Just when it looked like the attention of the college football world would be focused solely on the state of Florida, a few upsets drew eyes away from the Sunshine State. But that's not to say Florida's win over Tennessee, Penn State's comeback victory over Miami and Florida State's domination of N.C. State didn't garner most of the headlines. As always, we opened the Fan Mailbag this week. Here's a sampling of fan opinion from Saturday, Sept. 18:

Florida fallout
Over the last two years, the Gators have committed eight -- yes, eight -- more turnovers than the Vols, despite the fact that Spurrier always outflanks John Chavis, as shown by the brilliant TD pass to tight end Aaron Kinney (which was called back by a once-in-a-million offensive facemask penalty). Yet, despite that eight-turnover difference, the total points between Tennessee and Florida are virtually even: UT 41, UF 40.

The last two editions of Vols-Gators, which were incredibly similar, obviously reveal two important truths: 1) If Florida's offense, particularly its backs and receivers, could just get out of their own way and make routine plays and decisions, the Gators would have routed the Vols twice; and 2) Tee Martin is a thoroughly average quarterback whose best asset is not his skills -- which are limited -- but rather, his ability to avoid making big mistakes and simply persevering.

They were ugly on Saturday, but the Florida Gators defended the honor of The Swamp and showed that at the end of the decade, they are still very much the standard-bearer in the toughest conference in the country. Now, if only Doug Johnson could get his head on straight...
Matt Zemek
Seattle

I just do not understand why Phil Fulmer abandoned his game plan and refused to give the ball to Jamal Lewis until it was too late. He is the Vols' greatest weapon and right up there with Ron Dayne as the best tailback in America. If he had just given the ball to Jamal and let him run inside the rush of Alex Brown (like he finally did on UT's 97-yard TD drive) the game would have had a completely different complexion and Tennessee likely would have left the Swamp a victor.
Jerod Morris
West Lafayette, Ind.

It was truly disappointing to see Tennessee lose to Florida in such a sloppily played and called game. It is even more disappointing, though, to see that the Gator fans are as classless in victory as they were in defeat last year. I would love to include some examples of their messages to the Tennessee sponsored boards, but that inclusion would guarantee the exclusion of my message from ESPN's board...for VULGARITY!

C'mon, Florida fans...show some class! Your actions only serve to lower everyone's opinion of your team, your university and its fans.
Andrew Ussery
Nashville, Tenn.

I am a UF student, and I am convinced that the the bad boys of football are back (University of Miami), aren't you?
James Roews
Gainesville, Fla.

How can Ohio St. be ranked ahead of Miami who just beat them a few weeks before?.Plus Miami was inches from winning a game aginst the number 2 team in the nation when Ohio St. went into half time tied with Ohio U.
Glenn G.
Germantown, Tenn.

Give us some respect!
When are people going to give Penn State the respect it deserves? I has already beaten two top ten teams and people are still calling them overrated. I guess they won't get the respect they deserve until they move the school to Florida!
Adam Wade
Auburn, Wash.

Why does Vanderbilt get no respect? They almost beat Alabama, beat Northern Illinois then beat Ole Miss, and are now 2-1. Give them some credit for turning around a terrible program.
JTZ
Durham, N.C.

Hey, Illinois is 3-0 for the first time in almost 20 years. Question: How can we still be ranked below Louisville in the coaches poll? Didn't we just beat them at their own place? Sorry Chris Redman, I know you threw for 450 yards (only because Illinois totally contained the run) but 2 INTs don't get it done for the Heisman. Kurt Kittner had a better game, throwing 4 TDs and no INTs. Look out MSU, the Illini are for real. They have a legitimate shot at winning eight games. Ron Turner, my hat's off.
Mike Radtke
Champaign, Ill.

When are you people going to give the University of Southern Mississippi a little respect for having a good football team? Our defense holds Nebraska to under 200 yards of offense and all you people can talk about is how coach Frank Solich made all these changes on offense. I understand that USM needs to beat top 25 teams on a consistent basis to be considered a great program, but at least you people could give us the credit we do deserve.
Mike Harvey
Hattiesburg, Miss.

I guess I can only hope that, in the coming weeks, TD Travis Prentice will get some press as he continues his pursuit of eight NCAA rushing records. Compiling numbers against some decent squads, Prentice is showing that Randy Moss, Chad Pennington and Charlie Batch, among others, are examples of how powerful the MAC has become. Let us give a little respect to a conference that is not mid-major, but rather one that is given a lousy amount of media support. Hey, even Ohio U. showed that heart can go a long way in the MAC. Keep your eyes on TD Travis, and in a couple of years you can say you knew him when...
Dennis Hall
Chicago

Wisconsin weakness
Sorry, Wisconsin, a weak schedule is the sign of a weak team. You got what you deserved this weekend. The rest of the season is not going to be any easier (after all, Cincinnati lost to Troy State). And Ron Dayne, you may have had a lot of yards, but no Heisman candidate, and certainly not Ricky Williams, would have given up the big turnover in the last quarter.
Jeff Kosiorek
South Pasadena, Calif.

Do you think that Wisconsin deserved all praise it garnered early this season despite its pitiful non-conference schedule and its lack of Penn State on its Big Ten campaign? Saturday's loss to Cincinnati seems like poetic justice.
Ryan Broadwater
State College, Pa.

Well, I must apologize to all of you that said Wisconsin was over rated, that we had a soft schedule, etc. Apparently, the schedule wasn't soft enough. You were all correct! I was wrong! I admit it! At least Michigan State proved once again this year that Wisconsin is not the only pretender in the top 25. Good-bye, Notre Dame.
Warwick Steer
Wisconsin

Can it get worse?
Two years ago, when the Irish began the season 1-4, I thought that the program had finally hit rock bottom. Then, sadly, comes this year...
Mitch D'Angelo
Cincinnati

Final word
I'd like to thank the Arizona Wildcats for proving once and for all how much preseason polls are worth.
Michael Nassif
College Station, Texas