NCAA Top 25 (Week 4)

1. LSU Tigers (4-0) LW 3
It's hard for a team to jump up to the #1 ranking with the two teams ahead of them not losing. But when the Tigers have beaten 3 ranked teams it makes a ton of sense. The LSU defense might be their best one in years and the offense continues to get better. As long as Jarrett Lee doesn't turn the ball over this team can win every game on their schedule.

2. Oklahoma Sooners (3-0) LW 1
Even though they beat a good Florida State team and a tough Missouri team, they do fall a spot in the rankings. They are still one of the elite teams in the country but they don't have the resume of LSU. But Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles lead this offense and the defense is one of the best in the nation. They should win the Big 12 easily.

3. Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0) LW 2
Arkansas was thought to be a potential sleeper in the SEC West, but the Tide had little trouble with them. Alabama's defense slowed down one of the best offenses in the country and QB AJ McCarron continues to improve. The key is whether McCarron can make plays on 3rd down against elite SEC teams. That will be the difference between being a Champion and being a Cotton Bowl team.


4. Boise State Broncos (3-0) LW 4
Although dominating wins over lesser teams are nice to have, it would be great to see Boise State play better competition. QB Kellen Davis continues shine and while the Broncos should coast till their match up against Air Force at the end of October.

5. Stanford Cardinal (3-0) LW 5
The Cardinal got a week off after beating a high powered offense in Arizona. The rest will be well deserved for this power running team. Andrew Luck has gotten even better this year completing a higher percentage of throws compared to last year despite not having two of his top weapons. Colorado should offer no trouble to this team.

6. Wisconsin Badgers (4-0) LW 6
It was another dominating week of Wisconsin football. In their game against South Dakota the Badgers did what they were suppose to do. Dominate. That's what they have done against three lesser opponents. This team led by Russell Wilson looks like the class of the Big 10 and a contender for a National Title. Their match up against Nebraska this weekend should be a must watch.

7. South Carolina Gamecocks (4-0) LW 7
For the first time under Steve Spurrier, the Gamecocks are 4-0. They also beat a Vanderbilt team that has been playing some good football lately. If the Gamecocks want to continue their undefeated streak they are going to have to get better production out of Stephen Garcia. 4 INTs against any other team in the SEC might result in a loss.

8. Oregon Ducks (3-1) LW 8
After their loss to LSU, its been very quiet for the Ducks. They aren't getting a whole lot of attention, despite putting up some gaudy numbers. But that might be the best thing for this program to get their confidence back. This past week they drubbed Arizona 25. It also marked the second straight game that LeMichael James has rushed for over 200 yards.

9. Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-0) LW 10
After trailing 20-3 in the first half of their game against Texas A&M you had to be wondering if the Cowboys were overrated? But the Cowboys regrouped and dominated the second half in route to a one point victory over the previously #12 ranked Aggies. Justin Blackmon who was contained in the first half was a big reason for the Cowboys offense in the 2nd half, but it was the turnovers that sealed the deal.

10. Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-0) LW 11
It may have not been pretty, but the Huskers are 4-0 heading into their first ever Big 10 conference schedule. And they'll be greeted by the #6 ranked Wisconsin Badgers. If the Huskers want to continue their unbeaten streak they need to sure up the defense that was once feared, but not is giving up points and yards to teams that are the bottom of the rankings.

11. Clemson Tigers (4-0) LW 18
Clemson may finally be living up to their potential. They got their second straight big win over a Florida State team that was ranked as high as #5 in the AP Poll. This is a team that you have to watch out for. They have a good defense lead by their defensive line and their offense is full of play makers. But their toughest test will come this weekend when they face off against #12 ranked Virginia Tech in Blacksburgh. A win over the Hokies would be huge for this team.

12. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-0) LW 13
The Hokies took care of business against Marshall in their final non-conference game. A 20 point win wasn't spectacular, but it got the job done. Now the Hokies have to get ready to host #11 ranked Clemson who might be one of the hottest teams in college football. This could also be a preview of the ACC Championship game. The Hokies are known for their defense and have to bring it against a very explosive Tiger attack.

13. Arkansas Razorbacks (3-1) LW 9
In a game that a lot of people had their eyes on, it wasn't much of a fight for the Razorbacks. Alabama's stout defense held down the Arkansas offense and only allowed them 14 points. Arkansas needs to bounce back from this game and it starts with former Southwest Conference rival Texas A&M this weekend. The Razorbacks have a chance to keep the Aggies reeling after their collapse against Oklahoma State. But the Razorbacks have to pick it up on defense.

14. Florida Gators (4-0) LW 16
The Gators continue to roll after knocking off SEC foe Kentucky. They struggled at first but the combination of Demps and Rainey took control and produced over 200 yards between the two of them. But we'll find out how good this Gator team is when they host #3 ranked Alabama. The key will be if the Gators offense can put up points on the Alabama defense. If they can they have a shot to win. But that isn't an easy task.

15. South Florida Bulls (4-0) LW 17
South Florida started early and never looked back in their win over UTEP. The Bulls continue to look strong as they prepare themselves for Big East play. BJ Daniels lead the way with 202 yards passing and another 130 yards rushing. Now they have to face off against a Pitt team that had both Notre Dame and Iowa beaten in 4th quarter before losing.

16. Texas A&M Aggies (2-1) LW 12
Going into halftime it looked like the Aggies were on their way to a victory over #10 ranked Oklahoma State. They held the Cowboys high powered offense to only 3 points and had a 17 point lead. However they let the Cowboys back into the game and costly turnovers swung the momentum away. A&M needs to forget about this loss and get ready to play an Arkansas team that is also coming off a tough loss.

17. Baylor Bears (3-0) LW 19
Baylor improve their record to 3-0 off of a huge victory over Rice. Robert Griffin lead the way with 338 yards passing and 5 touchdowns and 51 yards rushing and another score. Rice was completely over matched the the Bears lead was never in question. Next week the Bears get an easy conference opener against a Kansas State team that knocked off Miami.

18. West Virginia Mountaineers (3-1) LW 15
Despite a strong performance of QB Geno Smith, the LSU defense was too much of a match for the Mountaineers. Smith was picked off twice and recovered two more fumbles that enabled them to rout the Mountaineers. Now we all knew that West Virginia wasn't on the same level, but you have to take note that they were able to move the ball against arguably the top defense in the nation. But West Virginia does need to shore up a defense that let LSU's pedestrian offense score over 40 points.

19. Texas Longhorns (3-0) LW 20
Texas enjoyed a week off after they defeated UCLA two weeks ago. This break will allow new starting QB Chase McCoy more time to get familiar with the 1st string offense. This week they face off against an Iowa State team that is also undefeated and looking to knock off the Longhorns two years in a row.

20. TCU Horned Frogs (3-1) LW 21
It was a struggle for most of the first half for the Horned Frogs, but when they got going they rolled FCS Portland State 55-13. TCU continues to get better from their opening week loss to Baylor and is starting to get more comfortable with their personal. However they did loose their leading tackler Tanner Brock to injury.

21. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-0) LW 23
In a match up of ACC surprises the Yellow Jackets were able to get the better of the UNC Tar Heels and improve to a perfect 4-0 record. After a down year, Georgia Tech has gotten their groove back running ball. Up next is a NC State team that has been a major disappointment so far this season. The Yellow Jackets should stay unbeaten before a tough three game stretch against Miami, Clemson, and VaTech.

22. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1) LW 22
It looks like the Buckeyes have found their QB. Freshman Braxton Miller was impressive in his first start of the season in a win over Colorado. Now with if the Buckeyes can sneak a victory away from Michigan State they could be a good position with 5 key players returning from suspension. This could be a Buckeye team on the rise.

23. Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0) LW 24
After the high of knocking off Arizona State, the Illini suffered a scare to Western Michigan. Illinois had to come back in the 2nd half to knock off the MAC foe and improve to a 4-0 record which is the best since 1951. Now they have to face off against in state rival Northwestern to look to continue this hot start.

24. Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-2) LW 25
It took overtime, but the Bulldogs snapped their two game losing steak and returned their record to .500. I know some people have dropped Mississippi State from their rankings, but I still feel this is a quality team that is going to knock off some SEC powers. Just wait and see.

25. Florida State Seminoles (2-2) LW 14
I never really bought into the Seminole hype. The AP had them ranked as high as #5 before their loss to Oklahoma. Now they have lost two straight and look to be trailing Clemson in the division. Now I'm not saying that FSU is a bad team. But they are young and had to face Clemson without starting QB EJ Manuel. But the Noles still have a lot to prove before I'm ready to move them back into the upper half of the top 25.