Geoffrey Mcallister / AP

The "product of the system" asterisk has now become a bad way to minimize the impact of  players such as Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, writes Matt Hayes.

6. Serious stuff
So you think your rivalry is heated? Let me introduce you to Utah-BYU, or as it's called in the beautiful state of Utah: Holy War.

Back in 2004, when the Utes were polishing off their unbeaten regular season under former coach Urban Meyer during this game, we saw an indication of just how Iron Bowl-like this rivalry is.

At the end of the 52-21 Utah win, a Utes fan held a sign that simply stated, "Where's your God now?"

One can only imagine what happens when Utah wins and earns its second BCS bowl in five seasons.

7. In due time
Another in the long list of reasons why Mark Dantonio is quickly rising among the game's best coaches:

It's not that Michigan State still has an outside shot at the Rose Bowl in his second season since inheriting that mess. Or that when he says he's staying at Michigan State and not interested in Tennessee, you actually believe him.

It's these moments of clear, concise vision: When asked if he was pulling for Michigan to beat Ohio State and his close friend Jim Tressel so the Spartans could get to the Rose Bowl with a win at Penn State, Dantonio said, "Our time will come (for the Rose Bowl). Whether it's this year or another year, our time will come for that."

Ohio State isn't losing to Michigan, but if erratic MSU quarterback Brian Hoyer can finally put it all together and take some heat off Javon Ringer, the Spartans will win a share of the Big Ten title.

But that's one gargantuan "if."

8. C for Citadel, not controversy
I keep hearing comparisons of this year's Florida team and Auburn in 2004. That Florida, like Auburn, could miss out on a spot in the BCS national championship game because of games like this weekend's exhibition against Citadel.

While it's utterly embarrassing that Florida would schedule a I-AA team — and a bad I-AA team at that — the Gators' non-conference schedule is much tougher than Auburn's in 2004.

Florida: Hawaii, Miami, Citadel, at Florida State.

Auburn, 2004: Louisiana-Monroe, Citadel, Louisiana Tech.

And, Florida will play the No.1 team in the nation the last week of the regular season.

9. Getting after it
Arizona apparently has beefed up practices this week and gotten more physical in preparation for Oregon State's visit to Tucson.

There's no more physical team in the nation than USC. And the Trojans couldn't stop little ol' 5-6 Jacquizz Rodgers.

What's that old adage? Work smarter, not harder.

There's no stopping the Beavers now, people.

10. Big wins in the big time
Just how impressive has Houston Nutt's first season in Oxford been? When the Rebels go into Baton Rouge and beat the Tigers this weekend, they'll have wins against the last two national champions.

And think about this: Ole Miss outplayed No.1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and was driving inside the Tide 40 with two minutes to play before Alabama held on to a 24-20 win.

Winning in Gainesville and Baton Rouge, and shoulda/coulda/woulda in Tuscaloosa. And four losses by a combined 19 points.

Nice investment by the folks in Oxford — no matter what those in Fayetteville believe.

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