So it wasn’t quite the bloodletting that it was predicted to be, but there was enough to make things interesting. I’ll just shut up and present the rankings.
1. Oregon Ducks (8-0, 5-0 Pac-10) - USC fans left and right said the Ducks haven’t been tested this season. Um, Stanford? But I’ll admit that USC put up a good fight that surpassed my expectation of a 56-20 game. Last week: 1
2. TCU Horned Frogs (9-0, 5-0 Mountain West) - The Froggies did what they were supposed to do and shut down Vegas. But they have a HUGE task in front them when they head to Utah next week. Last week: 3
3. Auburn Tigers (9-0, 6-0 SEC) - Their 51-31 beating of Ole Miss made me somewhat of a believer for now. They get two byes with games at home against Chattanooga and Georgia before heading to Bama for the Iron Bowl. Last week: 4
4. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-1, 4-1 SEC) - They got a week off to prepare to head to Baton Rouge for the Bayou Bengals. Last week: 5.
5. Utah Utes (8-0, 5-0 Mountain West) - They went to a good Air Force team and beat them 28-23. They host No. 2 TCU next week which should determine who goes to the BCS Championship Game. Last week: 6
6. Boise State Broncos (7-0, 3-0 WAC) - I’m sorry. They didn’t look good against Louisiana Tech. They look primed for an upset next week when Hawaii visits the smurf turf. Last week: 2
7. Stanford Cardinal (7-1, 4-1 Pac-10) - They’re the first Pac-10 team since USC that actually crushed Washington State. Unfortunately, they only beat Washington State. Last week: 7
8. Wisconsin Badgers (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten) - They also had sleepy time this week. I know they lost to Michigan State, but I don’t think Spartie can duplicate that effort. Last week: 10
9. LSU Tigers (7-1, 4-1 SEC) - Another sleepy team. They got to lick their wounds after losing to the other Tigers. Now they get the other Alabama school who will also come off a bye week. Last week: 11
10. Iowa Hawkeyes (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) - Finally, a team that exposed Michigan State. They have two tough games at Northwestern and at home against Ohio State on consecutive weeks. It’s a good thing they can rest a little at Indiana next week. Last week: 13
11. Arizona Wildcats (7-1, 4-1 Pac-10) - Arizona has a bad habit of keeping teams close. It bit them once at Oregon State. They can’t do it next week at Stanford. Last week: 12
12. Ohio State Buckeyes (8-1, 4-1 Big Ten) - I’ll admit it - I might be underselling this team. But until I see them at Iowa, I won’t change my mind. Last week: 14
13. Arkansas Razorbacks (6-2, 3-2 SEC) - Ryan Mallett continues to roll. A nice dominating win against Vandy should tune them up for their showdown at South Carolina. Last week: 15
14. Michigan State Spartans (8-1, 4-1 Big Ten) - Wow they looked bad at Iowa. They looked Minnesota bad there. Yeesh. Well at least that’s who they’ll be playing next week. Last week: 8
15. South Carolina Gamecocks (6-2, 4-2 SEC) - They had troubles with Tennessee. It’s not going to get any easier next week with Arkansas visiting and then having to go to Gainesville to visit the Gators. Last week: 16
16. Missouri Tigers (7-1, 3-1 Big 12) - They’re imposters, but people are going to keep on believing in them as they steamroll into the Big 12 Championship Game. Last week: 9
BCS Championship Game: Oregon Ducks vs. TCU Horned Frogs
Sugar Bowl: Auburn Tigers vs. Stanford Cardinal
Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Syracuse Orange
Rose Bowl: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Utah Utes
Fiesta Bowl: Missouri Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
