Up — Cal

The Golden Bears didn't do anything on their own to warrant an "up" designation, but thanks to Oregon State, they've got a great chance at winning the Pac-10.

Up — West Virginia or Louisville

Assuming the BCS doesn't hold a grudge against Big East teams (which it should), the winner of these teams' matchup this week will likely run the table and play for the national championship.

Up — Lou Anna K. Simon

The MSU president said she won't tolerate mediocrity. Bravo. Now she needs to hit a home run with the hiring of John L. Smith's replacement. Actually, even a home run is unnecessary. We'll settle for a ground-rule double.

Down — Southern Cal

The Trojans' streak of 38 consecutive regular-season wins came to an end last Saturday when they fell to Oregon State, 33-31. The Beavers jumped out to a 31-10 lead, then hung on for dear life as USC staged a comeback. Had the Trojans won out, they likely would have played in the BCS title game.

Down — South Carolina

The SEC ruled that the Gamecocks can only play rooster crows over their sounds system during certain points in a game — meaning the traditional rooster crow that plays before third downs is illegal.

Yup … the cock officially has been blocked.

Down — Rhett Bomar

The much-maligned former Oklahoma quarterback is a familiar face in this section. Bomar was ruled ineligible to play for Sam Houston State for the rest of the year. He'll have two more years of eligibility, starting in 2007.

That is, if he doesn't take any more free cash.