NCAA Top 25 (Week 3)

1. Oklahoma Sooners (2-0) LW 1

In their first true test of the season, the Sooners passed with flying colors. It may not have been the blowout that I thought it would be, but Oklahoma looked good and is deserving of their #1 rankings. Landry Jones is the real deal and the defense is their usual stingy self. Watch out Big 12, the Sooners are for real.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0) LW 2

Alabama made little work with North Texas in a dominant victory 41-0. The offense continues to improve in just the right time as they face off against an #9 Arkansas who is looking to prove that they are SEC Title contenders. However Alabama is just too good and should come out victorious in that match up.

3. LSU Tigers (3-0) LW 3

You don't see too many SEC games between two top 25 ranked teams on a Thursday night. However the Bayou Bengals relied on their top flight defense and mistake free offense to knock off a very good Mississippi State team. However that defense will have to deal with the high octane spread of #15 West Virginia which will give them one heck of a test. Its no rest for this team.

4. Boise State Broncos (2-0) LW 4

Toledo gave Ohio State everything they had and almost got the victory in Columbus. However they were no match for the Broncos at home. Boise State continues to roll. Kellen Moore lived up to his nickname (the Surgeon) and carved up the Rocket defense. Boise State should continue to roll until their match up against TCU later in the year.

5. Stanford Cardinal (3-0) LW 5

The match up between Nick Foles and Andrew Luck was thought to be a shoot out, but it was only Stanford that put up the points. The Cardinal defense looked good against a good offense, but they do deal with the lose of LB Shayne Skov who is a big time player. But this team is a lot deeper than people think. UCLA is their next victim as we await the big time match up against Oregon.

6. Wisconsin Badgers (3-0) LW 6

Wisconsin is clearly the class of the Big 10 and a big part of that is the offense that has gone from predictable (but still good) and an explosive attack that can beat you from anywhere. QB Russell Wilson threw for over 300 yards in their win against Northern Illinois. I know it was NIU, but when was the last time a Wisconsin QB did that?

7. South Carolina Gamecocks (3-0) LW 7

Navy gave them a scare, but when push came to shove the Gamecocks made the plays when they needed to and got the win against a very tough match up. Gamecock fans would like them to win these games more convincingly, but these close wins could be what they need to get them ready for the SEC. But its going to be hard for any team to stop Marcus Lattimore.

8. Oregon Ducks (2-1) LW 8

It wasn't a surprise that against FCS Missouri State the Ducks put up a bunch of points and LeMichael James put up big stats. But now the Ducks will be starting off Pac 12 play and their match ups will be a lot tougher than against the Bears. But everything all falls to their November 12th game against Stanford which will be their shot at a 3rd straight Pac 12(10) Championship.

9. Arkansas Razorbacks (3-0) LW 9

Troy gave the Razorbacks all kind of fits, but they got out with a victory. However they can't have a game like this next week when they face off against Alabama. This will be their big chance to get a win over one of the SEC's elite and at their goal of a SEC Title. Don't believe they will do it, but their offense will be in for it against that Tide D.

10. Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-0) LW 10

Did anybody stay up to watch their game against Tulsa? Heck was anybody even there when they finished into the wee hours of the night/morning. But the Cowboys won the game and continue their warm up before conference games start. This upcoming week they get their first big match up against #12 Texas A&M. The winner of this game puts them into the position to challenge Oklahoma for the Big 12 Championship.

11. Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0) LW 12

The Huskers are known for the defense and after three games there are some question marks. But HC Bo Pelini is a defensive mastermind, so don't expect this to last all season. But unlike the defense, the offense is starting to take shape. QB Taylor Martinez is starting to get comfortable in the system and it showed with 51 points over a Washington which isn't good, but isn't bad. Thier match up in two weeks against Wisconsin should be a preview of the Big 10 Championship.

12. Texas A&M Aggies (2-0) LW 13

Lost in the whole A&M to the SEC talk, the Aggies are playing some good football. They didn't start off to strong, but they got their ducks in order in a 30 point win against Idaho. But it will be their showdown with Oklahoma State next weekend that tells us what type of team the Aggies really are. Top 10 team or just a middle of the road Big 12 team? Should be a fun one to watch.

13. Virginia Tech Hokies (3-0) LW 14

VaTech continues their roll through their non-conference schedule with a win over Arkansas State. It wasn't pretty, but the Hokies got the job done. Look for a lot of that this year. They are a talented team, but will grind out wins with their running game and a tough defense. This weekend they face off against Marshall before a huge game against Clemson who will be coming off of a big game against Florida State.

14. Florida State Seminoles (2-1) LW 11

I didn't really drop Florida State far because I never really bought into their hype. They are a very talented team that might be a year away from being a contender. But they did do a lot better job than I thought they would and a big part of that was their defense. If the Noles can get past a red hot Clemson team this weekend they'll be in a good position. But it's not going to be easy.

15. West Virginia Mountaineers (3-0) LW 16

The Mountaineers got a big win against a Maryland team that hasn't looked to bad this year. Geno Smith keeps improving and had a career game throwing for 388 yards. However those yards are going to be hard to come by this weekend when they face off against #3 LSU and arguably the best defense in the nation. If Geno can limit his mistakes they could have a shot. But the Tiger D is very opportunistic.

16. Florida Gators (3-0) LW 19

A lot of people thought that Tennessee could knock off Florida, but the Gators showed that they aren't that far removed from being a National Title contender. Charlie Weis has this offense humming and he is getting the most out of John Brantley and Chris Rainey. But we'll see how good they really are when Alabama comes to the swamp in two weeks.

17. South Florida Bulls (3-0) LW 23

The Bulls got outplayed in South Bend in week 1 and were lucky to get out of there with the win. However they haven't looked back since and have looked very good. Hanging 70 on Florida A&M was no joke. The team is lead by talented QB BJ Daniels and looks like a team that could win their first Big East Title if they continue this momentum.

18. Clemson Tigers (3-0) LW NR

Dabo Sweeney had his Mike Gundy moment this past weekend when the Tigers ended the longest active winning streak that Auburn had from last year. Clemson has always had the potential to be a good team, but always lost the big games. Their win against Auburn was a great start. However now they have to face off against Florida State who just got off a tough loss to Oklahoma. FSU better have Oklahoma off their mind or Clemson could make them pay.

19. Baylor Bears (2-0) LW 22

Baylor is a team that can't wait for conference play to start. They had a great opening win over TCU, but with a bye week right after and then a game against Stephen F. Austin doesn't really get you a lot of national attention. A game against Rice won't either. But they do get wins and keep moving up the polls when other teams lose.

20. Texas Longhorns (3-0) LW 20

The Longhorns avenged their loss last season to the Bruins and did it behind new QB Case McCoy. Switching from Garrett Gilbert to McCoy has breathed some new life into the team and has the offense looking much better. Now let's see if the Longhorns can keep avenging last season's losses when they face off against Iowa State who is 3-0 for the first time in a while.

21. TCU Horned Frogs (2-1) LW NR

After starting the season off ranked in the middle of the top 25 the Horned Frogs find themselves back in the mix. They got a big win against an Air Force team that is a lot better than people give them credit for. This past week they took care of business in their win against Louisiana-Monroe. TCU looks a lot more comfortable and are settling in with their new players.

22. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1) LW 17

The Buckeyes just can't get their suspended players soon enough. After a solid first two games the Buckeyes offense really stalled against Miami where QB Joe Bauserman only completed 2 passes. Adding DeVier Posey, Dan Herron, and Mike Adams would really help out. However if Bauserman doesn't improve than it won't matter who comes back. Ohio State looked like they could challenge for the Leaders Division Championship but not anymore. They'll be lucky to be ranked at the end of the season.

23. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-0) LW NR

768 yards of offense. Yes, 768 yards. And just think that Kansas beat Georgia Tech last year. After a down year, the Yellow Jackets seem to be back on track but they'll have a big time match up this against a North Carolina team that is surprisingly 3-0 despite all the turmoil. If Tech can keep up their rushing attack they'll have no problem with the Tar Heels.

24. Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0) LW NR

When was the last time that you've seen the Fighting Illini ranked in the top 25? Probably not since Kurt Kitner was the QB and Ron Turner was the HC and they won the Big 10. But Ron Zook has done a good job and has one heck of a QB in Nate Scheelhaase. The dual threat QB has been a big part of the Illini success and helped them knock off previously ranked Arizona State. But the Illini have to show that they can win in conference. Something they have struggled to do consistently.

25. Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-2) LW 25

Even though the Bulldogs lost two in a row, I couldn't drop them from he rankings. They are just too good of a team. And their losses where to LSU and Auburn. Not like it was FAU and North Texas. The Bulldogs should be able to rebound and will probably knock off a few SEC big dogs as the season progresses.

Dropped from Rankings: Central Florida Knights, Arizona State Sun Devils, Auburn Tigers

Heisman Watch (Week 3)

Well it only took three weeks for some shakeups to the rankings. The Oklahoma vs Florida State was the big game of the weekend but that wasn't the only fireworks. Where does everybody stand after three weeks? Lets find out!

1. Landry Jones QB Oklahoma

Last Week: 18-27 199 yards 1 TD 2 INTs 1 rushing TD Next Week: vs. Missouri

Comments: It wasn't the best statistical game of the week, but the bottom line is that Jones lead the Sooners to a big win over Florida State in a match up of top ranked teams. Now its not lot like Jones played bad. He accounted for both Sooner touchdowns and one of them was the go ahead score that helped propel them to victory. And he was in control throughout the game. Now Jones faces off against a reeling Missouri team that ended the Sooners prefect season last year. But look for Jones to meet Texas in Dallas for his next big time match up and another chance to show why he is a favorite take home the hardware.

2. Andrew Luck QB Stanford

Last Week: 20/31 325 yards 2 TDs Next Week: vs UCLA

Comments: In a match up of Pac 12 gunslingers it was Luck who came out of the game on top. His 325 yards increases his total to 786 yards in three games and his two TDs make it 8 on the season. Luck is proving that it wasn't just Jim Harbaugh that has led to his success. Luck is proving to everybody that he is the best quarterback in years. But it won't be till their match up against Oregon in October where he can show Heisman voters that he is the top player in all of college football.

3. Kellen Moore QB Boise State

Last Week: 32-42 455 5 TDs 1 INT Next Week: vs. Tulsa

Comments: Toledo gave Ohio State a run for their money in week 2, but they were no match for Boise State and Kellen Moore in a 45-10 win. "The Surgeon" was up to his old tricks carving up the rocket defense in route to a very impressive 455 yards. Now Moore has always put up big numbers, but this year he has taken it to a new level. But what makes this even more impressive is that Moore is doing this with a new set of receivers and with everybody trying to knock off the mighty Boise State Broncos. However its going to take a lot for Moore to overcome Andrew Luck and Landry Jones. But if Boise State can run the table, he has a chance.

4. Trent Richardson RB Alabama

Last Week: 167 yards 3 TDs Next Week: vs Arkansas

Comments: After a low rushing output in the first game of the season, Richardson has really stepped up his game. In a huge blowout win against North Texas Richardson was unstoppable. His 167 yards was a career high. This Alabama offense continues to improve and Alabama has the makings of another National Championship. This upcoming weekend will be Richardson's toughest test. Arkansas comes to Alabama looking to knock em off. However Arkansas isn't known for their defense, so look for Richardson to continue his roll.

5. Russell Wilson QB Wisconsin

Last Week: 23-32 347 yards 3 TDs 1 INT Next Week: vs. South Dakota

Comments: Russell is a new comer to the rankings, but he has been nothing short of impressive for the Badgers. Wisconsin has always been known for a power running attack where the QB was mainly there to hand the ball off. But Wilson's presence has taken them to new heights. The Badger offense is now an explosive attack that can score at any moment. And with the Big 10 not looking the greatest so far, the Badgers could be on their way to a Big 10 Championship and a possible National Title. But what makes Wilson even more impressive is how bad NC State has looked without him.

Keep an Eye on

Justin Blackmon WR Oklahoma State

Once a contender for the trophy, but Blackmon just hasn't had the season that many thought he'd be having. Now it isn't any fault of his own, defenses are keying in on him and QB Brandon Weeden is going elsewhere. Now I'm not ready to say Blackmon is done, but he is going to need a huge game in College Station against Texas A&M to get some buzz back.

Robert Griffin III QB Baylor

I really want to have RG3 in the top 5, but have we heard much from the talented QB lately? Ever since Baylor's big win against TCU they haven't been on TV and Griffin just isn't getting the buzz you need to win a Heisman Trophy. A big reason is playing the likes of Rice and Stephen F. Austin. Griffin needs Big 12 conference play to start soon.

LeMichael James RB Oregon

Despite 231 yards of total offense James is still hurting from his bad game against LSU. For James to get back into the mix the Ducks are going to have to beat Stanford and have Luck and Landry Jones to struggle. Just don't see it happening.

Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina

With 246 yards and 3 TDs Marcus Lattimore has picked up where he left off last year. Lattimore is arguably the best running back in the nation and a big reason why South Carolina is a legit contender for an SEC Championship. However he'll only go as far as his team will. If the Gamecocks can knock off the SEC elite then could we see another running back taking home the hardware?

David Wilson RB Virginia Tech

88 yards and a touchdown isn't really the type of stats we've been use to seeing out of Wilson, but VaTech continues to roll and as long as they are undefeated he'll be a dark horse candidate for New York.

NCAA Top 25 (Week 2)

1. Oklahoma Sooners (1-0) LW 1

The Sooners had the weekend off and will have two weeks of preparation to get ready for their match up with #11 ranked Florida State. The winner of this game will be well set up for the rest of the season. My bets are on the Sooners to get the win and continue their streak of being #1.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide (2-0) LW 2

After a so-so game against Kent State, they had a much more impressive win over Penn State. It wasn't a blow out, but Alabama dominated the entire game. Defensively they isn't a better team. They forced turnovers and harassed the Penn State Qbs. Their offense continues to improve under AJ McCarron and that will only make the running game of Trent Richardson even better.

3. LSU Tigers (2-0) LW 3

LSU continues to roll on, easily taking care of in state Northwestern State University. The game wasn't close and LSU was able to get their starters out of the game early in preparation of their big Thursday matchup against SEC West rival Mississippi State. The LSU offense will also gets a big jolt with the return of dynamic WR Russell Shepard who returns from suspension. This game is crucial for both teams. An LSU win gives them an early lead in the toughest conference divison in college football.

4. Boise State Broncos (1-0) LW 4

A weekend off for the Broncos after their big win over Georgia allows the Broncos to rest up and focus on the remainder of their season. This week they travel to Toledo on Friday night who gave Ohio State a run for their money. There isn't many sure things in life, but Boise State winning weekday games in one of them.

5. Stanford Cardinal (2-0) LW 5

It was looking like Duke was going to give Stanford a game, but Andrew Luck and the defense took control and put the game out of control. Andrew Luck had another good game and matched his career high on 4 passing touchdowns. Next week Stanford faces off against Arizona who just got rolled by Oklahoma State. This should be a good Pac 12 opener for Stanford.

6. Wisconsin Badgers (2-0) LW 6

After manhandling UNLV and now Oregon State, the Badgers look like the team to beat in the Big 10. What makes them even more dangerous is that Russell Wilson has added another dimension to this offense. In previous years you could focus on the running game, but their passing game is just as dangerous. Watch out!

7. South Carolina Gamecocks (2-0) LW 7

Melvin Ingram with his two touchdowns was the star of the game for the Gamecocks. His fumble return and run on a fake punt helped South Carolina hold off Georgia for an early SEC conference win. South Carolina was outplayed by Georgia, but took advantage of some costly mistakes the Bulldogs made. However good teams find ways to win and South Carolina was no different here.

8. Oregon Ducks (1-1) LW 8

Oregon quickly bounced back after their tough loss to LSU with an big win against Nevada. Darren Thomas picked up where he left off with last week and threw for a very impressive 6 touchdowns. Next week the Ducks host Missouri State in what should be at least a 50 point victory and a chance for Oregon to pad their offensive stats.

9. Arkansas Razorbacks (2-0) LW 9

Another week, another over matched opponent, another big Arkansas win. Nothing special in this one. Taylor Wilson did whatever he wanted against a New Mexico team that could go win less this year. Next week the Razorbacks face off against Troy before facing Alabama in two weeks.

10. Oklahoma State Cowboys (2-0) LW 11

Their game on Thursday night against Arizona was over pretty quick. QB Brandon Weeden threw for 397 yards and 2 touchdowns in the route. Next week Okie State faces off against in state Tulsa in what should be another blow out win before they match up with #13 Texas A&M in their Big 12 opener.

11. Florida State Seminoles (2-0) LW 12

I'm not has high on the Seminoles as a lot of other people, but you have to give them credit for how they have looked this year. Sure its been against Louisiana-Monroe and Charleston Southern, but they took care of business in both games in impressive fashion. However next week is a huge game for them. If the Seminoles want to be "back" they are going to have to knock off the #1 team in the nation. They struggled against them last year in Norman, but this year its in Tallahassee. A win could do a lot for the confidence of this young team.

12. Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-0) LW 10

The Huskers won their game against Fresno State by a couple of touchdowns but they struggled for most of the game before pulling away late. I question Taylor Martinez and if he can lead this team against the Big 10's elite. But their vaunted defense really seemed to struggle against a team that played bad against Cal. This might have been just a bad game, but the Huskers still have some big questions to address. We'll see how they play against Washington next week.

13. Texas A&M Aggies (1-0) LW 13

A&M got a week off after their thrashing of SMU. Next week they face off against Idaho in what should be another blowout. The Aggies offense is loaded this year with talented QB Ryan Tannehill who has one of the best WRs in the nation in Jeff Fuller and two very talented RBs in Cyrus Gray and Chrstine Michael. But their defense will be the key to their season. How their defensive line plays will be if they are a Big 12 Title contender or if they'll be in the Cotton Bowl again.

14. Virginia Tech Hokies (2-0) LW 14

This win over East Carolina marks HC Frank Beamer's 200th career win. What an accomplishment for Beamer who has turned VaTech from a nobody into a constant BCS Bowl contender. In this game VaTech was able to pull out the win despite a poor performance, especially from QB Logan Thomas. However in typical VaTech fashion the defense stepped up and helped win this game. The Hokies are matched up with Arkansas State next week before starting their ACC conference play.

15. Michigan State Spartans (2-0) LW 16

How good was Michigan State's defense? They held Florida Atlantic to only one first down. Not in the first or second half. But for the entire game. Now I don't care who you play, that is impressive. Offensively the Spartans weren't impressive, but they didn't turn the ball over and took advantage of great field position all day long. Their next game is against Notre Dame who is coming off two straight losses. But State needed a fake field goal last year to win the game. Will this year be a barn burner again? We'll see.

16. West Virginia Mountaineers (2-0) LW 17

West Virginia went into halftime trailing 12-10 but rattled off 45 unanswered points to win 55-10 over Norfolk State. Geno Smith looked good for a second straight game throwing for 371 and 4 TDs. The Mountaineers are going to need two good half if they are going to win against Maryland who looked good in their win over Miami. This will be a great test for Geno Smith, Dana Holgerson and company.

17. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0) LW 21

Even though they needed to 4th down stop, the Buckeyes are better than I thought they would be. They beat Toledo 27-22 and that makes it 90 straight years they have beaten every Ohio school they have played. What is even better is that Joe Bauserman has taken control of the starting QB spot. Rotating or playing two QBs never really seems to work out. Look for Ohio State to continue to get better, especially when they get Dan Herron, DaVier Posey, and Mike Adams back. This will be a good Buckeye squad.

18. Central Florida Knights (2-0) LW 19

Central Florida exploded for 21 fourth quarter points to help put away a victory over Boston College. The Knight defense was the key to this game. They held Boston College to only 141 total yards. Central Florida isn't getting a lot of hype, but they are a very good team and their easy schedule could allow them to go undefeated. However next week they face off against Florida International who is coming off of a win against Louisville.

19. Florida Gators (2-0) LW 20

Another impressive win for a Florida team under first year head coach Will Muschamp. RB Chris Railey led the way with 182 total yards and a touchdown. Defensively they held UAB to a shut out. They look like a new team, however they schedule takes a turn for the worse. Tennessee is their next opponent and they are coming off a impressive win over Cincinnati and will give their rivals everything they have.

20. Texas Longhorns (2-0) LW 22

In a tough match up against BYU the Longhorns were looking like they were going to drop a tough loss. Mack Brown pulled ineffective Garrett Gilbert and inserted Chase McCoy. The younger brother of Colt McCoy came in and lead the Longhorns to a come from behind victory. McCoy was very effective in relief and looks to become the new starter. Texas is hoping he can do what his brother was use to doing and that was winning games. Next week they face off against UCLA and try to avenge a loss to the Bruins last year.

21. Arizona State Sun Devils (2-0) LW 23

The Arizona State Sun Devils were a team a lot of people expected good things from. Well they aren't letting people down on those expectations. In a big non conference game they beat previously ranked Missouri in overtime to start the season 2-0. Now they look to continue their roll against an Illinois team that is in the same position.

22. Baylor Bears (1-0) LW 24

Baylor fans are still riding high after their thrilling victory over TCU last week. Luckily they've had a week off to refocus themselves and get ready for the rest of their games. They play Stephen F. Austin next week and then Rice after that. Those two games they should win convincingly. They don't have a tough game till October 8th when they face an Iowa State team that just knocked off Iowa. It's time to get use to Baylor being ranked in the top 25.

23. South Florida Bulls (2-0) LW 25

After knocking off Notre Dame in a weird rain/lightning game the Bulls faced a much easier game against a sub par Ball State team. It was an easy matchup for the Bulls who never struggled. South Florida is an experienced team with a veteran QB. They were a fringe contender in the Big East, but they should challenge West Virginia and Pittsburgh for the right to go to a BCS game.

24. Auburn Tigers (2-0) LW NR

I'm still not sold on Auburn this year, but their victory over a very good Mississippi State team was impressive to say the least. Especially after they should have gotten beaten by Utah State. Michael Dywer did his best to get people to forget about Cam Newton with 150 yards rushing and 2 TDs. But Auburn is still not a good team. Their defense will be their Achilles heel. If they continue to play like they did this past weekend they might make me a believer.

25. Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-1) LW 15

The Bulldogs from Mississippi State were a team that I thought could make a run and maybe sneak their way into the SEC Title game. However that won't happen after they dropped a bad loss to an Auburn team that I still think won't make a bowl game. Their rush defense was the biggest problem against Auburn and they have to fix that. Otherwise teams like Alabama will destroy them.

Dropped Out: Missouri Tigers

NCAA Top 25 (Week 1)

1. Oklahoma Sooners (1-0)

Oklahoma came into the game against Tulsa having to worry about their wide open offense. However the Bob Stoops defense held the high powered Golden Hurricanes to 14 points in a route. Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles showed why they are the best QB/WR tandem in college football. However the Sooners next game will be against #12 Florida State in Tallahassee. Should be a good one.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0)

Despite starting a new quarterback, the Crimson Tide rolled on. As long as AJ McCarron/Phillip Sims doesn't start turning the ball over left and right, the Tide will be fine. Their defense and running game will carry them throughout this season.

3. LSU Tigers (1-0)

Nobody was surprised that LSU beat Oregon, but the margin of victory has to be a little surprise. LSU's defense was opportunistic which gave them the edge. If CB Tyrann Mathieu keeps making plays like he did, Tiger fans might just be saying, Patrick Peterson who?

4. Boise State Broncos (1-0)

It continues to amaze me how many people look past Boise State in big games. A lot of so called experts predicted that Boise State couldn't hang with an SEC opponent. However they didn't realize that Georgia isn't that great. If it wasn't for Andrew Luck, Kellen Moore would be the best QB in college football. They are a tough team that has a lot of speed. Look for the Broncos to be knocking on the door of a National Title game all year long.

5. Stanford Cardinal (1-0)

Although Andrew Luck didn't put up astronomical numbers in a win against San Jose State, they looked to be in mid season form. They'll continue to roll through their schedule until they get to Oregon which their defense will have to step up.

6. Wisconsin Badgers (1-0)

UNLV had one of the worst rushing defenses in all of college football last year, so to no surprises the Badgers huge offensive line ran roughshod over them. What was even scarier for Wisconsin's opponents is that Russell Wilson looked pretty good running the offense. However I still have some questions about their defense. Their lack of speed could hurt them come conference play.

7. South Carolina Gamecocks (1-0)

I know that Steve Spurrier didn't start Stephen Garcia because all of his off the field problems, but them struggling without him really showed how much he is needed. When he came in it was a totally different team. Next week's showdown with Georgia should be an interesting game.

8. Oregon Ducks (0-1)

Turnovers really cost the Ducks in their opening game loss to LSU. However injuries to Kenjan Balmer and LeMichael James were a big part of their offenses struggles too. But Oregon won't play a team as good as LSU the rest of the season. They'll bounce back, and lets remember that its better to lose early then late.

9. Arkansas Razorbacks (1-0)

It shouldn't be a shocker that a Bobby Petrino led team put up over 50 points in a game. But as the season continues I'll be concerned how the Razorbacks defense looks. This team has a chance to be good, but if they can't stop the offenses at Alabama, LSU, or Mississippi State then they could find themselves back in the middle of the SEC again.

10. Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0)

With a new offense in Lincoln we saw a look back at the Husker teams of the 90's running the option. However for the Huskers to be good they need their young offensive line to step up and for Taylor Martinez to make better decisions in big games.

11. Oklahoma State Cowboys (1-0)

I was curious of how Oklahoma State would fare without Dana Holgerson. Now it was Louisiana-Lafayette, but they looked like they haven't lost a step. But the Cowboys will get a better defense to go against next Thursday night in Arizona. This could be a coming out party for ultra talented WR Justin Blackmon and QB Brandon Weeden.

12. Florida State Seminoles (1-0)

EJ Manuel and the Seminoles looked good in their opening game win against Louisiana-Monroe, but I'm still not as high on them as most other people. They are still very young and we'll know more after they play Oklahoma in a couple of weeks.

13. Texas A&M Aggies (1-0)

I don't think SMU ever had a chance against Texas A&M in this one. Ryan Tannehill showed once again he should have been a starting QB a long time ago. But it was Cyrus Gray that stole the show rushing for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.

14. Virginia Tech Hokies (1-0)

The Hokies didn't suffer the same fate as Michigan did against Appalachian State beating the Mountaineers 66-13. Logan Thomas looked good replacing Tyrod Taylor, but David Wilson is making his mark on college football. The speedster rushed for 162 yards and 3 touchdowns. VaTech's easy schedule could have them sitting undefeated at the end of the season.

15. Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-0)

A true testament of how good of a coach Dan Mullen is. Miss State was a regular at the bottom of the SEC under Sylvester Croom. Now Mullen has the Bulldogs playing great and Chris Relf's improved passing game gives Mullen the ability to use his entire playbook and we are seeing a lot of the same offense that Tebow ran at Florida.

16. Michigan State Spartans (1-0)

After a season filled of breaks the Spartans were still considered a contender for the Big 10 champions. But even though Youngstown State is a good FCS team, you would think that Sparty would be able to win more convincingly. Next week Michigan State faces off against FAU who Florida handled pretty easily.

17. West Virginia Mountaineers (1-0)

I'll be keeping an eye on how West Virginia does this season with first time HC Dana Holgerson leading a team that should win the Big East. How he does in big time games will be crucial. But he has the Mountaineers offense humming and Geno Smith looked very good in his first game. If the game wouldn't have been canceled early Smith could have put up even bigger numbers.

18. Missouri Tigers (1-0)

The Missouri Tigers offense the past few years has been one of the best in all of college football. We saw Blaine Gabbert and Chase Daniel run the offense to the T. It was only one game, but James Franklin really struggled. It reminds me of Missouri with Brad Smith. They were always dangerous, but the coaching staff had no idea how to utilize Smith's running ability and they lost games they could have won. If Gary Pinkel and David Yost can't figure it out they could struggle this year.

19. Central Florida Knights (1-0)

62-0. That was the final score of their victory over Charleston Southern. A pretty impressive win. Especially when some teams struggled this weekend against similar type of teams. The Knights have an easy schedule ahead of them, especially without Houston on it. But their potential showdown in the Conference USA Title Game could/should be a must watch.

20. Florida Gators (1-0)

John Brantley has always been a talented QB, but he was lost in Florida's spread offense under Urban Meyer, Now with Charlie Weis in Gainesville Brantley is able to show off his skill set. In their win against FAU Brantley distributed the ball well and Weis was able to highlight speedy running back Chris Rainey is many different ways. If Will Muschamp can get the Gators to have a more workman like mentality we should see Florida back in the top 10 before we know it.

21. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)

Even though the Buckeyes are without some key players due to NCAA suspensions, they looked like the same team that we've seen the past decade. Joe Bauserman played very well and the defense looked like they haven't lost a step. If the Buckeyes can get to their game against Nebraska (when they get back their key offensive players) with one lose or less then we could see the Buckeyes challenging for a spot in the first ever Big 10 Championship Game.

22. Texas Longhorns (1-0)

Last years Texas team was thought to be a potential Big 12 Champion and make another run at a BCS game. However a lack of identity on offense really hurt their offense and Garrett Gilbert struggled. However the off season hire of Bryan Harsin was a good move. Gilbert looked more comfortable and the offense has the potential to really take off.

23. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-0)

Brock Osweiler threw for 262 yards and a touchdown in a victory over UC Davis. However he had to leave the game early due to leg cramps. However we saw that quite a bit throughout the first weekend, so don't be worried. The Sun Devil offense looked pretty good and is a big change since Rudy Carpenter was the QB.

24. Baylor Bears (1-0)

Big 12 fans have known about how good Robert Griffin is for the past four years. However the nation got to witness how good he was in a big time victory against nationally ranked TCU. RG3 has quickly jumped up many people's Heisman boards, but if he wants to continue his ascension the Bears are going to have to keep winning. They'll do that, but on October 15th they travel to College Station and have a huge match up against Texas A&M.

25. South Florida Bulls (1-0)

Notre Dame might have doubled the Bulls on total offense, but their 5 turnovers they forced were the key to the game. If South Florida and Skip Holtz can continue this momentum they can give West Virginia and Pittsburgh a challenge to the Big East crown.

Dropped Out: Notre Dame, TCU Horned Frogs

Fixing the Big 12

With the recent news that Texas A&M making their intentions clear that they are exploring leaving the Big 12. That basically means that they are gone. That would leave the Big 12 with only 9 teams. That wouldn't be awful. They would still have Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Missouri. Those four teams could carry a conference. But it would probably be a wise decision to look towards getting back to 12 teams with a the idea of having a championship game. SMU came out this week saying that wanted to be in the Big 12 if they were looking. That got me thinking. If I was in charge of the Big 12 (heck anybody could be better than Dan Beebe) which teams would I go after?

The teams I would be looking for don't necessarily have to fit geographically. That would be nice, but if you want the Big 12 to grow you need to get more eyes on your product. Notre Dame would obviously be my first choice, but there is no way they join. They want to stay Independent (and why wouldn't they) and if they were forced to join a conference it would probably be the Big 10. So with all that said, here is a look at the teams I would make invitations to.

Boise State Broncos. This would be one of my first choices. Boise isn't a big market, but they are nationally known and would bring a championship contender in. Their facilities are improving and they have a rabid fan base. Plus everybody would be wanting to see if they could make it playing in a big boys league.

TCU Horned Frogs. Along with Boise State this would be one of the first schools I'd target. TCU and Boise State are the top two non BCS teams out there. Plus TCU fits geographically and gives the conference a team in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex which is the #5 media market. Now I am aware that having Texas, Baylor and Texas Tech already gives you Dallas, but having TCU could help even more. I know that TCU has already joined the Big East for the 2012 season, but they would jump at the opportunity to get into the Big 12 where they wouldn't have to travel as much.

San Diego State Aztecs. Now San Diego State doesn't fit geographically, but they are a team that has the potential to make a big time jump. The team has improved under Brady Hoke and now Rocky Long should keep them on that path. Add in that their attendance has been improving lately which shows the interest. But what is most important is having a presence in Southern California. You would get the San Diego market (#28) plus having games in California could help teams recruit the area better.

Central Florida Knights. Much like San Diego State, Central Florida doesn't fit geographically but they are a team that is getting better and better and ready to start making a run at a BCS Bowl. UCF has also put a lot of money into improving their facilities. But what makes this move even better is that it gives you the Orlando market (#19) and a presence in the fertile recruiting grounds of Florida.

Houston Cougars. Here is another team that has had the ability to challenge for a possible BCS berth. Houston under Art Briles and now Kevin Sumlin have had the Cougars as regulars in the Conference USA Title hunt. Put them into the Big 12 and they might not challenge for the conference title right away, but they have proven that they could beat the likes of Texas Tech on a consistent basis. Add in that the Houston market is #10 nationally and they wouldn't require the current teams to travel much. Plus they are another team that has started investing a lot of money into their facilities.

If those teams don't work, here are some fall back options.

BYU Cougars. BYU thought that they would be a perfect fit when the Pac 10 wanted to expand, but they were passed over for Utah. So instead they decided to go Independent. But don't think for a second they wouldn't pass up the chance to join a BCS conference if they were invited. Now BYU is known for being difficult to work with, but they would give you a reputable program and because of the BYUTV network gives you eyes all over the country and some parts of the world. They wouldn't be my first choice but they would be an interesting fall back option.

SMU Mustangs. They have made it very clear that they want in, but they should be the ultimate fall back option. Now SMU has improved under June Jones, but they are no where ready to be competing in the Big 12 conference. The only thing they would bring to the conference is that they fit geographically and gives the Dallas market. But having Texas in the conference probably gives the conference the same amount of the Dallas market as SMU would. The only way I would invite them is if I had to invite somebody and nobody else accepted.

Overall if the Big 12 was able to get Boise State, TCU and either Central Florida or San Diego State they could be set up for a while. Heck even if TCU doesn't come and its just Boise State, Central Florida and San Diego State that would make them even more attractive and a better conference. But that's just my opinion. Let me know yours.

Preseason All Big 12 Team

After doing both the Big 10 and Big 12 Predictions, I've decided to add my preseason all conference teams in with the predictions. So since this wasn't included in with the predictions....here is my Preseason All Big 12 Team.

Offense

QB: Landry Jones, Oklahoma

RB: Cyrus Gray, Texas A&
RB: Roy Finch, Oklahoma
TE: Michael Egnew, Missouri
WR: Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
WR: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
T: Levy Adcock, Oklahoma State
G: Austin Wuebbels, Missouri
C: Ben Habern, Oklahoma
G: Lonnie Edwards, Texas Tech
T: Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State

Defense
DE: Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma
DT: Kheeston Randall, Texas
DT: Jamarkus McFarland, Oklahoma
DE: Brad Madison, Missouri
LB: Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
LB: Emmanuel Acho, Texas
LB: Zavier Goodon, Missouri
CB: Coryell Judie, Texas A&M
S: Blake Gideon, Texas
S: Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State
CB: Demontre Hurst, Oklahoma

Specialists
K: Grant Ressel, Missouri
P: Quinn Sharpe, Oklahoma State
KR/PR: Josh Cooper, Oklahoma State