October 27, 2009

Steve Megargee
Rivals.com College Football Staff Writer

An early season injury to star wide receiver Michael Floyd was supposed to hinder Notre Dame's high-powered passing attack.

It hasn't quite worked out that way.

With Golden Tate replacing Floyd as the Irish's go-to receiver, Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen has performed equally well -- if not better -- since Floyd broke his collarbone during a 33-30 win over Michigan State in the third week of the season.

Clausen is the new No. 1 quarterback and Tate takes over as the top receiver in this week's Rivals.com College Football Power Rankings, which measure the nation's top performers at each position.

Tate, a junior, caught a career-high 11 passes for 128 yards and was on the receiving end of both of Clausen's touchdown passes Saturday in a 20-16 victory over Boston College. They also continued their season-long flair for the dramatic.

Clausen's 36-yard touchdown completion to Tate with 8:12 remaining helped the Irish rally in the fourth quarter once again. Clausen and Tate also connected for the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter against Michigan State and produced the tying score in a 37-30 overtime triumph over Washington.

"Whatever coverage they're in ? I'm trying to get him the ball as much as I can because he is the playmaker of the team," Clausen said.

Notre Dame's latest victory made Clausen the first Irish quarterback to deliver four fourth-quarter come-from-behind victories in one season. He also brought Notre Dame from behind in the fourth quarter of the Michigan game, though the Wolverines rallied to win in the final minute. Clausen, who ranks second in the nation in passing efficiency, has accounted for 13 touchdowns (12 passes, one run) and no turnovers when the Irish are tied or trailing this season.

Tate has caught 52 passes for 847 yards and eight touchdowns. He has compiled at least 100 receiving yards in three consecutive games, making him the first Notre Dame receiver to accomplish that feat since Derrick Mayes in 1995.

"Last year, I was just one of those guys that pretty much ran past guys," Tate said. "I didn't understand the concept of cover-two. ... This year, I understand it."

Clausen took over the No. 1 quarterback ranking from Florida's Tim Tebow, who threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns Saturday in a 29-19 victory over Mississippi State. Tate moved ahead of Kansas' Dezmon Briscoe, who had seven catches for 60 yards in a 35-13 loss to Oklahoma.

This week's rankings feature a couple of more changes at the top.

West Virginia's Noel Devine regained his spot as the No. 1 running back after scoring the winning touchdown on a 56-yard run with 2:10 left in a 28-24 victory over Connecticut. Devine finished with 178 yards and moved ahead of Alabama's Mark Ingram, who rushed for 99 yards in a 12-10 victory over Tennessee.

Pittsburgh's Dorin Dickerson moved to the top of the tight end rankings after making his ninth touchdown catch of the season in a 41-14 rout of USF. Dickerson took over the top spot from BYU's Dennis Pitta, who caught four passes for 62 yards in a 38-7 loss to TCU.

Oklahoma State offensive tackle Russell Okung, Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood, Tennessee strong safety Eric Berry, Clemson kick returner C.J. Spiller, Florida coach Urban Meyer, Houston offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen and Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong remained atop their respective positions.

The power rankings are released each Tuesday during the regular season. The ranking of a player and coach can fluctuate each week during the season depending on how he fared the previous week. The power rankings measure overall career performances as well as their most recent results. Our coordinator rankings exclude coordinators who don't call their own plays or signals.

Rivals.com Power Rankings by Position: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | LB | DB | ST
Coaches Power Rankings: Head Coach | Off. Coordinator | Def. Coordinator

Steve Megargee is a national writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at smegargee@rivals.com.