1. LSU - Still the #1 team in my eyes, thanks to an impressive start to the season. It was nice to see Jordan Jefferson get some playing time. He provides an element no one else on their roster can give to their offense. Tyrann Mathieu is the clear front-runner for the Thorpe Award right now. He's all over the place for the Bayou Bengals.
Next: vs. Florida, October 8
2. Alabama - Nick Saban sure knows how to coach up that defense, doesn't he? His whole team is a bunch of big, fast freaks of nature. They completely throttled Charlie Weis's offense. The Tide rolled up more rushing yards than the Gators could manage as a team on offense. That LSU meeting is must-see TV. No excuses.
Next: vs. Vanderbilt, October 8
3. Wisconsin- For years, we've been forced to watch Wisconsin football with almost-good-enoughs or true game managers like Scott Tolzien or Jim Sorgi at QB. The results with an elite college QB under center are absolutely frightening (for opposing defensive coordinators). Russell Wilson was simply too good for the Blackshirts on Saturday Night. Montee Ball was too tough for the Huskers. The offensive line is filthy. They'll miss DE David Gilbert defensively, who is out with a broken foot for about a month and a half, according to reports. Even without him, the Badgers are the clear class of the Big Ten and the strongest threats to Alabama or LSU in a bowl game, in my opinion.
Next: vs. Indiana, October 15
4. Oklahoma - The Sooner Schooner was pretty busy last week watching their boys pile up nearly 60 points on hapless Ball State. That likely won't be the case as the next target in Stoops and Co.'s crosshairs has long horns and no love for Oklahoma.
Next: vs. Texas, October 8
5. Oklahoma State- The Pokes had a bye week and treated us to an enjoyable/awkward week of watching their coach dance or socialize with Lou Holtz and Mark May at ESPN for a day. It's weird to think that Mike Gundy played with Barry Sanders back in the day.
Next: vs. Kansas, October 8
6. Stanford- Is there anything Andrew Luck cannot do? Seriously? If they played on the East Coast, they'd be higher ranked nationally.
Next: , October 8
7. Boise State- The effort wasn't Heisman-worthy from Kellen Moore (2 INT's), but the result (whooping up last year's thorn-in-the-side Nevada) had to be very satisfying for the Broncos.
Next: at Fresno State, October 7
8. Clemson- Who would've thought that these guys would be leading the ACC after a month of action? Put your hands down, you liars. This team has some serious mojo going right now. They're too hot to handle. Winning in the manner they did in Blacksburg is no mean feat. I can't wait to see their game with Georgia Tech.
Next: vs. Boston College, October 8
9. Oregon - The Ducks had a bye week to get prepped for their game Thursday with a team that has given them trouble historically, Cal.
Next: vs. California, October 6
10. Illinois- In a bitter rivalry game, Nathan Scheelhaase was everything you could've wanted and more. The Fighting Zooks are off to the best start in school history since the 22nd Amendment was ratified. (Look it up.)
Next: at Indiana, October 8
11. Michigan- The Wolverines are undefeated and have done it by feasting on some weak teams.
Next: at Northwestern, October 8
12. Georgia Tech- The Coastal Division is now theirs for the taking after demolishing NC State on Saturday. Paul Johnson's triple option looks unstoppable. The Ramblin' Wreck takes their wrecking ball offense to Maryland next. Their defense will be tested again by Danny O'Brien in another roadie for the Techies.
Next: vs. Maryland, October 8
13. Arkansas- Alabama one week. Texas A&M the next. Now the Hogs get to rumble with Auburn fresh off their upset of the Gamecocks. Don't expect too much defense here.
Next: vs. Auburn, October 8
14. Texas - It's a good thing that Mack Brown made the QB change a few weeks ago, or this matchup wouldn't be nearly as interesting if the 'Horns weren't undefeated. Do they have enough on offense to rumble with their hated rivals? I say no, but we'll see.
Next: vs. Oklahoma, October 8 (in Dallas)
15. Arizona State - It wasn't a pretty win against Oregon State, but they got the job done. Dennis Erickson has to be pleased with the effort his team has given so far. The early favorite to win the Pac-12 South right now
Next: at Utah, October 8
16. South Carolina- That loss has to cost Stephen Garcia his starting job. It took a few weeks, but his inconsistency finally cost the 'Cocks. Time to get the Connor Shaw jerseys out in Columbia.
Next: vs. Kentucky, October 8
17. West Virginia- They finally got some help for Geno Smith in the running game last week. Granted, Bowling Green ain't LSU, either. We'll see if that continues for the Mountaineers
Next: vs. UConn, October 8
18. Nebraska- It's been a long time since we've seen a Bo Pelini defense get pushed around, stomped on, and dominated by an opposing offense. Taylor Martinez needs to grow up as a passer or this team will not be going anywhere in the Big Ten.
Next: vs. Ohio State, October 8
19. Virginia Tech - Ouch. Getting punked at home by Clemson is not what Beamer's boys were expecting when many expected them to ride their easy schedule to the top of the ACC molehill. They need to get more from Logan Thomas.
Next: vs. Miami, October 8
20. Kansas State- It's been a long time since the Wildcats were ranked (4 years specifically), but this is the second straight 4-0 year for them since Bill Snyder got back on the sidelines. They could give the Big XII South powers some trouble when they inevitably cross paths. Nebraska's departure really opened the division up for them this year.
Next: vs. Missouri, October 8
21. Auburn - It's amazing how good the Tigers are in close games. Cam Newton or not, they've been able to come through big in crunch time recently. They've beaten South Carolina three times over the past year and held Marcus Lattimore in check every time.
Next: at Arkansas, October 8
22. Baylor- So RGIII is human after all? Even with his big day, the Bears still lost a tough road game. I'm interested to see how a program unaccustomed to success will respond to that kind of loss.
Next: vs. Iowa State, October 8
23. Florida- Life in the SEC just ain't fair. One week after getting pummeled, battered, and beaten into submission by Alabama, the Gators have to head to Baton Rouge to rumble with the Bayou Bengals in Death Valley. Ouch. The ice tub is going to be popular in Gainesville for a while. Good luck to whoever gets the unfortunate task of playing QB for the Gators.
Next: at LSU , October 8
24. Florida State - The bye week couldn't have come at a better time for the 'Noles. Getting E.J. Manuel back and the rest of their injured players will be a huge boost to the team.
Next: at Wake Forest, October 8
25. Houston - Case Keenum's assault on the NCAA passing records is well under way and off to a fine start: he's completing nearly 70% of his passes and has over 2000 yards passing already.
Next: vs. East Carolina, October 8
Just missed:
SMU, Notre Dame, Michigan State, USC, Washington, Texas Tech, USF
