Tnvolfan68
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1. USC 8-0 next game: at Oregon State
This is too high because This could be very, very temporary. Oklahoma drops one spot only because the pass defense looked a bit too soft against a horrible throwing Oklahoma State team. The Trojans are playing better right now so they move up. But are the appearances deceiving? After all, Washington and Washington State are horrible. Maybe Arizona State isnt all that great. The road trip to Oregon State will be a better test.
2. Oklahoma 8-0 next game: at Texas A&M
This is too low because Oklahoma got by a nasty rivalry game on the road. Oklahoma State was jacked up and OU still came up with a great offensive performance as Adrian Peterson once again showed why hes the best player in America. This is the nations most complete offensive team.
This is too high because OSUs Donovan Woods only completed eight passes, but he was effective. How would the Sooners hold up against the Cal or Auburn passing attack?
3. Auburn 9-0 next game: Georgia (Nov. 13)
This is too low because Winning at Ole Miss right now is a lot better than it appears on paper. Auburn brought its B game and was going through the motions, yet it still won by 21.
This is too high because If you believe in Georgia in two weeks, then you dont believe in Auburn being this high.
4. California 6-1 next game: Oregon
This is too low because In case you havent noticed, and judging by the polls, you havent, Cal can play defense too pitching shutouts in each of its last two games. Stoning Arizona was no big deal, but keeping Arizona State off the board was impressive.
This is too high because Its not. You wouldnt be nuts to rank the Bears number two.
5. Texas 7-1 next game: Oklahoma State
This is too low because Why isnt anyone talking about Texas and the BCS? Why isnt anyone talking about Cedric Benson and the Heisman? At the moment, this team is crushing everything in its path.
This is too high because The passing game is frighteningly inconsistent. The great Wisconsin defense would probably be able to stop the Longhorn offense cold.
6. Wisconsin 8-0 next game: Minnesota
This is too low because While teams like Miami and Florida State are losing, Wisconsin has still managed to go unbeaten. The last three games are the real test: Minnesota, at Michigan State, at Iowa. If the Badgers get through those three unscathed, no matter how ugly it might be, they can scream all they want about playing for the national title. Remember the last two national champions, LSU and Ohio State, won with defense.
This is too high because Dont forget that Wisconsin needed missed a missed field goal to beat Arizona and another missed kick to get by Purdue. The teams margin for error is razor thin.
7. Tennessee 7-1 next game: Notre Dame
This is too low because Tennessee escaped South Carolina with a tough road win overcoming early adversity to win in a walk. The Vols have the SEC East title all but wrapped with mere formalities against Vanderbilt and Kentucky ahead.
This is too high because The defense was a bit too soft against the Gamecocks, but its hard to rank the Vols any lower than this unless you believe in Utah being this high. As crazy as this might sound, watch out for Notre Dame this week. The Irish have had two weeks off and Tennessee will be focusing on the SEC world.
8. Georgia 7-1 next game: at Kentucky
This is too low because Georgia got its win over Florida and now it needs help. Is it possible for the Bulldogs to pull a Nebraska of 2001-2002 and get to the national title game without winning its own division? If the Dawgs can pull off the win over Auburn in two weeks, just about everyone will have them in the top five.
This is too high because Give credit where credit is due for coming away from Jacksonville with the win, but raise your hand if you thought Florida was going to pull it off late. This Georgia team rarely does things the easy way.
9. Utah 8-0 next game: Colorado State
This is too low because The Ute offense is unstoppable as Alex Smith is running it to perfection. That same North Carolina team that Utah blew away 46-16 just beat Miami.
This is too high because The Mountain West sucks. That Texas A&M win doesnt look so brilliant at the immediate moment either (look for the Aggie loss to Baylor to be a killer blow to the Utes in the computer portion of the BCS).
10. Michigan 8-1 next game: Northwestern (Nov. 13)
This is too low because You could make a case that there isnt a better RB-WR combo in the nation than Mike Hart and Braylon Edwards. The offense keeps finding ways to explode when it has to.
This is too high because A late rally against Minnesota here, a game-saving hit/forced fumble against Purdue there, and a 17-point rally in the final five-plus minutes against Michigan State this week hardly makes Michigan appear to be the be-all-end-all complete team that many are making it out to be.
11. Miami 6-1 next game: Clemson
This is too low because Its not. The defense stinks right now and the offense has no running game whatsoever. There are too many nicks and bruises to think the Canes could hang around with a top team at the moment. But itll get chances to make amends over the coming weeks and quickly jump back up.
This is too high because North Carolina is North Carolina. Could the Hurricane defense stop anyone right now?
12. Louisville 5-1 next game: at Memphis
This is too low because The Cardinals could use a splashy win to make everyone sit up and take notice, but its not going to get the chance. No one is going to get too excited about Memphis. .
This is too high because Its not. This is probably one of the ten best teams in the country. However, it cant leapfrog Miami just yet.
13. Florida State 6-2 next game: Duke
This is too low because At home, this might be the best team in America with a tremendous defense and frightening precision on offense. However .
This is too high because its a totally different story on the road struggling against Syracuse and Wake Forest before the loss to Maryland. The loss of RB Leon Washington hurts; he has to get back in the mix soon. Now theres a quarterback controversy after Wyatt Sexton got yanked against Maryland.
14. Virginia 6-1 next game: Maryland
This is too low because Its all there for the taking. The weekend couldnt have gone better for Virginia with Florida State and Miami losing. The final four games arent a peach (Maryland, Miami, at Georgia Tech, and at Virginia Tech), but the Cavaliers control their own BCS destiny.
This is too high because That total and utter annihilation by Florida State looks even worse now. Would you trust this team against LSU or Virginia Tech?
15. Virginia Tech 6-2 next game: at North Carolina
This is too low because Virginia Tech showed heart, experience and explosiveness in its tough, nationally televised road win at Georgia Tech. The two losses are to USC and late against NC State; thats not bad.
This is too high because Is the team doing it with smoke and mirrors on offense? Mike Imoh adds a running game, but its really all the Bryan Randall show. Will defenses finally be able to figure the Hokie offense out and shut it down completely? As warned many times before, its November and its time for the yearly swoon.
16. Arizona State 6-2 next game: Stanford
This is too low because Arizona State lost to USC and California. Those might be the two best teams in America and ASU might be one of the ten best. However .
This is too high because the Sun Devils werent even close. This is the third best team in the Pac 10, but its not like being the third best team in the SEC or Big XII. There has to be some more decent, impressive wins to move back up.
17. LSU 6-2 next game: Alabama (Nov. 13)
This is too low because Yippee! We found a running game! Maybe now there will be a little bit of balance and offensive flow. After all of the drama and all of the problems, the Tigers are still 6-2 and in a great position to finish with a ten-win season.
This is too high because Has this team actually beaten anyone of note? And dont say Florida. Whoopee, the running game worked against Vanderbilt. The Alabama game in two weeks will be the real test of the offenses consistency.
18. Texas A&M 6-2 next game: Oklahoma
This is too low because Uhhhhhhh, maybe the Aggies will beat Oklahoma? Actually, the loss to Baylor might be the best thing that couldve happened to A&M. A win wouldve brought in GameDay and all of the national attention, and it wouldve gotten OU pumped up. Now the Sooners might take the showdown lightly.
This is too high because Baylor. Texas A&M lost to frickin Baylor.
19. Oklahoma State 6-2 next game: at Texas
This is too low because The Cowboys are a missed field goal away from possibly still playing with one of the two best teams in America. The offense did a great job of hitting some big plays against the OU defense.
This is too high because How lousy does the loss to Texas A&M look now? As well as the team played against the Sooners, it was still a loss. The defense gave up way, way, way too many home runs.
20. West Virginia 7-1 next game: Temple
This is too low because Virginia Tech isnt all that bad a team to lose to. West Virginia is quietly going about its business and playing well enough to be considered a top 15 team (at least for about a half), and then
This is too high because there goes the old intensity. The team appears to be bored waiting for the Boston College and Pittsburgh games. The Mountaineers shouldve obliterated Rutgers by 30.
21. Iowa 6-2 next game: Purdue
This is too low because Wins are wins. Dont look now, but Iowa has a kooky shot of tying for the Big Ten title by winning out and getting some serious help against Michigan from Northwestern and Ohio State. Actually, theres a better chance of finishing number two, which the team would take in a heartbeat if it can run the table against a nasty slate (Purdue, at Minnesota, Wisconsin).
This is too high because Dont let the Illinois game fool you; theres no offense. Its Drew Tate and hope for the best.
22. UCLA 5-3 next game: Washington State
This is too low because Whats this? A run defense?! UCLA shut out Stanford with its best defensive performance of the year. The overall stats might make everyone overlook linebackers Spencer Havner and Justin London, but theyre playing extremely well.
This is too high because Lets not get too jacked up over a good performance against Stanford. This D still needs work and theres still a question of if the Bruins can ever beat a really good team.
23. Texas Tech 5-3 next game: Baylor
This is too low because The Red Raiders walked into Kansas State and came away with a stunningly easy win. The defense is playing better than it has in several years.
This is too high because If you dont believe the Big XII South is the best division in college football, you dont believe in the Red Raiders. The tests keep on coming facing Texas A&M and Oklahoma State after Baylor.
24. Florida 4-4 next game: at Vanderbilt
This is too low because Its not like the Gators are getting blown out. They played Georgia tough and still have one of the SECs most talented teams.
This is too high because A bowl isnt a given still needing to win two of their final three games at Vanderbilt, South Carolina and at Florida State.
25. Boise State 8-0 next game: at San Jose State (Nov. 13)
This is too low because 8-0 is 8-0. While teams are getting picked off left and right, Boise State keeps on winning, mostly in impressive fashion.
This is too high because The WAC really, really, really sucks. The Hawaii performance was awesome, but there was still the way-too-close call against Tulsa that few saw
This is too high because This could be very, very temporary. Oklahoma drops one spot only because the pass defense looked a bit too soft against a horrible throwing Oklahoma State team. The Trojans are playing better right now so they move up. But are the appearances deceiving? After all, Washington and Washington State are horrible. Maybe Arizona State isnt all that great. The road trip to Oregon State will be a better test.
2. Oklahoma 8-0 next game: at Texas A&M
This is too low because Oklahoma got by a nasty rivalry game on the road. Oklahoma State was jacked up and OU still came up with a great offensive performance as Adrian Peterson once again showed why hes the best player in America. This is the nations most complete offensive team.
This is too high because OSUs Donovan Woods only completed eight passes, but he was effective. How would the Sooners hold up against the Cal or Auburn passing attack?
3. Auburn 9-0 next game: Georgia (Nov. 13)
This is too low because Winning at Ole Miss right now is a lot better than it appears on paper. Auburn brought its B game and was going through the motions, yet it still won by 21.
This is too high because If you believe in Georgia in two weeks, then you dont believe in Auburn being this high.
4. California 6-1 next game: Oregon
This is too low because In case you havent noticed, and judging by the polls, you havent, Cal can play defense too pitching shutouts in each of its last two games. Stoning Arizona was no big deal, but keeping Arizona State off the board was impressive.
This is too high because Its not. You wouldnt be nuts to rank the Bears number two.
5. Texas 7-1 next game: Oklahoma State
This is too low because Why isnt anyone talking about Texas and the BCS? Why isnt anyone talking about Cedric Benson and the Heisman? At the moment, this team is crushing everything in its path.
This is too high because The passing game is frighteningly inconsistent. The great Wisconsin defense would probably be able to stop the Longhorn offense cold.
6. Wisconsin 8-0 next game: Minnesota
This is too low because While teams like Miami and Florida State are losing, Wisconsin has still managed to go unbeaten. The last three games are the real test: Minnesota, at Michigan State, at Iowa. If the Badgers get through those three unscathed, no matter how ugly it might be, they can scream all they want about playing for the national title. Remember the last two national champions, LSU and Ohio State, won with defense.
This is too high because Dont forget that Wisconsin needed missed a missed field goal to beat Arizona and another missed kick to get by Purdue. The teams margin for error is razor thin.
7. Tennessee 7-1 next game: Notre Dame
This is too low because Tennessee escaped South Carolina with a tough road win overcoming early adversity to win in a walk. The Vols have the SEC East title all but wrapped with mere formalities against Vanderbilt and Kentucky ahead.
This is too high because The defense was a bit too soft against the Gamecocks, but its hard to rank the Vols any lower than this unless you believe in Utah being this high. As crazy as this might sound, watch out for Notre Dame this week. The Irish have had two weeks off and Tennessee will be focusing on the SEC world.
8. Georgia 7-1 next game: at Kentucky
This is too low because Georgia got its win over Florida and now it needs help. Is it possible for the Bulldogs to pull a Nebraska of 2001-2002 and get to the national title game without winning its own division? If the Dawgs can pull off the win over Auburn in two weeks, just about everyone will have them in the top five.
This is too high because Give credit where credit is due for coming away from Jacksonville with the win, but raise your hand if you thought Florida was going to pull it off late. This Georgia team rarely does things the easy way.
9. Utah 8-0 next game: Colorado State
This is too low because The Ute offense is unstoppable as Alex Smith is running it to perfection. That same North Carolina team that Utah blew away 46-16 just beat Miami.
This is too high because The Mountain West sucks. That Texas A&M win doesnt look so brilliant at the immediate moment either (look for the Aggie loss to Baylor to be a killer blow to the Utes in the computer portion of the BCS).
10. Michigan 8-1 next game: Northwestern (Nov. 13)
This is too low because You could make a case that there isnt a better RB-WR combo in the nation than Mike Hart and Braylon Edwards. The offense keeps finding ways to explode when it has to.
This is too high because A late rally against Minnesota here, a game-saving hit/forced fumble against Purdue there, and a 17-point rally in the final five-plus minutes against Michigan State this week hardly makes Michigan appear to be the be-all-end-all complete team that many are making it out to be.
11. Miami 6-1 next game: Clemson
This is too low because Its not. The defense stinks right now and the offense has no running game whatsoever. There are too many nicks and bruises to think the Canes could hang around with a top team at the moment. But itll get chances to make amends over the coming weeks and quickly jump back up.
This is too high because North Carolina is North Carolina. Could the Hurricane defense stop anyone right now?
12. Louisville 5-1 next game: at Memphis
This is too low because The Cardinals could use a splashy win to make everyone sit up and take notice, but its not going to get the chance. No one is going to get too excited about Memphis. .
This is too high because Its not. This is probably one of the ten best teams in the country. However, it cant leapfrog Miami just yet.
13. Florida State 6-2 next game: Duke
This is too low because At home, this might be the best team in America with a tremendous defense and frightening precision on offense. However .
This is too high because its a totally different story on the road struggling against Syracuse and Wake Forest before the loss to Maryland. The loss of RB Leon Washington hurts; he has to get back in the mix soon. Now theres a quarterback controversy after Wyatt Sexton got yanked against Maryland.
14. Virginia 6-1 next game: Maryland
This is too low because Its all there for the taking. The weekend couldnt have gone better for Virginia with Florida State and Miami losing. The final four games arent a peach (Maryland, Miami, at Georgia Tech, and at Virginia Tech), but the Cavaliers control their own BCS destiny.
This is too high because That total and utter annihilation by Florida State looks even worse now. Would you trust this team against LSU or Virginia Tech?
15. Virginia Tech 6-2 next game: at North Carolina
This is too low because Virginia Tech showed heart, experience and explosiveness in its tough, nationally televised road win at Georgia Tech. The two losses are to USC and late against NC State; thats not bad.
This is too high because Is the team doing it with smoke and mirrors on offense? Mike Imoh adds a running game, but its really all the Bryan Randall show. Will defenses finally be able to figure the Hokie offense out and shut it down completely? As warned many times before, its November and its time for the yearly swoon.
16. Arizona State 6-2 next game: Stanford
This is too low because Arizona State lost to USC and California. Those might be the two best teams in America and ASU might be one of the ten best. However .
This is too high because the Sun Devils werent even close. This is the third best team in the Pac 10, but its not like being the third best team in the SEC or Big XII. There has to be some more decent, impressive wins to move back up.
17. LSU 6-2 next game: Alabama (Nov. 13)
This is too low because Yippee! We found a running game! Maybe now there will be a little bit of balance and offensive flow. After all of the drama and all of the problems, the Tigers are still 6-2 and in a great position to finish with a ten-win season.
This is too high because Has this team actually beaten anyone of note? And dont say Florida. Whoopee, the running game worked against Vanderbilt. The Alabama game in two weeks will be the real test of the offenses consistency.
18. Texas A&M 6-2 next game: Oklahoma
This is too low because Uhhhhhhh, maybe the Aggies will beat Oklahoma? Actually, the loss to Baylor might be the best thing that couldve happened to A&M. A win wouldve brought in GameDay and all of the national attention, and it wouldve gotten OU pumped up. Now the Sooners might take the showdown lightly.
This is too high because Baylor. Texas A&M lost to frickin Baylor.
19. Oklahoma State 6-2 next game: at Texas
This is too low because The Cowboys are a missed field goal away from possibly still playing with one of the two best teams in America. The offense did a great job of hitting some big plays against the OU defense.
This is too high because How lousy does the loss to Texas A&M look now? As well as the team played against the Sooners, it was still a loss. The defense gave up way, way, way too many home runs.
20. West Virginia 7-1 next game: Temple
This is too low because Virginia Tech isnt all that bad a team to lose to. West Virginia is quietly going about its business and playing well enough to be considered a top 15 team (at least for about a half), and then
This is too high because there goes the old intensity. The team appears to be bored waiting for the Boston College and Pittsburgh games. The Mountaineers shouldve obliterated Rutgers by 30.
21. Iowa 6-2 next game: Purdue
This is too low because Wins are wins. Dont look now, but Iowa has a kooky shot of tying for the Big Ten title by winning out and getting some serious help against Michigan from Northwestern and Ohio State. Actually, theres a better chance of finishing number two, which the team would take in a heartbeat if it can run the table against a nasty slate (Purdue, at Minnesota, Wisconsin).
This is too high because Dont let the Illinois game fool you; theres no offense. Its Drew Tate and hope for the best.
22. UCLA 5-3 next game: Washington State
This is too low because Whats this? A run defense?! UCLA shut out Stanford with its best defensive performance of the year. The overall stats might make everyone overlook linebackers Spencer Havner and Justin London, but theyre playing extremely well.
This is too high because Lets not get too jacked up over a good performance against Stanford. This D still needs work and theres still a question of if the Bruins can ever beat a really good team.
23. Texas Tech 5-3 next game: Baylor
This is too low because The Red Raiders walked into Kansas State and came away with a stunningly easy win. The defense is playing better than it has in several years.
This is too high because If you dont believe the Big XII South is the best division in college football, you dont believe in the Red Raiders. The tests keep on coming facing Texas A&M and Oklahoma State after Baylor.
24. Florida 4-4 next game: at Vanderbilt
This is too low because Its not like the Gators are getting blown out. They played Georgia tough and still have one of the SECs most talented teams.
This is too high because A bowl isnt a given still needing to win two of their final three games at Vanderbilt, South Carolina and at Florida State.
25. Boise State 8-0 next game: at San Jose State (Nov. 13)
This is too low because 8-0 is 8-0. While teams are getting picked off left and right, Boise State keeps on winning, mostly in impressive fashion.
This is too high because The WAC really, really, really sucks. The Hawaii performance was awesome, but there was still the way-too-close call against Tulsa that few saw
