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Feb 24 '19
Is Tennessee looking at another Rocky Flop?Only three weeks ago, the Volunteers were 5-0 and ranked No. Will Clark Jersey . 9 in the country. After ending an 11-game losing streak against Florida and beating Georgia on an improbable Hail Mary touchdown pass on the final play, the Volunteers only had to keep their heads above water to win the woeful SEC East.Even after losing consecutive games against Texas A&M and Alabama earlier this month, the Volunteers were still in position for a memorable season.But after losing 24-21 at South Carolina on Saturday night, Tennessee now needs to win out and hope the Gators lose two of their final three conference games to return to the SEC championship game for the first time since 2007.As a result of their surprising loss to the Gamecocks, the Volunteers were one of three teams eliminated from contention for the College Football Playoff by The Eliminator this week. Through nine weeks, 109 of the 128 FBS teams have been eliminated, leaving 19 in contention for the four spots in the playoff.Heres where FBS stands after Week 9:Jump to sections: Whos in??| Still in contention | On the fence | Better luck next season | Previously eliminatedWhos in?With only four undefeated teams remaining from the Power 5 conferences, the initial rankings from the CFP selection committee should set up nicely. Or will the committee throw us an early curveball? Defending national champion Alabama, which didnt play this past weekend, should remain in the top spot. Clemson might earn the No. 2 spot after defeating No. 12 Florida State 37-34 on the road on Saturday night. No. 3 Michigan stayed in front of Ohio State in the Big Ten East with a 32-23 win at rival Michigan State, and Washington should round out the top four after a 31-24 win at No. 17 Utah.Still in contentionAlabama Crimson TideTrending: EVENUSA Today reported last week that Michigans Jim Harbaugh is the highest paid coach in the FBS at $9 million annually. Im guessing it wont stay that way for long.Clemson TigersTrending: UPAfter its 37-34 win at then-No. 12 Florida State on Saturday night, Clemson now has five victories decided by a touchdown or less, which is tied for the most through eight games by any team this decade that finished a season ranked in the top 10. The 2010 Auburn and 2014 UCLA also had that many narrow victories through eight games. How good have these Tigers been in the clutch? Theyre 18-2 in one-possession games since 2011, which is easily the best record in such games, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information.Louisville CardinalsTrending: EVENThe Cardinals might be ranked No. 5 in the AP and coaches polls, but dont be surprised if theyre not ranked as high by the CFP selection committee. After struggling to beat heavy underdogs Duke and Virginia in two of its last three games, Louisvilles résumé looks a little thin. Other than routing then-No. 2 Florida State (which has now lost three times), the Cardinals havent beaten an opponent with a winning record. In fact, the other seven teams that fell to Louisville are a combined 18-30.Michigan WolverinesTrending: EVENHow dominant have the Wolverines been this season? When Michigan fell behind rival Michigan State 7-0 in the first quarter of Saturdays 32-23 road victory, it was only the second time it trailed this season. In fact, the Wolverines have been behind for a total of 30 minutes, 32 seconds through eight games.Ohio State BuckeyesTrending: DOWNIf you think Houston coach Tom Hermans star has dimmed after a couple of losses, take a closer look at Ohio States offense without him. For the first time in 25 career games, Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett didnt account for a touchdown (rushing or passing) in a 24-20 win over Northwestern on Saturday.Texas A&M AggiesTrending: EVENTexas A&Ms Christian Kirk had two punt returns for touchdowns in a 52-10 win over New Mexico State on Saturday night, the first time in school history that a player returned two punts for scores in the same game. He has four in his career, another Texas A&M record.Washington HuskiesTrending: UPHuskies quarterback Jake Browning didnt throw the ball often in a 31-24 win at Utah on Saturday, but he made them count. Browning threw two touchdowns in 20 pass attempts and now has 28 touchdowns in 192 attempts. According to ESPN Stats & Info research, he is on pace to be highest in a season among any qualified FBS player in the past 10 years.On the fenceAuburn TigersTrending: UPTigers tailback Kamryn Pettway ran for a career-high 236 yards in Auburns 40-29 win at Ole Miss on Saturday night, his third straight game with 150 yards or more. In the past 10 years, Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton (2010) and Tre Mason (13) are the only other Auburn players who accomplished that feat.Baylor BearsTrending: DOWNAfter previously unbeaten Baylor and West Virginia fell on the road this weekend, No. 12 Oklahoma is the Big 12s highest ranked team. Its the first time in the leagues 20-year history that it doesnt have a top-10 team in the AP poll entering November.Florida GatorsTrending: UPIf I were the Gators, Id seriously consider backing out of that trip to LSU now.LSU TigersTrending: EVENLSU athletics director Joe Alleva told the Baton Rouge Advocate last week that hes looking for the following qualities in a new head coach: good leadership, integrity, motivator, stern disciplinarian, good organizational skills, adapter, good recruiter, stellar communication skills with players, fans, donors and the media, barrel-chested and formerly sold Hummers in Northwest Mississippi. OK, I made up the last two.Nebraska CornhuskersTrending: EVENThe Cornhuskers fell 23-17 at No. 11 Wisconsin on Saturday night, but made it clear theyre a pretty solid team and legitimate Big Ten West contender. Nebraska outscored the Badgers 10-0 in the fourth quarter; theyve outscored their eight opponents by 95 points in the final quarter this season.North Carolina Tar HeelsTrending: EVENThe Tar Heels didnt play this past weekend, but still might have lost when Virginia Tech defeated Pittsburgh 39-36 on the road on Thursday night. UNC and Virginia Tech each have one loss in ACC play, but the Hokies own a tiebreaker because of their 34-3 loss over the Tar Heels. ESPN Stats & Info gives Tech a 72.2 percent chance of winning the division, while giving UNC only a 27.6 percent chance.Oklahoma SoonersTrending: UPShouldnt Oklahoma receiver Dede Westbrook be in at least the Heisman Trophy discussion? He has five straight games with at least 100 receiving yards and one touchdown reception and he also had a 71-yard punt return for a score in the Sooners 56-3 win over Kansas. In the past four games, Westbrook has 33 catches for 723 yards with nine touchdowns.?Utah UtesTrending: DOWNUtah might have been the least likely team in the FBS to give up a long punt return for a touchdown. But Washingtons Dante Pettis returned a punt 58 yards for the go-ahead score with 3:25 remaining in the Huskies 31-24 win in Salt Lake City. It was the longest punt return allowed by the Utes since the 2009 season.Virginia Tech HokiesTrending: UPRemember when Virginia Tech embarrassed the Tar Heels 34-3 in Chapel Hill on Oct. 8? Im not sure top 25 voters do. Both teams are 6-2, but the Tar Heels are ranked No. 17 and the Hokies are No. 21 in the coaches poll. UNC is No. 18 and Tech is No. 23 in the in the AP top 25. Makes sense, huh?West Virginia MountaineersTrending: DOWNWest Virginias 37-20 loss at Oklahoma State was its first defeat in 329 days. It only seems like it has been that long since Michigan State won a game.Western Michigan BroncosTrending: UPAfter Boise States 30-28 loss to Wyoming, the Broncos are the clear favorite to represent the Group of 5 in a New Years Six bowl, according to ESPN Stats & Info. The Broncos have an 82 percent chance to win their conference, highest among FBS teams, and a 60 percent chance to enter bowls undefeated.Wisconsin BadgersTrending: UPTalk about pushing the right buttons. Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst elected to go with quarterback Alex Hornibrook against Nebraska in regulation, but then used Bart Houston in overtime. Houston led the Badgers to the game-winning drive. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Hornibrook took 33 snaps in the game and Houston took 24. They combined for 337 yards of offense and three touchdowns.Better luck next seasonBoise State BroncosTrending: DOWNSs-ah-ff-ee-tt-yy/Safety dance!/Ah, we can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behind/Cause your friends dont dance and if they dont dance/Well theyre no friends of mine.Pittsburgh PanthersTrending: DOWNWho wears short shorts? Pitt tackle Ejuan Price wears short jorts.Tennessee VolunteersTrending: DOWNWith South Carolinas 24-21 upset of Tennessee on Saturday night, Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp is 5-0 in his head-coaching career against the Volunteers, including a 3-0 mark against UT coach Butch Jones.Previously eliminatedEliminated in Week 8:?Houston Cougars,?Miami HurricanesEliminated in Week 7: Arizona State Sun Devils, Maryland Terrapins, Ole Miss Rebels, Wake Forest Demon DeaconsEliminated in Week 6:?Air Force Falcons,?Arkansas Razorbacks,?Colorado Buffaloes,?Indiana Hoosiers,?Minnesota Gophers,?Stanford Cardinal,?Texas Tech Red Raiders,?UCLA BruinsEliminated in Week 5:?Arizona Wildcats, Cincinnati Bearcats, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Iowa Hawkeyes, Kansas State Wildcats, Memphis Tigers, Michigan State Spartans, Navy Midshipmen, Oregon Ducks, San Diego State Aztecs, TCU Horned Frogs, Texas Longhorns, Toledo RocketsEliminated in Week 4: Army Black Knights, Central Michigan Chippewas, East Carolina Pirates, Georgia Southern Eagles, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Oregon State Beavers, Penn State Nittany Lions, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, South Carolina Gamecocks, South Florida Bulls, USC TrojansEliminated in Week 3: Boston College Eagles, Duke Blue Devils, Illinois Fighting Illini, Marshall Thundering Herd,?Missouri Tigers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, Syracuse Orange, Texas State Bobcats, Vanderbilt CommodoresEliminated in Week 2: Akron Zips, Ball State Cardinals, BYU Cougars, California Bears, Connecticut Huskies, Eastern Michigan Eagles, Florida Atlantic Owls, Idaho Vandals, Kansas Jayhawks, Louisiana Monroe Warhawks, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, Nevada Wolf Pack, New Mexico Lobos, NC State Wolfpack, Old Dominion Monarchs, Purdue Boilermakers, SMU Mustangs, South Alabama Jaguars, Texas San Antonio Roadrunners, Troy Trojans, Tulsa Golden Hurricane, UCF Knights, UNLV Rebels, Utah State Aggies, UTEP Miners, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, Wyoming CowboysEliminated in Week 1: Appalachian State Mountaineers, Arkansas State Red Wolves, Bowling Green Falcons, Buffalo Bulls, Charlotte 49ers, Colorado State Rams, Florida International Golden Panthers, Fresno State Bulldogs, Georgia State Panthers, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, Iowa State Cyclones, Kent State Golden Flashes, Kentucky Wildcats, Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, Massachusetts Minutemen, Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, Mississippi State Bulldogs, New Mexico State Aggies, North Texas Mean Green, Northern Illinois Huskies, Northwestern Wildcats, Ohio Bobcats, Rice Owls, San Jose State Spartans, Temple Owls, Tulane Green Wave, Virginia Cavaliers, Washington State Cougars Brandon Belt Jersey . Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats. Tony Watson Jersey . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. http:///...Holland-Kids-Jersey/ . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. CLEMSON, S.C. -- It has been a long time since any Clemson basketball team made the NCAA Tournament.Head coaches Brad Brownell and Audra Smith are looking to change that as quickly as possible -- and hope a $63.5 million renovation at Littlejohn Coliseum can help.The mens team has not made NCAAs since 2011, Brownells first season and the end of a run of four straight trips to the Big Dance. Its been even longer for Smiths womens team, which had not gotten a bid since 2002 -- three coaches ago.Brownell spent much of his previous six years meeting donors about the basketball project and building a base of support to fill up Liittlejohns increased premium seating areas when it officially opens Nov. 11 as the Tigers face Georgia.Brownell said hes built a respectable, competitive program and wont worry about those on the outside who think a shiny new building brings instant success.A better office, nicer TVs and couches, doesnt win you any games, said Brownell, starting his seventh Clemson season. Now, hopefully, it brings guys together in an environment where you can spent more time together, bond better and become closer, that togetherness helps you win games.Brownell and Smith each acknowledge what the facility can mean to their future programs in attracting top talent.Smith said last week she had several prospects on campus whose eyes widened at the modern, expanded weight rooms and additional practice courts. Brownell is glad for the chance to show off a finished product to high school coaches, players and their families instead of planning sketches.Its the owner of the Taj Mahal, one supporter said to Brownell as they shook hands Wednesday.Athletic ddirector Dan Radakovich made the aging Littlejohn one of his first priorities when he took the job four years ago. Gregor Blanco Jersey. He thought a modern facility would boost Clemsons basketball programs the way updating and expanding football facilities -- an initiative begun more than a decade ago -- has Clemson fighting for a second-straight trip to the College Football Playoff.Brownell knows it will take time to see benefits, especially with the Tigers having to recruit against ACC powers like Duke, North Carolina and Louisville.You go to ACC media days there are probably 14 out of 15 teams saying theyre going to the NCAAs, the coach said.Clemson has gone 10-8 in the Atlantic Coast Conference in two of the past three years and last season had a three-game run like few others in program history, defeating ranked league opponents Louisville, Duke and Miami over a weeks span.Just because we havent made the NCAA Tournament, and were all disappointed with that, look at ACC play over the last three years especially, weve been a pretty good team. I think we have a lot more respect in our league than sometimes were given credit for.Smith has struggled in rebuilding Clemsons once powerful womens basketball team, going from 13 wins her first season to nine in 2014-15 and four last winter. Its a frustrating process she hopes is about to trend upward in a fresh building.All the amenities in place for our kids to be successful is something that will definitely help us as the season goes on, she said.---Online: www.collegebasketball.ap.org ' ' '
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