Many thought Boise State's 59-0 win over New Mexico State combined with Virginia Tech's upset victory over then 23th-ranked NC State would help the Broncos' argument for a BCS championship game berth.

Instead, when the new AP top 25 rankings were released, Boise State dropped to fourth. Oregon jumped over the Broncos into third place.

Oregon's jump can be attributed to their gritty win over Stanford. The battle of two top-ten Pac-10 teams Saturday was won by the Ducks, 52-31, in a game closer than the actual final score. Oregon fell behind 21-3 to Oregon in the first half, but was able to keep the Cardinal by scoring the final 28 points in the game.

Stanford's Andrew Luck threw for two touchdowns and 341 yards, but was matched equally by Oregon's Darron Thomas. Thomas threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns, and also ran for 117 yards and one touchdown.

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Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio, hospitalized Thursday after a blood clot was found, has been released.

Dantonio had missed the previous two games due to a heart attack he experienced after the Notre Dame game.

His status for the Spartans' game against Michigan this Saturday has not yet been announced.

- Fred Sakai