1. Oklahoma (5-0) – After their 53-7 romp against Iowa State, I think it’s safe to say the Sooners were not looking ahead to Texas and this Saturday’s Red River Shootout. Let’s see how Texas’ young quarterback plays against this defense.
2. Florida State (5-0) – This spot is usually reserved for the Miami Hurricanes, but after barely pulling off a win against West Virginia, the Canes move down a spot. Plus, I think the Seminoles are going to beat Miami on Saturday, so how could I rank the Canes above the Noles?
3. Miami (5-0) – If you thought West Virginia’s running back laid a hit on the Miami secondary, just wait and see what Greg Jones will do. With Frank Gore out, I can’t see Miami staying with Florida State the whole game. But this is Miami-Florida State, and if it comes down to a field goal, history is on Miami’s side.
4. Virginia Tech (5-0) – I don’t really know what to say about the Hokies. They play Frank Beamer football. They go out, play good defense, run the ball and play great special teams. That can get you a long way in this game.
5. LSU (5-0) – The last time Florida entered Death Valley, they put the Tigers in a headlock and won 44-15. But this is a different year, and the two teams seem to have changed spots on the national scene. If the Tigers can sustain the run game, which most teams have done against the Gators, they should take home their second straight win against Florida.
6. Ohio State (5-0) – No team has been able to run the ball against Ohio State all season, but Wisconsin is averaging 222.5 yards on the ground per game. Last year, the Buckeyes killed teams at home but barely escaped with wins on the road. This season, they are barely escaping with wins at home. I wonder what will happen to them at Wisconsin on Saturday.
7. Arkansas (4-0) – Talk about smashmouth football. This Saturday’s game between Arkansas and Auburn is going to be a hard-hitting physical game. Cedric Cobbs versus Cadillac Williams. It will be a great one.
8. USC (4-1) – After a back-and-forth first half, the Trojans pulled out ahead to beat Arizona State last week. The defense looked great, and quarterback Matt Leinart returned from a leg injury to lead them to victory.
9. Nebraska (4-0) – The Big Nasties up in Lincoln are playing some good football, and nobody expected it. This week they go up against a Missouri club with one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in football, Brad Smith. If Kansas can beat Mizzou, surely the Cornhuskers can do the same.
10. Georgia (4-1) – Georgia blew away Alabama the same way they did to Clemson, South Carolina and Middle Tennessee State. They’ll try to do the same this week against a Tennessee club that is still scratching its heads wondering what happened to their running game.
11. Texas (4-1) – It actually happened. Texas came from behind to win a big game. Of course they relinquished a 17-3 lead, but they still won the game. Too bad they play Oklahoma this week. The Longhorns are hoping Vincent Young’s ankle will be 100 percent Saturday.
12. Pittsburgh (3-1) – The Panthers are coming off a bye week and will face 1-3 Notre Dame on Saturday. Larry Fitzgerald may wind up with 10 catches for 200 yards and three touchdowns, again.
13. Iowa (5-1) – A big win at home against Michigan got Iowa back in the top 15. Had it not been for the four turnovers the Hawkeyes committed against Michigan State, they would be undefeated.
14. Tennessee (5-1) – The Volunteers were averaging more than 200 yards on the ground per game before they faced off with Auburn. At the end of the game, the Vols had four rushing yards and a 28-21 loss. They better find their running game before they play Georgia on Saturday.
15. Washington State (5-1) – Linebacker Will Derting is suspended for the Cougars’ next game against Stanford on Oct. 18. The Cardinals have a good pass offense, but the Cougars will shred the Stanford defense and win with ease.
16. Kansas State (4-2) – Ell Roberson’s welcome back game did not turn out the way the Wildcats had hoped. It was a nice little comeback, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Longhorns.
17. Purdue (4-1) – The Boilermakers have reeled off four straight wins after a 43-10 win against Illinois. This week they will change that to five with a game against Penn State. When is Joe Paterno going to retire? I love the man, but he needs to realize that his time is up.
18. Texas Christian (5-0) – Well, the Horny Toads shut out Army 27-0. They continue the tough schedule against South Florida this week.
19. Northern Illinois (5-0) – After beating the likes of Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State, Northern Illinois went into overtime with Ohio. College football is crazy man. I like it, but it’s crazy.
20. Minnesota (5-0) – The real schedule begins for Minnesota this week against Michigan. After five cupcake wins, we’ll get a chance to see if the Gophers are for real.
21. Michigan (4-2) – The Wolverines really need a win this Saturday at Minnesota. They are stumbling down the polls as fast as George W.’s approval ratings. But unlike our president, expect Michigan to turn things around.
22. Wisconsin (5-1) – The Badgers host Ohio State this Saturday. This will be a big game in the Big Ten, and it is my upset special pick of the week.
23. Auburn (3-2) – They’re back! After falling to an 0-2 start and averaging just a shade more than an extra point per game, the Auburn Tigers are playing incredible football. That defensive front seven finally played up to expectations and shut Tennessee down. But can they be consistent? That’s a big question.
24. Oregon State (5-1) – The early season loss to Fresno State kept the Beavers off the board for a while. But after two big Pacific-10 wins, they’re back. Running back Steven Jackson is running over and around opposing defenses.
25. Michigan State (5-1) – The Spartans put a little whooping on Gerry DiNardo’s Indiana squad Saturday. But what team hasn’t? They should be 6-1 when they reach the tough part of the Big Ten schedule.
26. Texas Tech (4-1) – B.J. Symons is sick. Somebody put this man on national television. In the past three games Symons has thrown for 1,752 yards and 16 touchdowns. That is ridiculous. He threw eight touchdown passes against Texas A&M last Saturday, and he didn’t even play much of the fourth quarter.
27. Virginia (4-1) – The Cavaliers have played well since their 31-7 loss to South Carolina. They get Clemson this week before their big game with Florida State on Oct. 18.
28. Bowling Green (4-1) – The Falcons have an amazing offense. They average nearly 40 points per game and their only loss came at Ohio State. They can run the table in the Mid-American Conference should they pull off the win at home against Northern Illinois on Oct. 18.
29. Maryland (4-2) – The Terps have played well since dropping their first two games to Northern Illinois and Florida State. They’re putting up a lot of points and playing good defense.
30. Oklahoma State (4-1) – Since the opening game loss to Nebraska, the Cowboys are scoring nearly 50 points per game. This week they get a chance to avenge that 44-9 loss at the hands of Kansas State last year.