Weekend Top 25 results

We didn't have nearly as many marquee matchups as last week, but the action overall was fast and furious, and Georgia's Mark Richt and Colorado's Gary Barnett came away with pivotal road victories that qualify as major statement games.

The scary thought for the SEC and the entire nation is that Gators QB Rex Grossman is just a sophomore.

For the Bulldogs, who hadn't won at Knoxville in 21 years, pulling out such a thrilling, last-second 26-24 victory was definitely an accomplishment. Not only did they win in dramatic fashion at Neyland Stadium, but as critical to the future of the Bulldogs program was the impressive, clutch performance of redshirt freshman QB David Greene.

The poised lefty delivered a one-for-the-books effort, throwing for more than 300 yards and always appearing in control.

Georgia improves to 3-1 with and has a pair of very winnable games on the horizon, although this week at Vanderbilt they can't have the feeling that just throwing their helmets on the field will be enough to win. This week we'll see how Richt, Greene and the young Bulldogs handle success.

After Vanderbilt, the Bulldogs return home to Athens on Oct. 20 to play Kentucky, then face Florida in Jacksonville the following week. Heading into that game, the Bulldogs hope to be 5-1.

GATORS QB GROSSMAN LEADS HEISMAN RACE
As for Florida, Dave Revsine and I -- along with the entire crew of College GameDay on ESPN Radio -- were in Baton Rouge for the Gators' dismantling of LSU. Going in, I felt the key for the Bayou Bengals was striking early, maintaining the crowd noise at Death Valley and allowing LaBrandon Toefield the opportunity to work on the clock while limiting Florida's number of possessions.

Well, that's the not the way things turned out. Florida was on fire right out of the blocks, with Rex Grossman spreading the wealth to a variety of wide receivers. Dominance by Florida was evident early, as LSU just didn't have the necessary personnel to deal with such a prolific offense.

In fact, the Gators this year resemble the 1996 version that won the national championship under the direction of Heisman Trophy-winning QB Danny Wuerffel. Grossman threw for an amazing 464 yards and five TDs, putting the game out of reach before halftime.

In watching Grossman dissect LSU's defense, I immediately elevated the record-setting sophomore to the top of the Heisman race. He's in command of the attack, just as Wuerffel was in '96, and the scary thought for the SEC and the entire nation is that Grossman is just a sophomore. When Wuerffel put it all together, he was a senior ready to move on.

NO EASY WEEKENDS IN SIGHT FOR COLORADO
Besides Georgia over Tennessee, the other statement game was Colorado going into Manhattan, Kan., and coming away with a 16-6 victory over Kansas State. I can't say I was shocked or even surprised by the outcome, but there's no question that this is a win Gary Barnett and his staff can immediately build on.

The Buffaloes go to 4-1, but the schedule doesn't get any easier, with a home game in Boulder this week against unbeaten Texas A&M. The following week, Colorado goes on the road to Texas.

Like Florida with Grossman, the Buffaloes have a young QB to build around in Craig Ochs. While his performance hasn't been nearly to the level of Grossman, the present and future appear bright for Ochs, who has the mobility necessary to frustrate the opposition.

SOONERS STILL NO. 1 ON FIELD
On Saturday, there was no question that the primary focus of the college football world was on the Cotton Bowl, where a pair of unbeatens, Oklahoma and Texas, squared off. Texas had opportunities to come away with the victory but wasn't able to execute the game-changing play at key instances.

While most of the criticism will have to be shouldered by head coach Mack Brown and highly publicized junior QB Chris Simms, the entire offense shares in the blame. The Longhorns just weren't able to make a play when it was needed.

As for Oklahoma, Bob Stoops knows the formula for creating an atmosphere in which his Sooners consistently rise to the occasion in the biggest of games.

Over the summer, I said often that Oklahoma should enter the 2001 campaign as the nation's No. 1 team. How could anyone have a different opinion? Sure, you could argue that they lost a key player on both sides of the ball in QB Josh Heupel and LB Torrance Marshall. But there's no question the Sooners returned top-flight personnel at a variety of positions, while Stoops and his outstanding staff already had proven they had few (if any) peers in the coaching ranks.

Sure, you could make the prediction, as I did, that the Sooners wouldn't get to the Rose Bowl this year, but when the bell rang to open the campaign, they deserved the opportunity to defend their national championship on the field. The intrigue now is seeing if there's a team capable of knocking them out of the ranks of the unbeaten.

FRIEDGEN MAKING BELIEVERS IN MARYLAND

	Bruce Perry (1) rushed for 143 yards in Maryland's first win over Virginia since 1991. The Terps are 5-0 for the first time since 1978.

How about those Maryland Terrapins! Ralph Friedgen proved his genius as an offensive coordinator, and now he's establishing himself as a top-drawer head coach at College Park.

Friedgen's offensive system is so complex and sophisticated that despite being a senior, QB Shaun Hill had to go back to the drawing board in preparation for the 2001 campaign. Inconsistency was expected, but Hill posted an impressive effort Saturday afternoon, guiding the Terrapins to their first win over Virginia in 10 years.

After completing just one of six passes to start the game, Hill was on target the rest of the way, completing 22-of-35 overall for 237 yards and a pair of TDs. Running back Bruce Perry, one of the nation's major surprises, finished with 143 yards rushing on 23 carries. Perry showcased his versatility as well, hauling in eight receptions for 51 yards.

The 5-0 Terrapins next face their sternest challenge of the season, playing Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Thursday (ESPN, 7:30 ET). Friedgen, the former coordinator of the Rambling Wreck offense, doesn't yet have Georgia Tech's overall talent base, so springing an upset will be a tall order. Win or lose on Thursday, Maryland faithful know that the astute Friedgen is building something special in College Park.

HUSKIES UNBEATEN, BUT FOR HOW LONG?
While my hat's off to Rick Neuheisel and the Washington Huskies for remaining unbeaten with yet another dramatic victory -- this time over USC -- they figure to suffer their first loss of the campaign this week on the road against UCLA.

Before all is said and done, as many as two additional setbacks could follow.