Learned

(1)Red River Rivalry looms

Saturday renews the Red River Rivalry once again. Top-ranked Oklahoma and No. 5 Texas will meet at the Cotton Bowl for what should be a statement game in the extremely competitive Big 12 South. What awaits the winner? Texas faces No. 3 Missouri only seven days after facing the Sooners. The road isn't any easier for Oklahoma either as they will face No. 16 Kansas.

(2)Those upset bounce back

Florida took out their frustrations on Arkansas in a 38-7 win and Pete Carroll's USC Trojans hammered Oregon in the Coliseum to answer their shocking loss to Oregon State. Florida needs to use their home-field advantage to take care of LSU on Saturday night and USC needs to win out if both teams hope to stay in the national championship picture.

(3)Top-heavy Big 12 proves worthy

The top four teams in the Big 12 South (Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech) are a combined 20-0. You read that right; each team is a respective 5-0. Throw in the Big 12 North that has Missouri and Kansas and you have a pretty good argument for the best football conference in the nation. It also helps that five ranked Big 12 teams went on the road within the conference on Saturday and came away with wins.

(4)Vanderbilt going bowling

With a national television audience watching and ESPN's Gameday in attendance, Vandy took care of Auburn Saturday night with a 14-13 win. In case you haven't noticed, and there's no way you haven't, Vanderbilt is 5-0 and only one win away from being bowl eligible. It's a sad day in Knoxville when Vandy goes bowling while UT fans are gearing up for basketball season.

(5)MWC cleared for take off

East Carolina falling off the table and South Florida losing at home to Pittsburgh on Thursday night has cleared the way for the champion of the Mountain West Conference to be the BCS Cinderella. Utah and BYU, though, have looked anything like Cinderella teams and will meet for what should be the MWC championship game at Utah on November 22.

Expected

(1)BYU = BCS

If BYU has any doubters left, then I wish you luck in finding them. Bronco Mendenhall has his team playing dominating football led by quarterback Max Hall. The Cougars have won their six games by a combined score of 206-58, including back-to-back shut outs of UCLA and Wyoming resulting in combined wins of 103-0. Max Hall has a quarterback rating of 172.05 for the season and has thrown for nearly 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns. Cinderella doesn't begin to describe this team.

(2)Stephens upgrade by default

Nick Stephens showed signs of life in Neyland Stadium on Saturday night. His stat line read 10-of-17 passing for 156 yards and a touchdown, which is relatively good by comparison to Jonathan Crompton. With Stephens only a sophomore, his accurate arm and pocket presence may be the upgrade the Vols needed to survive the tailspin, both on and off the field that has been the 2008 season.

(3)Georgia controls Vols' destiny

Georgia's bye week after being pounded by Alabama should have them humbly licking their chops to get back on track in the SEC. For the Vols, this has to be it. If Tennessee goes to Athens and upsets the Bulldogs, there may be hope for the remainder of the season. If UT goes to Athens and lays another egg (much like at UCLA and at Auburn) consider the season done. The SEC slate still includes undefeated Vanderbilt and Alabama as well as Mississippi State, Kentucky and South Carolina. If the Vols are to have hope for salvaging the 2008 season, it starts in Athens.