Leading Off

PHOTO

PHOTOGRAPH BY RIC TAPIA ICON SPORTSWIRE

Finishing Strong On the most insane college football week in memory (page 38), the most dramatic moment was one of the last. With time expiring at the L.A. Coliseum last Saturday, Arizona State wideout Jaelen Strong caught a 46-yard heave from QB Mike Bercovici for the Sun Devils' third touchdown in the final 3:53, capping a frantic 38--34 win over No. 16 USC. Naturally the Sun Devils were delirious (below), a familiar feeling after a dizzying day of upsets.

PHOTO

KIRBY LEE USA TODAY SPORTS

[See caption above]

TWO PHOTOS

PHOTOGRAPHS BY GREG NELSON FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Later, Sooners Oklahoma arrived in Fort Worth to face No. 25 TCU last Saturday as the nation's fourth-ranked team—a good spot to be in considering that No. 2 Oregon lost 31--24 to Arizona two days earlier and No. 3 Alabama would go down to Ole Miss 23--17 that afternoon (page 44). After a 37--33 loss to the Horned Frogs, the Sooners left wondering if they were even still in the playoff hunt. (Andy Staples says they are; page 43.) Kevin White (25) was part of a TCU secondary that had a pair of interceptions.

PHOTO

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN J. KIM CHICAGO TRIBUNE/MCT/LANDOV

Surprise! No Upset While the rest of the college football world was being turned on its head, No. 9 Notre Dame marched forward with a 17--14 win over No. 14 Stanford in South Bend. Senior quarterback Everett Golson (5) dodged raindrops to throw for 241 yards and two touchdowns; he also ran for 34 yards as the Fighting Irish (5--0) rose to No. 6. Golson is being mentioned with some of the Notre Dame QB greats: He's 15--1 as a starter, the best winning percentage in school history.

PHOTO

MATT CASHORE USA TODAY SPORTS

[See caption above]