2. Alabama (8-0): Alabama had the week off to prepare for #6 LSU this week, and despite Texas's big win against Oklahoma State, I think Alabama is still the more impressive team.
3. Texas (8-0): Dayum Texas, that's the kinda shellackin' people have expected from you all year. With Oklahoma State taken care of, all Texas must do is avoid the upset until they reach Pasadena.
4. Iowa (9-0): Those first three quarters were textbook Iowa football. The last quarter was surreal. If they can play whole games like they played in the first quarter, the Big 10 could be sending a team to the national championship for the third time in four years.
5. Cincinnati (8-0): An admirable performance by Cincinnati and a three touchdown win wasn't enough to keep Iowa from jumping them again. Still, with a backup quarterback in, that's not a bad week for the Bearcats. They get UConn at home this week.
6. Lousiana State (7-1): This is the make or break week for LSU. Will the Tigers keep their national title hopes alive by shocking the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, or will they go quietly to the Capital One Bowl? The Tiger offense is riding high coming off a beatdown of Tulane, but Alabama is NOT Tulane.
7. Texas Christian (8-0): Another weekend, another beatdown of a hapless MWC team. Utah is looming, but the Horned Forgs are in upset avoidance mode against San Diego State on Saturday.
8. Oregon (7-1): How long have I had Oregon ranked over USC? Did I not predict a blowout win and USC embarassment? Thank you, you're welcome. Next up for the Ducks is Stanford, a good team with a penchant for upsetting the #1 ranked team in the Pac-10.
9. Boise State (8-0): It had to happen. Blowout wins over cupcakes in the WAC are not as impressive as blowout wins over media darling USC. Don't worry Boise, the upset bug is bound to bite one of the teams above you.
10. Georiga Tech (8-1): It took them long enough, but they did beat Vandy. Who knew the Commodores would put up that much of a fight for three quarters? The Yellowjackets have a great shot at the ACC title, with Wake Forest visiting them this week.
11. Houston (7-1): Oh Houston, how you get no respect. Maybe it's because you get into shootouts with bad (UTEP) and mediocre teams (Southern Miss). Still, Case Keenum is insane, and you have good wins and only one loss. You'll stay here as long as you keep scoring like '08 Oklahoma.
12. Penn State (8-1): How much do you think the Fighin' JoePas want that Iowa game back? Another big win and Penn State keeps climbing up the rankings.
13. Pittsburgh (7-1): Two Big East teams in the top 15? That's tied for second among BCS conferences with the Big 10, behind only the SEC. Who woulda thunk it? Pittsburgh is a good football team, and good football teams get ranked highly. This highly ranked team gets to beat up Greg Paulus this weekend. Ohh, fun!
14. Miami (FL) (6-2): A one point win over middle-of-the-road Wake Forest is still a win, and in a week where teams above them went down, Miami climbed up. Plus Jacory Harris is the truth. The Cavaliers visit Joe Ro- er, Pro Pla- er, Dolph-... The Cavaliers visit Miami Gardens this weekend.
15. Notre Dame (6-2): Golden Tate is a beast. Really. Three defenders (even if they're WaSU defenders) should not allow him to make that catch. Just insane. Navy corners and safetys be warned- you are about to get Tate'd.
16. Arizona (5-2): The Wildcats avoided a loss by not playing, and move up for it. Those hapless fellows from Washington State visit the desert this weekend, where they will be introduced to perhaps the Pac-10's best defense.
17. Utah (7-1): Perhaps I should concede that 7-1 in the Mountain West really isn't anything to sneeze at, and leave it at that. Besides, Oregon is really good. This week, they face New Mexico. If the Utes are smart, they won't do anything to piss off head-coach-turned-UFC-fighter Mike Locksley. And by that I mean he might punch Kyle Wittingham.
18. Ohio State (7-2): The Buckeyes travel to Happy Valley to get murked by the Nittany Lions this weekend, except nobody cares because the Big-11 is an inferior conference and there's a huge SEC West showdown. Jim Tressel is probably happy for that, because his Buckeys may drop out of the rankings with a third loss.
19. Oklahoma State (6-2): I think Mike Gundy would be okay with it if the Cowboys don't have to play teams from Texas ever again. The Cyclones should be warned, because methinks the Cowpokes will be a bit mad when they visit Iowa State this weekend.
20. Southern Cal (6-2): Haha, I told you so! Pete Carroll isn't going to win the Pac-10 for the first time in eight years, and the Trojans really aren't that good. Who knew? Well, me, for one. USC gets another strong defense test when they travel to Tempe. I know I'm a Sun Devils fan this weekend. Besides, their cheerleaders... waaaay hotter than the Song Girls.
21. Oklahoma (5-3): They're still not the best team in Oklahoma, but a win against a
22. California (6-2): The Golden Bears win again! Back-to-back losses had them counted out, but the Bears are rising from the depths to claim a better bowl bid than the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. Two run happy teams will square off in Cali when Jaquizz Rogers comes to town.
23. Texas Tech (6-3): Mike Leach made sure all his players fat little girlfriends didn't get in their way this week. The Red Raiders get an off week before they face a Dez Bryant-less (they hope) Oklahoma State squad.
24. Wisconsin (6-2): The Badgers must be glad they don't have to play Penn State this year. It could allow them to coast to a 9 or 10 win regular season. Indiana (poor, poor Indiana) is up next. If they're smart, they'll spot them a 14 point lead and let them implode in the 4th quarter. Or they could just, you know, win.
25. South Florida (6-2): Losses to the two best teams in the conference aren't so bad, especially when you beat what was thought to be the third best team in the conference. B.J. Daniels made everyone take notice- the BULLS are the third best team in the Big East!
Dropped from the rankings:
West Virginia (fromerly #16): Sorry, Mountaineers, these rankings are only big enough for three Big East teams.
Virginia Tech (formerly #17): The Hokies scared me by making me think all teams wearing hideous uniforms would lose over Halloween weekend. Fortunately, Oregon looked normal and didn't suffer an upset like the Chokies.
South Carolina (formerly #19): Damn, HBC. You would think you could be able to stop the Kiffins. Then again, Monte did beat you 35-13 in 2002 when you were with the 'Skins...
Ole Miss (formerly #21): Well, Auburn couldn't have had FOUR piss poor games in a row. At least the SEC has lots of bowl tie ins!
Matchups of ranked teams this week:
#2 Alabama vs #6 LSU
#12 Penn State vs #18 Ohio State
Previews forthcoming. Time will allow this week, with no exams or tests to worry about, for the time being.
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