1. LSU Tigers (8-0)
Even without their top running back and playmaker on defense, the Tigers continued to roll in defeating Auburn. But the true test will come this week when they face off against Alabama in what might be the defacto National Championship Game. If LSU wins this game they'll be in the driver’s seat to the BCS Title Game.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0)
After struggling with Tennessee for most of the first half, the Tide kicked it into gear and ended up cruising to a easy win. But they cannot afford to get off the a slow start next week when they face off against #1 LSU. We are going to witness one heck of a game and know who the best team in the Nation is.
3. Stanford Cardinal (7-0)
Because of Stanford's weak non-conference schedule, we really don't know how good they really are. This past weekend we got a good glimpse of what they might be. Washington was coming into the game at 5-1 and some thought they could give Stanford a run for their money. However behind a school record 446 yards rushing the Cardinal dominated the Huskies and showed that they are a team you have to consider for the National Title picture.
4. Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-0)
Missouri was no match for the high powered Cowboys in a 45-24 beat down. Oklahoma State is looking like a team that could win their first ever Big 12 Championship. However star WR Justin Blackmon suffered an apparent concussion and might miss their game against Baylor next week. If he is gone, it will be a big lose. But Baylor is reeling and the Cowboys could win in another route.
5. Boise State Broncos (7-0)
The Broncos were able to hold off the hard charging Air Force squad that gave them everything that they can handle. However the Falcons had no answer for Kellen Moore and the offense lead the way to a 37-26 victory. Just looking at the score doesn't do much for Boise State fans, but the triple option that Air Force runs is very difficult to defend. Boise State now has to hope they don't have a letdown game at UNLV before their match up with TCU in two weeks.
6. Clemson Tigers (8-0)
For a while North Carolina was right there against Clemson. However the Tigers exploded for 35 points in the 3rd quarter and blew the game wide open. Clemson is now off to their best start in years and look to be the class of the ACC. Next week they face off against Georgia Tech who has struggled the past two weeks. As long as their defense keeps playing well the Tigers have the offense to beat anybody in the nation.
7. Oregon Ducks (6-1)
It still amazes me how little we are hearing from the Ducks. Yeah they didn't look the best when they lost to LSU in the first week. But they keep blowing teams out and yet stay under the radar. Doesn't seem like the same Oregon program we have seen the past couple of years. This week they face off against a Washington State team that is improved, but Oregon shouldn't have any issues with. But don't look for the Ducks to be challenged till they face off against Stanford at the end of November.
8. Oklahoma Sooners (7-1)
Here is a great example how you can't overlook opponents. Texas Tech is improved, but they are not at the same level as the Sooners. Offensively the Sooners were good with over 500 total yards and 38 points. What makes matters worse is that they have to travel to Kansas State and face the undefeated Wildcats. But the good thing is that their schedule sets up that if they win out they can get right back into the title picture. But it won't be easy.
9. Michigan State Spartans (6-1)
For a second straight year the Spartans ruined the Badgers perfect season. This year they needed a hail marry at the end of the game to do so. If it wasn't for that loss to Notre Dame this could be ranked even higher. But the Spartans cannot rest after their big win. They have to travel to Nebraska and face off against the Huskers to see who will represent the Leaders Division in the first Big 10 Championship Game.
10. Wisconsin Badgers (6-1)
Don't be surprised if the Badgers start scheduling more difficult match ups in the non-conference season. Against their toughest opponent so far this season, the Badgers struggled and didn't look like the same team that ran all over their first six opponents. Russell Wilson wasn't his accurate self, missing wide open receivers and they made some bad mistakes on special teams that lost them the game. They still have an opportunity to get back into the hunt, but now they have to rely on other teams to lose instead of controlling their destiny.
11. Arkansas Razorbacks (6-1)
How bad would it had been for the Razorbacks if they would have lost to SEC cellar dweller Ole Miss? However we don't have to worry about that because the Razorbacks rallied from 17 points down to win the game and keep their momentum going. If the Razorbacks can beat South Carolina and LSU and beat up on the lower SEC teams they could sneak into the SEC Title game or even a BCS bowl for the 2nd straight year.
12. South Carolina Gamecocks (6-1)
South Carolina took a week off to rest and regroup before they finish the season. But they have to so without their best player RB Marcus Lattimore. That puts even more pressure on QB Connor Shaw who took over for Stephen Garcia earlier this season. This next week they travel to Tennessee before taking on an Arkansas team that is very dangerous. The Gamecocks cannot afford any slip ups if they want to get back to their 2nd straight SEC Title Game.
13. Virginia Tech Hokies (7-1)
Virginia Tech is another team that is staying under the radar. They did lose to Clemson a couple of weeks ago, but didn't look bad doing so. They regrouped after they lost and have won three straight since. Their remaining schedule is very winnable with only Georgia Tech and North Carolina who should challenge them. If they run the table they have the chance to get their rematch with Clemson at the ACC Championship game.
14. Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-1)
The Huskers have bounced back pretty well after their Big 10 initiation beat down by Wisconsin. They rallied to beat Ohio State and thoroughly handled a bad Minnesota team. But what is most important is that their offense has seemed to find their identity as a running team that is going to wear you down and beat you deep when you load the box. However they run into a Michigan State team this weekend that is coming off of a big win against Wisconsin. Nebraska is hoping that the Spartans are still riding high after their big win and come in less focused to Lincoln. This game could decide who faces off against Wisconsin in the Big 10 Title Game.
15. Kansas State Wildcats (7-0)
In their game against in state rival Kansas, the Wildcats made it pretty clear that they were the better team. 59-21 They overpowered the lowly Jayhawks to improve their undefeated record to 7-0. But now we get to see how good the Wildcats really are. They host Oklahoma this week who is coming off an embarrassing loss to Texas Tech. Oklahoma is looking to prove that their loss was fluke and want to take it out on KState.
16. Michigan Wolverines (6-1)
After their tough loss to Michigan State two weeks ago, Michigan was one of many teams that had their mid-season break. The rest of their season sets up pretty good for the Wolverines. Every game they have left they have a shot to win. Especially the last game against of the season against hated rival Ohio State.
17. Houston Cougars (7-0)
Once again the Cougars are flirting with an undefeated season. The biggest key is having a healthy Case Keenum at QB. Keenum in his 6th season with the Cougars is the perfect QB for their Air Raid spread offense. Against Marshall this past Saturday Houston dominated putting up 68 points in the Thundering Herd. It's pretty clear that the Cougars are the class of Conference USA and shouldn't be challenged till the play against SMU.
18. Texas A&M Aggies (5-2)
The Aggies used their two headed monster at running back to run wild over the Cyclones this past week. Both Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael ran for over 100 yards in the 33-17 win. Now the Aggies have to remain focused on a down but still dangerous Missouri team before they play Oklahoma and Kansas State in back to back weeks. Can't look past the Tigers who have the talent to beat A&M.
19. Arizona State Sun Devils (5-2)
After their disappointing let down against Oregon the Sun Devils took a week off to regroup for the rest of their season. A second half that doesn't look to daunting. Colorado, UCLA, Arizona, Washington State, and Cal are all games the Sun Devils should win. They should be entering the Pac 12 Title game on a 5 game winning streak and plenty of confidence before their match up with either Stanford or Oregon.
20. Auburn Tigers (5-3)
Auburn has lost 3 games this year but look who they have lost to. Clemson, Arkansas, and LSU. Defenitely not something to be ashamed of. Auburn has gone out and exceed everybody expectations so far this year. Nobody expected them to be a contender for the SEC and some (me included) didn't think they'd make a bowl game. But they have two should wins on their schedule and game against Georgia that they very well could win. This season might be a better coaching job from Chizik than last year was.
21. Penn State Nittany Lions (7-1)
You probably haven't heard much about Penn State this year, but they are off to a 7-1 record and their only loss was to an Alabama team that is considered to be one of the two best teams in the nation. Now Penn State has accumulated wins this season by beating up on a pretty weak early schedule. We'll be finding out how good the Nittany Lions really are with their four game schedule to end the year. They still have to play Nebraska, Ohio State, and Wisconsin.
22. Georgia Bulldogs (5-2)
After starting the season 0-2, the Bulldogs have quietly won 5 straight and are in position to challenge South Carolina for the SEC East Title. However since South Carolina beat them earlier this year, they don't own the tie breaker. But Georgia has a very winnable 5 game stretch to end the season. It starts this week with the World Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (whoops, we aren't supposed to call it that anymore) against Florida. This is always a tough game, but the Bulldogs should have the advantage.
23. West Virginia Mountaineers (5-2)
West Virginia was looking like the class of the Big East and a favorite to run away with the conference. But then they laid an egg against Syracuse and got completely dominated in front of a national audience. What makes matters worse is that everybody knows how to attack the poor Mountaineer defense. Be physical and run right at them. West Virginia needs to win out to secure their spot as the Conference Champions and get that BCS bid they haven't had since Rich Rod left.
24. Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-2)
Not much was expected out of Texas Tech when this year started, but they have quietly won 5 games and also knocked off #2 ranked Oklahoma. Now all the Red Raiders have to do is keep their momentum going from this upset and have it carry over to the rest of the season. But it will be a challenge with Oklahoma, Texas, and Baylor still on the schedule.
25. Texas Longhorns (4-2)
After losing two straight games, the Longhorns got a much needed bye week where they had a chance to recover and get their young offense ready for the rest of the season. This week should be an easy one for Texas as they host Kansas. But after that it’s a long road ahead for the Longhorns. They still have to face off against Texas Tech, Kansas State, Texas A&M and a dangerous Baylor team. Don't be surprised if Texas doesn't go bowling for a 2nd straight year.
In 2001 the Lions were coming off a 9 win season and 8 the year before. They hired Matt Millen out of the FOX Broadcasting booth to be their President of Football Operations (and GM) to replace longtime GM Chuck Schmitt who had resigned. Millen had no previous experience in an NFL front office to speak of, but was a former NFL LB and was very insightful as a color analyst. In Millen's first season in charge the Lions only won 2 games and it continued to get worse. The Lions record with Millen at the helm was 31-81 and they lost lost at least 9 games each year. In 2007 it looked like times where changing. Mike Martz in his second season as Offensive Coordinator had the offense running on all cylinders. They started the season with a 6-2 record. However the second half of the season was the exact opposite, finishing with a 7-9 and missing out on the playoffs. Then in the off season Martz rubbed the Lions the wrong way and he left. In 2008 the wheels fell off and they didn't win a single game. After years of bad de
With the roster devoid of any elite talent (besides Johnson) Mayhew made it a point to add the best players he could in the draft. This meant taking the best value at each pick no matter what. In his first draft as the GM Mayhew hit a home run. He got a new franchise QB in Matt Stafford, a impact safety in Louis Delmas, a run stuffing DT in Sammie Lee Hill and versatile LB in DeAndre Levy. The next year he took DT Ndamukong Suh who in two years has turned into one of the best DTs in the league. He also added big play threat Jahvid Best at RB. In 2011 instead of going after a need position he took Nick Fairley at #13 (despite having Suh, Hill, and Corey Williams at DT) who was considered to be a top 5 pick. Also adding WR Titus Young and RB Mikel Leshoure on offense makes the offense even more explosive. Now solely because of the draft, the Lions had a set of young impact players.