Ac-a-dem-ics

The interim Tennessee president tells it like it is:

"Lane [Kiffin, Tennessee head coach] comes from the Pac-10, which in many respects is the epitome of great academics and great athletics, as this past weekend showed on several different levels, including to us. When we lost to UCLA, we lost to a better academic institution, too."

It is true that, as far as non-sports-related prestige goes, the Pac-10 is pretty up there: Stanford, Cal, UCLA, USC, Washington--these are all genuinely good schools.

They should combine football rank with US News and World Report college rank to generate a Total Awesomeness rank. I'm almost positive Cal's ridiculous #8/#21 would put it first in the nation.

EDIT: It turns out Cal would be tied with #3/#26 USC! We either have to beat them Oct. 3 or, like, take out their film department.

Here is the AP top 10, rejiggered to include academic rankings:

1. USC (3+26=29)
2. Cal (8+21=29)
3. Florida (1+47=48)
4. Texas (2+47=49)
5. Penn State (5+47=52)
6. Brigham Young (7+71=78)
   
7. Alabama (4+96=100)
8. LSU (9+128=137)
   
9. Mississippi (5+Tier 3)
10. Boise State (10+not found!)