Is Tennessee looking at another Rocky Flop?Only three weeks ago, the Volunteers were 5-0 and ranked No. 9 in the country. After ending an 11-game losing streak against Florida and beating Georgia on an improbable Hail Mary touchdown pass on the final play, the Volunteers only had to keep their heads above water to win the woeful SEC East.Even after losing consecutive games against Texas A&M and Alabama earlier this month, the Volunteers were still in position for a memorable season.But after losing 24-21 at South Carolina on Saturday night, Tennessee now needs to win out and hope the Gators lose two of their final three conference games to return to the SEC championship game for the first time since 2007.As a result of their surprising loss to the Gamecocks, the Volunteers were one of three teams eliminated from contention for the College Football Playoff by The Eliminator this week. Through nine weeks, 109 of the 128 FBS teams have been eliminated, leaving 19 in contention for the four spots in the playoff.Heres where FBS stands after Week 9:Jump to sections: Whos in??| Still in contention | On the fence | Better luck next season | Previously eliminatedWhos in?With only four undefeated teams remaining from the Power 5 conferences, the initial rankings from the CFP selection committee should set up nicely. Or will the committee throw us an early curveball? Defending national champion Alabama, which didnt play this past weekend, should remain in the top spot. Clemson might earn the No. 2 spot after defeating No. 12 Florida State 37-34 on the road on Saturday night. No. 3 Michigan stayed in front of Ohio State in the Big Ten East with a 32-23 win at rival Michigan State, and Washington should round out the top four after a 31-24 win at No. 17 Utah.Still in contentionAlabama Crimson TideTrending: EVENUSA Today reported last week that Michigans Jim Harbaugh is the highest paid coach in the FBS at $9 million annually. Im guessing it wont stay that way for long.Clemson TigersTrending: UPAfter its 37-34 win at then-No. 12 Florida State on Saturday night, Clemson now has five victories decided by a touchdown or less, which is tied for the most through eight games by any team this decade that finished a season ranked in the top 10. The 2010 Auburn and 2014 UCLA also had that many narrow victories through eight games. How good have these Tigers been in the clutch? Theyre 18-2 in one-possession games since 2011, which is easily the best record in such games, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information.Louisville CardinalsTrending: EVENThe Cardinals might be ranked No. 5 in the AP and coaches polls, but dont be surprised if theyre not ranked as high by the CFP selection committee. After struggling to beat heavy underdogs Duke and Virginia in two of its last three games, Louisvilles résumé looks a little thin. Other than routing then-No. 2 Florida State (which has now lost three times), the Cardinals havent beaten an opponent with a winning record. In fact, the other seven teams that fell to Louisville are a combined 18-30.Michigan WolverinesTrending: EVENHow dominant have the Wolverines been this season? When Michigan fell behind rival Michigan State 7-0 in the first quarter of Saturdays 32-23 road victory, it was only the second time it trailed this season. In fact, the Wolverines have been behind for a total of 30 minutes, 32 seconds through eight games.Ohio State BuckeyesTrending: DOWNIf you think Houston coach Tom Hermans star has dimmed after a couple of losses, take a closer look at Ohio States offense without him. For the first time in 25 career games, Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett didnt account for a touchdown (rushing or passing) in a 24-20 win over Northwestern on Saturday.Texas A&M AggiesTrending: EVENTexas A&Ms Christian Kirk had two punt returns for touchdowns in a 52-10 win over New Mexico State on Saturday night, the first time in school history that a player returned two punts for scores in the same game. He has four in his career, another Texas A&M record.Washington HuskiesTrending: UPHuskies quarterback Jake Browning didnt throw the ball often in a 31-24 win at Utah on Saturday, but he made them count. Browning threw two touchdowns in 20 pass attempts and now has 28 touchdowns in 192 attempts. According to ESPN Stats & Info research, he is on pace to be highest in a season among any qualified FBS player in the past 10 years.On the fenceAuburn TigersTrending: UPTigers tailback Kamryn Pettway ran for a career-high 236 yards in Auburns 40-29 win at Ole Miss on Saturday night, his third straight game with 150 yards or more. In the past 10 years, Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton (2010) and Tre Mason (13) are the only other Auburn players who accomplished that feat.Baylor BearsTrending: DOWNAfter previously unbeaten Baylor and West Virginia fell on the road this weekend, No. 12 Oklahoma is the Big 12s highest ranked team. Its the first time in the leagues 20-year history that it doesnt have a top-10 team in the AP poll entering November.Florida GatorsTrending: UPIf I were the Gators, Id seriously consider backing out of that trip to LSU now.LSU TigersTrending: EVENLSU athletics director Joe Alleva told the Baton Rouge Advocate last week that hes looking for the following qualities in a new head coach: good leadership, integrity, motivator, stern disciplinarian, good organizational skills, adapter, good recruiter, stellar communication skills with players, fans, donors and the media, barrel-chested and formerly sold Hummers in Northwest Mississippi. OK, I made up the last two.Nebraska CornhuskersTrending: EVENThe Cornhuskers fell 23-17 at No. 11 Wisconsin on Saturday night, but made it clear theyre a pretty solid team and legitimate Big Ten West contender. Nebraska outscored the Badgers 10-0 in the fourth quarter; theyve outscored their eight opponents by 95 points in the final quarter this season.North Carolina Tar HeelsTrending: EVENThe Tar Heels didnt play this past weekend, but still might have lost when Virginia Tech defeated Pittsburgh 39-36 on the road on Thursday night. UNC and Virginia Tech each have one loss in ACC play, but the Hokies own a tiebreaker because of their 34-3 loss over the Tar Heels. ESPN Stats & Info gives Tech a 72.2 percent chance of winning the division, while giving UNC only a 27.6 percent chance.Oklahoma SoonersTrending: UPShouldnt Oklahoma receiver Dede Westbrook be in at least the Heisman Trophy discussion? He has five straight games with at least 100 receiving yards and one touchdown reception and he also had a 71-yard punt return for a score in the Sooners 56-3 win over Kansas. In the past four games, Westbrook has 33 catches for 723 yards with nine touchdowns.?Utah UtesTrending: DOWNUtah might have been the least likely team in the FBS to give up a long punt return for a touchdown. But Washingtons Dante Pettis returned a punt 58 yards for the go-ahead score with 3:25 remaining in the Huskies 31-24 win in Salt Lake City. It was the longest punt return allowed by the Utes since the 2009 season.Virginia Tech HokiesTrending: UPRemember when Virginia Tech embarrassed the Tar Heels 34-3 in Chapel Hill on Oct. 8? Im not sure top 25 voters do. Both teams are 6-2, but the Tar Heels are ranked No. 17 and the Hokies are No. 21 in the coaches poll. UNC is No. 18 and Tech is No. 23 in the in the AP top 25. Makes sense, huh?West Virginia MountaineersTrending: DOWNWest Virginias 37-20 loss at Oklahoma State was its first defeat in 329 days. It only seems like it has been that long since Michigan State won a game.Western Michigan BroncosTrending: UPAfter Boise States 30-28 loss to Wyoming, the Broncos are the clear favorite to represent the Group of 5 in a New Years Six bowl, according to ESPN Stats & Info. The Broncos have an 82 percent chance to win their conference, highest among FBS teams, and a 60 percent chance to enter bowls undefeated.Wisconsin BadgersTrending: UPTalk about pushing the right buttons. Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst elected to go with quarterback Alex Hornibrook against Nebraska in regulation, but then used Bart Houston in overtime. Houston led the Badgers to the game-winning drive. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Hornibrook took 33 snaps in the game and Houston took 24. They combined for 337 yards of offense and three touchdowns.Better luck next seasonBoise State BroncosTrending: DOWNSs-ah-ff-ee-tt-yy/Safety dance!/Ah, we can dance if we want to, we can leave your friends behind/Cause your friends dont dance and if they dont dance/Well theyre no friends of mine.Pittsburgh PanthersTrending: DOWNWho wears short shorts? Pitt tackle Ejuan Price wears short jorts.Tennessee VolunteersTrending: DOWNWith South Carolinas 24-21 upset of Tennessee on Saturday night, Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp is 5-0 in his head-coaching career against the Volunteers, including a 3-0 mark against UT coach Butch Jones.Previously eliminatedEliminated in Week 8:?Houston Cougars,?Miami HurricanesEliminated in Week 7: Arizona State Sun Devils, Maryland Terrapins, Ole Miss Rebels, Wake Forest Demon DeaconsEliminated in Week 6:?Air Force Falcons,?Arkansas Razorbacks,?Colorado Buffaloes,?Indiana Hoosiers,?Minnesota Gophers,?Stanford Cardinal,?Texas Tech Red Raiders,?UCLA BruinsEliminated in Week 5:?Arizona Wildcats, Cincinnati Bearcats, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Iowa Hawkeyes, Kansas State Wildcats, Memphis Tigers, Michigan State Spartans, Navy Midshipmen, Oregon Ducks, San Diego State Aztecs, TCU Horned Frogs, Texas Longhorns, Toledo RocketsEliminated in Week 4: Army Black Knights, Central Michigan Chippewas, East Carolina Pirates, Georgia Southern Eagles, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Oregon State Beavers, Penn State Nittany Lions, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, South Carolina Gamecocks, South Florida Bulls, USC TrojansEliminated in Week 3: Boston College Eagles, Duke Blue Devils, Illinois Fighting Illini, Marshall Thundering Herd,?Missouri Tigers, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, Syracuse Orange, Texas State Bobcats, Vanderbilt CommodoresEliminated in Week 2: Akron Zips, Ball State Cardinals, BYU Cougars, California Bears, Connecticut Huskies, Eastern Michigan Eagles, Florida Atlantic Owls, Idaho Vandals, Kansas Jayhawks, Louisiana Monroe Warhawks, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, Nevada Wolf Pack, New Mexico Lobos, NC State Wolfpack, Old Dominion Monarchs, Purdue Boilermakers, SMU Mustangs, South Alabama Jaguars, Texas San Antonio Roadrunners, Troy Trojans, Tulsa Golden Hurricane, UCF Knights, UNLV Rebels, Utah State Aggies, UTEP Miners, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, Wyoming CowboysEliminated in Week 1: Appalachian State Mountaineers, Arkansas State Red Wolves, Bowling Green Falcons, Buffalo Bulls, Charlotte 49ers, Colorado State Rams, Florida International Golden Panthers, Fresno State Bulldogs, Georgia State Panthers, Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, Iowa State Cyclones, Kent State Golden Flashes, Kentucky Wildcats, Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, Massachusetts Minutemen, Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, Mississippi State Bulldogs, New Mexico State Aggies, North Texas Mean Green, Northern Illinois Huskies, Northwestern Wildcats, Ohio Bobcats, Rice Owls, San Jose State Spartans, Temple Owls, Tulane Green Wave, Virginia Cavaliers, Washington State Cougars Kenley Jansen Womens Jersey .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition. Walker Buehler Womens Jersey . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. http://www.ladodgersprostore.us/Hyun-Jin-Ryu-dodgers-jersey/ . Parker had 26 points and eight assists and San Antonio beat Toronto 112-99 Monday night. "We won that game because of Tony Parkers aggressiveness," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His juice; his aggression all night long. Sandy Koufax Womens Jersey . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. Justin Turner Jersey .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach.Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week they discuss legislation from John McCain, the Jays handling of Ricky Romero, the career of Sir Alex Ferguson and bizarre outing of Rays pitcher Alex Cobb. Dave Naylor, TSN Radio 1050: My thumb is up to Arizona senator John McCain, who has introduced legislation to say that if an NFL team gets taxpayer funding for its stadium, it shouldnt be allowed to black out games. McCain may be on the wrong side of the issue when it comes to the Phoenix Coyotes, but I believe hes on the right side with this one. There are two downsides to taxpayer funding: its a bad investment but its also insulting when, after picking the pockets of taxpayers, you say they cant even watch the games if they dont buy tickets. I dont often line up with Republican senators but with this one, I am with John McCain. Steve Simmons, Sun Media: My thumb is down to the Toronto Blue Jays for their handling of Ricky Romero. A year ago this time, this was the No. 1 starter on the Blue Jays. Last year, rather than send him to the minors or the bullpen, they kept pitching him. He lost his confidence, he lost his way and it hasnt come back since. After a disastrous spring and an attempt to rebuild him, they brought him back for one start and it didnt work. Saturday night in Buffalo, Roomero pitched 3.dddddddddddd2 innings and gave up 10 hits and six runs. We dont know if well ever see Ricky Romero in the Major Leagues again. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated: My thumb is up to Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United, who closed his career at Old Trafford on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Swansea. What a career. In 26 years at Man U, he won 13 Premier League titles, two in the Champions League, five FA Cups and, of course, the treble in 1999. Maybe there has never been a greater coach of any sport at any time than Sir Alex. Scotty Bowman was smart enough to adapt to the times. Sir Alex was someone who bent the times to his own will. Dave Hodge, TSN: My thumb is up to Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Alex Cobb for giving us one of those great "how could it happen" baseball teasers. Its all part of Cobbs bizarre Friday night outing against San Diego in which he recorded 13 strikeouts and didnt make it out of the 5th inning… because his pitch count was so high. The 3rd inning was the crazy one - Cobb struck out 4 Padres - a wild pitch third strike put a runner on first, and that runner stole second and third and then scored on a balk. Thats how a pitcher gives up a run despite striking out the side, plus one, and not allowing a hit or a walk, and without an error being committed. So now you know… ' ' '