1. Alabama Crimson Tide (11-0) LW 1
In their final tune up before the Iron Bowl, the Crimson Tide came through with flying colors. Not only did they score 49 points, but they shut out the Mocs. Now all that's in the way for Alabama to win yet another SEC Title is their in state rival Auburn.
2. Florida State Seminoles (11-0) LW 2
With the legal issues of Jameis Winston being all over the place, the Seminoles and Winston didn't let that affect them in their easy win over Idaho. Especially since they scored 80. Florida is up next and even though they lost to Georgia Southern, they are still dangerous.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0) LW 4
The Buckeyes were the biggest Oklahoma State fans last night who now move into the solid #3 spot with their win over Indiana. It also helps that Michigan State continues to win and move up in the rankings. But Ohio State still needs either FSU or Bama to lose if they want to get to a title game.
4. Missouri Tigers (10-1) LW 8
Missouri passed a big test this weekend with their win over Mississippi. It's never easy to win in Oxford, but even more now that the Rebels have improved. The Tigers do still have to beat Texas A&M if they want to win the SEC East. Easier said than done.
5. Baylor Bears (9-1) LW 3
A tough loss for Baylor who was on the verge of their first perfect season in school history. But it's hard to really punish the Bears who have had a rash of injuries to their best offensive skilled players. But Baylor still has the Big 12 Conference Title to play for and needs to win out to do so.
6. Auburn Tigers (10-1) LW 6
A week off gives the Tigers even more time to prepare for the Iron Bowl. A win will give the Tigers the SEC West Title and a shot to win the SEC for the first time since their National Title season. Those two wins could easily vault the Tigers into the BCS Title Game too.
7. Clemson Tigers (10-1) LW 7
For a team that has only lost to the #2 ranked team in the nation, the Tigers are rarely heard from. A win over in state rival South Carolina would do a lot to help the Tigers get that attention and an invitation to yet another BCS Bowl.
8. Michigan State Spartans (10-1) LW 11
Say what you will about their victory over win less Northwestern, but that's still a big win because the Wildcats are a very tough team. The win also clinches the Legends Division Title and sets up a game with Ohio State that the Spartans match up very well with.
9. Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-1) LW 15
Too bad that Oklahoma State had that brain fart of a game against West Virginia (4-7) or we could be talking about the Cowboys with a chance at the National Title Game. And it's that loss that has me reluctant to put them ahead of the other one loss teams. But beating Baylor was huge for this team.
10. Stanford Cardinal (9-2) LW 9
There wasn't a need for the band on the field in this game against California as Stanford easily rolled to 63-13 win. Oregon's loss also gives the Pac 12 North Title back to the Cardinal who will look to take on Arizona State to win their second straight conference title.
11. Wisconsin Badgers (9-2) LW 12
It's hard to find a team that's playing better than Wisconsin. Even though they only beat Minnesota 20-7 it's still a good win over a very tough Golden Gopher team. A win over Penn State this weekend could help the Badgers make a third straight BCS appearance.
12. Oregon Ducks (9-2) LW 5
Not too long ago we were saying that Oregon was not missing a beat without Chip Kelly. Don't know if you can trace this to not having Kelly, but the Ducks have now lost their second straight game and it came at the hands of blowout fashion to Arizona. They can kiss the Pac 12 Title away now.
13. South Carolina Gamecocks (9-2) LW 13
Coastal Carolina was no match for the Gamecocks that are hoping that Missouri slips up just once so they can get back to the SEC Title Game. They still have a shot, but the Gamecocks have their own game to worry about when they host Clemson this weekend.
14. Arizona State Sun Devils (9-2) LW 20
Their win over UCLA clinches the Sun Devils spot in the Pac 12 Title Game and will pit them against Stanford for the right to go to the Rose Bowl. That's a great accomplishment for this program who has been average for the longest time. But they can't look past USC who is also playing really hot lately.
15. Oklahoma Sooners (9-2) LW 18
It won't get a lot of attention, but their win over Kansas State was a good win. The Wildcats are very tough and didn't make it easy on the Sooners. The win also puts them in a position that if they beat Oklahoma State in Bedlam, they still might have a shot at winning the Big 12 Title.
16. LSU Tigers (8-3) LW 19
Not only was their victory over A&M big for improving their bowl standing, but it also helps them from losing four games for the first time since 2009. Their young defense stepped up and slowed down Manziel, giving their offense the opportunity to put up enough points to win.
17. Fresno State Bulldogs (10-0) LW 16
With Derek Carr throwing for 527 yards and 7 touchdowns the Bulldogs were able to roll through Nevada and cruise to their tenth win of the season. However with the Mountain West continuing to beat up on each other, their wins don't look as impressive.
18. Central Florida Knights (9-1) LW 17
Another route and the Knights continue to show that they are the class of the American Athletic Conference and with only South Florida and SMU left to go they should be able to cruise to the conference title and their first BCS Bowl in program history.
19. Texas A&M Aggies (8-3) LW 10
The Aggies go as Johnny Manziel does and against the LSU Tigers he wasn't able to go too far. That's evident in their ability to only score 10 points. And with how many holes they have in their defense there is little chance to win like that. Now they have to travel to Missouri and hope to play spoiler.
20. UCLA Bruins (8-3) LW 14
UCLA made a late run at taking the lead, but their 22 point half time deficit was too much to overcome in the second half. The loss also closes the door on their bid for a second straight South Division Title. However a win over USC will still be a big game for this team.
21. USC Trojans (9-3) LW 24
The Trojans aren't use to playing many games in the cold weather, but they managed to put that behind them and continue their winning streak with a victory over Colorado. USC goes into their final game of the season against intercity rival UCLA in a game where the Trojans will be playing with the hopes of Ed Orgeron getting the job.
22. Louisville Cardinals (10-1) LW 21
Wonder why a one loss Louisville team is still at the end of the top 25? Well then they struggle to win by 7 over a 3 win team at home and there is no wonder why people don't have too much confidence in the Cardinals.
23. Northern Illinois Huskies (11-0) LW 22
What was said for Louisville can be attributed to the Huskies. Sure they are undefeated, but they continue to not look like a dominant team and having Toledo hang around for so long doesn't instill a lot of confidence. They'll likely finish the season undefeated again, but don't expect a BCS Bowl this year.
24. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-3) LW NR
Notre Dame has been in and out of the rankings all year and are now back with a big win over a BYU team that is very underrated. The 23-13 win gives the Irish their eight win of the season and have victories over Arizona State and Michigan State who are both ranked high.
25. Duke Blue Devils (9-2) LW NR
First we had Minnesota ranked and now Duke, what is this the basketball rankings? You have to give credit to head coach David Cutcliff for what he's done building this Blue Devil program. With a win over rival North Carolina this weekend would put the Blue Devils in the ACC Title Game for the first time in school history.
Dropped Out: Mississippi Rebels, Minnesota Golden Gophers
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