Campus review, Oct. 12

GOLF WORLD Players of the Week

__Week of Oct. 2-8

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Billy Horschel, Florida__

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__WOMEN

Ashley Knoll, Texas A&M__

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__THE FAB FIVE

My look at the top-five teams in the country__

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1. Alabama—Victory at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate earlier this week was the third win in three starts for coach Jay Seawell’s Crimson Tide, a team that has also benefited from a Tulane transfers (Michael Thompson)

__2. Oklahoma State __—The defending NCAA champs played well in final round of the Ping/Golfweek Preview, with Jonathan Moore posting his first sub-70 round of the year. Meanwhile, last year’s national player of the year, Pablo Martin, looks to be in solid form with two top-10 finishes

3. UCLA—Arguably the deepest team in the country. Coach O.D. Vincent will play two separate squads in different events this fall to get everybody the most competition heading into spring.

__4. Florida __—Coach Buddy Alexander feared his team might suffer from diaper rash with so many freshmen playing this season, but a victory at the Ping/Golfweek Preview has the Gators’ fortunes looking bright.

5. Clemson—Tigers’ young squad is still meshing, but second-place showing at Carpet Capital Classic shows its potental.

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__WOMEN

__2. Georgia __—The Bulldogs have a deeper roster than any year since winning the 2001 NCAA title. More importantly, they’re no longer afraid of Duke.

__3. Arizona State __—The Sun Devils were missing two players because of the World Team Amateur competition in South Africa, yet still managed a third-place finish at the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational.

__4. UCLA __—The Bruins have played solidly after the loss of Jane Park and Amie Cochran, posting a pair of third-place finishes at the Mason Rudolph and NCAA Preview.

__5. Auburn __—An eighth-place finish at the Lady Tar Heel wasn’t pretty, but talent is still on Tigers’ side.

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__STAT OF THE WEEK

60__

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WHAT TO WATCH FOR

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__TOURAMENT TO WATCH

Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship__

Oct. 13-15  (For live scoring, click here)

Cherokee CC, Knoxville, Tenn.

__Field:__Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Furman, Georgia, Kent State, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Northwestern, Penn State, SMU, Tennessee

Defending champion: Georgia (30-over 882); Amanda McCurdy, Arkansas (even-par 213)

Skinny: The 10th annual event includes the Legends of Women’s Golf Banquet, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to women’s golf in the U.S. This year’s professional honor will be given to Carol Mann, who is ninth in all-time victories on the LPGA Tour and helped shape the modern tour as it’s president in the mid-1970s. The amateur honor goes to Dr. Mary Budke, an eight time Oregon Women’s Amateur champion and the victorious captain of the 2002 U.S. Curtis Cup squad.