This week's syllabus: Oct. 10-16

__THE FAB FIVE

My look at the top five teams in the country right now

MEN

For all the success the Cowboys have had over the years, OSU amazingly has won no more than one fall tournament in 11 of the past 12 seasons. The only multiple win start came in the fall of the 2004-05 campaign. There's something to shoot for come month's end at Isleworth.

Next event: Isleworth-UCF Invitational, Isleworth CC, Windermere, Fla., Oct. 26-28

__2. USC __(2)

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Jamie Lovemark gets to stay sharp competitively this week by playing for the U.S. side at the World Amateur Team Championship in Australia. Trojan fans have to like that the former NCAA champ made 16 birdies at Inverness Club during last week's Ping/Golfweek Preview and had a .410 birdie conversion percentage. They wouldn't mind seeing that 64.4 percent of fairways hit number rise a little, though.

Next event: Isleworth-UCF Invitational, Isleworth CC, Windemere, Fla., Oct. 26-28

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Are the Mocs for real or not? I feel like I'm playing the childhood game of "Eenie-meenie-minie-moe" in trying to figure out which side of this debate on stand on. Suffice it to say, a good showing this weekend would help everybody figure this one out.

Next event: Brickyard Collegiate, The Brickyard at Riverside, Macon, Ga., Oct. 11-13

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The Fighting Illini's five-stroke victory at the Windon Memorial Classic this past week suggests the team's winning performance at the Olympia Fields event earlier in the fall was no fluke. Nine birdies in the final round from Chris DeForest en route to a 64 at North Shore CC is going to help all the time.

Next event: D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate, Weibring GC at Illinois State, Normal, Ill., Oct. 12-13

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Mention talented freshmen who can have an immediate impact on a team and Wesley Bryan doesn't get mentioned enough. He'll help provide depth and don't be surprised to see him sneak off with an individual title before the season is through.

Next event: Isleworth-UCF Invitational, Isleworth CC, Windemere, Fla., Oct. 26-28

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WOMEN

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How deep do the Bruins appear to be? Consider that their average drop score so far this season is 74.95. That number is lower than the overall average score of seven teams in the Golfstat top 25. Of course, they're going to need all the help they can get considering that they're playing what's currently ranked the nation's fourth toughest schedule this season.

Next event: Stanford Intercollegiate, Stanford GC, Palo Alto, Calif., Oct. 17-19

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Anna Nordqvist,Carlota Ciganda and Azahara Munoz all were in the top five individually at the World Amateur Team Championship after two rounds. Think the Sun Devils aren't loaded?!?

Next event: The Derby Invitational, Auburn University Club, Auburn, Ala., Oct. 24-26

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How is the adjustment to college golf going for U.S. Woman's Amateur Public Links runner-up Jennifer Song? The freshman has hit 50.9 percent of her greens not only in regulation but within 15 feet of the hole.

Next event: Stanford Intercollegiate, Stanford GC, Palo Alto, Calif., Oct. 17-19

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OSU still hasn't played its best golf just yet, but you get the sense that when everybody is back on campus and focused this team can be pretty dangerous. A win at Stanford won't be a surprise and if not there, then in the fall finale at Las Vegas.

Next event: Stanford Intercollegiate, Stanford GC, Palo Alto, Calif., Oct. 17-19

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Admit it coach Kelley Hester ... you and your Bulldog players are getting a little bored right now, sitting on the sidelines, aren't you? At least Krystle Caithness is playing at the World Amateur for her native Scotland.

Next event: The Derby Invitational, Auburn University Club, Auburn, Ala., Oct. 24-26

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STAT OF THE WEEK

158

Number of tournament wins Ohio State men's coach Jim Brown has collected in his 36th seasons in Columbus after the Buckeyes won the rain-shortened Memphis Intercollegiate Tuesday at Colonial CC by three strokes over the host Wildcats. It was the first team title for Brown, who is retiring at the end of this season, since 2004.

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WHAT TO WATCH FOR__

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TOURNAMENTS TO WATCH

MEN__

Brickyard Collegiate Championship

(For live results, link here to Golfstat)

The Brickyard at Riverside, Macon, Ga.

Oct. 11-13

Host: Mercer

Field: Augusta State, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Hartford, Kennesaw State, Mercer, Oregon, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Defending champion: Georgia (33-under 831) by eight strokes over Clemson; Georgia's Harris English (12-under 204) by one stroke over Georgia's Brian Harman

Skinny: Eight teams in the latest Golf World/Nike Golf poll are in the field.

Jerry Pate National Collegiate

Old Overton GC, Birmingham, Ala.

Oct. 12-13

Host: Alabama

Field: Alabama, UAB, Auburn, Baylor, Georgia State, Memphis, North Carolina, UNC-Wilmington, North Florida, Samford, SMU, UNLV

Defending champion: Alabama (42-under 810) by 17 strokes over UAB; Alabama's Mark Harrell and East Tennessee State's Seamus Power (15-under 198)

Skinny: This event is all about going low--the highest winning score by the team champion since 2003 has been 828 (24 under par) and the highest winning score from the individual medalist has been 199 (14 under). Let the birdie barrage begin! ... Meanwhile, the tournament annually raises roughly $20,000 for charities.

D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate

D.A. Weibring GC at Illinois State, Normal, Ill.

Oct. 12-13

Host: Illinois State

Field: Bradley, Creighton, Eastern Illinois, Illinois, Illinois Central, Illinois State, Lewis, Lindenwood, Loyola (Ill.), Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Oakland, Southern Illinois, SIU-Edwardsville, Western Illinois.

Defending champion: Illinois (three-under 837) by 17 strokes over Southern Illinois; Illinois' Chris DeForest (one-under 209) by one stroke over Creighton's John Sutko and Illinois' Jon Krick

Skinny: Given the run the Fighting Illini are on (wins in their last two starts), you've got to make them a heavy favorite with this field.

The Prestige__at PGA West__

(For live scoring, link here to Golfstat)

PGA West (Norman course), La Quinta, Calif.

Host: UC Davis/Stanford

Field: California, UC Davis, UCF, Colorado, Florida Southern, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Pacific, Pepperdine, Rice, Stanford, TCU, Washington

Defending champion: Charlotte (10-under 854) by eight strokes over Stanford; Minnesota's Clayton Rask and Wisconsin's Dan Woltman (eight-under 208)

Skinny: Last year was first time a non-California school had won the tournament in its since 2002.

Xavier Invitational

Oasis GC, Loveland, Ohio

Oct. 13-14

Host: Xavier

Field: Akron, Austin Peay, Ball State, Bowling Green, Campbell, Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky, George Washington, Marquette, Marshall, Maryland, Ohio, Princeton, San Francisco, Toledo, Towson, West Florida, Winthrop, Xavier

Defending champion: Marquette (23-under 841) by two strokes over Campbell and Western Carolina; Western Kentucky's Brent Long (13-under 203) by one stroke over Akron's Colin Clemente

Skinny: Got to like the Golden Eagles chances of repeating, which has only happened once in the tournament's 15-year history (Indiana, 2003-04).

LA Tech/Squire Creek Classic

Squire Creek GC, Choudrant, La.

Oct. 13-14

Host: Louisiana Tech

Field:

Defending champion: Mississippi four-under 860) by two strokes over LSU; Louisiana Tech's Matthew Harvey (seven-under 209) by one stroke over Charleston's Harrison Moore

Skinny:

Del Walker Invitational by Back 9 USA

(For live results, link here to Golfstat)

Virginia CC, Long Beach, Calif.

Oct. 16-17

Host: Long Beach State

Field: Colorado State, CSU-Northridge, Houston, Long Beach State, Loyola Marymount, North Texas, Pacific, San Jose State, UT-San Antonio, UC-Riverside, UC-Irvine, UC-Santa Barbara, Weber State

Defending champion: Colorado State (11-under 841) by one stroke over Pacific; Arizona's Roberto Galletti (nine-under 204) by four strokes over Colorado State's Bryce Hanstad and San Jose State's Stephan Stallworth

Skinny: Thirteen-year-old event is named after Delbert "Del" Walker, a standout golfer and athletic administrator who came out of retirement in 1982 to coach Long Beach State for 12 years, helping the program keep from being cut in 1991.

__WOMEN

Mercedes-Benz Women's Championship __

(For live results, link here to Golfstat)

Fox Den CC, Knoxville, Tenn. (Par 72, 6,058 yards)

Oct. 10-12

Host: Tennessee

Field: Arkansas, UCF, Chattanooga, Denver, Furman, Indiana State, Kent State, Kentucky, LSU, Louisville, Mississippi, North Carolina, N.C. State, South Carolina, SMU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Tulane

Defending champion: Florida (13-over 865) by five strokes over Purdue; Auburn's Cydney Clanton and Florida's Sandra Gal (three-under 210)

Skinny: The Lady Vols will be short-handed in their home event, with Diana Cantu (T-4 last year) playing at the World Amateur and Nicole Smith out with injury.

UNCG-Starmount Fall Classic

(For live results, link here to Golfstat)

Starmount Forest CC, Greensboro, N.C.

Oct. 12-14

Host: UNC-Greensboro

Field: Augusta State, East Carolina, East Tennessee State, Elon, Florida International, Georgia State, Illinois State, James Madison, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi State, UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Wilmington, South Florida, Western Carolina, Winthrop

Defending champion: East Carolina (15-over 583) by eight strokes over UNC-Greensboro; East Carolina's Emelie Lind (one-under 141) by one stroke over High Point's Ann Marie Dalton

Skinny: Lady Pirates started a five-tournament win streak with their victory here in 2007.

Bronco Fall Invitational

SpurWing CC, Meridian, Idaho (Par 72, 6,099 yards)

Oct. 13-14

Host: Boise State

__Field:__Boise State, UC Riverside, Gonzaga, Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, Portland, Portland State, Santa Clara, Southern Utah, Weber State, Wyoming

Defending champion: Nebraska (82-over 946) by 11 strokes over Kansas State; Nebraska's Allison Stewart and Kansas State's Michelle Regan (17-over 233)

Skinny: Host Broncos are hoping that the brutal playing conditions from a year ago don't return and cause a repeat of the unseemly scoring.

Aztec Fall Classic

Salt Creek GC, Chula Vista, Calif. (Par 72, 6,216 yards)

Oct. 13-14

Host: San Diego State

__Field:__CSU Bakersfield, CSU San Marcos, Northern Colorado, North Dakota, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, San Diego State

Defending champion: UC Irvine (17-over 593) by 10 strokes over East Tennessee State and Hawaii; UC-Irvine's Patty Chawalitmetha (two-under 142) by three strokes over CSU Northridge's Krystina Gillenwater

__Skinny:__The Lady Aztec's are hosting the event, but will play their "B" team as the starting five travels to New Mexico State. While traditionally hosting a bigger fall tournament, SDSU has instead pushed that to the spring and will only hold a 36-hole event this week.

Price's Give 'Em Five Intercollegiate

New Mexico State GC, Las Cruses, N.M. (Par 72, 6,319 yards)

Oct. 13-15

Host: New Mexico State

__Field:__Baylor, UC Davis, UC Irvine, Cincinnati, Colorado State, Eastern Washington, Gonzaga, Hawaii, Kansas State, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico State, North Texas, Oklahoma, Oral Roberts, Samford, San Diego State, UTEP

Defending champion: Oklahoma (38-over 902) by four strokes over Idaho; UC Davis' Chelsea Stelzmiller (three-over 219) by one stroke over UC Davis' Bryana Gregory

__Skinny:__Aggies have won their home event only once (2006) since 2001.