Harsin Adds Elijah Drinkwitz and Antwon Murray to Boise State Staff

Bryan Harsin could have stopped several hires ago, and he already would have had a far superior staff to the one at Boise State this past year.  But he keeps the train rolling with Elijah Ddrinkwitz and former Bronco Antwon Murray.

Drinkwitz was a running backs coach at Arkansas State under Harsin, and will coach tight ends for the Broncos.  You already get the sense that being a great recruiter was a prerequisite for joining Harsin's staff at Boise State, for every coach he has is an amazing recruiter.

DeMarcus Lawrence to Enter the Draft

You always hoped that it would never come to this, but of course, he isn't the first.  Boise State defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence has announced that he will leave school early and enter the draft.  Of course, we want what is best for DeMarcus, but really what should happen is an NFL rule that they can't take college kids early.  I know, pipe dream...

Harsin Adds Steve Caldwell, Julius Brown and Brian Wilkinson to Boise State Staff

Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin continues to build a stellar staff, announcing the additions of Steve Caldwell, Julius Brown and Brian Wilkinson.

Caldwell coached the defensive line at Arkansas State this past season. He has more than 30 years of coaching experience and has been a part of two national championship teams, including Tennessee in 1998.

Brown was a cornerback coach at Arkansas State this year, coming from Troy. He also is a former Bronco player and coach, having served as Director of Player Personnel in 2009 and 2010 and a graduate assistant in 2007 and 2008.

Brown was a three-year starter for the Broncos on some of their best teams from 2000-03, helping Boise State win the Western Athletic Conference Championship in 2002 and 2003 and the Big West Championship in 2000. Brown was an Honorable Mention All-WAC choice and led the league in basses defended.

Wilkinson will serve as Director of Football Operations.

Southwick Sent Home from Bowl Game

Quarterback Joe Southwick has been sent home from the Hawai'i Bowl for violation of team rules.  Not a good way for the senior to go out.

Jeff Pittman Returns to Boise State

Jeff Pittman has made the long round trip flight back to Boise.  The former Bronco center and super strength and conditioning coach who left Boise State with Dan Hawkins to Colorado, then coached at Arkansas State under Bryan Harsin, will join Harsin in Boise.

Welcome Back, Coach Pitt!

Sanford Moves from Stanford to Boise State

Mike Sanford, who led Stanford to three consecutive BCS Bowl appearances, will leave Stanford and come to Boise State as Offensive Coordinator for the Broncos.

Stanford won the Pac-12 Championship in both 2012 and 2013 and will be making a second straight Rose Bowl appearance this January.  Sanford played quarterback for Boise State from 2002-2005.

Seems like coaches are leaving AQ teams in favor of Boise State.

Harsin Hires Texas A&M Defensive Coordinator Marcel Yates

Marcel Yates, one of the most respected ex-Bronco players and coaches, is coming home!

Bryan Harsin, who took over for Chris Petersen at Boise State, has lured Texas A&M Defensive Coordinator Yates to take over the Bronco defense next year.  It's a major coup for Harsin.  Boise State's defense struggled mightily this past season, and Yates, who previously coached the Bronco secondary for nine seasons, is also a top-notch recruiter.

In Yates' previous tenure at Boise State from 2003-2011, Yates coached five future NFL players:  Gerlad Alexander (second round draft choice of Detroit in 2007), Orlando Scandrick, who is having a super year in Dallas this year, Kyle Wilson (first round draft pick of the Jets in 2010), Brandyn Thompson (7th round selection of Washington in 2011) and George Iloka (fifth round pick of Cincinnati in 2012).

Avalos and Huff to Stay, Riddle to Return

Fan favorite Andy Avalos will stay at Boise State to coach the defensive line--that's the word we get from Boise State.  Also, Scott Huff, a solid recruiter and another former Bronco player, will stay and coach the offensive line.

Kent Riddle is the first of Coach Harsin's assistants at Arkansas State to be confirmed to be coming with him to Boise.  Riddle coached at Oregon State (1993-94) and Army (1995-2000), then coached running backs at Boise State and was one of the top special teams coaches in school history from 2001-2005. 

In other news, running back Aaron Balthazar has been told to leave the team and will leave school at the conclusion of the semester. 

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2013/12/17/2931432/baltazar-leaves-boise-state.html#storylink=cpy

Demarcus Lawrence of Boise State Second-Team All-American

Boise State defensive end Demarcus Lawrence was named today to the Walter Camp Second Team All-America Team.  

Lawrence was 10th in the nation with 10.5 sacks, fifth in the history of Boise State, brining him to 20.0 career sacks.

Boise State fans are eager for him to finish what he started with a stellar season campaign.

Four Broncos Make All-Mountain West Team

Running back Jay Ajayi, offensive tackle Charles Leno, defensive tackle Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe and defensive end Demarcus Lawrence were named to the 2013 All-Mountain West football team, the league announced.

Center Matt Paradis, cornerback Donte Deayon and safety Jeremy Ioane were named to the second team.

Placekicker Dan Goodale and wide receivers Matt Miller and Shane Williams-Rhodes were named honorable mention.

The thing that stands out there is Miller as honorable mention?  Tough for the league's best receiver to be so ignored by the Mountain West coaches.

Bryan Harsin is the Next Boise State Head Coach

Blue Football Through and Through has learned that Bryan Harsin will be announced as the next head football coach at Boise State University.  Once again, we were the first Idaho source to report the news. 


Harsin, who gained instant national recognition as the offensive coordinator responsible for Boise State's thrilling win over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl in his first season in that position, takes over for Chris Petersen, who left for the University of Washington last Friday. Petersen compiled a 92-12 record as Boise State's head coach from 2006-2013, but suffered his worst year at Boise State this season, going 8-4.

Harsin has been head coach at Arkansas Statefor the past season, guiding the Red Wolves to a share of the Sun Belt Conference title.

Harsin's ascent to this position has been rapid. A graduate of Boise's Capital High School, Harsin played backup quarterback at Boise State from 1995-1999 and earned his degree in Business Management. After graduating from Boise State, Harsin became the quarterback and running backs coach at Eastern Illinois in 2000.

He returned to his Alma mater in 2001 as a graduate assistant under former head coach Dan Hawkins. Hawkins promoted him the next year to tight ends coach, where he served from 2001-2005.

When Petersen took the reins of the Bronco football program in 2006, he immediately entrusted Harsin with control of the powerful Boise State offense, naming Bryan as his offensive coordinator. In his first season, Harsin validated that trust in helping to guide the Broncos to a perfect 13-0 season as the nation's only undefeated team, a season that culminated in the historic Fiesta Bowl victory. Harsin's Boise State offense rolled up 377 yards in the win over the tough blue-blood defense of Oklahoma.

Harsin remained in control of the Bronco offense through the 2010 season. During this time, the Broncos led the nation in 2009 with an average of 42.21 points per game, and finished in the Top 15 in scoring offense all five years.

Boise State averaged 39.69 points a game in Harsins' first year, second in the country. They were fourth in 2007, averaging 42.38 points a game, then 12th in 2008 (37.62), and second only to Oregon in 2010 with 45.08 points a game.

By comparison, the Broncos slipped to 54th in scoring by 2012 (30.23 points a game). Boise State rebounded to average 38.8 points in 2013, although the Broncos averaged just 28.8 points a game vs. teams with a winning record.

While he was coaching the Boise State tight ends, Harsin helped develop Derek Schouman into one of the best tight ends in school history. Schouman played through injuries to nonetheless record 78 catches as a four-year starter for 1,009 yards and 11 touchdowns. Schouman's clutch catch on fourth down in overtime helped set up the famous Statue of Liberty play that enabled Boise State to defeat the Sooners in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. Schouman played for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League and started fourteen games in 2008 and 2009.

Running back Ian Johnson rushed for 1,713 yards (second in the NCAA) and led the nation in rushing touchdowns (25) and scoring (152 points, 12.67 points per game) in 2006. Harsin helped guide Bronco quarterback Jared Zabransky to an outstanding senior season in 2006, when he completed 191-of-288 passes (66.32%) for 2,587 yards and 23 touchdowns against just 8 interceptions. Zabransky finished the year as the nation's sixth-best quarterback in passing efficiency (162.6).

In 2007, Harsin helped Taylor Tharp succeed in his only year as a starter, completing 289-of-423 passes (68.32%) for 3,340 yards and 30 touchdowns with 11 interceptions, good for seventh in the country in passing efficiency (152.9).

Quarterback Kellen Moore took over in 2008, and under Harsin's tutelage, earned Freshman of the Year honors in the Western Athletic Conference, completing an NCAA freshman record 69.4% (281-405) of his passes, with 25 touchdown passes and just 10 interceptions. Moore went on to become a Heisman Trophy finalist and set another NCAA mark in 2009 when his interception ratio of .70% (3 interceptions in 431 attempts) was the lowest in recorded history, and yet another NCAA record in 2011 as the winningest quarterback in college football history with a sparkling 50-3 record as a starter.

Moore led the nation in passing efficiency in 2010, topping Heisman winner Cam Newton with a rating of 182.63, and completed 273-of-383 passes (71.28%) for 3,845 yards and 35 touchdowns vs. only 6 interceptions.

Harsin also helped develop running back Doug Martin into not only one of the nation's best collegiate running backs (1,260 yards and 6.27 yards per carry in 2010), but now one of the NFL's best with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

During Harsin's five years as offensive coordinator, Boise State's offenses included Ryan Clady, a Boise State All-American and now All-Pro tackle with the Denver Broncos, Nate Potter, a second-round draft choice of the Arizona Cardinals, and Austin Pettis, a third-round selection of St. Louis and now a star receiver with the Rams.

Harsin's offenses at Boise State produced 19 all-conference players in five seasons, and the WAC Offensive Player of the Year twice (Moore in 2009 and co-winner in 2010).

Harsin completed his stint as Boise State's offensive coordinator in 2010 with a 61-5 record, including two undefeated seasons, and two Fiesta Bowl championships, defeating Oklahoma in 2007 and TCU in 2010. Harsin was a key factor in helping Boise State compile the second-most consecutive regular season home victories in college football history (65 from 2001-2010), the fifth-best 10-year regular season home record (62-1 from 2001-2010), the 14th-best 50-game home record in NCAA history (49-1 through 2008), and the ninth-best 75-game home record (73-2 from 1999-2010).

When Harsin left Boise State, the Broncos had tied Yale (1894-1896), Oklahoma (2002-2004) and USC (2003-2005) for third place all-time with three consecutive 12-win seasons. The Broncos continued that streak in 2011 for sole possession of third place.

With Harsin guiding the Bronco offense, Boise State set a modern record for the most wins in a three-year period with 38, topping the existing mark set by the great Nebraska teams of 1993-1995 (36-1). It was the most wins for a college football team in a three-year period in 113 years (Pennsylvania went 39-4 from 1892-1894).

Harsin left Boise State to become the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Texas, where he served in 2011 and 2012. At Austin, Harsin rescued a Longhorn offense that had been ranked 88th in the year before he was hired (23.75 points a game), and rapidly improved it to 23rd (35.69 ppg) by 2012.

Boise State Has Its Coach

I would expect an announcement tomorrow.  (And yes, I know, but I am sworn to secrecy...)

Harsin Withdraws From Consideration

Sources say its down to Jeff Tedford and Dirk Koetter, but Boise State would be stupid to take Tedford.  Have no idea why Justin Wilcox wouldn't be either the favorite or #2.

I'm still predicting Wilcox.

(Update:  Arkansas State saying they haven't been told he withdrew, but that doesn't mean he hasn't.)  Could be contract negotiations with the first choice hit a snag.

Boise State Could Have a New Coach by Late Today or Tomorrow

All three top candidates have been interviewed, and we believe that Justin Wilcox and Dirk Koetter are being called back for second interviews today.  All indications are that a press conference will be either Wednesday or Thursday.  We believe Boise State is close to getting their man.

Boise State Press Conference Delayed Until Wednesday or Thursday

Generally, schools like to name a successor the same day their former coach is announced at a new school, to show they're on the ball, so to speak.  We now know that Boise State's press conference could be Wednesday or Thursday, or perhaps even Friday.

Bryan Harsin and Dirk Koetter Interviewing Today

Koetter was scheduled to fly to Boise last night.  Instead, he flew home from the Falcons' game in Green Bay back to Atlanta.  His interview will be by phone--not sure why.  Harsin is in Boise.  It doesn't necessarily mean one of those will be the next coach.

Former Boise State Players in the NFL: Week 14

Here are the results for former Boise State players in the NFL.  We're seeing more and more that the teams that use former Broncos the most have the best chance to win.  In other words, if they're given a chance, they produce and help their team to victory, just as they did at Boise State.  This will be updated as results come in.

Chase Baker--Minnesota Vikings (no stats in Minnesota loss)
Richie Brockel--Carolina Panthers 
Chris Carr--New Orleans Saints 
Ryan Clady--Denver Broncos (out for the season with an injury)
Daryn Colledge--Arizona Cardinals (starting lineman in Arizoan win)
Tyrone Crawford--Dallas Cowboys (is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon)
George Iloka--Cincinnati Bengals (3 tackles, 1 solo, in Bengal win)
Jeron Johnson--Seattle Seahawks (no stats in Seattle loss)
Doug Martin--Tampa Bay Buccaneers (out for the season)
Shea McClellin--Chicago Bears (
Quintin Mikell--Carolina Panthers (
Kellen Moore--Detroit Lions (did not play while his starter went 10-25 in another Detroit loss)
Austin Pettis--St. Louis Rams (1 catch for 19 yards in Ram loss)
Nate Potter--Arizona Cardinals (lineman for Arizona in win)
Orlando Scandrick--Dallas Cowboys (
Jamar Taylor--Miami Dolphins (
Kyle Wilson--New York Jets (1 solo tackle in Jet win)
Billy Winn--Cleveland Browns (1 QB hurry in Cleveland loss)

Mark Coyle and Curt Apsey Have Called All Boise State Recruits

Lots of good info from KTVB presser.  A very timely press conference that Bob Gregory called, and I'm glad he did.

Keith Bhonapha Will Be The Only Assistant Not Coaching in the Bowl Game

Per Bob Gregory press conference.

Boise State Has Accepted Invitation to Hawai'i Bowl

We can confirm that the opponent will be Oregon State.  Game is set for Christmas Eve at 3 p.m. Mountain Time.

Florida State and Auburn are 1 & 2 in Blue Football Top 25

The #1 factor in ranking teams is their Biggest Wins, losses are most damaging if they are to unranked teams.  This encourages teams to schedule other Top 25 teams.

This poll had Clemson, UCLA, Auburn and Michigan State ranked before anyone else "in the know".  And, everyone now knows how solid those four teams are.  On the other hand, we were reluctant on Ohio State, Baylor, Fresno State and Northern Illinois.  We will let you judge which teams turned out better. 

Many polls had Ohio State ranked high.  That was a mistake, and those who had the Buckeyes ranked high paid for it.  We didn't

The SEC has eight teams in the Top 25, while the Pac-12 has five.  Those are (by far) the top two conferences in the nation this year.

2-1.    Auburn (12-1) outscored #7 Missouri 59-42, Biggest Wins over #3 Alabama, #7 Missouri, #20 Texas A&M and #21 Georgia, Lost to #18 LSU
1-2.    Florida State (13-0) mashed a team some had ranked (Duke) 45-7, Biggest Win over #12 Clemson
3-3.    Alabama (11-1) did not play, Biggest Wins over #18 LSU and #20 Texas A&M, Lost to #1 Auburn
5-4.    Stanford (11-2) blasted #10 Arizona State 44-14, Biggest Wins over #10 Arizona State, (twice) #13 Oregon, #14 UCLA and #25 Washington, Lost to USC and Utah

8-5.  South Carolina (10-2) was idle, Biggest Wins over #7 Missouri, #8 UCF and #11 Clemson, Lost to #22 Georgia and Tennessee
10-6.  Michigan State (12-1) scored an impressive 34-24 win over #9 Ohio State, Biggest Win over #9 Ohio State, Lost to Notre Dame

7-7.    Missouri (11-2) came up short against #1 Auburn 59-42, Biggest Wins over #20 Texas A&M and #22 Georgia, Lost to #1 Auburn and #5 South Carolina
9-8.  UCF (11-1) squeaked by SMU 17-13, Biggest Win over #17 Louisville, Lost to #5 South Carolina
4-9.  Ohio State (12-1) lost to #6 Michigan State 34-24, Biggest Win over #23 Wisconsin, Lost to #6 Michigan State
6-10.  Arizona State (10-3) lost to #4 Stanford 44-14, Biggest Wins over #14 UCLA, #23 Wisconsin and #25 Washington, Lost to #4 Stanford (twice) and Notre Dame
17-11.    Baylor (11-1) pounded #24 Texas 30-10, Biggest Wins over #15 Oklahoma and #24 Texas, Lost to #16 Oklahoma State
11-12.  Clemson (10-2) did not play, Biggest Win over #22 Georgia, Lost to #1 Florida State and #8 South Carolina
13-13.    Oregon (10-2) was not on the field in the Pac-12 Championship, Biggest Wins over #14 UCLA and #25 Washington, Lost to #4 Stanford and Arizona

14-14.    UCLA (9-3) did not play, Biggest Wins over #25 Washington and USC, Lost to #4 Stanford, #10 Arizona State and #13 Oregon

18-15. Oklahoma (10-2) turned back #16 Oklahoma State 33-24, Biggest Win over #16 Oklahoma State, Lost to #11 Baylor and  #24 Texas
12-16.  Oklahoma State (10-2) lost to #15 Oklahoma 33-24, Biggest Wins over #11 Baylor and #24 Texas, Lost to #15 Oklahoma and West Virginia
16-17.  Louisville (11-1) tipped Cincinnati 31-24 in overtime, Biggest Win over Cincinnati, Lost to #8 UCF
19-18.    LSU (9-3) did not play, Biggest Wins over #1 Auburn and #22 Texas A&M, Lost to #3 Alabama, #22 Georgia and Mississippi

21-19.  Fresno State (12-1) rebounded to top Utah State 34-24, Biggest Win over Rutgers, Lost to San Jose State
22-20.    Texas A&M (8-4) did not play, Biggest Win over Mississippi, Lost to #1 Auburn, #3 Alabama, #7 Missouri and #18 LSU
23-21.    Vanderbilt (8-4) was idle, Biggest Win over #22 Georgia, Lost to  #5 South Carolina, #7 Missouri, #20 Texas A&M and Mississippi
24-22.  Georgia (8-4) did not play this week, Biggest Wins over #5 South Carolina and #18 LSU, Lost to #1 Auburn, #7 Missouri, #11 Clemson and #21 Vanderbilt
25-23.    Wisconsin (9-3) was idle, Biggest Win over BYU, Lost to #9 Ohio State, #10 Arizona State and Penn State
20-24.  Texas (8-4) lost to #11 Baylor 30-10, Biggest Win over #15 Oklahoma, Lost to #11 Baylor, #16 Oklahoma State, Mississippi  and BYU
---25.   Washington (8-4) was idle, Biggest Win over Arizona, Lost to #4 Stanford, #10 Arizona State, #13 Oregon and #14 UCLA

Dropped Out: Northern Illinois

Also Considered:

25-out.  Northern Illinois (12-1) was ransacked by Bowling Green 47-27, Biggest Win over Ball State, Lost to Bowling Green

USC (9-4) did not play, Biggest Win over #5 Stanford, Lost to #6 Arizona State, #14 UCLA, Notre Dame and Washington State

This much we know...

At least coaches Kwiatkowski and Prince are going to UW with Petersen.  There is speculation about others, but I'll only talk about what is known.

As for the candidates and the time taken to announce a head coach, I can tell you that Athletic Director Mark Coyle is working hard to get the right hire.  I believe he had a short list in this eventuality, but he has received so many applications from quality people that he needs to exercise diligence to go through the process.  They want to be sure they get this right.

There were six top candidates:  Bob Gregory, Bryan Harsin, Dirk Koetter and Justin Wilcox were four of them.  I believe Kwiatkowski may have been another and has been ruled out, but I am unsure about a sixth, although it could be Jeff Tedford.  However, as I said, there are numerous other high quality applicants.

Knowing what I know about Coyle and especially Bob Kustra, I expect an announcement Monday if not before.

This Week in The Blue Football Through and Through Top 25

#2 Auburn put away #7 Missouri 59-42
#4 Ohio State lost to #10 Michigan State 34-24
#5 Stanford creamed #6 Arizona State 44-14
#6 Arizona State was outclassed by #5 Stanford 44-14
#7 Missouri lost to #2 Auburn 59-42
#9 UCF edged SMU 17-13
#10 Michigan State downed #4 Ohio State 34-24
#12 Oklahoma State lost at home to #18 Oklahoma 33-24
#15 Northern Illinois was blown out by Bowling Green 47-27 in the MAC Championship
#16 Louisville outlasted Cincinnati 31-24 in OT
#17 Baylor blasted #20 Texas 30-10 
#18 Oklahoma topped #12 Oklahoma State 33-24
#20 Texas fell to #17 Baylor 30-10
#21 Fresno State stopped Utah State 24-17 in the Mountain West Championship

Bob Gregory Will Be Interim Coach for Bowl Game

Bob Gregory handled the linebackers this year, and we all know what a great job they did.  He was Boise State's defensive coordinator in 2001, and he will be Boise State's interim head coach for the bowl season.

Coach Chris Petersen leaving for Washington

Coach Chris Petersen is leaving Boise State after leading the Broncos to their worst season since at least 2001.  His last few years weren't happy ones--the NCAA violations, the suspensions, kicking players off the team.  Pete was 92-12 since taking over in 2006, with a quarter of those losses happening this year.

Boise State has already received dozens of applications for the vacant head coaching job.  I expect an announcement fairly soon.

Former Boise State Players in the NFL: Week 13

Here are the results for former Boise State players in the NFL.  We're seeing more and more that the teams that use former Broncos the most have the best chance to win.  In other words, if they're given a chance, they produce and help their team to victory, just as they did at Boise State.  This will be updated as results come in.

Chase Baker--Minnesota Vikings (no statistics in Minnesota win)
Richie Brockel--Carolina Panthers (no stats in Carolina win)
Chris Carr--New Orleans Saints (1 solo tackle in Saint loss)
Ryan Clady--Denver Broncos (out for the season with an injury)
Daryn Colledge--Arizona Cardinals (starting lineman for Arizona in loss)
Tyrone Crawford--Dallas Cowboys (is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon)
George Iloka--Cincinnati Bengals (6 tackles, 4 solo, and a fumble recovery in Bengal win)
Jeron Johnson--Seattle Seahawks (no statistics in Seattle win)
Doug Martin--Tampa Bay Buccaneers (out for the season)
Shea McClellin--Chicago Bears (2 tackles in Bear loss)
Quintin Mikell--Carolina Panthers (5 tackles, 2 solo, and a pass deflection in Carolina win)
Kellen Moore--Detroit Lions (no stats in Detroit win)
Austin Pettis--St. Louis Rams (1 catch for 11 yards in Ram loss)
Nate Potter--Arizona Cardinals (lineman for Arizona in loss)
Orlando Scandrick--Dallas Cowboys (4 tackles, 3 solo, and a pass deflection in Dallas win)
Jamar Taylor--Miami Dolphins (no stats in Dolphin win)
Kyle Wilson--New York Jets (no stats, not used as a punt returner in Jet loss)
Billy Winn--Cleveland Browns (1 solo tackle, a tackle for loss, in Brown loss)

Chris Petersen Turns Down USC Job

Boise State coach Chris Petersen has taken his name out of consideration for the vacant USC job.  The most successful college football coach in the nation is still at Boise State.

Florida State Advances to #1

The #1 factor in ranking teams is their Biggest Wins, losses are most damaging if they are to unranked teams.  This encourages teams to schedule other Top 25 teams.

This poll had Clemson, UCLA, Auburn and Michigan State ranked before anyone else "in the know".  And, everyone now knows how solid those four teams are. 

We don't consider Duke (which lost to Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech), because they lost to Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech and their biggest win is over an unranked Miami of Florida.  We don't consider Cincinnati (which was creamed by Illinois and lost to South Florida), because they lost to Illinois and South Florida.

Unlike the polls, the Blue Football Through and Through Top 25 uses logic.  Mississippi must be ahead of LSU because both teams have the same record and the Rebels beat the Tigers.  The polls seem to forget the actual results.  We don't.

The SEC has eight teams in the Top 25, while the Pac-12 has four.  Those are (by far) the top two conferences in the nation this year.

2-1.    Florida State (12-0) ripped Florida 37-7, Biggest Win over #11 Clemson
3-2.    Auburn (11-1) beat #3 Alabama 34-28, Biggest Wins over #3 Alabama, #22 Texas A&M and #24 Georgia, Lost to #19 LSU
1-3.    Alabama (11-1) lost to #2 Auburn 34-28, Biggest Wins over #19 LSU and #22 Texas A&M, Lost to #2 Auburn
5-4.  Ohio State (12-0) came from behind to beat Michigan 42-41, Biggest Win over #25 Wisconsin

4-5.    Stanford (10-2) got by Notre Dame 27-20, Biggest Wins over #6 Arizona State, #13 Oregon, #14 UCLA and Washington, Lost to USC and Utah
9-6.  Arizona State (10-2) blitzed Arizona 58-7, Biggest Wins over #14 UCLA, #25 Wisconsin and Washington, Lost to #5 Stanford and Notre Dame

6-7.    Missouri (11-1) came from behind to beat #22 Texas A&M 28-21, Biggest Wins over #24 Georgia and #24 Texas A&M, Lost to #8 South Carolina
10-8.  South Carolina (10-2) knocked off #11 Clemson 31-17, Biggest Wins over #7 Missouri, #11 Clemson and #11 UCF, Lost to #24 Georgia and Tennessee
11-9.  UCF (10-1) got by 2-9 South Florida 23-20, Biggest Win over #16 Louisville, Lost to #8 South Carolina
8-10.  Michigan State (11-1) downed Minnesota 14-3, Biggest Win over Minnesota Lost to Notre Dame
7-11.  Clemson (10-2) lost to #8 South Carolina 31-17, Biggest Win over #24 Georgia, Lost to #1 Florida State and #8 South Carolina

14-12.  Oklahoma State (10-1) did not play, Biggest Wins over #17 Baylor and #20 Texas, Lost to West Virginia

13-13.    Oregon (10-2) escaped with a 36-35 win over Oregon State in the final seconds, Biggest Wins over #14 UCLA and Washington, Lost to #5 Stanford and Arizona

15-14.    UCLA (9-3) ripped USC 35-14, Biggest Wins over USC and Washington, Lost to #5 Stanford, #6 Arizona State and #13 Oregon

16-15.  Northern Illinois (12-0) whipped Western Michigan 33-14, Biggest Win over Ball State

17-16.  Louisville (10-1) did not play, Biggest Win over Houston, Lost to #9 UCF

18-17.    Baylor (10-1) got by TCU 41-38, Biggest Win over #22 Oklahoma, Lost to #14 Oklahoma State

19-18. Oklahoma (9-2) was idle, Biggest Win over Notre Dame, Lost to #17 Baylor and  #24 Texas

20-19.    LSU (9-3) edged 3-9 Arkansas 31-27, Biggest Wins over #2 Auburn and #24 Texas A&M, Lost to #3 Alabama, #23 Georgia and Mississippi
----20.  Texas (8-3) crushed Texas Tech 41-16, Biggest Win over #18 Oklahoma, Lost to #12 Oklahoma State, Mississippi  and BYU
12-21.  Fresno State (11-1) lost to San Jose State 62-52, Biggest Win over Rutgers, Lost to San Jose State
22-22.    Texas A&M (8-4) fell to #6 Missouri 28-21, Biggest Win over Mississippi, Lost to #2 Auburn, #3 Alabama, #7 Missouri and #19 LSU
24-23.    Vanderbilt (8-4) defeated Wake Forest 23-21, Biggest Win over #24 Georgia, Lost to  #7 Missouri, #8 South Carolina, #22 Texas A&M and Mississippi
----24.  Georgia (8-4) got by rival Georgia Tech 41-34 in two overtimes, Biggest Wins over #8 South Carolina and #19 LSU, Lost to #2 Auburn, #7 Missouri, #11 Clemson and #23 Vanderbilt
21-25.    Wisconsin (9-3) lost to Penn State 31-24, Biggest Win over BYU, Lost to #4 Ohio State, #6 Arizona State and Penn State

Dropped Out: Mississippi, USC

Also Considered:

Washington (8-4) downed rival Washington State 27-17, Biggest Win over Arizona, Lost to #5 Stanford, #6 Arizona State, #13 Oregon and #14 UCLA

23-out.    USC (9-4) lost to #14 UCLA 35-14, Biggest Win over #5 Stanford, Lost to #6 Arizona State, #14 UCLA, Notre Dame and Washington State