1. LSU Tigers (5-0) LW 1
The Bayou Bengals continue to roll in a route over Kentucky. In a game that wasn't really close we saw the return of QB Jordan Jefferson and CB Tyrann Mathieu set the LSU record for forced fumbles. This Tiger team looks better and better as the year goes forward. Its going to be tough for any team (even Alabama) to knock them off.
2. Oklahoma Sooners (4-0) LW 2
Their game against Ball State was nothing more than a glorified scrimmage before their match up against Texas this upcoming week. In typical Oklahoma fashion, they rolled through the poor MAC school with ease winning 62-6. However they can't take the Longhorns lightly who are quietly making their way back up the rankings. However the Sooners shouldn't have any trouble with their Red River Rival.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0) LW 3
It had the potential to be a good game, with Florida's offense playing extremely well so far this year. However Alabama didn't get the memo and made quick work with the Gators. It was the Trent Richardson show for the Tide as he racked up 181 yards on the ground as Alabama controlled the game. Alabama has some easier games against Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Tennessee before the huge game against LSU in 4 weeks.
4. Boise State Broncos (4-0) LW 4
Boise State avenged their loss to the Nevada last year that ended their perfect season. With QB Kellen Moore struggling the Broncos turned to RB Doug Martin to provide with the offense they needed to win. Doesn't help that the Boise State defense showed up too. With the exception of 10 late points the Broncos defense was very dominant. The Broncos now have to travel to Fresno State and play a Bulldog team that is really improved and is probably their toughest opponent besides Georgia.
5. Stanford Cardinal (4-0) LW 5
We've come to see a lot of things Andrew Luck can do. Besides throwing the ball like Peyton Manning, Luck has also shown that he can run and make bone jarring tackles. But in their win against UCLA Luck showed us that he can make one handed catches falling out of bounds. That's just impressive. What is even more impressive is that Stanford continues to roll through teams with ease. Next up is Colorado who is struggling so far this season. Stanford shouldn't see a competitive game till they match up with USC and then Oregon in a couple of weeks.
6. Wisconsin Badgers (5-0) LW 6
Wisconsin did their best to initiate Nebraska into the Big 10. A 48-17 beat down sure did the job. Wisconsin broke the game open at the end of the 2nd half when they picked off QB Taylor Martinez twice. QB Russell Wilson converted both of those turnovers into TDs and the game went from 14-13 to 27-14 in a matter of minutes. Wisconsin looks like the real deal and their is no reason that they couldn't end the regular season undefeated.
7. Clemson Tigers (5-0) LW 11
In most years, the Clemson Tigers would have lost this weekend. They were coming off two big wins, everybody was jumping on the bandwagon, and they had to travel to VaTech and play the ranked Hokies in the rain. Normally they would lose. But this year is looking to be different. Instead of finding a way to lose, the Tigers were able to pull out the big road win. They also did it without stud freshman WR Sammy Watkins having a great game. If Clemson can continue to not let up, they have a great shot at winning all their games. However, their game against Georgia Tech could be a road block for them.
8. Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-0) LW 10
After their big come from behind win against Texas A&M the Cowboys enjoyed a week off. This gave them a chance to regroup and get ready for the rest of the Big 12 Conference season. This week they'll face off against a Kansas team that has been on the wrong end of a couple of blowouts. However after the Kansas game we get to really see what this Cowboy team is made of with games against Texas, Missouri, Baylor, and Kansas State. It will be either sink or swim for the Pokes.
9. Oregon Ducks (3-1) LW 8
Oregon continues to fly under the radar after their opening week loss to LSU. But that might not be a bad thing for the Ducks. As they keep winning they continue to stay in the hunt for a top ranking. Remember its better to win early in the season and not late. If Oregon can keep this up and knock off Stanford on November 12th, they should be right in line of the top one loss teams. There is still hope for the Ducks.
10. Arkansas Razorbacks (4-1) LW 13
After losing to Alabama last week it was important for the Razorbacks to bounce back against former Southwest Conference rival Texas A&M. But it looked like A&M was going to be victorious, but behind the play of QB Taylor Wilson Arkansas fought back and won the game by 4 points. They had some question marks about their offense, especially without Knile Davis, but this game showed that they can still put up points against a quality opponent.
11. South Carolina Gamecocks (4-1) LW 7
I think it's safe to say that if Marcus Lattimore is held in check, you have a great shot to beat South Carolina. Auburn held the dynamic RB to only 66 yards rushing an 0 touchdowns and escaped with a win. You have to wonder why South Carolina didn't try and get the ball to Alshon Jeffery more. I know that Auburn had their focus on him, but with a dynamic player like that you should be able to get him the ball more often. Now I'm not ready to write off the Gamecocks, but they have to figure out their offense if they want to win the SEC East. Because Florida isn't going to be a push over this year.
12. Texas Longhorns (4-0) LW 19
What a turn around it has been in Austin. Last year at this time the Longhorns were at .500 and on their way to not making a bowl game. This year with the emergence of Chase McCoy they are right back on track. This past weekend they faced off against an Iowa State team that was on a roll and looking for and upset. However Texas took control early and blew out the Cyclones 37-14. Now Texas faces off against Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout. It should be a tough game for the Longhorns. Oklahoma has a tough D the likes that Chase McCoy hasn't seen yet. How he plays will tell us if they have a shot to win.
13. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-0) LW 21
After a down year, the Yellow Jackets and their triple option attack are back. After drubbing Kansas the week before, they opened up ACC play win a win over NC State. The Georgia Tech offense continues to rack up points and put up 24 points in the 4th quarter to get the win. Now the Yellow Jackets face off against a Maryland team that is reeling. Their game against Clemson in a couple of weeks should be a good one.
14. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-1) LW 12
It was all set up for the Hokies to get the win over Clemson and take an early lead in the ACC. However their offense couldn't put up the points and their normally stout defense couldn't make plays when they needed it to. VaTech was unable to get David Wilson going, and his first quarter fumble gave Clemson an early lead. VaTech still has the ability to bounce back and make it to the ACC Championship where they can get their rematch with the Tigers.
15. Florida Gators (4-1) LW 14
Not only did the Florida Gators lose the game to Alabama, but they lost their starting QB John Brantley too. Florida looked ready jumping out the an early 7-0 lead, but in the long run they couldn't stop the run and that proved to be the difference. What makes matters worse is that the Gators have to face off against LSU next week. If Florida couldn't stop the run against Alabama, they are going to have to fix it because that's what LSU loves to do too.
16. Michigan Wolverines (5-0) LW NR
For the second straight year the Wolverines start the season 5-0, but the big difference so far is the play of the defense. Even though they haven't played the toughest schedule, the Michigan defense has really stepped up so far. Last year they had to outscore teams to beat them. This year they have held four out of five opponents to 10 points or less. Considering how they have played that is a feat. Their schedule sets up well, but they do have three tough games on the road to end the season.
17. Auburn Tigers (4-1) LW NR
The Auburn Tigers are a team that exceeding a lot of people's expectations. Thought to maybe not even make a Bowl game. Their narrow win against Utah State didn't help with the perception. Despite a loss to a talented Clemson team they have rattled off wins against Mississippi State and South Carolina. But we'll see how good they really are with games against Arkansas, Florida and LSU back to back to back.
18. West Virginia Mountaineers (4-1) LW 18
Though this young season, the Mountaineers have struggled to run the ball. However this weekend against Bowling Green, they might have found their answer. Dustin Garrison took control and ran for a very impressive 291 yards. West Virginia hopes that Garrison can continue to get yards on the ground and help make this offense even more dangerous.
19. Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-1) LW 10
Nebraska's struggles continue, however unlike their first three games they weren't able to still get the win. Against a very good Wisconsin team Nebraska was exposed. Too many errors on offense, and the inability to cover in the passing game was their downfall. If the Huskers want to get a rematch with Wisconsin they are going to have to realize they can't have Taylor Martinez throwing to win games. If this continues it'll be Michigan State or Michigan in the first Big 10 Championship Game.
Robert Griffen III had been amazing this year. He has thrown for over 1,300 yards 18 touchdowns and only 1 INT. However that one INT came at the worst time. With Baylor up by two points and needing to run out the clock, RG3 threw a pick that set up the go ahead FG. That allowed KState to get the victory and end Baylor's three game winning streak. Now that the undefeated season is over, the Bears can refocus and work on finishing in the upper tier of the Big 12. Next week they face off against an Iowa State team that just got smashed by Texas. This would be a great game to get their confidence back before playing A&M.
21. Illinois Fighting Illini (5-0) LW 23
Facing off against in-state rival Northwestern, it looked like the Illini's four game winning streak was going to come to an end. But 21 4th quarter points and a TD with 13 second left on the clock got them a win. QB Nate Scheelhaase continues to play well. He threw for 391 yards and 3 TDs and ran in for another one. Illinois should continue their winning ways against Indiana next week before matching up with a struggling Ohio State team. Its too bad that Wisconsin is in their division or they could have a realistic shot at playing in the Big 10 Championship Game.
22. Arizona State Sun Devils (4-1) LW NR
It wasn't pretty but the Sun Devils were able to get a win against a bad Oregon State Beavers team. Brock Osweiler didn't have his best game throwing for 3 INTs, but he ended up with 258 yards and 2 TDs which helped get the victory. ASU isn't going to be able to win games like this again with Utah on their schedule next and Oregon after them.
23. Texas A&M Aggies (2-2) LW 16
If football games only lasted one half, the Aggies would be undefeated. For a second straight game the Aggies have had a lead at halftime only to end up losing. If the Aggies want to finish strong in their final season in the Big 12 they are going to need figure out their defense after halftime. Won't help with the passing attack of Texas Tech coming next week.
24. Michigan State Spartans (4-1) LW NR
It was a defensive struggle, but the Spartans were able to get the victory over the Buckeyes. This victory also ended a seven game losing streak to Ohio State. However if the Spartans want to make a run at the Legends Division Title they are going to have to score more points than 10 to do so.
25. Florida State Seminoles (2-2) LW 25
After two straight loses it probably suits the Seminoles good to have a week off. Hopefully they've been able to get EJ Manuel healthy and ready for the rest of the season. With him in there their offense is much better. Nothing against Trickett, but he isn't on the same level as Manuel. But whoever is starting on Saturday the Seminoles should get the victory over Duke.
Dropped Out: South Florida, TCU Horned Frogs, Ohio State Buckeyes, Mississippi State Bulldogs
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