1. LSU Tigers (10-0) LW 1
You know it's a blowout when you are taking 4 straight kneels within the 10 yard line so you don't run it up on the opposing team. LSU took care of business against Ole Miss winning 52-3 and setting themselves up to face off against #3 Arkansas in a game that will decide who is the SEC West Champion. Arkansas is going to be able to put points up on LSU, but can the Tigers muster enough points?
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (10-1) LW 3
Alabama benefited more from what happened this weekend than anybody else. Right now they are sitting at the #2 spot in the BCS and all they have left is the Iron Bowl against an Auburn team that they should beat easily. LSU is ahead of them, but they have to play the SEC Title Game and a very tough Arkansas team. If Alabama gets by Auburn they should be sitting pretty and back into their 2nd National Title game in 3 years.
3. Arkansas Razorbacks (10-1) LW 7
The Arkansas Razorbacks might be the hottest team in college football right now. After losing a tough game to Alabama they haven't looked back and are now in a place where they can really throw the sport into a tailspin. This Friday they face off against an LSU team that is ranked #1 and is the only undefeated team in the country. A win over them could slide Arkansas into the SEC Title Game and possible National Title appearance.
4. Stanford Cardinal (9-1) LW 6
After a weekend full of upsets, the Cardinal almost lost their second straight game to long time rival Cal. However Stanford, behind Andrew Luck's 257 yards and 2 TDs, was able to win the "Big Game" 31-28 and stay at only 1 loss. But Stanford has a tough tough game against a Notre Dame that is playing pretty well. A victory over them should allow them to get their 2nd straight BCS game and should allow Andrew Luck to win a Heisman Trophy.
5. Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-1) LW 2
Just when you thought we'd see a Oklahoma State vs LSU match up in the National Title to see the Cowboys high powered offense against the Tiger's stingy defense, but Okie State had to go to Iowa State and lose 37-31. Gone are the dreams of the National Title. But what is worse is that Iowa State showed the blue print of how to slow their offense. Now the Cowboys has to face off against in state rival Oklahoma to determine who the Big 12 Champion will be. A win over the Sooners will get the Cowboys their 1st ever BCS Bowl, but not the one that they wanted.
6. Oregon Ducks (9-2) LW 4
Riding high off their win over Stanford, the Ducks just couldn't keep the momentum going and lost to USC on a missed FG at that would have sent the game into overtime. The loss ends Oregon's chance of getting into the National Title Game. However they still will be heading to the Pac 12 Title Game and more than likely another Rose Bowl.
7. Oklahoma Sooners (8-2) LW 5
Big Game Bob strikes again. With a tie game and less than a minute to go, Baylor had the ball and was content to go to overtime. But Stoops called a time out and Baylor decided to go after a score. Baylor was able to capitalize and get a late TD pass that won them the game. This loss is huge because Oklahoma was in prime contention to play for a National Title if they were to upset Oklahoma state. But now they are in jeopardy to even make a BCS Game.
8. Boise State Broncos (9-1) LW 9
It's pretty sad that when three teams ahead of you lose games, you can't overtake them. But that's why it is so crucial for Boise State to go undefeated. This week they took care of business against a quality San Diego State team winning 52-3, with games against Wyoming and New Mexico remaining. However neither of those teams should pose a threat and won't do anything for Boise in the BCS standings. This is why their TCU loss is so huge. They'll like land in the Las Vegas Bowl.
9. Virginia Tech Hokies (10-1) LW 10
After struggling through most of the season, QB Logan Thomas is really starting to play well and that is really doing wonders for the Hokie offense. Thomas didn't have eye popping stats, but he threw for 195 yards 2 TDs and 0 INTs. Heck he even rushed for a TD. Thomas' strong play can't come at a better time because the Hokies have big game against rival Virginia to see who goes to the ACC Title game to face Clemson. Wins over both teams would give the Hokies their second straight ACC Championship.
10. Michigan State Spartans (9-2) LW 12
After a brief hiccup against Nebraska, the Spartans have been playing some very good football. Their 55-3 domination of Indiana and Nebraska's loss to Michigan clinched the Leaders Division and secured their position in the first ever Big 10 Championship Game against either Penn State or Wisconsin. And a win there would get the Spartans to their first Rose Bowl since 1988. But they can't look past Northwestern who could knock off any team any week.
Down 17 points in the first half, the Badgers rallied back to score 28 unanswered points to win the game. Monte Ball continues to have an amazing season, rushing for 224 yards and 2 TDs in against Illinois. Those 2 TDs brings Ball's total to 30 rushing TDs, but you have to wonder. Why isn't he getting any Heisman hype? But this win also sets up a huge showdown between them and Penn State where the winner goes on to face Michigan State in Indianapolis. I'm sure Wisconsin is looking to get some revenge on Michigan State for their Hail Mary victory.
12. Houston Cougars (11-0) LW 13
It's too bad that the Houston/SMU game was more remembered for Lee Corso dropping the F-Bomb, and not for Houston extending their unbeaten streak to 11. Case Keenum had another good day. Throwing for 318 yards and 2 TDs. He even ran one in too. Keenum also broke Graham Harrell's record for the most completions in NCAA history. Their last two games of teh season should tell us how good of a team Houston really is. They'll face off against Tulsa and Southern Miss who are very tough opponents. And if Houston wants to make it to their first BCS Game in school history, they'll have to win both of those games.
13. Georgia Bulldogs (9-2) LW 14
Georgia's 19-10 victory over Kentucky clinches the SEC East Title and puts them into the Championship Game. Quite the accomplishment for a team that many considered dead in the water to start the season. QB Aaron Murray has really done a great job of leading this offense without a dependable running back or a big time receiver like they had last year with AJ Green.
14. Clemson Tigers (9-2) LW 8
Turnovers cost the Tigers another one. It is too hard to win games in college football, especially when you turn the ball over 4 times. It's too bad because Clemson was looking to be a force this year. But too many slow starts and turnovers cost them their perfect season. However they still have a game against in state rival South Carolina and the ACC Title Game. So a BCS Bowl isn't out of the question, but to beat VaTech again they are going to have to get some consistent play out of QB Tajh Boyd.
15. Michigan Wolverines (9-2) LW 17
Michigan did a great job of exploiting Nebraska's weaknesses on defense in route to a 45-17 win. Denard Robinson was his old self rushing for 2 TDs and throwing for 2 more. But what is even more amazing was that the Michigan defense was able to contain Rex Burkhead and Taylor Martinez. The Wolverines won't be able to go to the Big 10 Championship Game, but if they beat hated rival Ohio State, they could sneak their way into a BCS Bowl.
16. USC Trojans (9-2) LW 18
The job that Lane Kiffen has done this year is nothing short of amazing. USC con't go to a bowl game or the Pac 12 Title Game, and they are also 15 scholarships down. It would have been easy for USC to pack in the season and not put up much effort. But they have worked hard all year and it showed in their upset win over Oregon. Matt Barkley threw for 323 yards and 4 TDs despite not having a 100% Robert Woods. It's also too bad they can't play in the Pac 12 Title game, because they could beat Stanford if they play again.
17. South Carolina Gamecocks (8-2) LW 15
Normally the Citadel doesn't pose much of a threat to BCS schools. But only down 7 points at halftime, they were giving South Carolina all they could handle. However South Carolina kicked it into gear and ended up winning 41-20. But with Georgia's win the Gamecocks are eliminated from the SEC Title Game and don't have a shot at going to a BCS Bowl Game. However if they can knock off in state rival Clemson they have a shot at one of the SEC's to bowl games. Not too bad for all the injuries they have suffered this year.
18. Kansas State Wildcats (9-2) LW 19
Colin Klein didn't have his usual huge numbers, but his 2 TDs where enough for the Wildcats 17-13 victory over Texas. This win was huge for KState because if basically assures the Wildcats of a 10-2 regular season record and a probably Cotton Bowl appearance. All that is left is a game against Iowa State in "Farmagedon" which should be an easy win for them. This is all coming from a program that was at the bottom of the barrel in the Big 12 a couple of years ago. Bill Snyder deserves coach of the year consideration for sure.
19. TCU Horned Frogs (9-2) LW 21
TCU's 34-10 win wasn't anything amazing, but TCU took care of business. Waymon James rushed for 107 yards, Casey Pachall was very efficient, and Tank Carder returned an interception 68 yards for a touchdown. TCU only has UNLV left and should cruise to the Moutain West Conference Title before they move to the Big 12 next year. And after starting the season with losses to Baylor and SMU they have rebounded very nicely.
20. Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2) LW 22
Not too many people gave Penn State much of a chance against Ohio State. And why would they? They just dropped a game against Nebraska and was still dealing with all the distractions with the Peterno/Sandusky travesty. However the Penn State football team came together and beat Ohio state 20-14. This weekend they face off against Wisconsin and whoever wins this game will win the Leaders Division and face off against Michigan State in the Big 10 Title Game. And you know the Nittany Lions want to win the award for their former coach.
21. Baylor Bears (7-3) LW NR
Baylor's 45-38 win over Oklahoma was their first win over the Sooners in school history. Robert Griffin continues to play at a high level and is carrying the Bears to their best season they've had in a long time. Baylor finishes the season with Texas Tech and Texas. Both games are winnable. And if Baylor can win those two games they might be able to make it to a good bowl game which is a great accomplishments for a team that will be going back to a bowl game for the second straight year.
22. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-3) LW 24
Notre Dame has really bounced back after a couple of early season tough losses. this past weekend they were able to hold off a pesky Boston College team and now get ready for a showdown with cross country rival Stanford. A win against Stanford would really do wonders for this program as they are trying to get back to the National Power that they feel they are. However they'll have to do it without RB Jonas Gray who has really meant a lot ot their running game.
23. West Virginia Mountaineers (7-3) LW 23
After taking care of business against Cincinnati, West Virginia enjoyed a weekend off before their stretch run to end the season. They have to win games against Pittsburgh and at South Florida to help them win the Big East and get back to the BCS. But if they slip they have Rutgers right behind them, waiting to take over.
24. Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-3) LW 16
It was a pretty ugly loss for Nebraska in their first trip to the "Big House" as a member of the Big 10 Conference. Michigan won a 45-17 beat down on the Huskers and made Nebraska's defense look pretty bad. The Huskers were considered to be the cream of the Leaders crop after their win against Michigan State, but have dropped two ugly games since. Head Coach Bo Pelini needs to get things figured out because Iowa is no push over.
25. Virginia Cavaliers (8-3) LW NR
What a turnaround the Cavaliers been. Under Al Groh, Virginia on a regular basis sent players to the NFL but could never show for it in the win column. Now in Mike London's 2nd year as Head Coach he has turned the Cavaliers into a ACC contender. This past weekend they knocked off previously ranked Florida State to improve their record 8-3. And a win over Virginia Tech this weekend would put them into the ACC Title Game against Clemson.
Dropped From Rankings: Southern Miss, Cincinnati Bearcats
No comments:
Post a Comment