1. Alabama Crimson Tide (10-0) LW 1
The game was never in doubt against Mississippi State, but Alabama didn't really blow anybody away with their performance. Maybe it was looking past Miss State with eyes towards the Iron Bowl, but Alabama was lucky to get out with a win and stay atop the rankings.
2. Florida State Seminoles (10-0) LW 2
In what could have been a trap game, the Seminoles cruised past Syracuse to get their tenth win and stay on pace to play in the National Title. It should be an easy rode with Idaho next week and a struggling Florida team following that.
3. Baylor Bears (9-0) LW 3
Winning 63-34 it's hard to believe that Baylor was once trailing 14-0. But even with key weapons hurt and missing the Bears never missed a beat. They continue to look like a well oiled machine and like one of college football's elite this year.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes (9-0) LW 4
Even with Urban Meyer running up the score on bad Big 10 teams doesn't hide that the Buckeyes still don't look like one of the elite teams in college football. Yeah they beat Illinois 60-35, but they are flawed. Luckily they won't face a tough team till Michigan State in the Big 10 Title Game.
5. Oregon Ducks (9-1) LW 6
With Oregon crushing Utah 44-21 and Stanford's loss to USC, the Ducks have quietly snuck their way back into the National Title discussion. They are back atop the Pac 12 North Standings and if they can win out the rest of the year they would have a pretty impressive resume.
6. Auburn Tigers (10-1) LW 7
The immaculate tip will go down as one of the best plays in Auburn history not only for getting a big win over Georgia, but for keeping the Tigers on pace for a possible National Title run. Now with a week off the Tigers can get ready for Alabama in a huge huge game.
7. Clemson Tigers (9-1) LW 8
Playing Georgia Tech is always tough because their triple option offense is unlike anything any other team runs. So winning by 24 points is no small feat. The Tigers are continuing to play at a high level even after their crushing defeat against Florida State a couple weeks back.
8. Missouri Tigers (9-1) LW 9
Not too often do teams have a bye this late, but that should work in the Tigers favor as they have two crucial games that they need to win if they want the SEC East Title. Traveling to Ole Miss this weekend will be extremely tough so having a bye should help the Tigers stay focused.
9. Stanford Cardinal (8-2) LW 5
All the momentum the Cardinal got after their win over Oregon was lost when they suffered their second loss of the season against USC. Not only did they suffer another loss, but the loss also knocks them out of the Pac 12 North top spot and could ruin their bid for a second straight conference title.
10. Texas A&M Aggies (8-2) LW 10
The Aggies have a bye week before their final two games. A&M is hoping that they can get one of the BCS at large bids and make it to a BCS Bowl for the first time as an SEC school. If they win out which would be wins over Missouri and LSU, which is easier said than done.
11. Michigan State Spartans (9-1) LW 12
What happens when you pair an elite defense and an offense that is finding their way. You get one of the hottest teams in the nation. The Spartans 41-27 win at Nebraska practically locks them into the conference title game against an Ohio State team that they match up very well to.
12. Wisconsin Badgers (8-2) LW 13
Don't like the Badgers? Consider that their only two losses are in a complete ref mismanagement at Arizona State and by a touchdown to the #4 team. Wisconsin is surging and playing like one of the best teams in the nation. Also helps that they might have the best RB tandem in the nation.
13. South Carolina Gamecocks (8-2) LW 11
South Carolina keeps winning, but they don't really inspire a lot of confidence. Their 19-14 win over Florida wasn't pretty, but it keeps them on pace with Missouri who if they slip up allows the Gamecocks to slide into the SEC Title Game.
14. UCLA Bruins (8-2) LW 14
The Bruins jumped on Washington early, but had to hold on late to get the win. The win gives UCLA their eighth of the season and keeps them on pace with Arizona State to win the South Division. A big part of the Bruins recent success has to be attributed to two way player Myles Jack who had 4 TDs against Washington.
15. Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-1) LW 18
Twenty one unanswered points in the second quarter allowed the Cowboys to take charge and help give Texas it's worst home defeat in the Mack Brown era. The win keeps Oklahoma State in contention for the Big 12 Title and make their game against Baylor the de facto Big 12 Title Game.
16. Fresno State Bulldogs (9-0) LW 15
It's been a dream season for the Bulldogs who have remained undefeated all season long and with games against New Mexico and San Jose State left, should end the year unblemished. That should set up a game against either Utah State or Boise State for the first ever Mountain West Title Game.
17. Central Florida Knights (8-1) LW 16
They might have won, but needing a diving one handed catch to win the game against a horrible Temple team isn't going to get many points in my eyes. Luckily for them their remaining schedule is very weak and they should cruise to their first BCS Bowl in school history.
18. Oklahoma Sooners (8-2) LW 17
It was a bounce back game for the Sooners as their 48-10 defeat of Iowa State helps take away some of the pain from their loss to Baylor the week before. But with a sneaky good Kansas State team this weekend and Oklahoma State afterwards they can't be too comfortable.
19. LSU Tigers (7-3) LW 19
Like a few SEC schools, the Tigers had a bye week before their final two games of the year. The first of the two is a crucial game for the Tigers if they want to salvage their season and still get to nine wins. But hosting Texas A&M and Johnny Manziel is really going to test their young defense.
20. Arizona State Sun Devils (8-2) LW 20
It was suppose to be a shootout against Oregon State, but the Sun Devils defense had other plans. The win makes their game against UCLA this week the Pac 12 South Title Game where the winner will move on to play Oregon in the Title Game.
21. Louisville Cardinals (9-1) LW 21
Louisville's defense stepped up in a big way to hold a good Houston offense to zero points in the second half to get the win. This was all considering they were down 13-10 at halftime and staring at a second loss. But the Cardinals have been forgotten about since their loss to the Knights.
22. Northern Illinois Huskies (10-0) LW 22
Through three and a half quarters it looked like the Huskies undefeated streak was about to come to an end. However three touchdowns in the final six minutes of the game allowed the Huskies to run away with a big #MACtion win. Now they just need to not slip up until they get to the MAC Title Game.
23. Mississippi Rebels (7-3) LW NR
Take away a three game stretch where they lost to Alabama, Auburn, and LSU and the A&M haven't loss a game all year. Their win over Troy keeps their momentum going into a huge game against Missouri where the Rebels can prove they are still one of the top teams in the SEC.
24. USC Trojans (8-3) LW NR
Since Lane Kiffin was fired the Trojans have gone 5-1 with a huge upset victory over Stanford. Ed Orgeron has done a great job unifiying the team and motivating them to play at a whole new level. The Pac 12 South Title is not out of reach if they win out.
25. Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-2) LW 25
After an unprobably 8-2 start to the season the Golden Gophers enjoy a much needed bye week to rest up before arguably their toughest stretch of the season. With both Michigan State and Wisconsin left on the schedule the Gophers still have a shot to win the Legends Division. Bet you never would have thought that.
Dropped Out: Miami Hurricanes, Texas Longhorns
No comments:
Post a Comment