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Joey Johnston/The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

TITLE TIME FOR CLEMSON?

The Clemson Tigers (8-2, 5-2) can clinch the ACC Atlantic Division tonight by handing Boston College (8-2, 4-2) its third consecutive defeat. Clemson, which hasn't won an ACC championship since 1991, also might show it has the league's best quarterback.

Until BC's two-game losing streak, Eagles senior QB Matt Ryan was considered a Heisman Trophy favorite. But Clemson QB Cullen Harper, in very quiet fashion, has surpassed Ryan in several statistical categories, including touchdowns (26-24), pass-efficiency rating (154.1-129.8) and completion percentage (66.5-59.2). Harper also has thrown only four interceptions to Ryan's 13.

Forget about the Heisman. Ryan might not be first-team All-ACC.

"I heard a saying a long time ago: 'When your actions speak well, there's no need to hear what you say,'" Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence said. "So let Harper's actions speak for themselves."

RICHT PUSHES RIGHT BUTTONS

The Georgia Bulldogs (8-2, 5-2) can keep themselves alive in the SEC East race - while eliminating Florida - by defeating Kentucky (7-3, 3-3). Tennessee (7-3, 4-2) still has the upper hand by virtue of its 35-14 win against Georgia. The Volunteers can clinch a spot in the SEC Championship Game by beating Vanderbilt today and Kentucky next Saturday.

Georgia, in line for a BCS bowl bid even if it doesn't reach Atlanta, just wants to keep playing with its recent wave of emotion.

Coach Mark Richt, by nature a buttoned-down leader, ordered an on-field celebration (drawing flags for unsportsmanlike conduct) when the Bulldogs scored their first touchdown against Florida.

Last week, Georgia broke out the black jerseys and rolled to a 45-20 win against Auburn.

"That was probably the most electrifying moment I've been a part of at Sanford Stadium," Georgia RB Thomas Brown said. "The fans just erupted."

Georgia players said they love seeing a loosened-up Richt. Even Richt is having fun.

"What we're doing now is a simple thing that allows them to have a good time," Richt said. "Sometimes you're afraid they'll lose focus. But energy is half of the battle."

MISSISSIPPI STATE-MENT

Mississippi State LB Gabe O'Neal remembers being visited by Bulldogs coach Sylvester Croom a few weeks before National Signing Day in 2004.

"He promised us before we'd leave, we'd go bowling," O'Neal said.

Sure enough, Mississippi State (6-4, 3-3) has become bowl eligible for the first time since 2000. It has defeated Auburn, Kentucky and Alabama (for the second straight season).

Nothing is guaranteed. There are 10 bowl-eligible SEC teams (and 5-5 Vanderbilt needs only one more victory). But clearly, Mississippi State is headed in the right direction. Talks have begun to extend Croom's contract, which runs through 2009.

"No question, he's our guy," Mississippi State athletic director Larry Templeton said. "He's the brush we're painting this picture with."

WORN-OUT LIONS

Coach Joe Paterno said his Penn State Nittany Lions are a tired team. No wonder. Under the Big Ten Conference's scheduling format, which boxes in a 12-game schedule before Thanksgiving, the league's teams don't get an off-week.

"I don't think it's a dead issue," Paterno said. "I think the Big Ten's got to re-evaluate their schedules. I don't know of a coach in the league that wants to play 12 games in a row."

There's also concern about how the Big Ten schedule affects its teams in bowl games. Last season, Ohio State had a 56-day layoff before losing to Florida 41-14 in the BCS title game.

"I think a lot of guys are just banged up," Penn State senior LB Dan Connor said. "It wears on your body and wears on your mind, too."

NOTABLE NUMBERS

On Nov. 3, Nebraska's defense allowed Kansas to score on 10 straight possessions while losing 76-39. Last Saturday, after starting with a three-and-out, Nebraska's offense scored on 11 straight possessions and won 73-31.

In last week's 55 Division I-A games, 23 of the winners scored 40 or more points, and 30 of the losers scored 30 or more points. On a weekend in which 3,293 points were scored, four teams (Miami, Temple, Utah State and Wyoming) didn't have any and were blanked by the combined score of 181-0.

USC coach Pete Carroll moved to 22-0 in November games after a 24-17 win against California.

Oregon State's Alexis Serna hit all five of his field-goal attempts against Washington, making him 18-for-18 in his career against the Huskies.

Washington opened against Oregon State with a 10-play, 6-yard drive (moving forward for 41 yards, then losing 35 yards on the final three plays).

In 906 games prior to this season, North Texas had allowed 70 or more points twice - in 1991 at Nevada (72) and in 1993 at Nebraska (76). North Texas opened with a 79-10 loss against Oklahoma, then fell to Navy 74-62 last week.

The Division I-A single-season record for points allowed is 566 (Eastern Michigan, 2002). North Texas, with two games remaining, has allowed 466. (On Interstate 35 in Texas, the exit to reach the North Texas campus is 466B).

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