1. Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0) LW 1
Week after week it looks like it's Alabama and then everybody else. Other teams struggle from time to time or have some question marks, while the Crimson Tide are rolling through opponents. Other than Ole Miss getting an early 7-6 lead, it was easy working for Alabama. QB AJ McCarron was unspectacular but he didn't need to with Alabama scoring an special teams TD and handing the ball off to two good running backs. The defense forced 3 turnovers and this game was a lot bigger of a blowout than the score indicated. Alabama gets the next weekend off before traveling to SEC newcomer Missouri to welcome them to the conference.
2. Oregon Ducks (4-0) LW 2
After a lackluster 1st half against Washington State, Oregon really opened things up in the 3rd quarter in route to a 51-26 win. Oregon was lead by RB Kenjon Barner who had 195 yards rushing and 3 TDs. It was 2 of Barner's TDs in the 3rd that sparked the rally. You do have to be concerned with QB Marcus Mariota throwing 2 picks, but with all the fire power on this team they are able to make up for it. This weekend the Ducks face off against a Washington team that just came off an upset over Stanford. Should be a good one for viewers.
3. Georgia Bulldogs (5-0) LW 4
Yeah their defense gave up a ton of points, but Tennessee's offense is a lot better than most people think. What was the most impressive part was that this offense continues to show that they can put up points. Add in that LSU struggled with Towson for most of the night, clearly in my opinion the Bulldogs are the 2nd best team in the SEC. It's too bad that these teams won't play against each other. But we will see Georgia face off against our #5 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks. This could be the defacto SEC West Title game.
4. LSU Tigers (5-0) LW 3
You could easily say that the Tigers were looking past FCS Towson to their game against Florida next weekend. However if you look back to LSU's season so far, they haven't been too impressive. Defensively they have a ton of talent, but how do they give up 22 points to a FCS school? This is suppose to be the best defense in the nation. Offensively the addition of QB Zach Metteberger was suppose to be the player to put the offense over the top. But I guess we are seeing why he didn't see the field last year over Jefferson or Lee. His inability to move within the pocket is really going to come back to hurt him once they face off against better teams. We'll see how good the Tigers really are when they travel to the Swamp and face off against a Florida team that is playing very well.
5. South Carolina Gamecocks (5-0) LW 5
Gamecocks fans really have to hope that this weekends game against Kentucky was just them looking past the Wildcats to their big time showdown with Georgia. Because Kentucky is awful and South Carolina was trailing 17-7 at halftime before they reeled off 31 straight points in the 2nd half to pull ahead. If the Gamecocks fall behind early to the Bulldogs, it could be game over. Luckily South Carolina was able to rely on RB Marcus Lattimore to pick them up and provide a spark that they needed to get them over the top. Now South Carolina can solely focus on Georgia and their showdown for SEC West supremacy
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-0) LW 6
After a four week stretch that took them from Ireland to defeating three Big 10 schools, the Fighting Irish have a bye week to take a breathe and get ready for the rest of their season. So far the biggest surprise has been the play of the Irish defense. LB Manti Te'o has been playing at a different level and that's help this defense be one of the elite in the nation. Offensively Notre Dame was lead by QB Everette Golson, but after a couple of picks against Michigan he gave way to Tommy Rees who wasn't spectacular but did enough to win. If Notre Dame wants to continue this momentum they are going to need to get the offense going. Because if they do, this could be a special season.
7. Florida State Seminoles (5-0) LW 7
In their first road test for the year, the Seminoles struggled but ultimately pulled out win the win. But 17 straight points in the 3rd quarter opened up the game and allowed Florida State some breathing room. QB EJ Manuel was solid again 242 yards but spread the ball to 9 different receivers. Florida State improves to 5-0 and takes on North Carolina State next weekend. NC State just gave up a ton of points and yards to Miami, so that's a good sign for Manuel and the Seminole offense.
8. Kansas State Wildcats (4-0) LW 8
There is something to say about having a bye week after a big win. Having an extra week allows the players to rest up and get all the excitement out of the way without worrying having to get back into game mode. After KState took out Oklahoma the Wildcats can rest up and get ready to refocus for the rest of conference play. KState has a relatively easy start with games against Kansas, Iowa and Texas Tech before ending with Texas, Baylor, and TCU. But if the Wildcats keep playing like they against the Sooners, they should be fine.
9. West Virginia Mountaineers (4-0) LW 11
If you went with the overs in this game you had to be a winner. This game was amazing, unless you are a big fan of defense. In West Virginia's debut to the Big 12 they went in with style. Both teams traded scores throughout the first half, but it was the Mountaineers behind three straight second half TDs that took control and never looked back. QB Geno Smith set West Virginia records for passing yards, TDs, and completions in route to 45 completions 656 yards and 8 TDs. Not too bad for their debut. West Virginia has a great shot to win the Big 12, mainly because with so little defense being played in the conference I don't know whose going to out score them.
10. USC Trojans (3-1) LW 10
USC righted their ship after the Stanford loss, but it's clear that the Trojans aren't as good as we thought they were when the season began. Injuries and depth concerns on defense have really hurt. Plus QB Matt Barkley just hasn't been as spectacular as we thought he was going to be. With an off weekend here, the Trojans can refocus and get their mojo back before getting into a stretch run that can still has them right in the mix for the Pac 12 Title.
11. Florida Gators (4-0) LW 15
Florida has been playing so much better in their 2nd year under HC Will Muschamp, but we'll get to see how good they really are in a couple of weeks. This weekend they have a bye, but it gives them an additional week to prepare for them to host the #3 ranked LSU Tigers. LSU seems vulnerable, so it would be a great statement win for the Gators to knock them off. They have the talent to do so, could be Muschamps signature win.
12. Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0) LW 14
It's too bad that Ohio State is ineligible for the post season, because this could be the Big 10's best team. The Buckeye's aren't as explosive as they have been before, but QB Braxton Miller is probably the top QB in the conference. Against Michigan State Miller had 315 combined yards despite playing on an injured knee suffered in the 2nd half. Defensively the Buckeyes held Michigan State's only offensive weapon RB Le'Veon Bell to only 45 yards which cuts off most of their offense. Ohio State looks to keep their momentum going next as they play host to Nebraska who knocked them off last year in Lincoln.
13. Clemson Tigers (4-1) LW 12
Without WR Sammie Watkins playing (again) the Tigers bounced back after their loss to Florida State with a win at Boston College. But it was the "other" Clemson WR that took control. DeAndre Hopkins stepped up and caught 11 balls for 197 yards and a TD. But the big concern continues to be their defense. Boston College isn't going to be mistaken for a offensive juggernaut, but still put up 41 points. Sooner rather than later the Tigers are going to drop one they shouldn't because they can't stop anybody. That game could be this weekend as they host Georgia Tech and their triple option offense. Which is always difficult to prepare for.
14. Oklahoma Sooners (2-1) LW 13
Oklahoma's loss to KState not only hurt their shot at getting to the National Title Game, but it raises some real big questions about their team. The offense and mainly QB Landry Jones just hasn't been the same since the middle of last year when Ryan Broyles went down with an injury. You really got to wonder how much this team misses former OC Kevin Wilson (current Indiana HC). But with an off weekend the Sooners will look to get their stuff in order and get back to their winning ways. Texas Tech is next after the bye, but then the Red River Shootout is on the horizon.
15. Texas Longhorns (4-0) LW 17
In a controversial game, the Longhorns were able to prevail and remain undefeated. Despite fumbling on the go ahead TD, the Longhorns were still awarded the TD and escaped Stillwater. But the other big story out of this game was the play of QB David Ash. Ash has been pretty solid all year, but in this game he was the big reason why they won. Ash threw for 304 yards and 3 TDs to propel Texas to the victory. His play on the Longhorns final drive was clutch. However the Longhorns can't be too excited because they have to play host to West Virginia and their high powered offense. The winner will come down to who can score the most.
16. Stanford Cardinal (3-1) LW 9
Stanford erased a lot of questions people had about how they would do in the post Andrew Luck era with their win over USC. Stanford shot up the polls and looked to be a serious contender in the Pac 12. However a lot of those questions have come back after their crushing loss to Washington. Sure Washington is a lot better than most people think. But there is no explanation for the Cardinal giving up 14 straight points to lose the game. Now we're back to square one, how good really are they? My guess, they're average.
17. Louisville Cardinals (5-0) LW 18
The weather was the great equalizer in their game against Southern Miss. Southern Miss was win less on the season, but a monsoon can be a great equalizer. With standing puddles on the field there wasn't a lot of passing going on and the Cardinals used their two headed rushing attack to eek out the victory. Senorise Perry ran for 118 yards while teammate Jeremy Wright added another 84. Style points don't really matter in this contest, winning in these conditions is all the counts. Louisville has the week off and probably needs it get dry. But they'll face Pittsburgh in two weeks to start Big East conference play.
18. TCU Horned Frogs (4-0) LW 19
After winning their first game as a member of the Big 12, the TCU Horned Frogs finished out their non-conference schedule defeating in state SMU. In another rainy game TCU struggled to adjust and it almost cost them the game. It could have been a big disaster when they botched a FG hold and almost had a punt blocked because the punter couldn't get a grip on the ball. But TCU was able to prevail and gets the necessary points to extend their winning streak to 12 straight games. Also doesn't hurt that CB Jason Verrett had two INTs. Next up for TCU is for them to resume Big 12 play against Iowa State. The Cyclones aren't world beaters, but they always knock a team every year. If TCU can't get the offense going, it could be them.
19. Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-1) LW 21
With the way this game started it looked like Nebraska was going to lay an egg and get blown out by Wisconsin for a 2nd straight year. The Huskers fumbled on two early possessions and got down to an early 17 point defect But the offense started taking care of the ball and the defense stepped up in run support and were able to chip away at the lead. Nebraska forced a Monte Ball fumble on Wisconsin's last drive to seal the win and start Big 10 play off with a win. Now all the Huskers have to do is travel to Columbus and play the Ohio State Buckeyes. This will be a tough task for the Husker defense that struggles with mobile QBs. Plus Braxton Miller was torching Nebraska last year before he got hurt. A win there would be huge for the Huskers and give them an early lead in the Legends division. But a loss would further muddy the Big 10 waters.
20. Oregon State Beavers (3-0) LW NR
I'm not ready to jump on the Oregon State bandwagon. Yeah they're 3-0, but they really haven't beaten anybody to worthwhile. UCLA is a little overrated, Wisconsin is down, and Arizona recently got blown (shut) out by Oregon. They definitely aren't worth the #14 ranking they got in the AP vote. Here is more like it for the Beavers whose 3 wins this season equals their win total from last year. The Beavers won a hard fought game against Arizona with a TD with 1:09 left on the clock to take the final lead. The Beavers were lead by QB Sean Mannion who threw for a career high 433 yards and 3 TDs. Look for Oregon State's run to continue as they face off against Washington State next weekend.
21. Michigan State Spartans (3-2) LW 16
Everybody always talks about the Spartans missing QB Kurt Cousins, but what Michigan State really misses is BJ Cunningham and Keshawn Martin more than anything. Maxwell didn't play bad, but his receivers have struggled with drops throughout the year. Those struggles have made it impossible for Le'Veon Bell to get any room to run. This was evident against Ohio State whose defense suffocated the Spartans and only allowed Bell 45 rushing yards and the Spartans to only 16 points. Michigan State needs to get things figured out on offense or their hopes of winning the Legends Division for the second straight year will fall short.
22. Northwestern Wildcats (5-0) LW 24
Northwestern set a school record with 704 yards in their win over Indiana. The star of the game was QB/WR/RB Kain Colter who ran for 161 yards and 4 TDs, he had another 131 yards receiving to top it off. Colter also threw three passes but for only two yards. Come on Kain, just kidding. But Colter has proved to be one of the biggest weapons in the Big 10 and has a lot of coaches stressed out on how to defend him. With the win the Wildcats improve to 5-0. But they have to travel to Penn State this weekend and face off against the hottest team in the Big 10. A win for the Wildcats would be huge for a team that is trying to sneak their way into winning the Legends Division. It's a long shot, but the way Northwestern is playing you never know.
23. Washington Huskies (3-1) LW NR
The Washington Huskies make their debut in the rankings after an impressive upset of Stanford on this previous Thursday Night. Other than a loss at LSU (it's extremely hard to win there) the Huskies have actually been playing very well. They are lead by QB Keith Price who you may know for that epic shoot out last year with Baylor in the Alamo Bowl. It was Price who threw the game winning TD that helped put the Huskies on top for good against Stanford. But things don't get any easier as Washington now travels to Oregon to face off against the #2 ranked Ducks.
24. Baylor Bears (3-1) LW 22
It would have been very easy to drop the Bears from the rankings after their loss to West Virginia. They did give up 70 points. However they also scored 63 themselves and could have just as easily won that game. But also add in that there really isn't another team knocking on the door to get into the rankings that is much better than the Bears. Baylor gets a week off to try and patch up some holes on defense, but then get a nasty two game stretch against TCU and Texas. After those two games we'll get to see how good this team really is.
25. Tennessee Volunteers (3-2) LW 23
To be honest I'm not down on the Volunteers as much as most people are. Sure they lost two games straight and probably shouldn't be ranked. But they lost to #3 Georgia and #11 Florida. Both of those games the Vols were able to score on their vaunted defenses. Both of those games the Vols probably could have won and were in a position to do so. So it's not like they lost to two Sun Belt or MAC schools. This weekend we get to see the Vols face off against an undefeated Mississippi State team that hasn't played the same schedule as Tennessee. The winner likely will be ranked, where the loser will not.
Dropped From the Rankings: Virginia Tech
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