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| Published: Nov 2, 2009 7:25 PM EST |
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Incredi-Hull rankings: Oregon rising |
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| 1. Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC)
Previous: 1
Polls: BCS - 3; AP - 3; Coach's - 3.
Last week: Idle; This week: vs. No. 11 LSU.
More voters bailed off Bama's bandwagon as the Crimson Tide enjoyed a bye week. This season has still been more about dominant defenses than prolific offenses and no team has a more dominant defense than Bama.
2. Texas (8-0, 4-0 Big 12)
Previous: 2
Polls: BCS - 2; AP - 2; Coach's - 2.
Last week: 41-14 over Oklahoma St.; This week: vs. UCF.
Texas is starting to peak at the right time of the year. The Longhorns have one true trap game (at Texas A&M) on their schedule. They're starting to make a convincing argument as a definite pick for the BCS Championship.
3. Florida (8-0, 5-0 SEC)
Previous: 3
Polls: BCS - 1; AP - 1; Coach's - 1.
Last week: 41-17 over Georgia; This week: vs. Vanderbilt.
Florida gained ground on holding the No. 1 spot in just about every poll used. The Gators are staying at No. 3 in this one. Georgia isn't close to being a quality opponent this season.
4. Oregon (7-1, 5-0 Pac-10)
Previous: 9
Polls: BCS - 8; AP - 7; Coach's - 8.
Last week: 47-20 over No. 12 USC; This week: at Stanford.
This is the team hype needs to start surrounding. It was preached on this poll that Oregon is playing as well as anyone in the country and the Ducks proved that with their thrashing of USC. Next on the docket: It's time for QB Jeremiah Masoli to receive some Heisman consideration. No player in the country has had more of a Heisman moment than Masoli did against USC.
5. Cincinnati (8-0, 4-0 Big East)
Previous: 4
Polls: BCS - 5; AP - 4; Coach's - 7.
Last week: 28-7 over Syracuse; This week: vs. Connecticut.
There isn't a better offense in the nation. There isn't a better coach, either. Brian Kelly should easily be the coach of the year. Tony Pike is rumored to be coming back next week, but the Bearcats are more than fine with Zach Collaros as their starter.
6. TCU (8-0, 4-0 MWC)
Previous: 5
Polls: BCS - 6; AP - 6; Coach's - 4.
Last week: 41-0 over UNLV; This week: at San Diego St.
TCU took care of business after an impressive win over BYU the week before. There's no letdown for this team.
7. Iowa (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten)
Previous: 7
Polls: BCS - 4; AP - 8; Coach's - 6.
Last week: 42-24 over Indiana; This week: vs. Northwestern.
One thing became clear this week: Iowa is capable of losing to anyone on its schedule. The Hawkeyes also have plenty of fourth quarter magic as well. At some point, the magic will run out. The game against Indiana takes a different outlook if two apparent Hoosiers TDs aren't overturned via instant replay. It could have been 38-14 heading into the fourth.
8. Boise St. (8-0, 3-0 WAC)
Previous: 8
Polls: BCS - 7; AP - 5; Coach's - 5.
Last week: 45-7 over San Jose St.; This week: at La. Tech.
Boise St. looked as impressive as always Saturday, but that's not difficult considering the Broncos' competition. Possible hiccups left on Boise St.'s schedule? Nevada on Nov. 27. And surprising Idaho Nov. 14.
9. Penn St. (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten)
Previous: 11
Polls: BCS - 11; AP - 11; Coach's - 10.
Last week: 34-13 over Northwestern; This week: vs. No. 14 Ohio St.
It took a dominant second half, but once the Nittany Lions got going, they put together two impressive quarters of play. Big game looming with Ohio St. Both teams are trying to stay in the bid for a share of the conference title.
10. Georgia Tech (8-1, 6-1 ACC)
Previous: 12
Polls: BCS - 10; AP - 10; Coach's - 11.
Last week: 56-31 over Vanderbilt; This week: vs. Wake Forest.
Vandy kept it close for a bit, but Ga. Tech's run game is too much for even the nation's best defenses to consistently control. Tech has three regular season games left plus the ACC Championship game. The Yellow Jackets have a great chance of winning out, but Wake Forest is always dangerous. Ask Miami.
11. LSU (7-1, 4-1 SEC)
Previous: 13
Polls: BCS - 9; AP - 9; Coach's - 9.
Last week: 42-0 over Tulane; This week: at No. 1 Alabama.
The prime matchup this week is Alabama-LSU. The Tigers aren't in the Crimson Tide's league and that will be proved this week.
12. USC (6-2, (3-2 Pac-10)
Previous: 6
Polls: BCS - 12; AP - 12; Coach's - 13.
Last week: 47-20 loss to No. 4 Oregon; This week: at Arizona St.
USC not in the Rose Bowl. Hard to believe, isn't it? It looks likely, though, but don't be shocked if the Trojans still sneak into a BCS game.
13. Oklahoma (5-3, 3-1 Big 12)
Previous: 17
Polls: BCS - 24; AP - 20; Coach's - 20.
Last week: 42-30 over Kansas St.; This week: at Nebraska.
OU belongs in the Top 15. The Sooners still possess an elite defense although K-State did expose it some. The game was out of hand before K-State made its run, though.
14. Ohio St. (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten)
Previous: 16
Polls: BCS - 16; AP - 15; Coach's - 12.
Last week: 45-0 over New Mexico St.; This week: at No. 9 Penn St.
Ohio St. has a chance to still win at least as share of a Big Ten title and the right to play in the Rose Bowl with wins over Penn St. and Iowa in the next two weeks.
15. Pitt (8-1, 5-0 Big East)
Previous: 19
Polls: BCS - 13; AP - 14; Coach's - 14.
Last week: Idle; This week: vs. Syracuse.
Circle Dec. 5 on your calendar. That's when Pitt meets Cincinnati and it's one of the best matchups left in the season.
16. Houston (7-1, 3-1 C-USA)
Previous: 18
Polls: BCS - 15; AP - 13; Coach's - 15.
Last week: 50-43 over So. Miss; This week: at Tulsa
So. Miss rallied from a 3-TD deficit to tie the game late. Case Keenum had a great moment in egineering the last-ditch winning drive. It was almost a true Heisman moment. Only problem is it came against So. Miss.
17. Miami, Fla. (6-2, 3-2 ACC)
Previous: 14
Polls: BCS - 17; AP - 16; Coach's - 17.
Last week: 28-27 over Wake Forest; This week: vs. Virginia.
Miami dips three spots in this poll because the Canes refuse to show up to play on a weekly basis. Any team in the country is capable of knocking off Miami. The talent is undeniable, though.
18. Arizona (5-2, 3-1 Pac-10)
Previous: 22
Polls: BCS - 18; AP - 21; Coach's - 19.
Last week: Idle; This week: vs. Washington St.
Thanks for several losses in the Top 20, Arizona gains four spots in the rankings without playing. Three of the Wildcats final four games are against USC, Oregon and Cal. In other words, Arizona is about to get tested.
19. Oklahoma St. (6-2, 3-1 Big 12)
Previous: 15
Polls: BCS - 19; AP - 18; Coach's - 18.
Last week: 41-14 loss to No. 2 Texas; This week: at Iowa St.
Oklahoma St. had its chance to shock Texas, but two dropped TD passes in the first quarter trumped the Cowboys and kept them from pulling off an unlikely upset.
20. Virginia Tech (5-3, 3-2 ACC)
Previous: 10
Polls: BCS - 23; AP - 22; Coach's - 24.
Last week: 20-17 loss to North Carolina; This week: at East Carolina.
Va. Tech's offense simply no showed. It looked like Tyrod Taylor had finally figured this game out. That isn't as apparent now.
21. Utah (7-1, 4-0 MWC)
Previous: 21
Polls: BCS - 14; AP - 17; Coach's - 16.
Last week: 22-10 over Wyoming; This week: vs. New Mexico.
Utah is one of the more overrated teams in the nation right now. Wyoming scared the Utes thoroughly. New Mexico isn't capable of the same feat, but TCU and BYU are both on the schedule still.
22. Notre Dame (6-2)
Previous: 24
Polls: BCS - 22; AP - 19; Coach's - 21.
Last week: 40-14 over Washington St.; This week: vs. Navy.
Nice to see the Irish finally show up and blow out an opponent they were supposed to.
23. South Florida (6-2, 2-2 Big East)
Previous: NR
Polls: BCS - 25; AP - NR; Coach's - NR.
Last week: 30-19 over West Virginia; This week: Idle.
The Bulls still possess one of the best defenses in the Big East. Right now, they simply have to occasionally make up for an inexperienced offense.
24. BYU (6-2, 3-1 MWC)
Previous: NR
Polls: BCS - NR; AP - 25; Coach's - 25.
Last week: Idle; This week: at Wyoming.
Not playing pushed the Cougars back into the Top 25. Personally, this writer believes BYU is right on par with Utah. The Cougars just need to prove it.
25. Texas Tech (6-3, 3-2 Big 12)
Previous: NR
Polls: BCS - NR; AP - NR; Coach's - NR.
Last week: 42-21 over Kansas; This week: Idle.
Apparently, all QB Taylor Potts needed was some time on the bench as he played inspired football in the second half. In actuality, the answer for the Red Raiders isn't figuring out who to play at QB. Instead, they need to give the ball more to RB Baron Batch, who is one of the best players in the Big 12. |
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| Published: Nov 2, 2009 7:25 PM EST |
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