TSN's Power Poll

Sporting News, The, Nov 1, 1999

INSIDE THE TOP 25

Southern Miss For The Golden Eagles, it begins with a defense paced by end Adalius Thomas and linebacker T.J. Slaughter. The unit, which ranks 10th in the nation in scoring defense (15 points per game), acquitted itself well in losses at Nebraska and Texas A&M. Southern Miss, 19-2 all-time in Conference USA, took command of the league race earlier this month with a win at East Carolina. The offense commands respect thanks to receivers Sherrod Gideon and Todd Pinkston. Tailback Derrick Nix gives them room to operate. A trip to Alabama looms.

Team (last week)           W-L   Last week

 1. Penn State (1)         8-0   W, 31-25 at Purdue
 2. Florida State (2)      8-0   W, 17-14 at Clemson
 3. Tennessee (3)          5-1   W, 21-7 at Alabama
 4. Florida (5)            6-1   Idle
 5. Kansas State (6)       7-0   W, 44-21 at Oklahoma State
 6. Virginia Tech (7)      6-0   Idle
 7. Georgia Tech (9)       5-1   Idle
 8. Nebraska (4)           6-1   L, 24-20 at Texas
 9. Georgia (13)           6-1   W, 49-34 vs. Kentucky
10. Wisconsin (12)         6-2   W, 40-10 vs. Michigan State
11. Mississippi St. (17)   7-0   W, 17-16 vs. LSU
12. BYU (16)               6-1   W, 29-0 at UNLV
13. Texas (19)             6-2   W, 24-20 vs. Nebraska
14. Michigan (8)           5-2   L, 35-29 vs. Illinois
15. Marshall (15)          7-0   W, 59-3 at Buffalo
16. Alabama (14)           5-2   L, 21-7 vs. Tennessee
17. Michigan State (11)    6-2   L, 40-10 at Wisconsin
18. Ohio State (20)        5-3   W, 20-17 at Minnesota
19. Texas A&M (10)         5-2   L, 51-6 at Oklahoma
20. Miami (Fla.) (22)      3-3   W, 31-28 at Boston College
21. Southern Miss (21)     5-2   W, 28-20 vs. Cincinnati
22. Purdue (18)            5-3   L, 31-25 vs. Penn State
23. Syracuse (23)          5-2   Idle
24. East Carolina (24)     6-1   W, 52-7 vs. Tulane
25. Oklahoma (--)          4-2   W, 51-6 vs. Texas A&M

Team (last week)           Next up

 1. Penn State (1)         at Illinois, 10/30
 2. Florida State (2)      at Virginia, 10/30
 3. Tennessee (3)          vs. South Carolina, 10/30
 4. Florida (5)            vs. Georgia, 10/30
 5. Kansas State (6)       vs. Baylor, 10/30
 6. Virginia Tech (7)      at Pittsburgh, 10/30
 7. Georgia Tech (9)       vs. NC State, 10/30
 8. Nebraska (4)           at Kansas, 10/30
 9. Georgia (13)           vs. Florida, 10/30
10. Wisconsin (12)         at Northwestern, 10/30
11. Mississippi St. (17)   vs. Kentucky, 11/4
12. BYU (16)               vs. Air Force, 10/30
13. Texas (19)             at Iowa State, 10/30
14. Michigan (8)           at Indiana, 10/30
15. Marshall (15)          vs. Northern Illinois, 10/30
16. Alabama (14)           vs. Southern Miss, 10/30
17. Michigan State (11)    vs. Ohio State, 11/6
18. Ohio State (20)        vs. Iowa, 10/30
19. Texas A&M (10)         vs. Oklahoma State, 10/30
20. Miami (Fla.) (22)      vs. West Virginia, 10/30
21. Southern Miss (21)     at Alabama, 10/30
22. Purdue (18)            at Minnesota, 10/30
23. Syracuse (23)          vs. Boston College, 10/30
24. East Carolina (24)     at Houston, 10/30
25. Oklahoma (--)          at Colorado, 10/30

Team (last week)           TV info (all times Eastern)

 1. Penn State (1)         3:30 p.m., ABC (regional)
 2. Florida State (2)      7 p.m., ESPN
 3. Tennessee (3)          none
 4. Florida (5)            3:30 p.m., CBS
 5. Kansas State (6)       none
 6. Virginia Tech (7)      7 p.m., ESPN2
 7. Georgia Tech (9)       3:30 p.m., ABC (regional)
 8. Nebraska (4)           6 p.m., Fox Sports Net
 9. Georgia (13)           3:30 p.m., CBS
10. Wisconsin (12)         none
11. Mississippi St. (17)   8 p.m., ESPN
12. BYU (16)               none
13. Texas (19)             none
14. Michigan (8)           noon, ESPN2
15. Marshall (15)          none
16. Alabama (14)           none
17. Michigan State (11)    none
18. Ohio State (20)        none
19. Texas A&M (10)         none
20. Miami (Fla.) (22)      noon, CBS
21. Southern Miss (21)     none
22. Purdue (18)            noon, ESPN
23. Syracuse (23)          none
24. East Carolina (24)     none
25. Oklahoma (--)          3:30 p.m., ABC (regional)

Team (last week)           Comment

 1. Penn State (1)         Arrington and Brown seem to make every
                             big play.
 2. Florida State (2)      Bowden got his victory, but his boy made
                             him work for it.
 3. Tennessee (3)          Vols aren't ready to leave
                             national-title picture just yet.
 4. Florida (5)            Two more tuneups until Florida State
                             visits November 20.
 5. Kansas State (6)       Wildcats making their championship run a
                             year early.
 6. Virginia Tech (7)      Let controversy begin: Hokies seem to
                             have path to Sugar Bowl.
 7. Georgia Tech (9)       Sloppy Jackets need to get their act
                             together.
 8. Nebraska (4)           Solich not likely to head to Austin for
                             the film festival.
 9. Georgia (13)           That's the performance Bulldogs have
                             been waiting for.
10. Wisconsin (12)         Since the Michigan loss, this team has
                             been dominant.
11. Mississippi St. (17)   Still undefeated, but still not very
                             impressive.
12. BYU (16)               Cougars cruising through Mountain West.
13. Texas (19)             Longhorns could meet 'Huskers again in
                             Big 12 title game.
14. Michigan (8)           Alleged defense has given up 69 points
                             in past two games.
15. Marshall (15)          Despite piling up the wins, respect
                             comes hard.
16. Alabama (14)           Gimpy ankles of Zow and Alexander give
                             the Eagles a chance.
17. Michigan State (11)    Funny, Spartans aren't taunting anybody
                             anymore.
18. Ohio State (20)        Buckeyes struggled but may have salvaged
                             season with win.
19. Texas A&M (10)         What happened? Could be in big Big 12
                             trouble.
20. Miami (Fla.) (22)      Incredible comeback continues in
                             'Canes-B.C. tradition.
21. Southern Miss (21)     Barely held off schizophrenic Bearcats.
22. Purdue (18)            You can't fault Brees, who looks better
                             every week.
23. Syracuse (23)          Will Orangemen be able to forget 62-0?
24. East Carolina (24)     Logan's "secret" halftime speech did the
                             trick.
25. Oklahoma (--)          Sooners are booming sooner than expected
                             under Bob Stoops.