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Many of college footballs best teams have already reached the halfway point of the 2016 season, and a clear top four in the College Football Playoff race has emerged.Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and Michigan are who we thought they were. What order would you put them in? Well, they may be interchangeable, depending on how you size each of them up at this point.Defending national champion Alabama looks like the best team, but dont tell Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban that. It might get you an ass-chewing normally reserved for offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. The top-ranked Tide gave up too many points and far too many passing yards (400) in a 49-30 victory at Arkansas, their 18th consecutive win.Theres still plenty of room for improvement, and Alabama is about to find out if its really the best team in the country. The Tide play at No. 9 Tennessee next week, then host No. 8 Texas A&M on Oct. 22 and play at LSU on Nov. 5.Were certainly not where we want to be, not in all facets of the game, Saban said. Sometimes we play great on offense, but weve just got to be more consistent when we play really good teams.No. 3 Clemson might have the best individual win this season -- a 42-36 victory over Louisville at Death Valley last week. But the Tigers havent beaten anybody else of real consequence, and theyll play only more ranked foe during the regular season: at No. 23 Florida State on Oct. 29.Ohio State might have the best overall collection of talent even if much of coach Urban Meyers rebuilt team is extremely young. The No. 2 Buckeyes have won each of their first five games by at least 20 points, including Saturdays 38-17 win over Indiana. Well know more about Ohio State after next weeks trip to No. 11 Wisconsin.We cant say for sure if Ohio State is even the best team in the Big Ten. No. 4 Michigan demolished Rutgers 78-0, holding the Scarlet Knights to two first downs and only five passing yards. Rutgers punted 16 times in the game, and its longest play from scrimmage was 12 yards.It was Michigans largest margin of victory since an 85-0 win over the University of Chicago in 1939. It was Rutgers worst loss since an 82-0 defeat against Princeton in 1888.It just feels like playing a video game, Rutgers safety Anthony Cioffi told reporters. Just got spanked.Michigan doesnt play a ranked opponent in its next five games and will be heavily favored to roll into its Nov. 26 showdown at Ohio State with an 11-0 record. A Big Ten title -- and potentially a spot in the CFP -- might be on the line.Given the competition the top four teams faced in Week 6, there wasnt much that happened that would have changed opinions about them. However, the second tier of playoff contenders beneath them changed dramatically.No. 6 Houston lost 46-40 at Navy, which all but knocked the Cougars out of contention for the playoff.?We didnt play very well in any phase of the game, and we still had a chance to win it there in the fourth quarter, Houston coach Tom Herman said. Youre not going to win very many games against really good teams on the road turning the ball over three times, one for a touchdown, snapping the ball over the punters head and letting them rush for 300 yards.With Houston falling, No. 5 Washington and No. 8 Texas A&M look like the best bets to challenge the top four teams for the playoff spots.The Aggies moved to 6-0 for the first time since 1994 after surviving a 45-38 win over No. 9 Tennessee in two overtimes. Texas A&M blew a 21-point lead in the second half and then won in overtime after squandering two chances to put the Volunteers away in the final minutes.Texas A&Ms defense allowed 684 yards against Tennessee, including 402 passing. Theyll have two weeks to clean things up before traveling to Alabama on Oct. 22.Its great, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett said. We finally got over the hump, the little 5-0 hill that weve been facing every year.Talk about getting over the hump. Washington ended a 12-game losing streak to bitter rival Oregon by demolishing the Ducks 70-21 at Autzen Stadium. It was the first time Oregon allowed 70 points in a game since losing to Texas 71-7 on Dec. 6, 1941. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor the next day.Im just glad I dont have to talk about the streak, or have to answer that, Washington coach Chris Petersen said. Thats probably the No. 1 thing Ive been asked since the day I got to Seattle.There are plenty of questions about Oregons future after it dropped its fourth straight game. The Ducks are 11-9 in their last 20 games under coach Mark Helfrich since reaching the CFP National Championship at the end of the 2014 season.Its different than a normal loss, no question, Helfrich said. I apologize for that score.The Ducks arent the only team that has fallen dramatically. Notre Dame is also 2-4 after losing to NC State 10-3 on the road. The Fighting Irish offense managed only 113 yards on 64 plays in the rain and wind from Hurricane Matthew. Quarterback DeShone Kizer was sacked five times and completed only 9 of 26 passes for 54 yards.We dont have any excuses, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. We were atrocious offensively.Texas coach Charlie Strong is out of excuses as well. After Strong demoted defensive coordinator Vance Bedford and took over the defensive playcalling earlier this week, the Longhorns surrendered 672 yards of offense in a 45-40 loss to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry game in Dallas.Texas lost its third straight game and fell to 2-3 overall. It has allowed 45 points or more in four of its first five games.We lost the game, so there was no improvement at all, Strong said. We gave up 45 points and cant give up those big plays on defense.Playoff teams after Week 61. Alabama: Crimson Tide freshman Jalen Hurts keeps getting better every week. He completed 13 of 17 passes for 253 yards with two touchdowns and one interception and ran for two more scores in a 49-30 win at Arkansas. He has accounted for eight total touchdowns in the last three games.2. Ohio State: The Buckeyes slogged through a 38-17 win over Indiana, which limited the Buckeyes to only 93 passing yards. But Ohio State ran for 290 yards and won their fifth consecutive game by 20 points or more, the longest active streak in FBS. The Buckeyes will have to play better when they travel to No. 11 Wisconsin next week.3. Clemson: The Tigers had a short week after last weeks thrilling win over Louisville, but they responded with a 56-10 rout at Boston College on Friday. Clemson has won 12 consecutive ACC games and eight straight road games, tying the school record set in 1978-79. Theyll get an extra day to rest before hosting NC State next week.4. Michigan: One day after the 100-year anniversary of Georgia Techs 222-0 win over Cumberland, Michigan steamrolled Rutgers 78-0 on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights had two first downs, five passing yards and were outgained 600-39 in total offense. Rutgers has been outscored 136-0 in its last two games.Next four in contention1. Washington: The Huskies took out 12 years of frustration on Oregon, crushing the Ducks 70-21 at Autzen Stadium. It was the Huskies first win in the series since beating Oregon 42-10 in 2003, and theyve now scored at least 35 points in nine consecutive games. The Huskies get a week off before hosting Oregon State on Oct. 22.2. Texas A&M: The Aggies piled up 592 yards against Tennessee and had a 200-yard rusher and 100-yard rusher in the same game for only the second time since 1950. Tailback Trayveon Williams ran for 217 yards with one touchdown, and quarterback Trevor Knight ran for 110 yards with three scores.3. Louisville: The Cardinals had an extra week to stew over their 42-36 loss at Clemson last week. They will host Duke on Friday.4. Tennessee: The Volunteers nearly put together another incredible comeback, rallying from an early 28-7 hole before falling 45-38 in two overtimes at Texas A&M. The Vols were undone by seven turnovers and 12 penalties, and now they have to bounce back to play No. 1 Alabama at home next week.Heisman candidates1. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson: Watson is starting to look like the player he was a year ago. He passed for 266 yards with four touchdowns at Boston College on Friday night and is now 24-2 as Clemsons starting quarterback.2. J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State: Barrett had a so-so day against Indiana. He ran for 137 yards with one touchdown on a career-high 26 carries while completing 9 of 21 passes for 93 yards with one score and an interception. With 86 career touchdowns (rushing and passing), he moved past former Buckeyes quarterback Art Schlichter for second place in OSU history.3. Jabrill Peppers, LB/RB, Michigan: Peppers scored two of Michigans nine rushing touchdowns in a 78-0 rout at Rutgers. Peppers, who has played 12 positions this season, also had a 63-yard run to set up another score and had an electrifying punt return for a touchdown wiped out by a penalty -- and he did it all without playing in the second half. Afterward, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said: In my humble opinion, were looking at a Heisman Trophy winner and candidate.4. Jake Browning, QB, Washington: Browning accounted for eight touchdowns in Washingtons 70-21 rout at Oregon. He completed 22 of 28 passes for 304 yards with six touchdowns and ran for two more scores. In six games, Browning has thrown 23 touchdowns with only two interceptions.Best momentsTweets of the nightBest playsWorst playsQuotes of the night1. It shows the resiliency of our kids. I always say that it lets you know our country is in good shape because these are the leaders of our country in the future. -- Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo after the Midshipmens 46-40 upset of No. 6 Houston.2. Were tired of hearing about everybody else: North Carolina, Miami, Clemson, Louisville. Those are great teams, but we think we deserve to be mentioned in that category. -- Virginia Tech quarterback Jerod Evans, after the Hokies improved to 4-1 with a 34-3 win at North Carolina.3. The game needs to be played, and we need to work to find a way to do that. This conference often describes itself as a family; a family has points of tension. I certainly understand the angst and frustration. I have my own level of angst, but we need to come together to play a football game and find the best way to do that. -- SEC commissioner Greg Sankey to CBS, on whether Florida and LSU will reschedule their game from Saturday, which was postponed because of Hurricane Matthew.4. If I had to do it over again at the end of the game, I probably still would have gone for it, but I would have called a different play. I felt the way the game was going, I felt like we could make a half-yard, and we didnt, so thats on me. Thats my responsibility, and Ill take the blame for it. - Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson, on his decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 from Techs 34 with 1:47 to play. Pitts defense stuffed Dedrick Mills for no gain, setting up Chris Blewitts game-winning 31-yard field goal with no time left in the Panthers 37-34 victory.Stats that matter1. 9: Purdue snapped a nine-game losing streak with its 34-31 win in overtime at Illinois. It was the Boilermakers first road win since 2014. In its last 17 road games, Purdue is 3-0 at Illinois and 0-14 against everybody else.2. 31: Virginia Tech walloped No. 17 North Carolina 34-3 on the road on Saturday, its second largest road win ever against an AP-ranked opponent. The Hokies defeated No. 24 Virginia 38-0 in 2011.3. 149-55: Since losing to FCS foe Eastern Washington and Mountain West Boise State in its first two games, Washington State has outscored its last three opponents by a combined score of 149-55. The Cougars won 42-16 at No. 15 Stanford on Saturday night. The Cardinal lost consecutive games for the first time under coach David Shaw.4. 232: Oklahomas Dede Westbrook had 232 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 10 catches in the Sooners 45-40 win over Texas. It was an OU single-game record for receiving yards and the most by a player on either team in the Red River Rivalry. Authentic Custom Dodgers Jersey . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. Custom Maury Wills Jersey .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. http://www.customdodgersjersey.com/custom-jackie-robinson-jersey-large-249w.html . A forerunning sled crashed into the worker Thursday at the Sanki Sliding Center. The unidentified worker broke both legs and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Custom Dodgers Jersey China . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Jackie Robinson Jersey Large . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. On Monday night, the Washington Nationals and New York Mets start a three-game series in Washington, D.C. With nine games separating the NL East rivals in the standings, the division title seems all but out of reach for the Mets. But theres still a lot hanging in the balance -- for both clubs.Beat writers Eddie Matz and Adam Rubin explain.Matz:?Its always a big deal when the Nationals and Mets throw down. On the surface, given that Washington is nine games up on New York with 19 left to play, the three-game set that kicks off in D.C. on Monday might not seem as supersized as usual. Ah, but it is. Heres whats on the line for the Nationals:1. Figure out how to survive sans Strasburg. Star?Stephen Strasburg (elbow) may or may not be done for the season. If he is, the Nats need to find a replacement for him in the postseason rotation. Max Scherzer and Tanner Roark are no-brainers. After that, its anybodys guess. Gio Gonzalez has been eh. Joe Ross has been out since early July. Rookies Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, and A.J. Cole have been filling in, but none of them has consistently wowed. How the pups perform down the stretch -- including Coles start against Noah Syndergaard on Tuesday -- could go a long way toward predicting how the Nats net out in October.2. Prove they can beat good teams. Despite their glossy 85-58 record (second best in the NL), the Nationals are just 15-20 against teams who are in line for playoff berths. Against everyone else, theyre 70-38, including 28-5 against division doormats Philly and Atlanta. Whether or not the surging Mets make the postseason remains to be seen, but this much we know: Theyre the only team Washington faces the rest of the way thats currently above the .500 mark. A series win over New York would help show that the Nats are more than just cupcake killers.3. Slam the door on the Mets. With three weeks left in the season, theres no earthly way that New York could possibly overtake Washington ... or is there? Given that this is the last series between the two teams, it seems highly unlikely. But lets say, just for the sake of argument, the Nats get swept. Suddenly its a six-game lead with 16 left to play. Stranger things have happened -- just ask the Mets. Back in 2007, they were seven games up on the Phillies with 17 games remaining and somehow managed to blow it. A couple curly Ws in D.C. this week, and Dusty Bakers club should have the division sewn up. If Washington can sweep the series and severely damage its archenemmys wild-card chances in the process, well that wouldnt suck either.ddddddddddddRubin: The Mets will not catch the Nationals for first place in the National League East. Not with the Mets trailing the Nats by nine games with 19 remaining.So what is at stake when the teams open their final series of the season on Monday night at Nationals Park?A ton for the Mets.The Mets are 2-0 in games started by Rafael Montero in Jacob deGroms absence, but Montero has walked 10 batters in 9 1/3 innings in those pair of starts. Montero gets the opener in D.C. opposite Mat Latos, and the Mets desperately need Montero to harness his control and give them a shot at a win.These days, theres little margin for error with three teams vying for two wild-card spots.We know we can certainly play with them, manager Terry Collins said. Theyve got a little bit of pitching issues right now -- similar to us. Weve just got to go in there and play. For us, its about winning games. I dont care who theyre against. Weve just got to win games.As demonstrated by Saturdays extra-inning loss at Atlanta, when Collins didnt pinch run for Wilmer Flores in the eighth and the Mets ultimately lost to temporarily drop out of the second wild-card spot, the Mets have little wiggle room if they hope to return to the postseason.The Mets enter the showdown against the Nationals only a half-game up over the St. Louis Cardinals for the second wild-card spot. The San Francisco Giants, who lead the wild-card standings, are within striking distance, too.The good news for the Mets: The schedule heavily favors them the rest of the way. After completing this series in Washington, the Mets do not face another team with a winning record the remainder of the season. The Mets host the Twins (53-90), Braves (55-88) and Phillies (63-80), then complete the season with a trip to Miami (71-72) and Philadelphia.Meanwhile, the Cardinals and Giants square off in a four-game series beginning Thursday in San Francisco -- building in losses for at least one of the teams. St. Louis also has a pair of series remaining with the NL Central-leading Cubs, while the Giants have a pair of series remaining with the NL West-leading Dodgers.I look at the scores every day and I see teams with losing records beating teams that have winning records, Collins cautioned. Its part of the game. So youve got to go out and play. ' ' '