Three and Out

1 Give the players at Colorado (6-4) credit for sticking together and becoming bowl-eligible in the wake of the off-field turmoil that surrounded the program over the last year. The team was without coach Gary Barnett for spring practice, and several key players transferred.

2 North Texas (6-4) could become the first school since 1961 to have two players lead the nation in rushing in consecutive seasons. Freshman Jamario Thomas, following in the footsteps of Patrick Cobbs, has five straight 200-yard games for a season average of 189.9.

3 The MAC should finally get more than two bowl berths. With some conferences lacking eligible teams to fill all their bowl tie-ins, the MAC's Bowling Green, Toledo, Northern Illinois, Miami (Ohio) and Akron will be considered as replacements. --Stewart Mandel