Top 25
BCS-(AP)
1-(2) Kansas State 10-0
2-(1) Oregon 10-0
3-(3) Notre Dame 10-0
4-(4) Alabama 9-1
5-(5) Georgia 9-1
6-(7) Florida 9-1
7-(8) LSU 8-2
8-(8) Texas A&M 8-2
9-(12) South Carolina 8-2
10-(10) Florida State 9-1
11-(11) Clemson 9-1
12-(13) Oklahoma 7-2
13-(14) Stanford 8-2
14-(16) Nebraska 8-2
15-(18) Texas 8-2
16-(15) Oregon State 7-2
17-(17) UCLA 8-2
18-(21) USC 7-3
19-(20) Louisville 9-1
20-(19) Louisiana Tech 9-1
21-(23) Michigan 7-3
22-(22) Rutgers 8-1
23-(23) Texas Tech 7-3
24-(NR) Oklahoma State 6-3
25-(NR) Washington 6-4
Overrated
I'm looking at S. Carolina here. I know they're in the SEC and they've got a big win over Georgia on their resume. But they've lost to the other two top teams they've face this season. A two point loss to at LSU is easy to forgive, but it's the 33 point blowout the suffered at Florida that really sticks out, as well as their "rebound" three point home win over Tennessee the following week. I think this is a solid S. Carolina team, but looking a some of the teams right behind them (Florida State and Clemson are both 9-1) I think they're slotted just a little too high.
The other team I see on here that just doesn't seem right is the Washington Huskies, and let me preface this by saying that I really like the Huskies. I think they're a solid team that's played one of the roughest schedules in the country- they've played five teams currently ranked in the top 25. That said, tough schedule or not, you've got to win and the Huskies got blown out in three of their four losses this season. I just can't see how the BCS can justify a four loss team being in the top 25, especially with the number of one and two loss teams out there.
Underrated
The most underrated team in the county is Texas A&M. Never overlook a team that travels to Bryant-Denny and comes away with a victory over the No. 1 ranked Tide. This team is led by Johnny Manziel at quarterback who after his performance against Bama has inserted himself into the Heisman race. This kid just continues to impress leading what should have been a rebuilding A&M team to a top 10 ranking. Kevin Sumlin has done an excellent job in his first season with the Aggies and has this team at the center of the national spotlight. Other than Manziel what has really helped the resurgence of this team is the return of the Wrecking Crew. The Aggie defense has recorded 29 sacks this season and is averaging 2.90 per game. If this team wins out it has a real chance at an at-large BCS berth considering its only losses have come to top-10 schools in Florida and LSU.
I am only going to spend a couple sentences on this but I have to mention it because I like getting the little guys some love. The MAC has been playing great football this season. It has six teams with seven or more wins so far and two teams with just one loss. Kent State and Northern Illinois are both top 25 schools and Toledo without a loss last week to Ball State is also top 25 worthy. I was not paying at all attention to this conference and all of sudden I looked up and they had two teams ranked. Just thought I would give the little guys a shoutout.
Are You Crazy!?!?
Looking ahead at the schedule and the possible bowl projections, Clemson might just be the luckiest one loss team in the country. The Tiger's only loss this season is to Florida State, who's in the drivers seat in the Atlantic Division and should represent the ACC in the Orange Bowl. That would seemingly leave Clemson out in the cold, but the 11th ranked Tigers could put themselves in position for an at large BCS bid if they can win out. With a game against rival South Carolina yet to play, it's not unreasonable to think that Clemson will be able to work its way up the rankings enough to earn an at large bid to the Sugar Bowl to take on, most likely, the number two team in the SEC (Georiga as it sits now).
If this scenario plays out, not only will a one loss, non-ACC champion Clemson team make it to a BCS game, but they'll get a much better BCS draw then the winner of the ACC, who will take on the winner of the Big East. So, while the ACC champ is suffering through a Rutgers or Louisville draw, Clemson will get a solid, marquee matchup against one the SEC big boys.
Jeremy's Top 25
1-(2) Kansas State 10-0
The Wildcats keep winning and with some solid wins on their resume, they assume the top spot.
2-(3) Notre Dame 10-0
Still some questions about how good this Notre Dame team is but they've taken down some good teams this season and after Wake Forest this weekend, they've got a big test coming up against USC the following week.
3-(4) Oregon 10-0
Oregon is a great team. But, like I've said all year, these guys need to beat someone. Hype and style points don't get you into the national title.
4-(1) Alabama 9-1
Tough loss for Alabama last weekend, but I'd still take this team over any other SEC team, and pretty much every other team in the nation.
5-(5) Georgia 9-1
Georgia is certainly trending up and will have two very winnable games before their SEC Championship match up against Alabama.
6-(6) Florida State 9-1
Juggernaut at home but pretty average on the road. The Seminoles have the ability to win every game they play.
7-(7) Florida 9-1
Florida has needed some serious help winning their last two games against Missouri and UL Lafayette. Gotta do better.
8-(8) Clemson 9-1
Big game against rival South Carolina coming up. If they keep winning, they're looking at an at large BCS birth.
9-(9) LSU 8-2
The Tigers are playing their best football of the season the past two weeks. Unfortunately, too little too late.
10-(14) Texas A&M 8-2
Huge win at Alabama last weekend. This team is really heating up and have made a big splash in their first season in the SEC.
11-(13) Oklahoma 7-2
Oklahoma keeps piling up the wins and could be playing for an at large BCS bid.
12-(15) Stanford 8-2
The Cardinal set itself up for a shot at the Pac-12 with their win over Oregon St. They've got a chance to stay alive with a trip to Oregon on Saturday.
13-(16) Nebraska 8-2
Well, someone had to win the B1G and the Huskers are in control.
14-(17) Texas 8-2
The Hook 'em Horns are making a comeback. Four straight wins and a chance to play spoiler to Kansas State on Dec. 1.
15-(18) UCLA 8-2
My hat's off Jim Mora. The Bruins are 8-2 and in the driver's seat in the Pac-12 South.
16-(12) Oregon State 7-2
Tough loss to Stanford, but this team's not out of it yet. Big game coming up against the in-state rival, Ducks.
17-(19) Louisiana Tech 9-1
Juggernaut offense, non existent defense.
18-(10) Louisville 9-1
Tough loss last weekend to Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. If they win out they're still in the running for an Orange Bowl appearance.
19-(23) Rutgers 8-1
The Scarlet Knights are still alive in the Big East and get a shot at suddenly vulnerable, Louisville in the season finale.
20-(22) Kent State 9-1
Kent State is leading the way for a surprisingly competitive MAC.
21-(24) USC 7-3
The Trojans got back on track against ASU last weekend but still have a tough road ahead with games against UCLA and Notre Dame.
22-(NR) Michigan 7-3
The Wolverines are still kicking in the B1G and sit a game behind the Legends leading Huskers... (did I get that right?). With two conference games left there's still a shot an appearance in the B1G Championship game.
23-(NR) Northern Illinois 9-1
Another MAC team that just keeps winning.
24-(NR) Boise State 8-2
Probably not the season the Broncos were hoping for but 10 wins is pretty realistic.
25-(NR) UCF 8-2
The Black Knights are quietly putting together a solid season down in Central Florida.
Also ran: Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Northwestern, Mississippi State, Wisconsin, Washington
Nick's Top 25
1-Kansas State (2)
The Wildcats have themselves in line to play for a national title. With just one tough game against Texas left this team could be in Miami on Jan. 7.
2-Nortre Dame (3)
I know the computers and most of the humans have Oregon over Notre Dame, but I don't the Ducks have played as tough of a schedule as Notre Dame has. The Irish keep winning close games and winning with defense.
3-Oregon (4)
I will admit Oregon is a good team, but it just has not played a good enough schedule to merit a top ranking. Sure call me a Pac-12 hater but I just don't believe. Every team in this conference beside the Ducks is going to have 2 or more losses this season.
4-Alabama (1)
Wow! What a game with the Aggies, but the Tide comeback did not quite get it done against A&M. I only dropped them three spots because I still think this is the best team in the country. The problem for the Tide is it does not control its own destiny for a chance at the title.
5-Georgia (5)
The Dawgs keep winning and have an outside chance at the national championship game with some losses and a victory over the Tide in the SEC title game.
6-Florida State (6)
I really like this FSU team. They do not play well on the road, but is as talented as any team in the country.
7-Texas A&M (11)
Big win for the Aggies. That is one of the tallest tasks in the country going to Bryant-Denny and downing the No. 1 Tide. Give this team credit for sticking with their game plan and putting Bama down early.
8-Florida (7)
Honestly watching the games on Saturday, I thought I was going to be dropping the Gators but they made a come back against ULL and won. I still had to drop them one spot for almost losing in the Swamp.
9-Clemson (8)
See Jeremy's explanation about Clemson above. This team has a great offense, but their defense just can play well enough yet to be a title contender.
10-LSU (10)
LSU doesn't move any where this week. This team is just waiting in the wings for someone above them to lose.
11-Oklahoma (12)
The Sooners have a big game coming up this weekend against a West Virginia team that is looking to get back on track. Don't expect that to happen this is a good OU team that should finish the season in the BCS conversation.
12-South Carolina (13)
Again see Jeremy's overrated above. I have to agree I like this teams defense but without Lattimore they are cannot move the ball as effectively.
13-Stanford (15)
Big win for the Cardinal last weekend over the Beavers of Oregon State. Stanford has another chance this weekend against Oregon to make a huge statement and put itself back in the BCS picture. Big thing to watch how the physical defense affects the Duck offense.
14-Texas (17)
The Longhorns are right back on track and Mack Brown looks like he has saved his job for now (stupid it was even in discussion anyway). There is no doubt this team can run the ball like crazy but its defense just has not been able to stop people this season.
15-Nebraska (16)
Nebraska has itself in line for a Rose Bowl berth. That being said this is kind of by default with Ohio State out of contention because of NCAA problems. The Blackshirt defense has played a lot better as of late and this running attack with Abdulla and Burkehead is for real.
16-UCLA (19)
The Bruins are a bit of a surprise this season and have some good wins but are just not quite ready to compete at a high level.
17-Rutgers (22)
The Scarlet Knights came back with a good win over a down Army team. The Knights showed why they have a top 15 defense allowing just seven points.
18-Louisiana Tech (18)
This team can really score, but its defense is horrible. The Bulldog defense looks pathetic allowing 55 points to Texas State.
19-Oregon State (14)
The Beavers had a close loss to Stanford last weekend, it what was actually an entertaining Pac-12 game where both teams played defense.
20-Kent State (21)
See my underrated above I like Kent State this s a good team this season in what has been a long time coming. It doesn't move up much this week but this team can play.
21-Northern Illinois (23)
Northern Illinois is a solid team with nine wins this season and looks like it will challenge for a MAC title.
22-Boise State (25)
The Broncos has sputtered this season, if you call 8-2 sputtering, which it is for a team that has the most wins of any team since 2000. No BCS this season for the Broncos but they still have a chance at a Mountain West title.
23-Michigan (NR)
Gutty win for Big Blue this weekend over Northwestern. The drive at the end of the game to send it into overtime was nothing more than miraculous.
24-UCF (NR)
UCF is having a solid season and for lack of anyone else to take this spot here it is. This team could win the C-USA title.
25-Louisville (9)
I know this is a little far for the Cardinals to drop but anytime you go play a bad Cuse team and get beat up on and don't even show up you get punished. The Cardinals are better than No. 25 but they need to start winning again before I will move them back up.
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