1. Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0) LW 1
Even a little rain and lightning can't slow down the Crimson tide who racked up 533 yards in a monsoon. But what was even more impressive was holding the Missouri offense without a TD. Now the Tide look to take it to a struggling Tennessee team that has talent, but just can't put it together.
2. Oregon Ducks (6-0) LW 2
Halfway through the season is a nice time to take a break and get really for the rest of the schedule. There were question marks going into this season with a freshman at QB running their high powered attack. This week the Ducks face off against Arizona State on Thursday night. Week day games also tend to have some drama.
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-0) LW 4
Was it the luck of the Irish in the Notre Dame getting the win against Stanford? It may of been luck Stepfan Taylor didn't get another inch that would have given Stanford the win. This is a different Notre Dame team that we've seen in the past. Mainly because the Irish actually have a defense is playing with confidence and at a high level. Will that continue this weekend against BYU?
4. Florida Gators (6-0) LW 6
Over the Gators' first six games it's clear that their identity is play good defense and run the ball. The used the strong running game to wear down and beat LSU and they used it to over power Vanderbilt this past weekend. Will we see that again when they play host to South Carolina? A win here would give the Gators the inside track to the SEC East Title, but a loss muddles it all up. We'll get to see if that LSU win was for real, or just a fluke.
5. Kansas State Wildcats (6-0) LW 7
In preparation of their big game against West Virginia the Wildcats had to avoid a let down against a very underrated Iowa State team. Behind the play of Heisman hopeful QB Collin Klein, the Wildcats got out with the win and stay unscathed on the season. But it's too bad West Virginia didn't. But that still won't take away the importance of their game. A win against the Mountaineers would put KState in the drivers seat in the Big 12.
6. LSU Tigers (6-1) LW 9
There was a lot of uncertainty about LSU after their loss to Florida. The offense was struggling and their vaunted defense got ran over by Florida. Well all those questions may be put to rest after their win over the Gamecocks. It was pretty, but LSU dominated for most of the game and proved to everybody that they weren't going anywhere and they are still a team with a shot at the National Championship.
7. South Carolina Gamecocks (6-1) LW 3
Even though they lost to LSU, the Gamecocks are still one of the best one loss teams in the nation. Say what you will. A loss is a loss, but losing by two points in Death Valley at night tells you a lot about a team. But their season is far from over and they still have a shot to win the Division. But they'll have to win out and beat Florida this week at the Swamp. Just ask LSU how tough that was.
8. USC Trojans (5-1) LW 8
The Trojan defense was the star of their win over Washington. They kept an explosive Husky offense from going off and forced 4 turnovers. Add an improving D to a amped up Running game and the Trojans are starting to get things figured out. Next up is Colorado who is the worst team in the Pac 12. Should be an easy game for the Men of Troy.
9. Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) LW 10
After blowing out Nebraska, the Buckeyes had a little trouble putting away the Hoosiers. Offensively the Buckeyes keep rolling with Braxton Miller improving each time he goes out there. But you have to be concerned with their defense, which was suppose to be the strong suit. Their next opponent is a Purdue team that isn't a push over. But shouldn't pose too much trouble, but you could say that about Indiana.
10. Oklahoma Sooners (4-1) LW 12
So much for a highly competitive Red River Shootout. Oklahoma struck early and often and before we knew it the Sooners were up 38-2 at halftime. Offensively the Sooners could do whatever they wanted and capped it all off with 4 Blake Bell TD runs. But the cherry on top is that QB Landry Jones seems to be getting back to his old self and that only makes things better. Watch out Big 12, the Sooners might be back.
11. Clemson Tigers (5-1) LW 11
A bye week gives Clemson a chance to get healthy (WR Sammie Watkins) and for their defense to try and get things figured out. But we'll see because the Tigers face off against Virginia Tech this weekend. VaTech may be struggling this year, but they still have a ton of talent and the ability to score points. If Clemson wants to make it back to a BCS Bowl Game, they'll need to win this one.
12. West Virginia Mountaineers (5-1) LW 5
That's why you go out and play the game. West Virginia was the favorite and was suppose to roll over Texas Tech on their way to an epic showdown against Kansas State. Instead QB Geno Smith and the rest of the Mountaineer offense forgot to show up. Smith was out of character and it showed with them only scoring 14 points. Better get things figured out, because KState can easily make this a two game losing streak.
13. Georgia Bulldogs (5-1) LW 13
Nothing is worse than getting your brains beat out and then having another week to stool about it. That's what happened with Georgia after South Carolina beat them 35-7. Luckily Georgia gets a nice rebound game against Kentucky. This will give the Bulldogs a much need confidence game. Because nothing better to get your confidence up then to blow out another team.
14. Florida State Seminoles (6-1) LW 14
After dropping a game against NC State, the Seminoles sure bounced back with a thumping of Boston College. Now the Seminoles can turn their focus to in state rival Miami. Miami isn't much of a threat, but you know that they'd be geared up to knock off the Seminoles.
15. Oregon State Beavers (5-0) LW 17
There had to be some concerns how Oregon State would do against BYU without starting QB Sean Mannion out for the game. But backup QB Cody Vaz stepped up to the plate and played like a seasoned pro. Oregon State rolled through BYU winning by 22 points. Now the Beavers face off against a Utah team that is really struggling. We should see the Beavers move to 6-0.
16. Louisville Cardinals (6-0) LW 15
It was looking like Louisville might suffer their first loss of the season at the hands of a bad Pittsburgh team. But 21-0 margin in the 3rd quarter gave the Cardinals the lead and they never looked back. Louisville continues to play at a high level and with the Big East being down, they have a great shot at an undefeated season. Only Cincinnati and Rutgers stand in their way.
In their toughest game of the season so far, the Bulldogs need 14 4th quarter points to escape with the win. The win improves them to 6-0 on the season so far. It's been pretty easy sailing for the Bulldogs so far. Their two toughest games have been Auburn and Tennessee. Not exactly world beaters. The easy road continues this weekend against Middle Tennessee State, but gets a lot tougher with Alabama, Texas A&M, and LSU the next three weeks.
18. Texas A&M Aggies (5-1) LW NR
Normally games against Louisiana Tech aren't thought to be tough games. But the Bulldogs are a much better team and the Aggies had to travel to Ruskin. A&M won a hard fought game 59-57. The Aggies were lead by QB Johnny Manziel who accounted for 6 TDs. If Manziel continues to play at this level the Aggies can have a very successful first season in the SEC.
19. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-0) LW 20
Rutgers continues their roll with 23-15 win over Syracuse. Rutgers hasn't looked like a dominant team, but they keep winning which is the most important thing. This week they'll face off against Temple this weekend, but we won't find out how good the Scarlet Knights are till they face off against Louisville and Cincinnati at the end of the season. Which ever of those three teams does the best in those games will win the Big East and go to the Orange Bowl.
20. Ohio Bobcats (7-0) LW 22
Ohio has been getting a lot more attention lately due their 7-0 record. This past weekend they beat Akron 34-28 to keep their winning streak going. They have a bye week this week, but will look to keep their unbeaten streak going throughout the MAC season. With the MAC being down this year, the Bobcats should have no trouble finishing with a 12-0 record.
21. Penn State Nittany Lions (4-2) LW 23
Penn State has arguably been the second best team in the Big 10. But just like Ohio State, neither team will be eligible for the post season. But HC Bill O'Brien has shown he should be a serious contender for the Coach of the Year award. He has the Nittany Lions playing well despite all the turmoil that has surrounded this team. This week Penn State faces off against an Iowa team that has righted the ship and is also playing well. This should be a great opportunity to see how good each team is.
22. Stanford Cardinal (4-2) LW 16
Just think, if Stepfan Taylor would have gotten another inch on his final run we could be talking about Notre Dame being knocked off and Stanford could be back towards the top 10. Instead the Cardinal get their second loss of the season and are a borderline top 25 team. The good news is that Stanford gets a little break from their schedule and takes on a Cal team that isn't very good. Good bounce back game.
23. Michigan Wolverines (4-2) LW 25
Michigan continues to work there way back up the rankings. This past weekend they made little work with a awful Illinois team. The Wolverines dropped the Illini 45-0 to improve their record to 4-2. Robinson had another solid game going for 287 yards and 4 TDs combined. But if the Wolverines want to win the Legends Division they'll need him to step up in big games. He gets his first chance this weekend against Michigan State. Michigan hasn't beaten the Spartans in 4 years. Will this be the year they do so?
24. Cincinnati Bearcats (5-0) LW NR
Year in and year out Butch Davis puts out good quality teams. This year is no different as he has the Bearcats at 5-0 after their drubbing of FCS Fordham. Their unbeaten streak should continue this week as they face off against MAC foe Toledo. The Bearcats are tied with Rutgers and Louisville as the only real tough teams in the Big East. We probably won't see how good they are till they play them.
25. Texas Longhorns (4-2) LW 18
Just when we thought that the Longhorns might be back to being a competitive team, they crap it down their leg. They were coming off a tough loss to a good West Virginia team and ready to face Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. QB David Ash was playing well and they had a great shot to win. But the Longhorns forgot to show up and got stream rolled by the Sooners. It was so bad that ABC showed Longhorn fans filing out of the stadium before halftime. Now HC Mack Brown is getting a ton of heat about when he is going to retire.
Dropped From the Rankings: Michigan State, Baylor
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