Dean delivered in clutch

Reviewing and previewing college football

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WHO'S HOT: D.J. Shockley. In his first start, the senior quarterback answered his critics by setting a school record with six total touchdowns in Georgia's season-opening pasting of Boise State. A solid performance against South Carolina and Shockley becomes a legit Heisman Trophy candidate.

Jad Dean. At least one Bowden has a reliable kicker. The Clemson junior set a school record with six field goals, including the 42-yard game-winner over No. 17 Texas A&M.

WHO'S NOT: Oklahoma. Did last season's BCS Championship embarassment to USC carry over to the Sooners' stunning defeat to TCU?

RANKING THE BIG FOUR

1. GEORGIA (1-0). THE BULLDOGS POUNDED IDAHO'S FINEST EARLY AND OFTEN. IF NOT FOR FIRST-GAME MISTAKES, THEY COULD HAVE EASILY SCORED IN THE 60S.

2. CLEMSON (1-0). DEAN'S PERFORMANCE OVERSHADOWED THE SHODDY PLAY OF THE OFFENSE. BUT THE TIGERS MIGHT HAVE FOUND A RUNNING BACK IN FRESHMAN JAMES DAVIS.

3. GEORGIA TECH (1-0). THE

YELLOW JACKETS' DEFENSE LOOKED SHARP IN THE FOURTH QUARTER WITH THREE INTERCEPTIONS AND A FUMBLE AGAINST AUBURN.

4. SOUTH CAROLINA (1-0). IT WASN'T A THING OF BEAUTY, BUT THE GAMECOCKS HELD OFF CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR A WIN IN STEVE SPURRIER'S DEBUT.

THE ACC'S BEST AND WORST

1. FLORIDA STATE. NO QUARTERBACK. NO KICKER. NO PROBLEM. BIG-PLAY DEFENSE STIFLED MIAMI.

12. DUKE. THERE'S NO SHAME LOSING TO A SPARKY WOODS-LED TEAM. WAIT A MINUTE, THERE IS.

THE SEC'S BEST AND WORST

1. GEORGIA. TOSS UP FOR THE TOP SPOT, BUT THE BULLDOGS SHINED IN A GAME SOME OBSERVERS THOUGHT WOULD BE CLOSE.

12. VANDERBILT. COMMODORES BEAT THE ACC'S WORST TEAM. HOLD ON, THEY DIDN'T PLAY DUKE.

WHAT'S NEXT: Clemson at Maryland, noon; North Carolina at Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m.; South Carolina at Georgia, 5:30 p.m.

THIS WEEK'S STORY LINES

CLEMSON: THE TIGERS MUST CORRECT THEIR OFFENSIVE WOES AGAINST MARYLAND BEFORE FACING MIAMI AND BOSTON COLLEGE IN SUCCESSION.

GEORGIA: CANNOT LOSE TO SPURRIER. LAST TIME, THE 'OL' BALL COACH' VISITED ATHENS, GA., HE RAN A TRICK PLAY AT THE END OF THE GAME TO BECOME THE FIRST OPPONENT TO SCORE MORE THAN 50 POINTS IN SANFORD STADIUM.

GEORGIA TECH: MUST AVOID LETDOWN. REMEMBER LAST YEAR. YELLOW JACKETS KNOCKED OFF CLEMSON IN A THRILLER AND THEN FELL FLAT AGAINST NORTH CAROLINA.

SOUTH CAROLINA: GAMECOCKS HAVE TO SHUT DOWN SHOCKLEY TO HAVE A CHANCE. SPURRIER RELISHES THE CHANCE FOR A ROAD UPSET.