Associated Press
The Top 25 preview …
GAINESVILLE, Fla. ó Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen turned his head, stared at the photograph of the Gators posing with the 1996 national championship trophy in the Superdome and then summed up Steve Spurrier’s legacy with one sentence.
“He’s always looking over your shoulder around here,” Mullen said.
Maybe so, but the shadow cast by the ol’ ball coach doesn’t loom nearly as large as it did two years ago and doesn’t even compare to the one left behind when he jumped to the NFL. And when Spurrier returns to Florida Field for the second time today to face his alma mater, the biggest story line of this series in recent years will be a mere subplot.
“I don’t think it’ll be a big deal,” Spurrier said.
The game will be, though. The third-ranked Gators (8-1, 6-1), having already clinched a spot in the Southeastern Conference title game, will try to extend their winning streak to six games and stay in the hunt for the national championship against No. 24 South Carolina (7-3, 4-3).
The Gamecocks hope to knock the Gators out of title contention and avenge last year’s embarrassing home loss to Tim Tebow & Co.
The Heisman Trophy winner set a school record with five rushing touchdowns in Columbia last season. He finished with 120 yards rushing, 304 yards passing and seven total touchdowns in the 51-31 victory.
“You want to come and make a statement after what happened last year,” said South Carolina linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who missed last year’s game with an injury. “I had the opportunity to stand on the sideline and watch (Tebow) just rip us to pieces. It would be great to make that statement on their home field.”
The Gamecocks might have a defense capable of it, too. They lead the SEC in total defense, allowing just 256.5 yards a game, and rank third in scoring defense (15.6 points a game) and second against the run (101.4 yards a game).
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No. 1 Alabama (10-0) vs. Mississippi State (3-6)Alabama’s No. 1 ranking and potentially its national title hopes, plus a little revenge as the Bulldogs have won the last two meetings. The Crimson Tide has already secured a spot in the SEC championship game.
No. 4 Texas (9-1) at Kansas (6-4)
Texas must avoid an upset to stay in contention for the Big 12 South title and the national championship hunt. Colt McCoy’s big game last week against Baylor may have taken the sting out of the loss to Texas Tech.
No. 6 Southern Cal (8-1) at Stanford (5-5)USC needs a win to keep its hopes alive for a berth in the BCS title game and at least a share of a seventh straight Pac-10 title.
Indiana (3-7) vs. No. 7 Penn State (9-1)Penn State is looking for a morale boost after last week’s upset at Iowa. They can secure a trip to the Rose Bowl if they beat the Hoosiers this week and Michigan State on Nov. 22.
No. 8 Utah (10-0) at San Diego State (1-9)The Utes need to beat SDSU and then in-state rival BYU in order to remain undefeated and keep alive their chance of being a BCS duster for the second time in five seasons.
No. 9 Boise State (9-0) at Idaho (2-8)Boise State needs to win out to stay in the running for a second BCS berth in the past three seasons.
Ohio State (8-2) at No. 24 Illinois (5-5)Ohio State, with a win, keeps its hopes of at least claiming a share of the Big Ten title alive.
Oklahoma State (8-2) at Colorado (5-5)The Cowboys will attempt to shake off a 56-20 rout at No. 2 Texas Tech. They’re 6-14 in Boulder.
No. 12 Missouri (8-2) at Iowa State (2-8)
Missouri, with a win and a Kansas loss, will wrap up its second straight North division title and a spot in the Big 12 title game.
No. 13 Georgia (8-2) at Auburn (4-5)
Georgia could remain on track to reach 10 wins for the sixth time in coach Mark Richt’s 10 seasons and improve its bowl standing.
No. 16 BYU (9-1) at Air Force (8-2)
First place is still up for grabs in the Mountain West.
Troy (6-3) at No. 19 LSU (6-3)For LSU, pride is at stake, as the Tigers’ only losses this season have been to ranked SEC teams.
California (6-3) at No. 23 Oregon State (6-3)Oregon State and USC have just one loss each in the Pac-10, and the Beavers can reach the Rose Bowl if they win out.
No. 25 Tulsa (8-1) at Houston (5-4)Tulsa ilead the Conference USA West Division at 5-0, but Houston is just one game behind at 4-1.