Closing Encounters

Big 12

Neill Woelk, Boulder Daily Camera: The shellacking at the hands of Texas appears to have been Gary Barnett's last game as Colorado coach (registration).

Buck Harvey, San Antonio Express-News: Mack Brown, who couldn't win the big one, can now become a Texas legend (registration).

Pacific 10

Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times: USC's thumping of UCLA resolves all the questions and sets up a clear title game between the Trojans and Texas.

T.J. Simers, Los Angeles Times: It was no time to be conservative, but that's exactly what UCLA coach Karl Dorrell decided to do.

Atlantic Coast

Joey Johnston, Tampa Tribune: Florida State's stunning victory likely sets up an Orange Bowl matchup between Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno.

Aaron McFarling, Roanoke Times: Virginia Tech caught a break when a Miami loss cleared the way for a spot in the title game, but the Hokies squandered the opportunity.

Southeastern

Sandy Davis, Baton Rouge Advocate: Louisiana State fans were searching for reasons behind the loss to Georgia, but the one they should grasp is that the Bulldogs were the better team.

Andy Johnston, Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia didn't appear to be SEC championship material in August, but the Bulldogs were up to the task.

Big East

Joey Knight, Tampa Tribune: South Florida might be headed to a bowl, but this team lacks any real sense of character.

Mitch Vingle, Charleston Gazette: West Virginia saved face for the Big East by its strong finish in Tampa.

Army-Navy

Rick Maese, Baltimore Sun: When it was over, players from Army and Navy gathered at midfield in a show of unity.

Keith Goldberg, Times Herald-Record: Navy tricked up its option attack and Army never had a chance.

Louisville-Connecticut

Rick Bozich, Louisville Courier-Journal: Who needs Brian Brohm at quarterback when you have Hunter Cantwell?

Terry Price, Hartford Courant: Connecticut was all set to knock South Florida from the Meineke Car Care Bowl but experienced engine troubles.

San Diego State-Hawaii

Ferd Lewis, Honolulu Advertiser: June Jones' run-and-shoot offense had plenty of run in a 49-38 victory over San Diego State.

Mick McGrane, San Diego Union-Tribune: Tom Craft may have coached his last game as San Diego State coach.

Tulsa-Central Florida

Adam Schmadtke, Orlando Sentinel: Tulsa held Central Florida to only 55 yards in the second half and won the Conference USA championship.

Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel: The big-game loss will only help George O'Leary's Central Florida program.

Mike