Power Rankings 9/25

Yesterday morning, I found myself glued to ABC, watching a mediocre Notre Dame team best a middling Pittsburgh team 15-12. The Irish were over-ranked by the AP once again this year, and we're still all waiting for the Second Coming of the Dynasty - "Are they back? They look like they're back. Could this be the year that they're back?" and so on. But Notre Dame's not the only program that this happens to. Basically every elite team from the 80's and early 90's (Florida State, Miami, Penn State, Nebraska...) is or has been overvalued by the press this year. This probably will never change. But it shouldn't be the reason why I have to watch sub-par football in the middle of the day.

1) LSU Tigers (4-0, 1-0) - Phew - my prediction that nobody will score more than 27 against LSU remains accurate, as the Tigers beat West Virginia 47-21. Honestly, nobody outside of Morgantown should be surprised by the results. West Virginia actually outgained LSU 533-366. However, they also turned the ball over four times, had 73 yards in penalties, and look at how their first half drives ended: punt, fumble, interception, touchdown, punt, punt, punt, interception. There's more than one way for a cat to skin a mountaineer.
Next game: vs. Kentucky

2) Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0, 1-0) - 466, 632, 454, 226. That's the total number of yards that Arkansas has gained through their first four games. Guess which one was against Alabama. The Tide's defense makes a great foil to LSU's; the Tigers are flying all over the field, making interceptions and crazy hard tackles in open space. Alabama just stuffs you, stops the run, stops the pass, makes you punt. Arkansas went three and out six times against Alabama. No gimmicks here.
Next game: at No. 12 Florida (AP rankings)

3) Boise State Broncos (3-0, 0-0) - Poor Boise State. While they were putting a 41-21 whooping on Tulsa, their last opponents, Toledo, were losing to Syracuse 33-30 in OT, and their next opponents, rivals Nevada, were losing to Texas Tech 35-34 on a last minute touchdown. Either of those games go the other way, and suddenly Boise's strength of schedule goes way up. As it stands though, they are going to get no loving from the BCS computers.
Next game: vs Nevada

4) Oklahoma Sooners (3-0, 1-0) - If I were using the Law of Common Opponent - or LCO, as I have just decided - then I would have to rank Oklahoma above Boise State, based on their 47-14 win over Tulsa in week one. Too bad. I didn't like how Missouri was able to gain yards on them, and their signature win lost a little of its shine with Florida State losing on the road. Also, I suspect that they benefit a little from the Notre Dame Effect, or NDE, as I have just decided, too.
Next game: vs Ball State

5) Wisconsin Badgers (4-0, 0-0) - I'll probably end up regretting saying this, but man, I am ready to punch the Badgers card to the Rose Bowl right now. QB Russell Wilson's stat line against South Dakota: 19/25, 345 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs. Put him on the Heisman Watch List.
Next game: vs No. 8 Nebraska

6) Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-0, 1-0) -