1. Ohio State–I don’t have to explain this one.
2. Michigan–The Wolverines are still playing well, but they need Mario Manningham back if they want to compete with Ohio State on November 18th.
3. West Virginia–The Mountaineers roll, and their next big showdown is with Louisville. They have a bye before the Thursday night game on November 2nd.
4. USC–Sometimes it’s just best to not play. The Trojans get Oregon State after a bye week.
5. Texas–This team is gutsy. They played in their toughest game since Ohio State, on the road, and won the game with a back up field goal kicker.
6. Louisville–The Cardinals are gearing up for a big home game with West Virginia. They need to play better than they did the last two weeks. However, they seemed to have found a running back.
7. Tennessee–The Vols squeaked by Alabama at home. Eric Ainge rebounded from a tough first half to help Tennessee pull out a tough game.
8. Auburn–The Tigers handled Tulane pretty easy. They have to hope for an Arkansas loss to win the SEC West.
9. California–Cal survived a tough test against a scrappy Washington team. Marshawn Lynch was playing with two sprained ankles.
10. Florida–The Gators got the week off. Florida is in the driver seat in the SEC East.

Teams that Are Close

Arkansas–The Razorbacks made quick work of Ole Miss when Felix Jones ran the opening kick off 100 yards for a touchdown. The running game is the best in the SEC, and QB Mitch Mustain provides the deep ball threat with Marcus Monk. Therefore, teams can’t load up on the run. And, if you are not paying attention, the Hogs will run something unusual. Arkansas also runs elements of the Spread Option, just to keep things interesting.
Clemson–The Tigers had a big win in the ACC over Georgia Tech Saturday. Clemson is the team to beat in the ACC.
Notre Dame–Notre Dame is suspect, but they find ways to win. They did not play well in a home game with UCLA.

There are a couple of interesting matchups this week.

Texas vs. Nebraska–Nebraska’s resurgence has continued this season with the Cornhuskers as the front runners in the Big 12 North. Can anyone challenge them for the North title? Many think that this will be a prelude to the Big 12 Championship game in December.

Georgia Tech vs. Clemson–These two teams have been on the verge of greatness all season. Each team has a lone loss on their schedule, Georgia Tech’s being to Notre Dame. Clemson has the home field advantage, Tech has Calvin Johnson.

Mississippi vs. Arkansas–O.K., you’ve been wondering when I would do it. Here it is. The Hogs have made it to the Games to Watch segment. This game is just as interesting as any other game out there. Ole Miss hangs around in games and will not go away quietly. They took Alabama to overtime last week on the road. Arkansas is testing out its new BCS ranking (13). The Hogs seem to have some consistency on both sides of the ball. And, they have Darren McFadden. With the injury to Adrian Peterson, McFadden now just may be the best back in the country. If you haven’t seen or heard of him, find the game and watch him.

Wow! This is the week for the BCS Standings to debut. We are getting closer to the stretch run where national contenders will emerge for the national title and BCS Bowl games. There are still some great game left to play. Here we go!!

1. Ohio State–What can I say? The Buckeyes have scored 35 or more points in 4 out of the last 5 weeks and 5 times in 7 games this season. The difference is they are not having to do that to win the game. The defense is solid. Troy Smith has been great. They are the clear front runners right now.
2. Michigan–Well, November 18th may be the biggest game of the year. Michigan continues to hang in there. However, Michigan needs to learn to score points when they can. They dominated Penn State but only had 17 points on the board in the Fourth quarter. A freak touchdown on a screen pass by the third string QB put Penn State within a prayer of winning or tying the game.
3. West Virginia–The Mountaineers continue to roll, but nobody sees their games. Well, everybody will be watching the game on November 2 at Louisville. Louisville’s defense should be the best defense that West Virginia has faced all year long.
4. USC–Since scoring 50 at Arkansas, USC has yet to score more than 28 points and has struggled. The problem isn’t the QB. John David Booty is playing fine. Whatever the problem is, it better be taken care of by November when the Trojans face Oregon, California, and Notre Dame.
5. Texas–The Longhorns took care of Baylor, and they are at Nebraska next week.
6. Louisville–Louisville struggled against Cincinnati with three turnovers. QB Brian Brohm is back and the Cardinals are looking to regain their chemistry. They will be ready for West Virginia on November 2.
7. Tennessee–The Vols dismatled Georgia. Next up is Alabama.
8. Notre Dame–The Irish took care of an overmatched Stanford team.
9. California–A solid win against Washington State.
10. Florida/Auburn–How do you decide who goes here? Florida has one loss and it was on the road, and they’ve had a tough schedule. Auburn also has a loss but it was at home, and they beat Florida. That game might be played again, in the SEC Championship. But then again, there is Arkansas and Tennessee (who lost at home to Florida). O.k. Maybe all of these teams go at number 7. I don’t know!

Teams that Are Close

Clemson–The Tigers have one hiccup, and it was on the road to a good Boston College team. Clemson has a big matchup with Georgia Tech this Saturday.
Georiga Tech–This team is arguably the hottest team in the country. They have won every game after losing the opener to Notre Dame. They have a big game at Clemson this week.
LSU–The Tigers bounced back from their loss at Florida with a trouncing of Kentucky, a team which Florida struggled against. Which Tiger team will show up at Tennessee on November 4.
Arkansas–The Hogs played a scrimmage on Saturday against Southeastern Missouri State. The Hogs have the best duo of running backs in the country. Darren McFadden is a serious Heisman candidate. If not this year, then maybe next year.

Rutgers vs. Navy–Here is two surprise teams of 2007 playing each other. Both teams become bowl eligible with a win, and Navy will get a shot in the Meineke Car Care Bowl if they win. Rutgers is in the running for the Big East title and a BCS Bowl. There will be a lot of running between these two teams as Navy averages 350 yards per game rushing and Rutgers 208 yards per game.

Florida vs. Auburn–Last week Auburn was ranked number 2, this week it’s Florida AP poll). Auburn dropped a home game to SEC West leader Arkansas which put their SEC Title hopes in jeopardy and severely hurt their National Title aspirations. Next comes Florida. Will Auburn lose back-to-back home games?

Michigan vs. Penn State–Last year Michigan was Penn State’s lone loss. Could that happen to Michigan this year? Michigan plays without star WR Mario Manningham, Chad Henne’s big play target. This has all the makings of an upset. However, Michigan has been focused and still has ample talent including RB Mike Hart.

1. Ohio State–The Buckeyes rolled against Bowling Green in a non conference contest. Next up, Michigan State.
2. West Virginia–Auburn lost, and USC struggled again. That makes West Virginia next in line. They won comfortably on the road against SEC’s Mississippi State. The game exposed some potential problems for the Mountaineers, and I think that Coach Rodriguez will correct them before Louisville.
3. Michigan–Next? That would be the Wolverines. They looked solid, but they have Penn State in Happy Valley. Will they be ready?
4. Florida–The Gators looked really good against LSU. It helps when your opponent self implodes. Florida’s biggest weakness is playing at Auburn next week. Will Auburn lose back-to-back games at home? Florida better be ready.
5. USC–The Trojans struggled but won. This team is trying to find a way to be better. It helps to have a QB that doesn’t make mistakes, and USC does have that. Games against Arizona State, Oregon State and Stanford should help get the kinks worked out.
6. Texas–Texas finally has a victory over a quality opponent, and Colt McCoy is looking more like a good QB. McCoy made some good plays to beat Oklahoma. Texas hosts Baylor in a game for the lead (yes, that’s right, the lead) in the Big 12 South.
7. Louisville–They crushed Middle Tennessee. November 2nd is a Thursday night, but it is a big one. Louisville and West Virginia for the Big East Title and a place in a BCS bowl, and maybe more.
8. Tennessee–The Vols may have the best offense in the SEC, and probably the most exciting. They turned the hedges orange in Athens, GA. This team is rolling.
9. Notre Dame–The Irish weathered the storms early with only one loss. The schedule allows for them to continue to improve while coasting to LA to play USC on November 25th.
10. California–The Bears must have figured something out after the Tennessee game. They have been red hot scoring 40 + points in every game since that bad day in Knoxville. Cal and Notre Dame makes it back into the Toddler Top 10 after losing and falling out.

Teams that Are Close

Georgia Tech/Clemson–These two team struggled to win last week, but they have a good record and have looked impressive the year. We will find out who is better in two weeks because they play each other.
Iowa–The Hawkeyes’ problem is that they play in the Big Ten. They had Ohio State at home and couldn’t get it done. The have to go to “The Big House” to play Michigan on October 21st.
Arkansas–If you beat the number 2 team in the country on the road, then you should be considered close to the Top 10. If the Razorbacks play like they did on Saturday the next four weeks they will be 8-1 and hosting Tennessee in a possible Top 10 matchup.

This is an easy week to pick the Games to Watch. All of these matchups are between ranked teams.

Texas vs. Oklahoma–This is probably a Game to Watch no matter what year it is. The State Fair of Texas, The Cotton Bowl, corny dogs, and an October afternoon all mean it’s time for the Red River Shootout. Texas got revenge last year. Can they make it two years in a row? Which new QB will make the play to win this game?

Oregon vs. California–The reason the above game isn’t any bigger is because the Ducks knocked off OU at home with the help a bad call. That being said, the Ducks are good. They actually outplayed OU in the first half. They did score the winning touchdown, and they blocked OU’s field goal attempt to win the game. Cal has been hanging all kinds of points on the board lately. And, both teams beat up on Arizona State.

Georgia vs. Tennessee–The ‘Dawgs against the Vols. Can the Bulldogs hold on to their undefeated season? Will Tennessee’s Eric Ainge keep playing great? The hedges in Athens might turn orange on Saturday.

LSU vs. Florida–Is Florida for real? This is a big test. LSU comes to town, and except for a loss at Auburn, LSU would undefeated. Florida has the Tigers at home. If JaMarcus Russell plays like last week, it will be a long day for the Gators.

1. Ohio State–The Buckeyes showed how good they are at Iowa on ABC. They rolled over a good Iowa team on the road.
2. Auburn–Auburn struggled on the road against South Carolina. Good teams struggle sometimes in conference play, and win.
3. USC–The Trojans struggled on the road against Washington State. See above.
4. West Virginia–The Mountaineers were idle, but head to Mississippi State. Many people will be watching to see how they match up with LSU who just rolled over the Bulldogs.
5. Michigan–The Wolverines were in the Metrodome to play Minnesota and lay to rest an embarrassing lost from last year. Michigan rolled up a lot of yards but not a lot of points. That won’t happen every week.
6. Florida–The Gators pulled away from Alabama in the second half thanks to a long (that’s right, a long) Chris Leak run.
7. Texas–Texas had a scrimmage against Sam Houston State. Now it’s Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout.
8. LSU–The Tigers rolled against Mississippi State. JaMarcus Russell was an astounding 18 for 20, 330 yards and 3 touchdowns.
9. Georgia–Georgia hangs on at Mississippi. The ‘Dawgs still have QB questions, but they may have found a tailback.
10. Louisville–It’s not likely that the Cardinals will lose next week against Middle Tennessee State. They are on a collision course with West Virginia next month.

Teams that Are Close

Notre Dame–The Irish keep hanging around. The offense has gotten untracked, but the defense is still a problem.
Oregon–A team I put in the preseason poll is making a case the quack attack. They had a big win at Arizona State, and they have a big game at home against Cal.
California/Tennessee/Oklahoma–All three have huge games this week. Whoever wins separates themselves from the rest.

Ohio State vs. Iowa–Iowa has the Buckeyes at home. I really don’t think it will matter. Ohio State had their bad game last week.

Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech–Break out the lunch buckets. Virginia Tech is extremely tough at home with all of its Blue Collar Fans.

Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech–Texas Tech is trying to show that they are better than they were against TCU. You can bet that Coach Franchione was talking to TCU coach Gary Patterson about how to stop that Tech offense.

Enjoy.

1. Ohio State–The Buckeyes struggled a little bit against Penn State, but they put the game away late with their defense. The defense is playing well enough now to help when the offense doesn’t.
2. Auburn–Auburn rolled over Buffalo (no, not the NFL Buffalo). They rested Kenny Irons and in a glorified scrimmage before playing South Carolina on Thursday.
3. USC–The Trojans struggled with Arizona in Tuscon, but good teams struggle and find ways to win, and they did.
4. West Virginia–The Mountaineers had to throw to win, and they did. However, QB Patrick White was intercepted 3 times. Will this be used by Louisville to find a weakness?
5. Michigan–Michigan is good. Wisconsin was a good post-Notre Dame challenge.
6. Florida–As so many others in the Top 10, Florida struggled against a weaker opponent. It’s o.k., along as it doesn’t happen often.
7. Texas–Texas took Iowa State’s best shot, and pulled away in the second half.
8. Georgia–Georgia’s defense is pretty good, but the offense needs answers.
9. LSU–Tigers roll against Tulane.
10. Louisville–I like Louisville. The offense will have to hang on until Brian Brohm comes back. Their defense will allow them to do so.

Teams that Are Close

Notre Dame–A gutsy performance to come from behind at Michigan State.
Iowa–Big game against Ohio State. It’s a chance to make a statement.
Oregon–The Ducks keep winning. They had a week off. It’s time to see how the Ducks respond the controversy that plagued their game with Oklahoma.

Ohio State vs. Penn State–Another in what will be many games to watch this year for the Buckeyes. Michigan State will be playing hard, but Ohio State is motivated to beat the second team they lost to last year.

Notre Dame vs. Michigan State–If the pattern holds for this year, Notre Dame should bounce back with a big win as they did in the second game against Penn State. But the demolishing at the hands of Michigan may prove to be too much to bounce back from.

Arizona State vs. California–There should be a lot of scoring in this one. The winner gets an early lead in the Pac 10 race (wink, wink).