1) Oregon State (2-0, 1-0, +10) - I swear, you guys, these rankings are completely unbiased. Oregon State's #1 because they have two wins over ranked opponents. They held star UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin to 45 rushing yards on 12 attempts in their 27-20 win in the Rose Bowl. I always chuckle whenever commentators are surprised at the speed of Oregon State's defense. You know they play the Ducks every year, right? Next game: at Arizona.
2) Notre Dame (4-0, 0-0, +9) - The biggest difference between this Notre Dame team and their past teams is the current version's ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Against Michigan, they sacked Denard Robinson three times, had five interceptions, and forced two fumbles. Remember, Michigan is not actually that good. But the Irish may be at the point to upgrade their expectations from 8 wins to 10. Next game: Oct. 06 vs. Miami (FL)
3) Oregon (4-0, 1-0, +9) - It's always strange to watch your team in the local bar after the home team has just lost to Louisiana Tech by four touchdowns. It tends to end up with you bar-hopping with a group of folks from out of town, running into former co-workers, finding a ride home for the drunken bartender, going to the house of a guy who just graduated from your program and drinking - I don't know, like, amaretto and Dr. Pepper? - and then walking home the wrong way for about a mile before you give up and call a cab. All-in-all, a good night. Also, um, Oregon has a good defense. Next game: at Washington State.
4) Texas Tech (3-0, 0-0, +8)
5) Florida State (4-0, 2-0, +8) - Florida State-Clemson was probably the game of the night. I really wanted Clemson to win, but still came away genuinely impressed with Florida State. They had 667 yards of offense in their 49-37 victory, averaging 8.9 yards per play. However, I am still unimpressed with their defense, which probably won't get tested again until the season finale against Florida. In terms of non-SEC teams, right now I would go: 1) Oregon, 2) Notre Dame, 3) Florida State. I've got them all losing to Alabama. Next game: at South Florida.
6) Rutgers (4-0, 1-0, +7) - Please raise your hand if you put down on money at the beginning of the season on Arkansas losing at home to UL-Monroe AND Rutgers. The Big East is better than advertised this year, and may go out with a bang on November 29th when Rutgers hosts Louisville, with a potential Orange Bowl berth on the line. Next game: Oct. 06 vs. Connecticut.
7) Stanford (3-0, 1-0, +6)
8) Alabama (4-0, 1-0, +6)
9) Florida (4-0, 3-0, +6)
10) UCLA (3-1, 0-1, +6) - One thing I noticed in UCLA's loss was the speed of their receiving corps. This, combined with a pretty good defense, has me thinking that the Bruins are one or two gimpy Trojan linemen away from winning their division. Next game: at Colorado. (As the Buffaloes go for two in a row!)
11) Ohio (4-0, 0-0, +5)
12) Georgia (4-0, 2-0, +5)
13) Kansas State (4-0, 1-0, +5) - The Sports Illustrated headline this morning reads: "Kansas State stuns Oklahoma." Who, precisely, was stunned? Despite being outgained by Oklahoma 386-362, the Fightin' Snyders forced three timely turnovers in their 24-19 win. They still have tough trips to West Virginia and TCU on the docket, but Kansas State would be selling themselves short if their ultimate goal were not a Big 12 championship. Next game: Oct. 06 vs. Kansas.
14) LSU (4-0, 1-0, +4) - LSU's defense pitched a second half shutout against Auburn to win 12-10, meaning that they are definitely better than Louisiana-Monroe. LSU's offensive shakiness continues to make Alabama's march to the BCS seem inevitable. But remember, that's what I was saying last year about LSU. The Tigers are at Florida on Oct. 06, and then host South Carolina the week after. If they reach 7-0, then we can start talking championships again. Next game: vs. Towson. NB: Don't let me use mixed sports metaphors. Ever.
15) South Carolina (4-0, 2-0, +4) - I still don't have a grasp on what the SEC pecking order is. Alabama is clearly top elephant, with LSU second tiger. (We're the Republican Party and Tammany Hall!) But then what? Florida's pretty good, and I've still got South Carolina ahead of Georgia, because I am afraid of Jadeveon Clowney. We'll find out soon enough, as the Gamecocks get Georgia, LSU, and Florida in October. Next game: at Kentucky.
16) Mississippi State (4-0, 1-0, +4)
17) Northwestern (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Northwestern hasn't been to the Rose Bowl since 1996, a 41-32 loss to USC. Next game: vs. Indiana.
18) Louisville (4-0, 0-0, +4)
19) Minnesota (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Minnesota hasn't been to the Rose Bowl since 1962, a 21-3 win over UCLA. Next game: at Iowa.
20) Ohio State (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Another week, another disastrous outing for the Big Ten. After trailing early, Ohio State was able to pull away from winless Alabama-Birmingham. Michigan State was able to squeak past winless MAC team Eastern Michigan, but Iowa was not so lucky, falling to powerhouse Central Michigan 32-31. Michigan and Illinois also suffered non-conference losses. Overall, the Big Ten is 33-13 in non-conference games. Against the BCS+Notre Dame, however, they are 5-9. Next game: at Michigan State. If Ohio State were bowl eligible, this would be a big game.
21) Texas-San Antonio (4-0, 0-0, +4) - Congratulations UTSA Roadrunners! In their first year in the FBS, the Roadrunners have notched wins against fearsome opponents South Alabama, Texas A&M-Commerce, Georgia State, and Northwestern Oklahoma State. They open WAC play next week at New Mexico State.
22) Arizona (3-1, 0-1, +4)
23) Texas (3-0, 0-0, +3) - My problem with the Big 12 is that they pad their stats by playing patsies in their non-conference schedule, which leads to a necessary agnosticism about their conference strength. In non-conference play, the Big 12 is an astounding 26-2. But against BCS opponents, they are 5-1. (By contrast the Pac-12 is 23-9, 6-3, and the SEC is 28-7, 4-5. Which is why the SEC isn't getting much love in these pages.) So what do we know about the Big 12? We think that West Virginia is pretty good, based on their wins against Maryland and James Madison. Texas is better than the 11th or 12th best team in the SEC. Oklahoma State is not as good as Arizona, which means they're double ungood when compared to Oregon, unless, of course, they turn around and beat Texas next week. Iowa State beat Iowa, so they're at least as good as Central Michigan. And Oklahoma, the pre-season Top 5, just lost to Kansas State. Anyone else want to get on the TCU Fiesta Bowl bandwagon? Next game: at Oklahoma State.
24) Iowa State (3-0, 0-0, +3)
25) Baylor (3-0, 0-0, +3)
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