Week 13 rankings

So, nothing too crazy happened this weekend. USC's defense managed a shutout. Taylor Mays and co. were tremndously helped out by the fact that they had a bye-week. By the way, they're still not ranked. You don't climb back in with a bye week.

In the only matchup of ranked teams, LSU fell to Mississippi on what has got to be one of the dumbest plays I have ever seen. Why wait until there's single digits on the clock, Les? You rarely see hail marys completed, and once you do you gotta get your field goal team out there. If anyone was wondering, I was going to blog about how I think LSU will win a close one, because Dexter McCluster scares me- looks like I was right on one count. Anyways, without further ado, here's this week's top teams.

1. Florida (11-0): Yes, they're back at number one. I think this is the fifth time Florida and Alabama have switched spots in the rankings, which says a lot about these clubs. Florida dominated a better team in FIU compared to Alabama's dominating (but less so) performance against a I-AA team.
2. Alabama (11-0): As long as Alabama shows up this week, they're going to beat Auburn (probably). What more can I say? If they and Florida take care of business as they should, the National SEC Championship in Atlanta will be the most important game of the year.
3. Texas (11-0): The Longhorns are still hanging around. They get to beat up on the Aggies before Nebraska gives them a much tougher game than anyone thinks they will.
4. Texas Christian (11-0): This is why college football needs a playoff. Many times over the past few weeks I've considered moving the Horned Frogs up to number three. That they don't get to play for a championship is a damn shame. Can we at least get a plus one?
5. Cincinnati (10-0): The Bearcats got a week heal the wounded (Tony Pike- remember him?) before pretty much a scrimmage against Illinois this week. I bet Cincy would love it if Nebraska were to show up Texas in two weeks... But Cincy has to win in Pittsburgh for it to matter.
6. Boise State (11-0): The best thing about Boise State? Drinking games! Drink for a first down, drink for a score- when you're watching Boise State, have at least a sixer for yourself. They can put up points with the best of 'em. Unfortunately (and don't I sound like a broken record), they're not putting points up against the best of 'em.
7. Georgia Tech (10-1): The Yellowjackets may have picked a dangerous time to play the Bulldogs... UGA VII just died, and the Dawgs pissed away a big lead to Kentucky. I don't think the Jackets will lose, but Georgia is going to be playing for pride big time this weekend. Still, pride is only worth so much with a defense as pourous as Georgia's- Tech is probably going to run them into the ground.
8. Pittsburgh (9-1): A showdown against West Virginia looms large on Friday. If the Panthers win, they play in the (de facto) Big East championship game against Cincinnati to end the season. They probably won't get to the national championship even if they win, but this is college football, and crazy things can happen.
9. Oregon (9-2): A hard fought win against Arizona keeps them atop the Pac 10. Oregon State is a good football team, and I'd be surprised not to see some offensive fireworks next weekend. Whoever wins that wins the Pac 10, and earns the right to stomp Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.
10. Ohio State (10-2): Ugh. Man, I hate Ohio State. They get a month off while the real teams play their extended schedules and championship games. Tressel and co. need to start couting down the days until their latest BCS humiliation.
11. Oklahoma State (9-2): You know what I was saying about Oklahoma always being able to beat the Cowboys? I'm not so sure now that they can't beat the Sooners. They struggled against Colorado, but ultimately won. Oklahoma, on the other hand, struggled to put up points against Texas Tech. Oklahoma State could be looking at an 11-2 season and top five finish.
12. Penn State (10-2): It took them awhile to get going, but they put away Michigan State. Now they too get a month off to prepare for a BCS/Capital One/Outback bowl.
13. Iowa (10-2): They never really got it going against Minnesota, but it was enough. As is the case with Ohio State and Penn State, they get a month off before their BCS/Capital One/Outback bowl.
14. Ole Miss (8-3): Well... it looks very probable that the Rebels will have a ten win season. Somehow, the folks in Oxford probably won't look at that as a big accomplishment. Still, a ten win season is nothing to sneeze about.
15. Louisiana State (8-3): Les Miles... two seasons removed from a national championship, and maybe on the hot seat. The debacle at the end of the Ole Miss game was a shame, but the Tigers have a chance to rebound against Arkansas. However, the Hogs can be dangerous, and LSU is still in danger of finishing with the same record as last year.
16. Houston (9-2): Case Keenum didn't linger on the loss to UCF. The Cougars are back in the hunt for the C-USA championship, and only Rice remains before a championship game with Souther Miss or East Carolina.
17. Virginia Tech (8-3): The Hokies only have to beat Virginia Tech before playing in a good bowl. A chance for a ten win season is still a distinct possibility.
18. Clemson (8-3): The annual showdown with South Carolina is this weekend before the ACC Championship game against Georgia Tech. That should be a fun one to watch with Tech's triple option and Thunder and Lighting. First thing's first though, as South Carolina will be playing with hate in their hearts and pride on the line.
19. Miami (FL) (8-3): Duke showed some toughness, but unfortunately for them, teams play 60 minutes, not 30. Miami continues to impress me with their non-conference scheduling. They travel to Raymond James Stadium to determine the second best college football team in the state of Florida.
20. Oregon State (8-3): The Civil War looms large. It's winner-take-all in Eugene. Jaquizz Rogers and company will have to be at their best to knock off a very good Ducks team.
21. Nebraska (8-3): The Cornhuskers will need to be sharp against Colorado. With their ticket punched to the Big 12 championship game, the Huskers can't relent if they want to finish high in the rankings. I think they have a shot at beating Texas with their defense, but that's contingent on beating Colorado.
22. California (8-3): They've climbed their way back into the rankings, and their latest win was over red-hot Stanford. Their final game against Washington could be a trap game, but I think the Bears will win it for a chance at a ten win season.
23. North Carolina (8-3): After annihilating BosCo, North Carolina finds themselves ranked going into the last week of the season. The matchup against North Carolina State shouldn't provide too much of a problem, but then again, they did lost to Florida State. Still, they'll probably win and get into a good bowl game.
24. Utah (9-2): Holy War will go a long way in determining which non-BCS darling gets a better bowl game. The game may be in Provo, but I think this team is a bit tougher than BYU and should pull it out.
25. BYU (9-2): How much do you think they hate Florida State and TCU right now? The Cougars get one more shot to knock off a big name team against Utah.

Dropped from the rankings:
Wisconsin (formerly #15): You can't lose to Northwestern and stay ranked, especially if you play in the Big 10. They also screwed up their chance for a good bowl game. Oh well. Easy come, easy go.
Stanford (formerly #16): Their quick rise to glory is matched by their equally quick fall. The giant-killers go down, and perhaps unfairly so. With a win against Notre Dame, they may find themselves ranked again going into bowl season.

Matchups of ranked teams this weekend:
Only one, the Holy War- #24 Utah @ #25 BYU. Preview of this matchup... maybe? It's Thanksgiving week, I shouldn't be too busy.