hunt.
10. OLE MISS - It was an all-time heartbreaker for Ole
Miss, as the Rebels had their SEC Championship Game
and playoff hopes ended by Alabama. Ole Miss must
regroup and head to Arkansas, which nearly upset LSU.
11. PENN STATE - The Nittany Lions have lost
twice this season, falling to Ohio State and Michigan.
A
30-0 win over Maryland was impressive. Penn State is
8-2, and off to Piscataway to take on Rutgers. It may
be cold there.
12. UTAH - The Running Utes have a monster game
Saturday at Oregon. The Ducks are reeling from a
heartbreaking loss to Washington. The PAC-12 is up for
grabs. If Utah wins Saturday, with a trip to struggling
Colorado next, the Utes are in.
13. NORTH CAROLINA - The Tar Heels are getting
excellent quarterback play from Drake Maye, and
are 9-1. A thrilling 36-34 win over Wake Forest is a
highlight win. The Yellow Jackets are bound for Chapel
Hill this weekend.
14. WASHINGTON - The Huskies got their win
of the year, pulling out a thrilling 37-34 victory over
rival Oregon in Eugene. The record is 8-2, and a
sweet bowl awaits if Washington can close strong. Colorado
visits Seattle Saturday.
15. OREGON - It was a heartbreaker for the
Ducks, who fell to Washington 37-34. The playoff
hopes are dashed but the PAC-12 is within reach.
Can Oregon rally and find a way against tough
Utah at Autzen Stadium?
Juicy Quarter
Pounder ® Burgers
athens • watkinsville • auburn • lawrenceville
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 38 ISSUE THIRTEEN • KENTUCKY