collegefootballtopten.com

Note:  Remember my reasons for updating every three weeks, even if some of you think I am really an idiot.

1.  Alabama, 11-0
The Crimson Tide keep winning, but they are starting to look a little less intimidating.  They have some business to take care of in the “Iron Bowl.”  Then, they have to beat Florida, the hottest team in the country, in the SEC Championship Game.  Defeat Arkansas State 35-0, at LSU 27-21 OT, Mississippi State 32-7.

2.  Texas Tech, 10-0
The Red Raiders have played some of the most exciting football in the past three weeks beating routing Kansas and Oklahoma State slipping past Texas 39-33.  The Raiders go to Norman to play the Sooners and then get Baylor at home to finish the season.

3.  Florida, 9-1
Fans can argue that Texas looks better on paper when considering the results, but no one is hotter than Florida is now.  The Gators survived the early part of their schedule, and then they were promptly upset by Houston Nutt’s Ole Miss Rebels.  Then, the Gators regrouped and have not looked back since.  The Gators won at Georgia (49-10) and Vandy (42-14) and annihilated South Carolina 56-6.

4.  Texas, 10-1
The Longhorns may be the victim of circumstances when it is all over.  The Horns beat Oklahoma on a neutral field and their only loss is on the road in a very close game to Texas Tech.  But, when the dust settles, will Oklahoma get the nod to play in the Big 12 Championship Game?  It could happen.  What do you do with three teams with one loss, to each other, tied for first?  The Horns lost at Texas Tech 39-33, won over Baylor 45-21 and at Kansas 35-7.

5.  Oklahoma, 9-1
The Sooners have rebounded from the October loss to the Longhorns, and they are looking to exact a little revenge on Texas Tech who beat them last year and further completecate the Big 12 South.  However, even if they beat the Raiders, they have to beat a very salty Oklahoma State team in Stillwater.  The Sooners won at Kansas State (58-35), beat Nebraska 62-28, and at Texas A & M 66-28.

6.  USC, 9-1
The Trojans got their revenge on Stanford last week in Palo Alto pulling away for the 45-23 win.  The Trojans beat Washington 56-0, Cal 17-3 and at Stanford (45-23).  Up next is Notre Dame and UCLA.  Unfortunately, USC may go 11-1 and not make the Rose Bowl.  Oregon State controls its own destiny there.

7.  Utah, 11-0
I don’t know what to say about the Running Utes.  They just keep winning.  They aren’t flashy, their defense leads the way and they are able to win the game when trailing.  The Utes beat New Mexico and TCU 13-10 and ripped San Diego State 63-14.  The next game is what locals call the “Holy War.”  It’s the yearly rival with BYU, and it is a home game for Utah.  These kind of games transcend records, so Utah will be in for a tough, close game.  If they win this game, they will go to a BCS Bowl.

8.  Penn State, 10-1
The Nittany Lions is a feel good story, but they saved everyone a lot of Big Ten heartache when they lost at Iowa a couple of weeks ago.  They are still a go for the Rose Bowl.  How do you like that match up, Penn State versus Oregon State, a rematch?  The Lions won at Ohio State  (13-6), lost at Iowa (24-23) and beat Indiana (34-7).  Up next, Michigan State.

9.  Oklahoma State, 9-2
What can you say about the Cowboys?  They have been impressive all year.  Yes they loss two games, but those games were on the road against teams that were ranked number 1 and number 2 when they played them.  OSU had its own gauntlet to run, and they managed beat Missouri on the road.  What’s more, every top 5 team they have played has been on the road.  The next on will be in Stillwater.  After a week off, they get cross state rival Oklahoma.  The Cowboys beat Iowa State (59-17), loss to Texas Tech (56-20) and beat Colorado (30-17).

10.  Missouri
The Tigers had dropped out in my last poll because they had dropped two straight games.  But give them credit, they are pretty good.  One of those losses was at Texas in Austin.  The Tigers take care of business, and their offense is just so explosive.  They get the unfortunate task of facing whoever survives the Big 12 South in the Big 12 Championship Game.  Good luck.  The Tiges won at Baylor (31-28), beat Kansas State (41-24) and won at Iowas State (52-20).  Next up, the “Border War” against Kansas on November 29th.

Falling

Penn State (but not out)
Georgia

Rising

Utah
Oklahoma State

Note:  Remember my reasons for updating every three weeks, even if some of you think I am really an idiot.

1.  Alabama, 8-0
Rarely do I move someone down if they don’t lose.  Alabama has had a few close calls, but those happen during the middle of the season when teams are playing conference games and injuries are piling up.  Last three weeks: Won against Ole Miss 24-20 and at Tennessee W 29-9.  This week, Arkansas State Red Wolves.

2.  Texas, 8-0
The Longhorns have earned their rankings.  They have beaten some good  teams including Oklahoma when they were number 1.  That gives them the number 1 ranking in the BCS Poll.  Last three weeks: (1) Oklahoma (in Dallas) W 45-35, (11) Missouri W 56-31 and (6) Oklahoma State W 28-24.  As you can see, the Horns have run a gauntlet, and this week they travel to Lubbock to take on number 7 ranked Texas Tech.  This time, they are on the road.

3.  Penn State, 9-0
The Nittany Lions are the class of the Big Ten.  They even handled Ohio State last week in the “Horseshoe.”  Last three weeks: at Wisconsin W 48-7, Michigan W 46-17 and at (9) Ohio State W 13-6.  Next up Penn State is at Iowa (11/8).

4.  Texas Tech, 8-0
The Red Raiders is a different animal this year.  They really have a great opportunity with Texas coming in to Lubbock and ESPN’s Gameday in town.  They actually have a running game, and their defense is holding up.  Last three weeks: Nebraska W 37-31 OT, at Texas A&M W 43-25 and at (23) Kansas W 63-21.  Next up, the Longhorns come calling.

5.  Florida, 6-1
The Gators have begun to put things together after getting blindsided by Houston Nutt’s Ole Miss Rebels in Gainesville.  The offense is beginning to find itself.  The defense has been pretty good outside of the Ole Miss game.  Last three weeks: (4) LSU W 51-21, Kentucky W 63-5.  Next up is Georgia in Jacksonville and the “World’s Largest Cocktail Party.”

6.  USC, 6-1
Unfortunately for the Trojans, they don’t have anyone left on their schedule that’s ranked to improve their strength.  However, their defense seems to be it’s great self again.  No more trips to Corvallis, and maybe a trip to the BCS.  Problem is, Oregon State is leading the conference.  Last three weeks: Arizona State W 28-0, at Washington State W 69-0, and at Arizona W 17-10.  Next up, Washington.

7.  Georgia, 7-1
The Bulldogs are still trying to claw their way back into contention for the BCS title and a special season.  To do that, they will have to beat a very hot Florida team this week.  Georgia does seem to be getting some of their weapons back.  Last three weeks: Tennessee W 26-14, (22) Vanderbilt W 24-14, and at LSU W 52-38.  Up next, Florida.

8.  Oklahoma, 7-1
The Sooners rebounded after their loss to Texas, but their defense seems to be giving up a lot of points.  Of course, they are in the Big 12.  They have a couple of big games later.  For now, they just keep winning to give themselves a shot at the Big 12 Championship game.  Last three weeks: lost to (5) Texas 45-35, Kansas W 45-31, and at Kansas State W 58-35.

9.  Oklahoma State, 7-1
I have a mind to put the Cowboys higher.  They fought Texas “tooth and nail” in Austin before losing close.  The Cowboys have an upset at Missouri.  They have a balanced offense and a pretty good defense.  They might be a big surprise when the year is over.  Last three weeks: at (3) Missouri W 28-23, Baylor W 34-6, and lost to (1) Texas 28-24.

10.  Utah, 8-0

My pick for a BCS buster from the beginning was Utah.  They struggled to look impressive early, but the past few weeks they have begun to look like a worthy team.  They get TCU at home next Thursday night for what will probably decide the Mountain West Conference title.  Last three weeks:  at Wyoming W 40-7 and Colorado State W 49-16.

Falling

Missouri
LSU
BYU

Rising

Utah
Oklahoma State
Texas Tech

Note: I just want to reiterate my reasoning for updating every 3 weeks.  I read on a message board this week about my doing so as being kind of strange.  That’s fine, maybe I am strange.  Look back at the original post which I will link to on every CFTT Top Ten hereafter.  I think parity, for the most part, has arrived in college football, therefore, I want to see teams play out a few weeks before updating.  Again, at the least, I’ll be kown as “the guy who updates his poll every three weeks.”

1.  Oklahoma, 5-0
The Sooners continue to prove their worth unlike anyone else in the country.  They have not had a close game including road blow outs against Washington (before Locker was injured) and now Baylor.  The even handled TCU at home by 25 points.  Sam Bradford rises in the Heisman Trophy race each week.  This week, they get their toughest test by far, Texas in the Red River Shootout (I mean Rivalry).

2.  Alabama, 6-0
Thus far, the most impressive team because they have knocked off two teams ranked in the top ten, and they won fairly handily.  If you throw out the Georgia game where they gave up 30 points to Matthew Stafford and Co., the defense has only given up 9 points per game.  Their offensive and defensive lines may be the best in the country.  Sure, they struggled with Kentucky, but good teams will struggle in at least one game (usually more), especially after an emotional win against Georgia.  Oh yeah, Kentucky is pretty good.

3.  Missouri, 5-0
The Tigers dominated Nebraska, on the road.  Now, I know the Cornhuskers aren’t quite a top 25 team, but it was still impressive.  Missouri’s schedule hasn’t been the toughest just yet, but their offense is humming.  They have only played one game outside of Missouri, and Texas awaits them in Austin on October 18th.  Take out the Illinois game, and the Mizzou defense has only allowed 14.5 points per game.

4.  LSU, 4-0
The Bengal Tigers should be 5-0, but Hurricane Ike forced the Troy game to be moved to November.  So far, the Tigers have had to revamp their offense with their defense leading the charge.  The last couple of games, it seems that the LSU offense has found an identity.  It seems as if Jarrett Lee is the QB of choice.  After a disasterous start against Auburn, Lee found his poise and threw some nice passes down field giving LSU a deep threat to complement their run attack.  Their defense, however, has uncharacteristically given up 20 plus points the last two games against Auburn and Mississippi State, two teams not known to be great offenses.

5.  Texas, 5-0
The Horns are giving up just 11.4 points per game, and they have played some offenses who have exploded for big scores this year (Rice, UTEP).  Many wondered how they would do on the road against Colorado, but their was appraently nothing to worry about.  They buried Buff in their own stadium setting up a huge game against number one ranked Oklahoma.  Their offense is really playing well, and their defense has been surprising excellent under first year coordinator Will Muschamp.

6.  Penn State, 6-0
The Nitany Lions have been almost as impressive as Alabama.  They beaten everyone handily with their only struggle on the road against Purdue.  The Lions have already played tow road games which gives them early season tests that should be good for the stretch run against Wisconsin (this week) and Ohio State (10/25).  They are the team to beat in the Big Ten.

7.  USC, 3-1
The Trojans have dominated everyone except Oregon State who should prove to be pretty good when the years done.  They don’t have a single ranked team left on their schedule as it is now.  How good are the Trojans, we probably won’t know until the bowl season.  They need a game against a Big 12 or SEC team.

8.  Texas Tech, 5-0
For the first time this year I have the Red Raiders in my top ten.  There are some stats that are standing out that lets me believe this a legitimate top ten team.  First, defense.  They are giving up just 18.4 points per game which is tough considering the type of offense they run.  Second, they are averaging 144.4 yards rushing per game.  That is something that was missing last year, and it looks like Mike Leach has found himself some backs.  Unfortunately for Tech, they are in the same conference with Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri.

9.  Georgia, 4-1
I would make too much out of Georgia getting beat by Alabama at home.  The Tide is very good, and so is Georgia.  Georgia was not ready in the first half against Alabama, but once they woke up, they made a very good rally and looked like they would keep their national championship aspirations alive.  Unfortuantely, Knowshon Moreno was hurt, and the score took him out of the game as they were coming from behind.  They still have a tough schedule.

10.  BYU, 5-0
BYU has only had one close game and that was at Washington before Jake Locker was injured.  Their offense is averaging 41.2 points per game and their defense is giving up just 11.6 points per game.  At Utah State Saturday, BYU put it in cruise control during the second half winning 34-14.  After hosting New Mexico Saturday, they have to come to Fort Worth on Thursday to play the Horned Frogs.  TCU made it close in Provo last year, and their defense has been dominant.

Rising

BYU
Alabama
Texas Tech
Penn State

Falling

South Florida
Oregon
Auburn

Note:  Remember, poll is updated every 3 weeks.  The poll will be updated next week.

1. USC
The Trojans were ambushed by the Beavers in Corvallis.  They play Oregon in LA.

2. Oklahoma
The new number 1 team in the polls defeated a good TCU team in Norman on Saturday.  The Sooners play a Baylor team coming in with a bit of a swagger in Waco.

3. Florida
The Gators were caught off guard Saturday against Ole Miss in Gainesville.  The will most likely be very “upset” when they play at Arkansas on Saturday.

4.  Georgia
The ‘Dawgs got knocked around against Alabama in Athens, but the rallied only to fall short. They get Tennessee at home and will be looking to take out their frustrations on one of the most disappointing teams so far this season.

5.  LSU
The Tigers beat Mississippi State on Saturday and get the week off before traveling to Gainesville to take on Floriday on October 11.  The Tigers running game continues to roll, and they may have found the perfect complement in the passing game with Jarret Lee who passed for 261 yards against Mississippi State.

6.  Missouri
Mizzou sat at home last week watching Tyrod Taylor and the Virginia Tech offense tear up their next opponent, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.  Chase Daniel will be ready.  The game is in Lincoln.

7.  South Florida
The Bulls haven’t been particularly impressive, but all they have done is win.  The may have put it all together last week when they routed NC State.  This week they host Pitt on national TV.

8.  Oregon
I thought that the Ducks would struggle with Boise State, and they did losing close.  This week the Duck travel to USC.  Oregon is playing with a back up QB, and we all know how that worked out last year.

9.  Auburn
The Tigers have a highly anticipated game against a ranked and undefeated SEC East team who is also in first of the SEC East standings.  No, it’s not Florida, or Georgia.  Auburn travels to Nashville to play the SEC East leading Vanderbilt Commodores.  Vandy is ranked at 19th too.  What’s next, Ball State will be undefeated too?

10.  Texas
The Razorbacks were no match for the Longhorns Saturday, and the Buffaloes better bring some defense if they want to beat the Horns.  Will Muschamp has the Texas defense playing better, and Colt McCoy looks like a career passing leader for Texas.

AP Top Ten

USA Today Poll

Note: Remember, I only update my poll every three weeks.

1. USC
The Trojans have only played two games, but everyone agrees that they have looked far more impressive than anyone else in the country with maybe the exception of Alabama.  Next up, at Oregon State on Thursday night.

2.  Oklahoma
The Sooners got a week off to avenge an upset loss at home to TCU in 2005.  The Frogs make the trip to Norman this week where they have won the past two times they have played (1996, 2005).  However, this Sooner team is far and away better than any other team.  Also, it seem that the off season decision by the coaches to switch to a no huddle offense is paying big dividends, especially in light of the clock rule changes.

3.  Florida
The Gators absolutely creamed Tennessee.  Having not seen Florida play, it does seem that the offensive numbers are more balanced this year.  That could only lead to a healthier Tebow at the end of the year.

4.  Georiga
The ‘Dawgs passed their road test at Arizona State with flying colors last week.  Next up they get a much improved Alabama team.

5.  LSU
The Bayou Tigers raced by Auburn on the “Plains” this past Saturday giving them a leg up on the SEC West race.  Next up is Mississippi State who seems to have taken a step backwards this year.

6.  Missouri
Mizzou beat a pretty good Buffalo team and get a week off to get ready for an improved Nebraska team.  The Huskers have taken care of business, but they haven’t faced this kind of offensive fire power yet.

7.  South Florida
The Bulls followed up an impressive win against Kansas with a sloppy win against Florida International.  Defense still reigns for USF, and it still is the driving force toward a possible Big East Championship.

8.  Oregon
The Ducks injury problems continue, and Boise State took advantage of it to upset Oregon in Eugene.  Oregon has a chance to rebound at Washington State before a date with the Trojans.

9.  Auburn
The Tigers offense did much better last week against LSU, but it wasn’t enough to out do Jarrett Lee’s performance in the second half for LSU.  They get a game with the “falling fast” Tennessee Vols to help them ease the pain of that loss.

10.  Texas
The Longhorns continue to impress beating a decent Rice team easily Saturday.  The Horns get to hook the Razorbacks Saturday on national TV.

Falling

Oregon

Rising

Alabama
Wisconsin

AP Top Ten

1. USC (62)
2. Oklahoma
3. Georgia (2)
4. Florida (1)
5. LSU
6. Missouri
7. Texas
8. Alabama
9. Wisconsin
10. Texas Tech

USA Today Top Ten

1. USC (56)
2. Oklahoma (2)
3. Georgia (2)
4. Florida (1)
5. Missouri
6. LSU
7. Texas
8. Wisconsin
9. Texas Tech
10. Alabama