Top 25
BCS-(AP)
1-(1) Alabama 9-0
2-(3) Kansas State 9-0
3-(2) Oregon 9-0
4-(4) Notre Dame 9-0
5-*(5) Georgia 8-1
6-(7) Florida 8-1
7-(9) LSU 8-2
8-(12) South Carolina 7-2
9-(11) Louisville 9-0
10-(8) Florida State 8-1
11-(13) Oregon State 7-1
12-(14) Oklahoma 6-2
13-(10) Clemson 8-1
14-(16) Stanford 7-2
15-(15) Texas A&M 7-2
16-(18) Nebraska 7-2
17-(19) Texas 7-2
18-(17) UCLA 7-2
19-(21) USC 6-3
20-(19) Louisiana Tech 8-1
21-(22) Mississippi State 7-2
22-(25) Texas Tech 6-3
23-(24) Rutgers 7-1
24-(NR) Northwestern 7-2
25-(23) Toledo 8-1
*Ohio State is tie for #5 in the AP Poll but are ineligible for the BCS.
Overrated
I always enjoy an underdog and love to see the big boys get their party crashed, but I gotta go Louisville here. The Big East is not a strong conference and they've only played two teams this season with a winning record. The only hope for a top 25 opponent this season is Rutgers who sits at #23 right now, but it's no garuntee that they'll still be ranked when thses teams meet on November 29th. Hat's off for being undefeated and good on you for making a BCS Bowl but there will be a more diserving team that gets left out to make room for the Cardinals.
-Jeremy
While I agree with the Louisville pick, I am going to a different direction and yes I will be going back on some earlier arguments I made here. My biggest overrated is Oregon. I cannot understand how this team is continually voted No. 2 in all the human polls. I am fine with the argument they have the best offense in the country that is no problem, I will give you that. That being said, let's look at the defenses they have played in just points against, Arkansas State (No. 63, 27.6), Fresno State (No. 32, 21.6), Arizona (108th, 35.0), Washington State (94th, 31.8), Washington (59th, 26.3), Colorado (124th, 46.2), USC (49th, 24.2) (Yes, I left out Tennessee Tech, does that even need explaining?) I think those numbers say it all, but just for a little more context, those teams average allowing 29.48 points per game. Also, let's look at this- there are two teams ranked 100 or below and three 90 or below, including CU who is the worst defense in the nation. Another reason this team is overrated is because I keep hearing how improved its defense is. Let's just say this, no matter how good USC's offense is, Oregon still gave up 51 points. Good defenses don't give up 51 points in a game no matter who they are playing. I can tell you Alabama, Kansas State, Notre Dame's defenses would not give up 51 to USC. I think if this team gets behind, just like West Virginia this season they are in trouble. If this defense is leaned on for more than one or two series it will crumble. There is my rant about the Ducks. Let the hate mail begin. I am putting this team on notice, with Stanford and Oregon State coming up, who both play physical defense and I think the Ducks are bound to struggle against one. And if they do get through the season unscathed and meet Bama in the National Title game lookout, its not going to be close folks.
-Nick
Underrated
The way Texas A&M is playing, this team looks like they could compete with anyone. Looking a most of the teams ahead of them, I wouldn't hesitate to take A&M against most of the teams ranked 14 up to number 5. We'll find out soon enough, with a trip to Tuscaloosa looming, if this A&M team can compete with the big boys of the SEC. The Aggies are getting Alabama at the best possible time (if there is such a thing). Alabama is coming off a huge, emotional victory over LSU and will surely be a little beat up after such a smash mouth game and the way Johnny Manziel has played recently, he could pose a major challenge for the Tide defense.
-Jeremy
Are you crazy?!?!
This really has nothing to do with the top 25 but Indiana is in control of its B1G fate and has a chance to represent it's division (I just can't take the conference names seriously) in the B1G Championship. Yeah, Indiana... in football. It's a tall order with Wisconsin and Penn State coming up, but why not Indiana? Nothing would put an exclamation point on this season for the B1G than having the Hoosiers in the championship game.
Jeremy's Top 25
1-(1) Alabama 9-0
They went to Death Valley, took LSU's best shot and still won.
2-(2) Kansas State 9-0
They get it done week in and week out. Klein's health will determine where this team goes the rest of the way.
3-(3) Notre Dame 9-0
Somewhere along the way everyone has to battle back and win when you're not at your best. The Irish did that against Pitt.
4-(4) Oregon 9-0
Good win at USC. We'll see if their November strength of schedule hold up.
5-(7) Georgia 8-1
The Bulldogs put together, perhaps their best win of the season against Ole Miss.
6-(6) Florida State 8-1
Call me a homer, but there are few teams more complete in all phases than the 'Noles.
7-(8) Florida 8-1
See Notre Dame. The Gators defense forced key turnovers to keep the Gators in the hunt.
8-(9) Clemson 8-1
As dangerous an offense as there is in college football. Won't really get tested again until Nov. 24 against South Carolina.
9-(5) LSU 8-2
Despite the loss to Alabama, this team might have just found an offense.
10-(10) Louisville 9-0
Solid team that just keeps moving up the polls.
11-(11) South Carolina 7-2
Off last week. How do they finish without star running back Marcus Lattimore?
12-(14) Oregon State 7-1
Bounded back this week with a solid win over Arizona State. Big conference game against Stanford coming up.
13-(12) Oklahoma 6-2
Up and down season for the Sooners. They've still got some big games ahead.
14-(15) Texas A&M 7-2
This team is coming on at the right time. Could play spoiler at Alabama this weekend.
15-(16) Stanford 7-2
Might have found an answer at quarterback just in time for three straight games against ranked, Pac-12 opponents.
16-(20) Nebraska 7-2
Someone will have to win the B1G. Could be the Huskers. If not... who else plays in this conference?
17-(24) Texas 7-2
Texas has won three straight and are starting to play much better on defense.
18-(NR) UCLA 7-2
Back in the polls after a breif showing early in the season. Could they challenge Oregon for the Pac-12 crown?
19-(22) Louisiana Tech 8-1
This team can score points with the best of 'em. Too bad they don't have a defense.
20-(13) Mississippi State 7-2
Back to back losses after a 7-0 start. This team is coming back to reality.
21-(NR) Northwestern 7-2
Quietly put together a solid season. They way the B1G has been, they're still in the hunt.
22-(25) Kent State 8-1
Who would have thought the MAC would have had been this good going into the season?
23-(23) Rutgers 7-1
Three big conference games coming up in November- Cincy, Pitt, Louisville... after Army.
24-(18) USC 6-3
These guys are going to have to get back on track in a hurry if they want to save their season.
25-(NR) Toledo 8-1
Toledo... welcome to the party.
Northern Illinois, UCF, TCU, Michigan, Boise State, WVU, Texas Tech, Cincinnati
Nick's Top 25:
1-(1) Alabama 9-0
All I can say is wow. There is a reason this team in No. 1. Sure there may have been some weaknesses exposed, but with the game on the line against LSU, the Tide made the plays to win and that is why they are the best team in the country.
2-(2) Kansas State 9-0
It was tough to see Collin Kline go out in the Wildcats game, but he is expected to be fine. This team has a tough one this week against TCU, but if KSU keeps rolling it should find its way into the title game.
3-(3) Notre Dame 9-0
Squeeking by, but that is how solid defensive teams win. They make the plays to win. The Irish should have never gone to three-overtimes against Pitt, but they found a way to win when they looked bad.
4-(4) Oregon 9-0
Still not sold on the Ducks. I will give it to them, USC is a good win, but they still gave of 51 points to the Trojans. The more losses that keep piling up in the Pac-12 makes this team look worse and worse.
5-(6) Georgia 8-1
The Dawgs are on their way to a meeting with Alabama in the SEC Championship game. I like the way this team plays. Aaron Murry is a solid quarterback and the UGA defense is solid.
6-(7) Florida State 8-1
I moved Florida State up this week. The Noles only loss was a fluke road loss and since then they have made everyone look pretty bad.
7-(8) Florida 8-1
The Gators got away with one in the Swamp against Mizzou last week. They are still rising, but all they can hope for is a Georgia loss to find their way back in the SEC Championship.
8-(9) Clemson 8-1
I am sure a lot of people will disagree with this placing of Clemson. I am the moron who picked Duke to upset them and they ran over the Blue Devils by five touchdowns. Also, their only loss is a road loss to FSU.
9-(12) Louisville 9-0
Good for the Cardinals and Charlie Strong to start 9-0, but they have had some close games against some pretty bad oppoenents. Teddy Bridgewater is one of the best QBs in the country. If they keep rolling they will make a BCS game.
10-(5) LSU 7-2
LSU had Alabama on the ropes before some big time players made some big time plays. I only drop them five spots because they lost not because of who they lost to. This team will rebound.
11-(15) Texas A&M 7-2
I have been saying for the last couple weeks I like the way this team plays and Manziel is a stud at quarterback. A trip to Bryant-Denny to visit the No. 1 Tide this weekend is a great way to see how close this team is.
12-(10) Oklahoma 6-2
Oklahoma only drops this week to make room for some teams that picked up good wins last week. This is a solid team, but I don't think it has a chance for a BCS at-large berth.
13-(11) South Carolina 7-2
South Carolina is in the same boat as OU, they drop to make some room for teams I think are better than them. I just do not know how long the Gamecocks can hold on without Lattimore at running back.
14-(13) Oregon State 7-1
Oregon State is a good team and with a big match up with Stanford this weekend one of these two teams may jump their way back in the top 10 with a win. This team plays physical defense and it should be a great match up in Palo Alto.
15-(14) Stanford 7-2
See Above. Stanford has a great front seven on defense and they are going to need it. I think it is going to be tough with a new starting quarterback. Stanford is a solid team and has a chance to make some major statements over the next three weeks.
16-(19) Nebraska 7-2
Great win for Nebraska last weekend against Michigan State. This team has found a way to salvage a pretty good season after a tough start.
17-(22) Texas 7-2
The Longhorns seem to be finding a stride after looking like they would have a new head coach next season (Idiotic!). There are still some holes to fix on defense, but this offense looks like it is starting to roll.
18-(21) Louisiana Tech 8-1
What can you say about a team that scores 50 points per game but gives up 49? Ok those aren't the exact numbers, but that is how this team wins. As long as the Bulldogs keep winning I am going to keep moving them up. I would rather see a one-loss WAC team than a three loss Pac-12 or B1G team.
19-(NR) UCLA 7-2
I struggled with this because as most of you know I am not a Pac-12 believer. This team does have some pretty good wins and looking like it is emerging.
20-(NR) Northwestern 7-2
The Wildcats are playing good football this season. They have emerged as a contender in the B1G but need some help to make it to the Rose Bowl.
21-(NR) Kent State 8-1
This Kent State teams looks for real. It has played better and better football over the last seven weeks winning seven in a row. Its only loss came early in the season against Kentucky, which I know is a bad team but it also defeated a previously undefeated Rutgers team on the road during that seven game stretch.
22-(25) Rutgers 7-1
Rutgers stays behind Kent State because that was their first and only loss of the season, but I cannot rank them ahead of the Golden Flashes after just having lost to them two weeks ago.
23-(NR) Northern Illinois 8-1
Go ahead and call me crazy with two MAC teams in the top 25, but Northern Illinois is just a good as Kent State. The Huskies have one of the best rushing attacks in the country and their only loss came the first game of the season to Iowa.
24-(17) Texas Tech 6-3
I struggled keeping this team in the top 25 but when I look at its losses they are all top 20 teams. I think they Red Raiders are still a great team and have been one of the biggest surprises in the Big 12 this season.
25-(16) Boise State 7-2
Another team I thought twice about keeping in the top 25 after losing at home, but I think this is still a capable program and I am not putting a three loss Pac 12 school in here.
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