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Whatever happened to making plays? The Irish (1-2) haven't for the most part and became a Power Poll casualty this week, dropping out after rising as high as No. 15.

Last Saturday, Notre Dame quarterback Jarious Jackson was about to enter the periphery of Heisman talk after a fast start against Michigan. Now there are serious questions about his leadership ability. There was not one but two botched drives in Saturday's 28-23 loss to No. 14 Purdue.

Most replays have focused on Jackson taking a 9-yard loss with his team on the Purdue 2-yard line with 16 seconds remaining. But at the end of the first half, there was a screw-up of monumental proportion. Jackson completed a 17-yard pass to the Purdue 23. He wanted to down the ball, but instead lined up behind a guard as the kicking team formed behind him.

Weird.

Take away the legends about legendary and lisping coaches and Notre Dame is an average independent program. It's not challenging for a national championship anytime soon and doesn't have a conference title to shoot for. It's purgatory on earth.

The next five games are at Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish will have to win them all if they want to get that coveted Gator Bowl berth. So as we bid goodbye to Notre Dame's national championship chances for another year, the Power Poll embraces the newfound chances of Florida, Miami, Michigan and Nebraska.

The No. 4 Gators (2-0) sent a message to No. 2 Tennessee (1-0) by wiping out Central Florida 58-27. Don't be alarmed by those 27 points. The starters were out by halftime, probably back in the locker room studying Volunteers film.

The Swamp will be ready for payback Saturday after No. 2 Tennessee built the foundation of its national championship last season by beating the Gators.

No. 6 Miami has its biggest chance in years. No, the Hurricanes (2-0) aren't all the way back, but they will be if they beat No. 3 Penn State on Saturday. The Nittany Lions stumbled and were lucky to get a 20-17 victory over Pittsburgh.

No. 7 Michigan (2-0) continued to roll with a 34-point victory over Rice, but the quarterback controversy continues. Sophomore Drew Henson slightly outplayed senior Tom Brady in the 37-3 victory over the Owls. Henson threw for 109 yards, Brady 115 yards. But it was Henson who was more efficient in getting the Wolverines in the end zone.

"You know (Rice coach) Ken Hatfield has been in the game 22 years and he talked to me before the game," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "He said, 'Lloyd you've got a wonderful situation there.' And indeed I do."

If you think that's a bunch of baloney consider the burgeoning controversy at No. 10 Nebraska. The Huskers are 2-0 with coach Frank Solich walking a tightrope between Eric Crouch and Bobby Newcombe. Crouch became the first Nebraska player since Johnny Rodgers in 1973 to catch, run for and throw for a touchdown.

Both Newcombe and Crouch would prefer that there's a clear-cut No. 1, but Solich doesn't want a mutiny on his hands if he does make a choice. There should be some separation this week when Southern Mississippi (2-0) brings its stout defense to Lincoln.

Meanwhile, read 'em and sleep it off ...