WEEK 8 COLLEGE FOOTBALL RANKINGS
25. MIN (6-1)
I can’t believe it’s come to this, but, hey, take it up with Cal, BYU, Vandy, Wake Forest, and Michigan State. Plus, the Gophers did beat the high-octane Illini, and I refuse to reward Ball State with a spot until they beat somebody half-decent.
24. UNC (5-2)
They’ve got to be kicking themselves right now for failing to put away resurgent Virginia. The Cavalier defense really kept their team in the ball game, particularly in OT when they limited the Tar Heels to a field goal. QB Cameron Sexton looked lost at times playing without his favorite target, Brandon Tate. He’s going to have to elevate his game if UNC’s surprisingly good season is going to continue. Clearly, the ACC is still wide open at this point.
23. VT (5-2)
In another ACC disappointment, Tech dropped its second game of the season. The growing pains were expected with young Tyrod Taylor under center, but this was a game that the Hokies could have stolen in the final minute if their play-calling had been better. Granted, they’d only passed for 81 yards at that point, but how do you call for a QB draw up the middle from your own 30 yard line with no time outs left and a minute to play?
22. KU (5-2)
The good news is that the Jayhawks played probably their best game of the season today. The bad news is that they were in Norman playing against a more talented Sooners team. Despite WR Dezmon Briscoe having a career day with 269 receiving yards and two touchdowns, KU couldn’t match QB Sam Bradford’s record-breaking barrage of passes.
21. TULSA (7-0)
After seeing them drop 70 points on UTEP, I couldn’t ignore this high-powered offense any longer. Plus, it’s nice to see some ‘Canes back in the top 25—even if they’re Golden.
20. FSU (5-1)
I also decided to give the Seminoles some love after their hard-fought victory over NC St. I’m still not convinced that this team is legit, but that’s the ACC for you.
19. MIZ (4-2)
A tough opening schedule is partially to blame for their record. Given another team’s schedule (like Texas Tech’s), they’d probably be undefeated at this point. Still, hope remains as they should be favored in each of their next four games before a huge showdown with Kansas on November 29.
18. USF (6-1)
The Bulls retain their 18th spot after handling college football doormat, Syracuse. There’s no reason that this team can’t go 5-0 down the stretch in the weak Big East—other than its general lack of consistency.
17. PITT (5-1)
Well, I never thought that I’d rank a Dave Wannstedt team in my top 25, but the Panthers’ solid effort in back-to-back weeks shows that anything is possible. That, and the fact that LeSean McCoy is a total beast. Still, I wouldn’t be shocked if they turn around and lose to Rutgers next week.
16. BC (5-1)
That was a huge win over the Hokies. QB Chris Crane still has a ways to go (3 picks, 2 returned for Hokie touchdowns), but Eagle fans have to like the come-from-behind mettle he displayed in scoring 21 consecutive points after trailing 10-0.
15. GT (6-1)
That win over BC earlier in the season looks a little more impressive now. The Yellow Jackets’ victory over Clemson wasn’t a thing of beauty, but that isn’t really their style anyway. This team is playing some fierce defense.
14. TCU (6-1)
What did I tell you about those Thursday night games?? BYU was completely overmatched against a fired-up Horned Toads team that made a former Heisman candidate, Max Hall, look more like Annie Hall. TCU proved that it is closer to OU’s level than it is to BYU’s. That’s one BCS Buster busted, two to go.
13. UTA (8-0)
Ahh, the Utes actually looked pretty good against Colorado State. Next up: New Mexico and TCU. Stay tuned.
12. BSU (6-0)
Don’t expect this team to have its winning streak disrupted any time soon. They easily play the softest remaining schedule of any team in the top 20. If it weren’t for that Oregon contest, I probably wouldn’t even rank them.
11. OSU (7-1)
Despite only passing for 116 yards (roughly what Graham Harrell averages per quarter), the Buckeyes absolutely dominated the Spartans in what was clearly a statement game. Terrelle Pryor is one of the most exciting players to watch in college football, and “Beanie” Wells looks like he’s fully recovered from that early-season foot injury that kept him out for the USC contest. Needless to say, Ohio State’s match-up with Penn State is a must-watch next Saturday.
10. LSU (5-1)
A season-saving win over the Gamecocks keeps the Tigers in the hunt. If Ryan Perilloux hadn’t gotten himself kicked off the team, just imagine where this team could be right now.
9. UGA (6-1)
There’s no question that the Bulldogs have one of the best defenses in the land. There’s no question that Knowshon Moreno is one of the premier running backs in the country. There’s no question that A.J. Green will be playing on Sundays in a few years. The question is Matthew Stafford’s decision-making. There’s no reason for this uber-talented offense to not be putting up USC/UF kind of numbers. Vandy is hardly the pushover of past seasons, but the Georgia faithful hasn’t exactly been treated to the fireworks show it was expecting coming into the year.
8. TTU (7-0)
I would’ve liked to have seen the Red Raiders handle business a little earlier against Texas A&M, but, then again, the Aggies are always a tough out in rivalry games. By the way, Michael Crabtree returning kick-offs is thrilling, but is it really worth the risk of injury?
7. OKST (7-0)
A name to remember on your Heisman ballot: WR Dez Bryant. The sophomore sensation racked up 211 receiving yards and two touchdowns against Baylor, which is the second time he’s eclipsed the 200 mark this season. In just six games, he has 808 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. Oh, and he also returns punts—two already going for touchdowns this year, giving him an incredible average of 44.2 yards per return.
6. USC (5-1)
Ho-hum, 69-0. Another day at the office for USC against a Washington State team that probably has less athletic ability than the Trojans’ cheerleaders. After last week’s struggle, Mark Sanchez needed the tune-up.
5. OU (6-1)
Nice to see the return of the running game this week. Of course, Bradford still threw for 468 yards and three touchdowns. If you haven’t heard, this guy is pretty good.
4. UF (5-1)
Bye week. Next up: Kentucky. Better not sleep on these guys (or let up against them in the 4th).
3. ALA (7-0)
I don’t think there’s any way that Saban’s squad goes undefeated this year. They’ve played with fire the last two games against the lower tier of the SEC. Who’s gonna burn ‘em? LSU, maybe. But next Saturday they can’t overlook the Vols either, despite their measly record.
2. PSU (8-0)
Very funny, guys. Scare everyone half to death by doing your best impersonation of the last nine years, only to drop the façade in the second half and rip the hated Wolverines to shreds. Say what you want about the kind of season QB Daryll Clark is having, but I still feel like this team takes its cue from its star running back, Evan Royster.
1. UT (7-0)
Wow, now that’s the way a #1 team is supposed to look. We haven’t seen too much of that the last two years or so. Colt McCoy continues to be scary accurate and should be atop a lot of people’s Heisman lists. Also, I’d go ahead and hand DE Brian Orakpo the Lombardi Trophy. He’s playing on another level from everyone else this season. Maybe more linemen should take up boxing?
ADDED: Pittsburgh, Tulsa, Florida State, Minnesota, Boston College
DROPPED: BYU, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, Michigan State, Cal
Keywords: college football
