UP — MOTHER NATURE

There are few things better than seeing a messy, sloppy football game, and the weather cooperated last Saturday night, delivering a monsoon to Spartan Stadium. Astroturf, artificial grass and domed stadiums? That stuff is for wimps. Give us mud any day of the week, and twice on Sun … err … Saturdays.

UP — NOTRE DAME

The Irish owe a big thanks to the MSU players and coaching staff for giving the game away on a silver platter. But Notre Dame's fourth-quarter comeback was a turning point in the season. A loss would've dropped the Fighting Irish to 2-2. Now, they're in the driver's seat again. Notre Dame should be 10-1 heading into its season finale against Southern Cal and could be playing for a spot in the BCS national championship game.

UP — DESMOND HOWARD

Maybe this is more deserving of a "down" designation, but Howard is obviously feeling like a million bucks. He was giggling in delight on ESPN's post-game shows following MSU's collapse against Notre Dame. Something tells us he's still a little bitter about that pass interference no-call against the Spartans in 1990.

DOWN — DWAYNE JARRETT

The Southern Cal wideout is one of the best in nation at his position, but the last few months haven't been easy. First, Jarrett was declared ineligible by the NCAA after it was found he only paid a small percentage of the rent when living with former Trojans' quarterback Matt Leinart. The All-American wide receiver was reinstated, but has to repay thousands of dollars to Leinart's father. Now, Jarrett is expected to miss two to four weeks with an injured shoulder.

But don't feel too bad for Southern Cal. It's not like their recent success hasn't drawn in some stellar recruits, particularly at the wide receiver position.

DOWN — TEMPLE

Those poor, poor Owls. They've been outscored by their opponents 174-10 this season, and have been shut out twice. This week, bookies pegged Temple as a 34-point underdog to SEC doormat Vanderbilt.

Get your bets in while you can though: An oddsmaker told Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel that if Temple continues to get blown out, Las Vegas sports books will stop putting lines on the Owls' games.

DOWN — BIG TEN QUARTERBACKS

Well, not all of them, just two in particular: MSU's Drew Stanton and Penn State's Anthony Morelli, both of whom threw fourth-quarter interceptions that were returned for back-breaking touchdowns last Saturday. Morelli threw two. You could hear Joe Paterno screaming in horror from the Nittany Lions locker room — but that might have had more to do with Paterno feeling a little under the weather.