Week 10 was not too eventful at the top of the rankings,
but there were some interesting developments. Oregon’s defense was finally
exposed. The Tide got tested. Colin Klein got injured and the team still won
fairly big. Notre Dame escaped with an ugly win against Pitt. The SEC’s
mid-level teams struggled with average non-AQ teams. Boise lost at home for the
4th time since 2000. It was a surprising and interesting week.
Welcome to college football in November! Oh, and remember that time when
Arizona was ranked? Good times.
Top 25
Others receiving votes: Boise State, Nevada, South
Carolina, TCU, Texas Tech
Dropped from the rankings: Boise State (10), Texas Tech
(19), West Virginia (25)
25. (NR) Washington (5-4) – How many teams can say have
multiple top 10 wins? Forget the SEC West. The Pac-12 North is the class of
college football.
24. (24) Toledo (8-1) – A bye week finally came for the
potent offense, but not too serious of a bye. They play Tuesday night against
scrappy Ball State.
23. (23) Rutgers (7-1) – They need to stay focused so
that season finale against Louisville means something.
22. (14) Mississippi State (7-2) – They have now has two
big losses in a row. But they were to arguably the two toughest matchups in the
conference. One more loss and they may completely unravel.
21. (21) USC (6-3) – They performed admirably on offense
and dreadfully on defense. Not surprising.
20. (NR) Texas (7-2) – I thought this team was dead, but
that win in Lubbock is impressive.
19. (22) Oklahoma (6-2) – Their last four games are among
the best offenses in the country. We will see how that defense holds. The bye
week could not have come at a better time.
18. (18) Nebraska (7-2) – A nice, ugly, squeaked-out road
win is exactly what this team needed. They have no cushion in the division…that
is until Michigan loses to the Buckeyes.
17. (NR) UCLA (7-2) – Their win against Nebraska is
looking better, but I still cannot completely take them seriously until I
figure out that loss to Cal.
16. (11) LSU (7-2) – They showed some fight against Bama,
but the whole time it just felt like a fluke. I wouldn’t be surprised if they
lose one more before the postseason.
15. (20) Northern Illinois (9-1) – Jordan Lynch and
company continue their dominance of the MAC.
14. (17) Louisiana Tech (8-1) – How amazing would a
LT-NIU Famous Idaho Potato Bowl be to kick off the bowl season? Forget last
year’s Alamo Bowl. These teams could go for 80 apiece!
13. (16) Texas A&M (7-2) – This offense is going to
be an interesting match against the Tide, who just finished their first real
physical game of the year. Upset alert?
12. (16) Stanford (7-2) – The Cardinal are the real
darkhorse in the Pac. Eventually they will be able to close out a game against
Oregon. Is it this year? Their defense is stout and not like any the Ducks have
faced so far.
11. (8) Florida (8-1) – Struggling against Missouri is
not what the Gators needed. Questions about that offense are beginning to
arise, as well as their tackling ability on defense.
10. (12) Clemson (8-1) – This team is looking at an
at-large bid if they win out.
9. (13) Oregon State (7-1) – They had a really nice win
against ASU last night, and they seem to have found their best option at QB. No
one wants to play this team.
8. (9) Louisville (9-0) – Teddy Bridgewater is the real
deal. This team is going to have quite the showdown with the dominant defense
in the conference Rutgers to close the season.
7. (7) Georgia (8-1) – Their defense is still beyond
suspect, but take away that horrid first quarter against the Gamecocks, and
this team is likely undefeated.
6. (5) Florida State (8-1) – The week off will help them
refocus and lock up that ACC Championship Game appearance.
5. (6) Ohio State (10-0) – There is almost no chance they
lose this season. So if they were eligible, would they be number 2 in the
polls? I kinda think so…
4. (4) Notre Dame (9-0) – They are one win away from an
automatic BCS Bowl bid. I hate that rule. Eventually, though, these ugly wins
are just going to be wins. Ask 2010 Auburn.
3. (3) Oregon (9-0) – Wow, did you see that “improved”
Duck defense?! They aren’t the same Ducks as the past couple years! Oh, wait…
2. (2) Kansas State (9-0) – Even when Klein got injured,
they still looked like they were in control, despite only scoring 6 points
during that span. The Wildcat defense is stronger than anyone thinks.
1. (1) Alabama (9-0) – They survived a scare and barring
a huge upset by Texas A&M in Tuscaloosa, the Tide will roll to the
Championship.
Heisman Trophy Watch
This race is shaping up great. The five main candidates
are from different conferences. Hopefully, however, the voters will not be
biased and vote for the best player, like last year when RG3 even had the
majority of SEC-country’s votes. Here is how the obvious top 5 rank right now:
5. Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State – He is going to lead
his team to one of the easiest unbeaten seasons ever. His rushing and passing
are both vastly improved from last year. It is scary to think what he could do
as a junior and senior under Urban Meyer.
4. AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama – He
led the game-winning TD drive in a matchup of top 5 teams. Heisman moment,
anyone?
3. Manti Te’o, LB, Notre Dame – He had a quiet game in
Notre Dame’s struggle against Pitt. But he is still the best player on the
team. How often are all the candidates on unbeaten teams?
2. Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon – He finally showed what his
stats look like when he needs more than 15 carries. 300+ rushing yards and 5
TDs. Most of those yards were before contact, so it is probably mostly the
O-line, but those numbers are just sick. That is normally enough to get votes.
Just ask Monte Ball.
1. Colin Klein, QB, Kansas State – If he is not too
seriously injured and has a solid last few games (and goes 12-0), then he
should coast to the win.
BCS Projections
Rose Bowl – Nebraska (Big Ten) over Oregon State (At-large)
Orange Bowl – Florida State (ACC) over Rutgers (Big East)
Sugar Bowl – LSU (At-large) over Notre Dame (At-large)
Fiesta Bowl – Kansas State (Big 12) over Clemson
(At-large)
BCS Title Game – Alabama (SEC) over Oregon (Pac-12)
What do you think? Give me your rankings in the comments!
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