Top 25 rankings - Oct 24th

I did these on Saturday night, just didnt have time to post yet. Off we go...

1. Oregon 7-0 (1) - How's 60 points in that first game as #1? Better enjoy it while it lasts. USC awaits in their own personal bowl game.

2. Auburn 8-0 (4) - I gave you this Tigers team weeks before the rest of the nation noticed. I wasnt right about a lot last week, but Cam Newton makes me look better and better every time he suits up. What a ridiculously talented player.

3. Boise St 6-0 (2) - I actually did some extra research, intending to write a scathing "come ON people, stop letting other teams pass Boise" note. But here's the deal. They beat Va Tech and Oregon St, good but not great wins. They beat Toledo, a likely low bowl team. But the other three teams they beat are a combined 4-19... and the 4 wins are against Toledo, the worst team in NCAA at 0-8, and two wins against the same division I-AA team. I'm not even sure if those count. So Boise has NO shot at looking good in the computers. They're relying solely on the eyeball test and enough other people losing. At this point, even the TCU-Utah victor is going to end up well ahead of Boise in the computers and threaten to knock the Broncos out of a title game, yes, the same TCU team that Boise *just beat last year*. Can we PLEASE get a playoff?!?

4. TCU 8-0 (6) - They finally allowed their first TD in a month but still thoroughly dominated a very solid Air Force team. Honestly, might be a more impressive win than anything Boise has done. Air Force is good enough to hang with VT and Oregon St, not necessarily better, but they lost 38-7. Trust me, Air Force is good, good enough to mess things up this weekend by getting a big home win over...

5. Utah 7-0 (7) - So how good does that whole putting up 68 at Iowa State a few weeks ago thing look about now? That's the same team that just dominated Texas on the road. Of course, UCLA did that too. Texas in a BCS bowl? Woops. Maybe not. Utah better be careful this week. Air Force will be ready and angry after last week's embarassment, and it is the perfect trap game with TCU looming next week.

6. Missouri 7-0 (12) - All but one win by these Tigers has been by two scores this season, including a surprisingly dominant performance against Oklahoma this weekend. Can they avoid the letdown on the road this week in a final battle against Nebraska? It certainly won't be easy. Looks like another undefeated Tigers team may fall from the unbeaten ranks soon, but if not then Mizzou could coast to 12-0 and an Oklahoma rematch in the Big XII title game.

7. Alabama 7-1 (8) - Outside of the disaster against SC, the Tide have allowed under 9 ppg, a ridiculous figure. I still feel this is the best team in the nation, and they still control their destiny. They can prove it with a statement win against LSU this week.

8. Michigan State 8-0 (10) - Still just not quite convinced. Win in Iowa this weekend and I'll finally believe. But they won't. :)

9. Wisconsin 7-1 (13) - Ok, so this team went from out of my top 25 two weeks ago to in my top ten now. Impressive back to back wins against Ohio St and Iowa will do that. Still, they've won two times this season from a missed extra point. Lucky, or just good enough?

10. Ohio State 7-1 (13) - They've been completely dominant in every game this season, as much as any team other than Oregon, except for the one game vs Wisconsin. That may haunt them, or it could cause a crazy 7-1 tie atop the Big Ten for one final crazy finish before they add a 12th team.

11. LSU 7-1 (5) - Hard to believe this defense really gave up 450 rushing yards, even to Auburn. Alabama has to be drooling this weekend. It's put up or shut up time for Les and the boys.

12. Nebraska 6-1 (15) - That loss at home to Texas is looking very ugly at this point, but Nebraska could end up being the saving grace in the Big 12. They could well beat Mizzou this weekend to knock them out, and then Oklahoma in the title game as well, and there's no way a team with a loss like that to Texas is touching a title game. This Huskers team is GOOD.

13. Oklahoma 6-1 (3) - Dominated FSU but had four one-score wins against average teams. Dominated Mizzou in yardage while the offense looked unstoppable at times, but mistakes and turnovers cost them any shot at victory. Still can't believe Bob Stoops kicked a FG down 12 with only six minutes left, and then punted from the 10 with only a few minutes left. YOU ARE THE #1 TEAM IN THE NATION AND THIS IS YOUR ONLY SHOT AT A TITLE!!! Sadly, Stoops was worried about how ugly a 12 or 20 point loss might look instead of giving his team a shot to win. I lost any respect I had left.

14. Stanford 6-1 (11)
15. Arizona 6-1 (17) - Both teams continuing to win but both could be due for a letdown soon.
16. USC 5-2 (19) - The Trojans are two last minute field goals away from 7-0 and what would've been billed as the matchup of the season with Oregon coming to town. They could've been the #1 BCS team after this week with no shot at at even a bowl game. You think they're a little upset about that? I'm telling you, Oregon. You better watch yourselves.

17. Iowa 5-2 (9)
18. South Carolina 5-2 (21)
19. Oklahoma State 6-1 (16)
20. Florida State 6-1 (18)
21. Arkansas 5-2 (23)
22. Mississippi State 6-2 (22)
23. Virginia Tech 6-2 (NR)

24. Baylor 6-2 (NR) - Congratulations on going bowling, Baylor Bears!!! Robert Griffin III, I can't wait to watch you there. I heart Baylor sports teams finally being good this year.

25. Appalachian State 7-0 (NR) - Because I think they might really be better than the other teams I didnt feel like ranking here. And because Appalachian State is hot-hot-HOT!!!