2nd Down: Top 25

Top 25
BCS-(AP)
1-(1) Notre Dame 12-0
2-(2) Alabama 11-1
3-(3) Georgia 11-1
4-(5) Florida 11-1
5-(6) Oregon 11-1
6-(7) Kansas State 10-1
7-(9) LSU 10-2
8-(8) Stanford 10-2
9-(10) Texas A&M 10-2
10-(11) South Carolina 10-2
11-(12) Oklahoma 9-2
12-(14) Nebraska 10-2
13-(13) Florida State 10-2
14-(15) Clemson 10-2
15-(16) Oregon State 8-3
16-(17) UCLA 9-3
17-(18) Kent State 11-1
18-(23) Texas 8-3
19-(21) Michigan 8-4
20-(25) Boise State 9-2
21-(19) Northern Illinois 11-1
22-(22) Northwestern 9-3
23-(24) Oklahoma State 7-4
24-(20) Utah State 10-2
25-(NR) San Jose State 10-2
*Ohio State is ranked #4 in the AP but ineligible for the BCS

Overrated
Michigan- I suppose B1G commish, Jim Delany would have a fit if he didn't have a few teams in the top 25, but how is Michigan still considered a top 25 team, and No. 19 at that?  I realize that their four losses are against ranked opponents, but that the point.  They've taken care of the other crap teams in the B1G, but haven't been able to beat any good teams this season.  Their only win against a team with a winning record was at home, in overtime, against Northwestern. 

Underrated
Florida- Lesson learned from last week.  The Gators, who had struggled in previous weeks against lesser competition, had little trouble putting the Seminoles away on Saturday.  The Gators out manned the 'Noles at the line of scrimmage and forced five turnovers.  The Gators have answered the call nearly every week this season, with big road wins against Texas A&M and FSU as well as wins over LSU and South Carolina.  Florida has played five teams ranked in the top 15 and are 4-1 in those games. 


Jeremy's Top 25
1-(1) Notre Dame 12-0
2-(2) Alabama 11-1
3-(3) Georgia 11-1
4-(7) Florida 11-1 
5-(5) Oregon 11-1
6-(6) Kansas State 10-1
7-(9) LSU 10-2
8-(10) Texas A&M 10-2
9-(11) Stanford 10-2
10- South Carolina 10-2
11-(12) Oklahoma 9-2
12-(4) Florida State 10-2
13-(15) Nebraska 10-2
14-(8) Clemson 10-2
15-(13) UCLA 9-3
16-(20) Kent State 11-1
17-(14) Texas 8-3
18-(16) Oregon State 8-3
19-(21) Northern Illinois 11-1
20-(22) Boise State 9-2
21-(24) Utah State 10-2
22-(17) Rutgers 9-2
23-(18) Louisville 9-2
24-(NR) Northwestern 9-3
25-(NR) San Jose State 10-2

In the mix- Michigan, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, San Diego State, TCU, Vandy

Nick's Top 25
1-(1)-Notre Dame
Notre Dame has asserted itself as the No. 1 team in the country as the only team to finish the season undefeated. I think everyone is writing them off against either Bama or Georgia but I don't think it will be that easy of a game against the Irish defense.
2-(2)-Alabama
I have said all season even after its loss that Alabama is the best team in the country. We will see if the Tide can get past a tough Georgia team to win the SEC Championship and meet the Irish in the title game.
3-(3)-Georgia
Could not ask for a better match up of 2-3 in the SEC Championship. Georiga and Aaron Murry are going to have to convert third downs to beat the Tide. The Dawg defense is tough and is going to need to be to stop the Tide rushing attack.
4-(4)-Florida
Big win for the Gators. When it looked like they were on the ropes and FSU was going to run away with the game, Florida forced some big turnovers to run away with the game themselves.
5-(6)-Texas A&M
If (Notre Dame's) Brian Kelly doesn't win coach of the year Kevin Sumlin should. I would have never guessed this team would have had such a great season in its first year in the SEC. It helps having a player like Johnny Manziel, but still great year for the Aggies.
6-(7)-Stanford
No one would have guessed that Stanford would be the best team in the Pac-12 this season, but a big win over Oregon and a possible Pac-12 title have them eyeing the Rose Bowl. Sadly enough the Cardinal will probably meet a three or four loss B1G team in the Rose Bowl.
7-(8)-Oregon
The Stanford loss knocked the Ducks out of the National Title game and now it looks like out of the BCS consideration too. I am not sure why they are still in consideration for a BCS game, but if Kent State takes care of business in the MAC title game I think it should make the jump to 16. Sorry Ducks. The flaw of this team has been playing from ahead all season and when they had to play from behind they did not know what to do.
8-(9)-Kansas State
Tough one this weekend for the Wildcats. Texas just lost at home to TCU and is looking for someone to take its revenge out on. That being said, Kansas State has its eyes set on the Big-12 title and a BCS berth. This has been a great team all season and if Collin Kline has a great game against Texas he could make a serious statement in the Heisman race.
9-(10)-LSU
The Tigers two losses this season came to the second and fourth ranked teams yet they stay all the way back at nine. I think this is a team with a great defense but an average offense and below average quarterback. The Tigers won't make the BCS this season but did the right thing locking up Les Miles and not letting him go to Arkansas.
10-(12)-South Carolina
This team has just kind of floated along in and out of the top 10 all season. It plays good defense but the loss of Marucs Lattimore could not be overcome.
11-(5)-Florida State
This team finishing the regular season like it did was sad. At the beginning of the season I would have picked it to meet the Tide in the National Championship game. I still think this is one of the better teams in the country, but they have some serious sole searching to do and need to learn how to win on the road.
12-(13)-Oklahoma
Whoever thought that the Sooners would be Longhorn fans? But this weekend a loss by Kansas State could move the Sooners up and give them an at large BCS berth.
13-(16)-Nebraska
The Huskers should win the B1G in just its second season, a down B1G, but still good chance at a Rose Bowl berth for the Huskers. Burkhead and Abdulla have taken this team on their back and run them all the B1G Championship game.
14-(17)-UCLA
I have to admit, I did not think this team was going to be worth anything at the beginning of the season. Even after a win over Nebraska I wasn't sold. After the Bruins handled USC two weekends ago I am actually looking forward to the Pac-12 title game. Even though Stanford beat up on UCLA last weekend I think it will be a tougher game on Friday night.
15-(11)-Clemson
Clemson's loss to South Carolina took it out of BCS at-large contention, but still a good season for the Tigers, 10 wins is nothing to shake your head at. If this team can improve on defense I think it could really challenge Florida State in the ACC.
16-(20)-Kent State
What a great year for Kent State and the MAC. If the Golden Flashes take care of Northern Illinois and win the MAC Championship this weekend they deserve at least BCS consideration. That would make them 12-1 with their only loss coming early season to a Kentucky team that looked a lot better then than it does now.
17-(21)-Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois is in the same boat as Kent State a win in the MAC title game could put them in BCS consideration. The Huskies are also 11-1 and 12-1 should get them BCS consideration.
18-(23)-Utah State
Utah State has had a sneaky good year. This team should be able to use this good season to build momentum for its move to the Mountain West next season. Too bad for the Aggies but the WAC bowl tie ins will not get them a good game.
19-(15)-Oregon State
No matter the three losses, I think OSU is still a solid team. It ran into a buzz saw against Oregon last week, but a big bowl win would build this team some great momentum for next season.
20-(14)-Texas
Texas' loss to TCU at home was pretty inexplicable, but the Longhorns have a chance this weekend to make everything right with an upset of K-State. If this team could get settled at quarterback I think it would have a better chance to win. This defense also needs to be addressed for this team this week and in the offseason.
21-(22)-Boise State
Still not the Broncos teams of old, but this team has recorded a solid season. Will probably leave the MW as Co-Champs (that is if the Big Least doesn't crumble before they can make the jump). The Broncos seemed to improve as the season went on and look like a solid contender.
22-(NR)-Northwestern
Great season for the Wildcats not going to end in a BCS berth, but nine wins is good for any team.
23-(18)-Louisville
Louisville is coming off a tough loss to UConn and needs a win this weekend to secure a BCS berth. Great matchup with the Scarlet Knights this weekend.
24-(NR)-San Jose State
Another WAC team that has had a great season. This came out of no where. Like Utah State this team has built some great momentum before jumping to the MW.
25-(NR)-TCU
I know it is tough to put a four loss team in the top 25, but I like the way this team has played all season and a win over Texas in Austin is a great victory. Not a bad first season for Gary Patterson and the Frogs in the Big 12.