The AP Top 25 and Coaches Top 25 College Football polls are nationally recognized, but after more than 50 years of watching and/or covering college football games, and having been a newspaper sports editor, here’s another one. opinion:
No. 1 is now clearly Auburn, and here’s why:
1) Auburn (11-0): Saw Georgia 3 quick touchdowns, but still won by 18 points, 49-31. Only one trip to Alabama stands between the Tigers and a perfect regular-season record. Despite all the bad press last week for Auburn and their Heisman candidate Cam Newton, they responded well to the pressure. There are no wimps in Auburn’s hometown right now. Only 1 of the top 25 AP teams has beaten 4 ranked opponents, and that’s Auburn. Only 8 other teams among the 25 have beaten even 2 opponents. Stop talking about Boise State and TCU, who have each beaten only 1 ranked opponent all year – talk about the lack of competition.
2) Oregon (10-0) – The potent Duck offense (nationally leading in scoring offense and total offense) suddenly looks like it can be beaten, barely escaping California with a 15-13 win that they could have easily lost. Still ahead are games against Arizona and at Oregon State. Oregon has beaten 2 ranked teams: Stanford and Southern California.
3) LSU (9-1) – Pounded an inept Louisiana Monroe team at state, 51-zip. Feeling your oats. They have beaten 2 currently ranked opponents, Mississippi State and Alabama, losing only to Auburn. Receive Mississippi below.
4) Wisconsin (9-1) – Shredded Indiana 83-20, the Badgers’ best offensive performance in 95 years! He has beaten two Top 25 teams, Ohio State and Iowa. Now he travels to Michigan’s Big House and faces Denard Robinson.
5) Boise State (9-0) – Slapped a lame Idaho team, 52-14. Fresno State follows; the Bulldogs should be a bit tougher than the Idaho Vandals. They have only beaten 1 ranked team, Virginia Tech. Only here because they are 1 of 4 unbeaten teams left.
6) TCU (11-0) – The Horned Frogs, who led the nation in scoring defense and total defense, gave up 35 points and 300 yards to State Diego State before winning 5, 40-35. It has beaten only 1 ranked team, Utah, which lost this week to Notre Dame, 28-3. Play New Mexico ranked 173rd in their last game, a real laugh for the tough competition. Only here because they are 1 of 4 undefeated teams left, not surprising considering their level of competition.
7) Michigan State (9-1) – Was inactive this week. They have as many wins as any team below them, but they have also beaten only one ranked team, Wisconsin, a very good team that is also 9-1. Next, it hosts Purdue, ranked 93rd and not exactly a powerhouse at 4-6.
8) Stanford (9-1) – Not impressive in a 17-13 win over Arizona State. He has beaten 2 ranked opponents: Southern California and Arizona. Now he must travel to California, where the Bears just lost to No. 1 Oregon, 15-13. The Cardinal better be ready, or they may be beaten for the second time this year. A big win against California would give Stanford added stature.
9) Nebraska (9-1) – The upset Cornhuskers held Kansas to an 87-yard total offense, 5 first downs and 6 sacks as they won 20-3. It’s nice that Nebraska has a defense with their off-and-on offense. It has beaten two ranked teams: Oklahoma State and Missouri. He is traveling to Texas A&M this week.
10) Alabama (8-2): Eliminated 17th-ranked Mississippi State 30-10. It has wins against two ranked teams: Arkansas and Mississippi State. It’s still holding on despite losses to South Carolina and LSU. Play AA Georgia State below, an absolute joke. The Crimson Tide better trick the state of Georgia into staying here.
11) Arkansas (8-2) – Just beat UTEP 58-21. Has beaten 2 ranked teams: Texas A&M and South Carolina. It has only lost to Auburn and Alabama. Next, he travels to the state of Mississippi.
12) Oklahoma State (9-1) – Defeated Texas, 33-16, but the Longhorns are weak this year. Winning wasn’t that important, but no other team is doing as well either. Has beaten 1 ranked team: Texas A&M. Travel to Kansas next. He should score more points against the Jayhawks than Nebraska.
13) Southern California (7-3) – Stunned 18th-ranked Arizona 24-21. The Trojans are starting to feel your mojo. Arizona was Cal’s first victory over a ranked team. He travels to the state of Oregon next and must win to stay here.
14) South Carolina (7-3): Beat 24th-ranked Florida convincingly, 36-14, to close out the SEC East Division title and snap a 12-game losing streak consecutive games against Florida. Never underestimate Steve Spurrier on the trail at The Swamp. When he coached the Florida Gators, his record was 122-27-1 with 9 SEC East Division titles or outrights, and the National Championship in 1996.
15) Ohio State (9-1) – Penn State battered 38-14. Has beaten 1 ranked team, Miami, FL. Travel to Iowa next, and you better win big to stay here. Buckeyes aren’t a big deal, but neither are the teams below.
16) Texas A&M (7-3) – Outscored Baylor 42-30. Has beaten 1 ranked opponent, Oklahoma. Host Nebraska next in what should be a great opportunity for either the Aggies or the Cornhuskers.
17) Virginia Tech (8-2) at Took North Carolina at the school, 26-10. He hasn’t beaten a ranked opponent this season. He then travels to Maimi (not Ohio, but Florida). He must have a win without excuse to stay here.
18) Oklahoma (8-2): Beat Texas Tech, 45-7, but has yet to beat a ranked team this year. Get the Baylor Bears below.
19) Nevada (9-1) – Nearly croaked and choked against Fresno State, ultimately winning 35-34. Has not beaten a ranked team. Only here because the wolf pack is 9 wins with lousy defense.
20) Missouri (8-2) in Slid by Kansas State 38-28. Has beaten 2 ranked teams: Texas A&M and Oklahoma. He then travels to Iowa State and should have a field day with an easy win.
(Editor’s note: I’m tired of Iowa, Utah, Arizona, the state of Mississippi, and Central Florida all lost again this week, so I’m going to undo them and look for some new blood. My new options may not be much better., but they could use some recognition.)
21) San Diego State (7-3) – Woke up TCU to 11 wins by scoring 35 points on the nation’s top scoring defense, only losing to the Horned Frogs by 5. Host Utah next. Good luck to the Utes, they may really need it.
22) Northwest (7-3) – Stunned 13th-ranked Iowa 21-17. The Wildcats have the 11th-best passing efficiency in the nation and the 18th-best passing quarterback in Dan Persa. Northwestern now has a win over a ranked team, something Virginia Tech, Oklahoma and Nevada can’t say. Next up will be hosts Illinois, a true test against a solid team.
23) Northern Illinois (8-2): Doesn’t have really good wins over tough teams, but has 8 wins, similar to Nevada. Travel to Ball State next and you should win.
24) Temple (8-2) – He has no real big wins, but he has 8 wins. The next host is Ohio.
25) Notre Dame (5-5) – Hey, don’t freak out. They just beat the Utah Brats 28-3. He did college football a huge favor by exposing a team that was undefeated and 8-0 two weeks ago. The Utes first lost to TCU 47-7 and are now beaten by Notre Dame 28-3. TCU was the first real team Utah played all year, apparently Notre Dame was the second. Notre Dame has a chance to be eligible to bowl this week when the Fighting Irish host the Army.
Key games next week include just 3 games with opposing ranked teams: Ohio State at Iowa, Arkansas at Mississippi State, and Nebraska at Texas A&M. Other games of interest are Utah at San Diego State, Wisconsin at Michigan, and Fresno State at Boise State. Watch college football on Saturday, it beats raking leaves or shoveling snow.
Copyright © 2010 Ed Bagley
