Week 6 Under Review

Another Coach Bites the Dust
Miami (Ohio) finally gave up on Don Treadwell after an 0-5 start this season. The OC was also removed in what has become not only a lost season, but a lost football team in the MAC. Treadwell joins Lane Kiffin and Paul Pasqualoni as being unemployed before the season's halfway point. The Red Hawks have only one way to go now, but the conference has several programs that have passed them by.

Tony Dungy Says No
Reps from USC reached out to Tony Dungy through his church pastor this week, and he has told the Trojans that he absolutely no desire to take on the job. There is no word on what was offered to him, or if anything was discussed past gauging interest. It was a bold move from USC, but they are overreaching their bounds now.

Chuckie Keeton's Done
Utah State superstar QB Chuckie Keeton has blown out his knee against BYU, and was lost for the season. USU was not playing as well as they were capable of, and now without Keeton, a run at the MWC conference title game may be lost as well. It's a terrible loss for the Aggies.

Now let's take a look at some observations by conference for the week that was in week 6...

AAC

Winners: Louisville, USF
Louisville cruised yet again in a 30-7 win over Temple, and Teddy Bridgewater had another huge game. What the Cardinals need now is to get into some tougher games on their schedule to be taken seriously. For USF, getting their first win on the year was huge, even if it was nip and tuck against a reeling Cincinnati.

Losers Despite Winning: Rutgers, UCF
Rutgers took a big lead over SMU early, let the Mustangs take them into OT, and then barely scraped outa 55-52 win, where the defense completely collapsed. Hard for me to take the Scarlet Knights seriously right now. UCF scrapped by Memphis, and while probably looking past the Tigers, did themselves no service in barely showing up on the road.

Losers: Temple, SMU, Memphis, Cincinnati
Temple is lifeless, SMU, while giving chase, certainly put themselves in no position to win early, and their only win in 2013 is a one point last second thriller over FCS member Montana State. Memphis isn't getting blown out anymore, but they are losing close game. Cincinnati has had far too much drama in the first half of the season, and rather than gutting up to play for a teammate who was killed in a car crash, they fell apart to a previously winless football team in USF.

ACC

Winners: Florida State, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Wake Forest
Florida State tossed down the gauntlet in a 63-0 win over previously unbeaten Maryland. The rest of the league, specifically Clemson, must take notice. BC and Wake Forest picked up much needed wins, but Wake's meant the most as they tossed NC State right out of the early conference race and cooled the seat of Jim Grobe somewhat. Virginia Tech just keeps on getting by with a limited offense and a stout defense.

Losers Despite Winning: Miami: The Hurricanes trailed 17-7 in the first quarter before rolling off the 45-30 win over Georgia Tech. The comeback was impressive, but it never should have had to happen with Miami playing at home. Miami is one of the more tenuous unbeaten left.

Losers: Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, NC State
Maryland and NC State were permanently stamped as ACC pretenders in losses to Florida State and Wake Forest respectively. Virginia got blown out at home by Ball State, placing Mike London on a heated seat this coming week. UNC is sinking fast, proving my point that Larry Fedora is a far overrated head coach. Syracuse just is not ready for the upper half of the ACC, and was torched by Tahj Boyd and Clemson.

Big 10

Winners: Indiana, Michigan State, Nebraska, Michigan
Indiana may be a bowl team after all this season, after defeating Penn State for the first time in program history. It's a huge win for IU for reasons all over the board, and now they must be taken seriously. Michigan State has certainly had their struggles this fall, but the win over Iowa on the road will certainly pick up spirits. Nebraska got relatively little in the passing game from Tommie Armstrong, but with everyone gunning for Bo Pelini, the win was a must. Michigan got their groove back, and never faced a serious challenge in a 42-13 win over Minnesota.

Losers Despite Winning: Ohio State
Not to take anything from Northwestern here, but the Buckeyes got exposed against the Wildcats on the road. The defense looked lacking, and there was little heart until the 4th quarter where Ohio State posted 20 points, or half of their total in the 40-30 win which included a TD on a fumble recovery as the clock wore out. There are some film moments for opposing coaches in this gaming moving forward.

Losers: Penn State, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern
The Nittany Lions stumbled badly in a loss to Indiana, and must find a way to bounce back now. Iowa and Minnesota look lost in Big 10 play after strong starts, but that is what I expected to happen. Minnesota went without head coach Jerry Kill, who suffered his 2nd seizure in 3 weeks. Illinois is fading just like Iowa and Minnesota now. Northwestern had Ohio State on the ropes, and lacked the killer instinct to give Urban Meyer his first loss as head coach of the Buckeyes.

Big 12

Winners: Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Baylor
There weren't many overall winners in Big 12 play this week. Texas Tech trailed Kansas 10-0 early, but ran the Jayhawks into the ground after that with a 54-16 win. Tech did lose QB Baker Mayfield in the win. Oklahoma struggled offensively in holding off TCU, also in conference action, while Baylor lumped another 70 on a bunch of suckers in West Virginia. If you think that you can run with Baylor, you are fooling yourself.

Losers Despite Winning: Texas, Oklahoma State
The Longhorns got a cheap win in Ames, 31-30 over an Iowa State team that should have won the game. If this was Mack Brown's tape on why he should stay, he should just start packing his things now. Oklahoma State, meanwhile, has shown that they are nothing but a pretender after making everyone in the country believe that they were an early favorite to win the Big 12 and compete for a national title. Those ideas are in the toilet after a sluggish 33-29 win over a bad Kansas State team.

Losers: Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, TCU, West Virginia
Iowa State should have beaten Texas. They didn't, they didn't get the late call on the fumble, and therefore, they are losers yet again. Kansas led Texas Tech 10-0 early, and must have thought they won the game, because their heart and grit got on the bus and left the stadium. Kansas State and TCU showed true muscle against conference powers, but both fell short in upset bids. West Virginia has no defense, and little else, as they are the latest victim to get 70 dropped on their ass by Baylor.

Conference USA

Winners: Marshall, FAU, East Carolina, Tulane, FIU
Marshall got an easy home win in beating CUSA newbie UTSA 34-10. If the Herd can put together a run, they could challenge in the CUSA East. FAU got their second win of the season, and is just starting to build confidence. East Carolina won a tough game at MTSU in conference play, and is starting to pull away as the clear conference favorite. Tulane is sneaking up on people after a solid win over North Texas, who is now fading. FIU won the toilet bowl in conference play over winless Southern Miss, so there's that.

Losers Despite Winning: Rice, Louisiana Tech
Rice beat Tulsa, but again struggled to beat a lesser opponent, winning by just 3 this week over Tulsa. Louisiana Tech got a win, but should they have had to go punch for punch with a weak UTEP club to get that win?

Losers: UT-San Antonio, UAB, Middle Tennessee, North Texas, Tulsa, Southern Miss, UTEP
UTSA plays with heart every week, but they are just falling short on talent right now. UAB got beat by FAU, and their only win has come against Northwestern State this season, prompting Garrick McGee to reassign defensive coaches. MTSU fell short at home against East Carolina, and now one has to wonder if they'll see the postseason at all. North Texas is reeling after falling at Tulane, Southern Miss is one of the ten worst teams in the country, and UTEP isn't much better.

Independents

Winners: BYU, Navy, Notre Dame
BYU got a much needed win in the series with Utah State, and knocked Chuckie Keeton of the Aggies out for the season in the process. Mountain West foes of USU, you are welcome. Navy got their first badge in the Commander in Chief Trophy series by grounding Air Force by 18, and Notre Dame got a win over a ranked opponent, so miracles still do exist.

Losers Despite Winning: None

Losers: Army, Idaho, New Mexico State
Army is just bad this season, and maybe Rich Ellerson is slipping just a bit. Idaho and NMSU both gave up 60 plus points this weekend, so rock bottom remains their current address.

MAC

Winners: Buffalo, Ball State, C. Michigan, Ohio, Toledo, Bowling Green
Ball State is jumping to the top of the class after blowing out Virginia on the road. Buffalo has picked up another huge win, this time a 42-14 rout over EMU that gives the Bulls two weeks scoring 40 or more points, while holding an opponentto a possibly to 14 or less. CMU won the futility bowl over Miami (Ohio), while Toledo and BGSU both got huge bounce back wins in conference play.

Losers Despite Winning: None

Losers: Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio), Akron, W. Michigan, UMass
Miami's loss was the worst because it cost Don Treadwell his job just a week after we officially dropped him on the Hot Seat. EMU got blown out by Buffalo, and we expect the firing of Ron English at any time now. Akron is still struggling for an identity under Terry Bowden, while WMU and UMass remain winless.

Mountain West

Winners: San Jose State, San Diego State, Fresno State, New Mexico
The Spartans needed a win, and got one on the road over Hawaii, who may not win a game this fall. This may be a decent rebound game, and could be something to build off of. San Diego State got a win in the same fashion, but won in an upset over Nevada in Conference play. Fresno State continued their dominating ways, and are cruising ever closer to a possible unbeaten season. New Mexico blasted state rival New Mexico State, and rolled up over 60 in the process. They won't likely do that again this season.

Losers Despite Winning: None

Losers: Hawaii, Utah State, Nevada, Air Force
If Hawaii keeps on losing like they are doing, including a 37-27 drop to San Jose State this week, Norm Chow will go out the door sooner than later. Utah State not only got pounded by rival BYU, they also lost star QB Chuckie Keeton for the year with a massive knee injury, which effectively ends their chances of making a run from here on out. Nevada dropped a road trip to a really bad San Diego State team, and Air Force got run into the ground at Navy. Air Force's only win this season? It came against FCS and Patriot League member Colgate.

PAC-12

Winners: UCLA, Washington State, Oregon, Stanford
UCLA got a huge road win in their conference opener over Utha, but lost starting RB Jordan James, and LT Torrian White for the season. James is not out for the season, but is doubtful against Cal this week. James was the leading rusher. We're not used to seeing Washington State on the winners list, but start getting used to it, because they are no longer the bottom feeder of the league. Oregon rolled over Colorado, but TE Colt Lyerla left the team and won't return. Stanford held off Washington in a game that set them up to fall. It was their biggest win of the season.

Losers Despite Winning: None

Losers: Utah, California, Colorado, Arizona State, Washington
Utah QB Travis Wilson tossed 6 picks in a 7 point loss to UCLA. The Utes have work to do. Cal is facing a lost season after falling by 22 to Washington State. Colorado and Arizona State are watching early season successes turn into mid season nightmares. Washington lost out on a statement win by falling by 3 at Stanford, failing to repeat their 2012 upset win.

SEC

Winners: Florida, Auburn, LSU, Missouri
Florida has been playing better of late since being forced to change QBs by injury. There is new life to the Gator offense, and their season now. Auburn is getting better and better, and even though they are no threat to LSU and Alabama, but they are heading there. LSU bounced back from a tough loss to Georgia by pounding Mississippi State after a slow start. Missouri looked impressive in their win over Vandy, but must get into the thick of their schedule soon. We'll know the real Tiger team then.

Losers Despite Winning: Georgia, South Carolina
Georgia had to go to OT to hold off a very below average Tennessee team. The defense is shaky, and they are having problems playing down to their competition, much like they did against North Texas. South Carolina is missing something, and now may be missing Jadeveon Clowney in their next game due to injury.

Losers: Tennessee, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
Tennessee missed a huge chance at home. If you can't grab a win in a close game at home, where will you get it? Arkansas is falling apart at an ever increasing pace, and they are almost losing the season. Ole Miss can almost say the same after back to back losses after a 3-0 start. Mississippi State is just terrible, and not getting any better, and at 2-4, it should be noted that this is probably not what Dan Mullen was hired for. Kentucky has moved into close loss territory, but now must find a way to steal a win. Vandy is stumbling, and James Franklin may be coaching his way out of a shot at the USC job.

Sun Belt

Winners: Western Kentucky, Troy, UL-Lafayette
WKU is moving the dial now, and may be in the drivers seat for the SBC title under Bobby Petrino. Troy was absolutely facing the end of their hopes when they pulled a rabbit out in a win over South Alabama. They needed that win like no other, and are back to playing .500 football. UL-Lafayette is the only legitimate threat to WKU's title hopes.

Losers Despite Winning: None

Losers: UL-Monroe, Georgia State, South Alabama, Texas State
ULM is without Kolton Browning at QB for the rest of the year, but they weren't playing well with him, and he is one of the best QBs in the nation. Todd Berry has to start feeling the heat now. GSU is just not ready for FBS football, and got blown out once again at Alabama. South Alabama is much better than I thought they'd be, but they have to stop losing games that they have in their hands, like they did against Troy. Texas State is all over the place. They beat Wyoming one week, and fall to ULL the next.