Enquirer wire services

PITTSBURGH - Despite all the outstanding catches by Larry Fitzgerald and the big plays by quarterback Rod Rutherford, the No. 20 Panthers found out they couldn't get by with an offense that was becoming one-dimensional.

That has changed now that Brandon Miree is healthy again, as evidenced by his 188 yards rushing and two touchdowns in Saturday's 30-16 victory over Temple.

Miree, a Winton Woods graduate, was sidelined for seven weeks with a stress fracture in his leg, and the impact his absence caused on Pitt's offense was enormous. With Miree back, the Panthers rushed for 253 yards against Temple - the first time all season they had more yards rushing than passing.

The Panthers (8-3, 5-1 Big East) play No. 10 Miami (9-2, 5-1) on Saturday. The winner will earn at least a share of the Big East Conference title and the conference's automatic bid to a BCS bowl, almost certainly the Orange Bowl.

USC waits, watches

In an ironic twist, Southern Cal must hope LSU loses one of its final two games. Before Ohio State lost to Michigan, the Trojans needed LSU to keep winning to prevent the Buckeyes from being No. 3 in the Top 25 polls, which are part of the BCS formula.

The possibilities for the remaining two weeks of the season are endless, so it's not realistic to say USC will make the Sugar Bowl if one thing happens. The only sure bet: USC goes to the national-title game if it defeats Oregon State on Dec. 6 and LSU loses one more game.

Meaningless games?

Not for USC's and LSU's strength of schedule. Over the next two weekends, the Trojans will root for Hawaii over Alabama, Notre Dame over Syracuse and Hawaii over Boise State. The Tigers need Alabama to win at Hawaii, Arizona to beat Arizona State, Georgia to beat Georgia Tech, Florida to beat Florida State and Louisiana Tech to top Rice.

Dubious records

North Carolina has put up some amazing numbers. OK, so they're amazingly bad numbers. While allowing a school-record 6,063 yards and a school-record 459 points this season, North Carolina set Atlantic Coast Conference records by intercepting only two passes and allowing 3,339 passing yards.

Trivia timeout (answers below)

1. President Grover Cleveland ordered the suspension of the Army-Navy game in 1890 due to excessive fighting in the stands. What president ordered the resumption of the series?

A: Grover Cleveland. B: Teddy Roosevelt. C: William Howard Taft.

2. Miami University's last win in a bowl game came in the 1975 Tangerine Bowl against what team?

A: San Jose State. B: Vanderbilt. C: South Carolina.

3. Music mogul Marion "Suge" Knight played football at what school?

A: UNLV. B: USC. C: Arizona State.

Top Five: Reasons to avoid shopping with the relatives

5. You have to watch Frank Solich coach his (potential) last game today when Nebraska visits Colorado.

4. Texas A&M might give up 80 points to Texas today, and you can't miss the postgame handshake.

3. The Miami University Web cast against Central Florida is too intriguing to leave the house.

2. Arkansas probably won't beat LSU, but it could happen.

1. Unless they're showing the game in the furniture store, you have to stay home Saturday to see Larry Fitzgerald and Pitt tangle with the Miami Hurricanes.

Must-see TV

• Arkansas at LSU, 2:30 p.m. today (Ch. 12, 7): The Bayou Bengals still might have a shot at the Sugar Bowl.

• Texas at Texas A&M, 3:30 p.m. today (Ch. 9, 2): Ohio State fans wanting a BCS bowl should pull for a Texas loss.

• Tennessee at Kentucky, 12:30 p.m. Saturday (Ch. 25): The final college game for Highlands grad Jared Lorenzen.

• Grambling State vs. Southern at New Orleans, 2 p.m. Saturday (Ch. 5, 22): An unsung, classic rivalry.

• Florida State at Florida, 3:30 p.m. Saturday (Ch. 12, 7): The Gators are red-hot and ready for the Seminoles.

Heisman watch

Rising

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pittsburgh: Fitzgerald has a chance to end the race once and for all with a big game Saturday against Miami.

Jason White, QB, Oklahoma: Almost 400 yards passing against Texas Tech keeps White close behind Fitzgerald.

Chris Perry, RB, Michigan: 154 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State puts Perry back into consideration.

Staying on track

Eli Manning, QB, Mississippi: Manning threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns in Ole Miss' 31-0 victory over Mississippi State in Thursday night's 100th Egg Bowl, and is still hanging onto a few votes.

Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech: Another fabulous game for Jones last week (24 carries, 165 yards in a loss to Boston College), but the Hokies' struggles have limited his exposure.

Enquirer power rankings

Team	Record	Comment
1. Oklahoma	12-0	Likely Sugar Bowl bid even with loss to K-State on Dec. 6.
2. USC	10-1	Should hold off LSU for Sugar if it beats Oregon State Dec. 6.
3. LSU	10-1	Home today vs. 8-3 Arkansas; win means SEC title game.
4. Michigan	10-2	Jumped from 9 to 4 in BCS; USC & LSU losses could bring Sugar.
5. Texas	9-2	Win today at Texas A&M could bring BCS bowl berth.
6. Tennessee	9-2	Might make a BCS bowl without playing in SEC title game.
7. Ohio State	10-2	Computers still love Buckeyes; could salvage a BCS bowl.
8. Georgia	9-2	Rivalry game with Georgia Tech, then possibly SEC title game.
9. Florida	8-3	Win over Florida State would stretch win streak to 6; BCS in sight?
10. Florida State	9-2	Can relax heading into Swamp: BCS bowl already secured.
11. Miami (Fla.)	9-2	Orange Bowl chances hinge on game Saturday at Pitt.
12. Miami U.	10-1	Finest team in school history? Congrats to RedHawks.

Trivia answers: 1. B; 2. C; 3. A.