Thursday's question: What is the best in-state rivalry in college football?

Reporters from around the Tribune family tackle the question of the day, then you get a chance to chime in and tell them why they are wrong.

Andrea Adelson, Orlando Sentinel

There is no in-state rivalry that comes close to Alabama-Auburn, not when the hatred between these schools goes way beyond one game in November.

You can have Miami vs. Florida State, and Texas vs. Texas A&M. But if you lose the Iron Bowl, your entire year is wrecked. You have to wait 365 days for a chance to take revenge, all while getting taunted and harassed at work or at school or standing in line at the grocery store.

That might go double for Auburn fans, who have taken a backseat to Alabama as the Tide built football dynasties under Bear Bryant and are doing it again under Nick Saban. The Tigers have had nice seasons, but nothing compared to their hated rivals.

To put it simply, this game is more than a rivalry. It is a way of life.

Special three-day poll: Who will win this weekend's big game, UCLA or USC?

USC is favored by 13 points, but you can usually throw the spread out the window when the Trojans and Bruins clash in college football. So, who do you think will win Saturday?

Vote in today's poll, then leave a comment letting us know why you voted the way you did.

Are you on Facebook? Become a fan of The Times' Sports Facebook page and get breaking UCLA and USC news delivered right to you.

-- Houston Mitchell

Photo: UCLA defenders Akeem Ayers, left, and Glenn Love close in on USC wide receiver Ronald Johnson in the first half of last year's game. Credit: Luis Sinco, Los Angeles Times.

Chris "Rankman" Dufresne's top 25 college football teams

Yeah, it’s the same old teams at the top. This season has been as sleepy as Texas quarterback Colt McCoy’s tiny hometown of Tuscola, TX, where it’s always Friday night lights (out at 9) and the joke is the hunting gets better the closer you get to city center. Maybe this is the weekend some dust gets kicked up. Auburn, Florida State, Nevada, Texas A&M — any of you guys have it in you to make this a November to remember for you and a November to forget for your Thanksgiving weekend opponents? We’ll be watching, and eating, and watching and watching ... and eating.

1  TEXAS 11-0  Bevo leaves game to thunderous cattle calls on Bovine Senior Night. (Last week: No. 1)

2  FLORIDA 11-0  Meyer interested in Notre Dame if they move spring training to Vero Beach. (2)

3  TEXAS CHRISTIAN 11-0  Looking to, biblically, knock New Mexico back to Old Testament. (3)

4  ALABAMA 11-0  Dream nonconference schedule: Chattanooga, B&O Railroad, Marvin Gardens, Park Place. (4)

5  CINCINNATI 10-0  Person responsible for scheduling Illinois is sentenced to watch it. (5)

6  BOISE STATE 11-0  We need a fair system, you know, like penalty kicks deciding MLS national champion. (6)

7  GEORGIA TECH 10-1  Jackets take on the real Ramblin’ Wrecks: this week: 6-5 Georgia. (7)

8  OREGON 9-2  Shaping up to be the best Civil War game since 0-0 tie in 1983. (8)

9  OHIO STATE 10-2  Working on Rose Parade float entry: “Ode to a Red Sweater Vest.” (9)

10  IOWA 10-2  Orange Bowl wants to at-large select Iowa’s defense and Penn State’s offense. (11)

11  OKLAHOMA STATE 9-2  Upset alert: Cowboys have beaten Oklahoma 8 times! Since 1945. (12)

12  PENN STATE 10-2  Paterno actually knew “Sherman” of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. (14)

13  PITTSBURGH 9-1  Jimmy Clausen will watch Friday’s “Backyard Brawl” out of his good eye. (15)

14  VIRGINIA TECH 8-3  School founded by “Hokies” plays at school founded by Thomas Jefferson. (16)

15  BRIGHAM YOUNG 9-2  Quarterback Max so good he should have a Hall named after him. (17)

16  TEMPLE 9-2  School has won 10 games countless times but it was in basketball. (18)

17  NAVY 8-3  Army game moved to Dec. 12 to allow opponent time to reinstitute the draft. (19)

18  OREGON STATE 8-3  Last year’s Rose bid game vs. Oregon ended more like “Rose Bud.” (21)

19  CALIFORNIA 8-3  Stanford game will not be replayed Friday on Versus “Classic” Channel. (22)

20  STANFORD 7-4  Harbaugh says “what’s your deal?” in argument with local car salesman. (13)

21  CLEMSON 8-3  Late-to-party Rankman discovers Clemson is actual team in actual conference. (NR)

22  USC 7-3  Carroll’s Trojans haven’t lost home conference game in almost two weeks. (20)

23  HOUSTON 9-2  Winner of annual game with Rice takes home coveted Enron Trophy. (23)

24  MIAMI 8-3  GPS company says it’s not liable for weekend trip north to South Florida. (24)

25  LOUISIANA STATE 8-3  Rankman wanted to move team higher but ran out of time. (10)

Dropped out:  Arizona (25). Moved in: Clemson.

Photo: Texas Longhorns mascot Bevo stands in the corner of the endzone prior to kick-off of the game against Kansas on Nov. 21. Credit: Matthew Emmons, U.S. Presswire

Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen punched by irate fan

Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen was punched by an irate fan outside a South Bend, Ind.,  bar early Sunday morning and has a black eye, according to the Chicago Tribune.

A spokesman for Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis said he could not reach Weis for comment Monday night.

A South Bend police spokesman said Monday no police reports were filed over the weekend that involved Clausen.

The particulars of the confrontation are unclear, though a person answering the phone at CJ's Pub, the bar in question, said the incident "absolutely did not take place inside the bar."

The CJ's employee, who identified himself as a bartender, said Clausen and family members were at the bar after the Connecticut loss -- along with other Irish upperclassmen apparently gathering after their final home game at Notre Dame Stadium.

-- Houston Mitchell

Photo: Jimmy Clausen. Credit: Kirby Lee / US Presswire

UCLA football: A fan's look back at Arizona State

A team on a winning streak, a beautiful November afternoon in Southern California and senior day could coax only 46,151 fans to show up at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

Yes, there still is a long way to go for the UCLA football team to return to any kind of prominence, but I'll take a late-season three-game charge any time.

For that matter, if someone told me this summer that in late November the Bruins would have a  mathematical chance to finish in front of their cross-town rival in Pac-10 standings, I probably would have asked what they were drinking.

Here are observations, opinions and reflections from the fan's chair after UCLA's 23-13 win over Arizona State.

Sunday's question: Is the college football season too long, too short, or just right?

Reporters from around the Tribune family tackle the question of the day, then you get a chance to chime in and tell them why they are wrong.

Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times

The problem isn't that the college football season is too long or too short. The problem is that it is too long for some and too short for others and that could be rectified if the Big Ten would toss in bye weekends and extend the season beyond, well, now. The Big Ten campaign, folks, is over. It ended on Saturday, Nov. 21, with Ohio State winning the outright title, Other schools, though, will be playing games through Dec. 5, with Army and Navy closing out the regular season on Dec. 12. One reason the Big Ten has struggled in BCS bowls might be the fact the players have sometimes had more than 50 days off between games. Penn State Coach Joe Paterno has admitted this has hurt the Big Ten, which went 1-6 in bowls last year. Consider: Oregon and Oregon State are playing Dec. 3 to determine who will play Ohio State in the Rose Bowl on Jan.1. It makes sense the Oregon/Oregon State winner will be sharper than the rusty Buckeyes. 

Photo: Ohio State players celebrate with fans after defeating Michigan on Saturday. Credit: AP.

UCLA football: Bruins defeat Arizona State, 23-13

Although the final score was UCLA 23, Arizona State 13, the real score in the game was 6-0. That would be six turnovers for the Sun Devils and zero for the Bruins.

Bruins cornerback Alterraun Verner opened the scoring in the game with a 68-yard interception return for a touchdown and Akeem Ayers scooped up a fumble by ASU quarterback Samson Szakacsy, who was hit by defensive tackle Brian Price, and scored on a nine-yard return with 1:19 left before halftime to set the tone in the victory.

UCLA (6-5, 3-5 in Pacific 10 Conference play), which became eligible for a bowl with the win, forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and Kai Forbath made the second of his three field goals on the afternoon for a 20-7 lead at halftime.

Bruins quarterback Kevin Prince, who was roughed up a couple of times and left the game late in the third quarter with a leg injury before returning in the fourth, completed 15 of 31 passes for 161 yards. He also ran for 42 yards in six carries. Chane Moline added 84 yards in 25 carries, while Nelson Rosario had five receptions for 74 yards.

Szakacsy completed 15 of 22 passes for 197 yards and scoring strikes of 35 and 70 yards to Kyle Williams, who had six receptions for 128 yards on the day. Dimitri Nance led all rushers with 110 yards in 21 carries for Arizona State (4-7, 2-6). 

UCLA 23, Arizona State 13 (final)

The Sun Devils had two chances to close the gap on the Bruins in the final minutes, but one drive ended on a fourth-and-26 play when quarterback Samson Szakacsy fumbled as he was forced to scramble and their final possession ended on their sixth turnover of the game, another Szakacsy fumble in the pocket.

UCLA 23, Arizona State 13 (6:29 remaining)

For only the third time in his career, Bruins kicker Kai Forbath has missed a field-goal attempt of 50-plus yards.

USC football: Trojans up with sun to finish bye-week workouts

USC concluded its bye-week workouts early this morning, giving players nearly three days off and coaches a chance to recruit before preparations begin for their Nov. 28 game against UCLA.

Receiver Jordan Cameron, offensive lineman Nick Howell and safeties Jawanza Starling and T.J. McDonald had the most productive weeks, Coach Pete Carroll said.

"That’s a great example of what we hope to have happen in a week like this -- that guys take advantage of it, seize the opportunity and help their cause and help us get better," Carroll said.

I'll have more later at latimes.com/sports.

--Gary Klein

Photo: Pete Carroll watches his team play against the Stanford Cardinal on Nov. 14. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez / US Presswire.

Alabama's Mark Ingram takes commanding lead in Heisman Trophy poll

Alabama tailback Mark Ingram garnered 10 of 13 first-place votes to take a commanding lead in the latest HeismanPundit.com Heisman Poll released on Tuesday.
 
The sophomore from Flint, Mich., totaled a season-best 59 points in the weekly survey of 13 Heisman voters from across the country. It's the fifth week in a row Ingram has stood atop the poll, and his 24-point margin over second-place Colt McCoy (35 points, one first-place vote) of Texas is the biggest lead of the season by any candidate.
 
“It seems like the Heisman picture has cleared up considerably over the past couple of weeks, and it’s turning into the Year of the Running Back," said one voter. "Ingram is my No. 1 guy because he’s producing every week against some of the toughest defenses in the country, but Toby Gerhart is coming on strong."
 
Gerhart, a senior running back from Stanford, surged into third place -- just a shade behind McCoy -- with 33 points and a first-place vote. Clemson running back C.J. Spiller moved into fourth with 23 points.
 
Florida's Tim Tebow scored his lowest point total of the year -- 16 points -- to fall to fifth place.
 
"I don’t believe Tebow deserves a seat at the table," said a voter.  "He’s still a great player, but his role is reduced this year and I’d hardly call his production ‘outstanding.’”
 
The HeismanPundit.com Heisman Poll appears every Wednesday in the print edition of the Orlando Sentinel and in various Tribune Company media outlets.
 
About the Poll
 
The HeismanPundit.com Heisman Poll is made up of 13 Heisman voters from across the country. They vote for five players each week. Tabulations are made on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis, with five points awarded for a first-place vote, four points for a second-place vote and so on.  Last year's final Heismanpundit poll was the most accurate in the country, picking five of the top six finishers in the Heisman vote, including the winner.
 
Members of the panel include: Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel, Teddy Greenstein and Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune, Olin Buchanan and Tom Dienhart of Rivals.com, Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman, Bruce Feldman of ESPN.com, J.B. Morris of ESPN the Magazine, Austin Murphy, B.J. Schecter and Stewart Mandel of Sports Illustrated, plus Dick Weiss of the New York Daily News. 
 
Chris Huston of HeismanPundit.com coordinates and also votes in the poll.
 
The HeismanPundit.com Heisman Poll, 11/17/09
Total points (with first place votes in parentheses)
 
1. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama--59 (10)
2. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas--35 (1)
3. Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford--33 (1)
4. C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson--23
5. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida--16
6. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State--14
7. Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame--6 (1)
    Case Keenum, QB, Houston--6
9. Dion Lewis, RB, Pitt--1
LaMichael James, RB, Oregon--1
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska--1

Photo: Alabama's Mark Ingram runs into the end zone after scoring a 70-yard touchdown against Mississippi State during their game in Starkville, Miss., on Nov. 14. Credit: Mark Almond / Associated Press

Chris "Rankman" Dufresne's top 25 college football teams

Rankman read the shampoo bottle this week and decided to go lather, rinse and repeat with the top eight. There was no change at the top, unlike what might soon happen at Notre Dame.

Consideration was given to dropping USC out of the top 25 after the Trojans gave up 55 points in a home loss to Stanford, but we hearkened to Pete Carroll’s credo — “always lather, rinse and compete” — and granted them a late checkout from Hotel California.

1; Texas 10-0; Team stuck to game plan at Baylor and never broke a sweat. (1)

2; Florida 10-0; Four “Ws” and two SEC replay reversals from first perfect season. (2)

3; Texas Christian 10-0; Andy Dalton Gang challenges Colt McCoy to duel in Waco. (3)

4; Alabama 10-0; Hard to believe school has never won a Heisman or a chili cook-off. (4)

5; Cincinnati 10-0; Why would coach leave powerhouse to coach Notre Dame? (5)

6; Boise State 10-0; Broncos sent Idaho back to Moscow in a giant can of caviar. (6)

7; Georgia Tech 10-1; Trailed Duke by 10 before whipping up some blue-deviled eggs. (7)

8; Oregon 8-2; Blount: not playing against Arizona State a punch in the gut. (8)

9; Ohio State 9-2; Tressel secures Rose Bowl lodging at Marriott Courtyard Monastery. (13)

10; Louisiana State 8-2; Trailed Louisiana Tech by three at half and moved up in three polls? (9)

11; Iowa 9-2; There’s definitely no quit in this team and no “I” in Hawkeye. (12)

12; Oklahoma State 8-2; Pilot for Colorado titled, “Thursday Night Lights Out.” (16)

13; Stanford 7-3; Lumps in coffee? Harbaugh tells waitress: “Let’s go for two.” (18)

14; Penn State 9-2; Paterno told BCS at-large picture has nothing to do with his prostate. (19)

15; Pittsburgh 9-1; Will try Dec. 5 to avoid third football loss to Cincinnati this year. (20)

16; Virginia Tech 7-3; Hokies enjoyed a rare bye weekend that included playing Maryland. (21)

17; Brigham Young 8-2; Three Hobos greet plane after five-point win at winless New Mexico. (22)

18; Temple 8-2; Ran so hard over Akron the Zips had to replace all four tires. (25)

19; Navy 8-3; Not sure everyone is well aware how hard it is to beat Delaware. (24)

20; USC 7-3; Coach says true frosh crisis manager good “as anybody we’ve ever had already.” (10)

21; Oregon State 7-3; Most dangerous part about Washington State this week is getting there. (23)

22; California 7-3; Student climbs tree to protest scoring only three points against USC. (NR)

23; Houston 8-2; NASA, HUD and PETA shocked by losses to UTEP and UCF. (11)

24; Miami 7-3; North Carolina loss would have been easier to take had it been basketball. (14)

25; Arizona 6-3; Holds Guinness record for “weirdest ways to lose games.” (17)

Dropped out: Utah (17).

Moved in: California.

Disagree with the rankings? Leave a comment and Rankman will respond.

chris.dufresne@latimes.com
twitter.com/LATDufresne

Photo: Colt McCoy of Texas. Credit: Brett Davis, U.S. Presswire.