College Football Rankings - Top 35
by Gregory Cox
College Football Director
10/23/09

Ranking teams can be such fun. It is ultimately pointless though. Now that the BCS rankings are out everyone can scream about how unfair the system is. They are right of course. It rewards scheduling terrible opponents and uses computers for one-third of the equation. Why not start playing games on the SyFy channel? When nerds with logarithms are deciding which teams are the best I think we have a problem. Most people don’t mind the computers. Some gripe about the comical list of Harris Poll voters who replaced the (mostly) ethical AP voters when that group pulled out of this ridiculous process. However, all college football fans agree this system stinks. I’m bothered only because I feel for devoted fans of teams annually jilted. All I can do is rank the teams as I see fit based on how they perform on the field. For this week, here is what I see. Any comments are welcome: greg@thefootballexpert.com. Remember, it’s just rankings. At the end of each blurb I’ll reference the AP, USA, Harris, BCS, Yahoo blogger Hinton (W=waiting) and finally Rivals 120 rankings. Have I gone mad? Long ago, but I like to give everyone reading plenty of other sources to compare my rankings to. Enjoy.

#1 (1) Florida (6-0): Their win against Arkansas was typical of a team marching towards perfection. Breaks need to go your way. Officials have been suspended for an awful call that certainly helped the Gators. I’m looking at the bottom line though, which is another win. Their defense is stout. Tebow is human when forced to pass the ball. I’m starting to think a certain ex-coach of theirs is ready to spoil the repeat on November 14. (2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2)

#2 (2) Alabama (7-0): I’m being a little stubborn keeping them out of the top spot. What’s the difference though really? After steamrolling everyone in their path this team should be considered the favorite to win the BCS title. I’m already skipping over the SEC showdown with Florida. There are speed bumps left even before facing the Gators (who have almost clinched the East) but of all the undefeated contenders it would surprise me most if they lose. (1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1)

#3 (3) Texas (6-0): There are always major upsets in college football and that is why we all watch. Many, myself not included, thought Oklahoma would pull one last week in the Red River Rivalry. The Longhorns squeezed out the 16-13 win, but in the process showed their warts. Can this team really finish 13-0? I’m not sure I can answer that question right now. The main reason is because their wimp of a head coach Mack Brown has given them such a weak schedule. Incredibly, as of October 23 the only true road game this team will have played is at Wyoming. Wyoming! To date it is their only game outside of Texas. Two real road games are on deck. We’ll see if they are up for it. (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 3)

#4 (4) Boise State (6-0): I think the BCS standings vindicated me ranking this team so high (#3) before the season even started and for the most part keeping them towards the top. They win all their games, and that’s what it takes in the current system. I would love to see them play a non-conference schedule of only “Big Six” opponents, but it takes two to tango. Few teams are willing to play on the blue turf and that makes it difficult to schedule a series. For now, winning at Tulsa 28-21 is almost a black eye considering Oklahoma smoked the Golden Hurricane 45-0 with Landry Jones at quarterback. (6, 5, 5, 4, 5, 8)

#5 (5) Cincinnati (6-0): I felt pretty good about having this team #17 in my preseason rankings until hearing Craig James had them #12. Kudos to him for the foresight, and ironically now that the rest of the voting world has come around to join us quarterback Tony Pike gets hurt – again. All might not be lost because Zach Collaros adds a rushing threat to the equation. His touchdown run of 75 yards flat out won the game at South Florida. If a playoff was in place the team could take their chances with the backup, allowing Pike to heal at his own pace, perhaps drop a Big East game and still win the conference championship. The dilemma for them is that now a BCS title appearance might be on the line and any loss would drop them out of the running. (5, 6, 6, 5, 6, 6)

#6 (6) TCU (6-0): Just when people were starting to wonder about the Horned Frogs they pulled away from Colorado State big time in a 44-6 win. It was important to look impressive the week the BCS standings were released and they did. Now it’s all on the line this week at BYU. Even if Virginia and Clemson do fairly well in the ACC, this is the result everyone doubting TCU wants to see. (10, 7, 8, 8, 11, 7)

#7 (7) Iowa (7-0): Is it ever easy for the Hawkeyes? I have probably said that several times. The latest example is falling behind 10-0 at Wisconsin. All of the doubters were ready to pounce and chant “overrated” at the top of their lungs. Then the defense took over, as usual. How about 31 plays for 76 yards? That covers the final 8 possessions for the Badgers. The Big Ten hasn’t been this wide open for years and they are in the unusual position of favorite. We’ll see how they handle the pressure. (7, 8, 7, 6, 3, 5)

#8 (11) Miami, FL (5-1): The ‘Canes have already dealt with their toughest opponents. Their toughest task now is staying focused and being able to win away from the Sunshine State. Their only game outside of Florida was also their lone loss at Virginia Tech 31-7. They are probably overrated at this point, but will probably be favored to win against every team remaining on their schedule. (8, 9, 10, 10, 9, 9)

#9 (12) USC (5-1): Their third road win over a quality opponent has a lot of people trumpeting them for a shot at the BCS title. I’m still not sure they can finish the Pac-10 schedule unscathed and make it a real issue. Their first trip to the Pacific Northwest produced a loss at Washington and the team hasn’t won in the state of Oregon for several seasons now. The way the Ducks are playing at the moment I consider this a serious road block to a potential 11-1 finish. (4, 4, 4, 7, 8, 4)

#10 (13) LSU (5-1): A week off probably did them a lot of good. It helps the Tigers focus on the fact that their goal of winning the SEC is still in their hands. Losing to Florida was a major disappointment, but winning at Alabama could force a rematch if they win out. Home games against Auburn and Tulane will help them regain some swagger heading into that one. (9, 10, 9, 9, 12, 12)

#11 (15) Georgia Tech (6-1): Until now, everyone else has really disrespected this team. Beating Virginia Tech changed that perception in a hurry. The challenge now is avoiding a letdown at Virginia, a team they choked against last year. About the only thing difficult about their next four games is playing three of them on the road. Amazingly, if the Yellow Jackets, Hurricanes and Hokies all win out two teams likely in the top 10 or 12 are going to be shut out of playing for the ACC title. In a conference known for upsets don’t count on it happening. (11, 13, 13, 12, 10, 10)

#12 (16) Oregon (5-1): Their bye week allowed Masoli to heal up, but might have lost them a little bit of momentum. Their defense has been on a serious roll allowing just 19 points in three games. The Ducks now stand as the only undefeated team in Pac-10 play. However, the two winless Pac-10 teams (UCLA, Washington State) are now behind them. USC, along with a handful of other capable opponents in conference, are ahead of them. (12, 14, 12, 11, 7, 11)

#13 (18) Penn State (6-1): The defense made star Minnesota wide receiver Eric Decker nearly invisible in a shutout win. In their five best efforts this season the Nittany Lions have allowed a total of 23 points. Unfortunately all of those teams prior to the Gophers were terrible. Putting away their nemesis Michigan at the Big House this week will be their biggest win of the season and that speaks volumes. (13, 11, 11, 13, 16, 15)

#14 (19) BYU (6-1): It seems so arbitrary pushing the Cougars up the rankings for beating up the worst teams in the MWC, but this week against TCU they will have a chance to prove their worth on the field. Their once huge win against Oklahoma might seem less impressive now that the Sooners are 3-3. However, let’s remember they won 14-13 on a “neutral” field geographically a lot closer to OU and had to deal with a healthy Sam Bradford for the first half. Texas just won 16-13 on a truly neutral field and went against Landry Jones almost the whole game. (16, 16, 16, 16, W, 14)

#15 (20) Houston (5-1): I think right now everyone is treating their blowout loss at UTEP as a mulligan. It was good to see them swamp Tulane 44-16, but BYU beat the Green Wave 54-3 a few weeks ago. Worse yet, the Cougars led 9-6 at halftime. There is not much left to do against a Conference USA schedule other than winning big and hoping the BCS teams they beat (Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Mississippi State) can pile up victories. (17, 18, 18, 17, 14, 16)

#16 (21) Oklahoma State (5-1): For the time being the Cowboys are weathering the storm of losing standout wide receiver Dez Bryant. They rallied from a 17-14 deficit against Missouri, scoring the game’s final 19 points to stay very much alive as a dark horse candidate to win the Big XII North. It remains to be seen if Halloween against Texas will be a trick or treat affair, but I’m impressed they have held it together with such a glaring distraction hanging over their heads. (14, 12, 14, 15, 15, 17)

#17 (10) South Florida (5-1): The October schedule gave the Bulls an opportunity to grab the Big East by the throat. In the first of three consecutive big games, however, they swung and missed. Cincinnati took it to them on their own turf while a national television audience watched. It was a disheartening, deflating loss. B.J. Daniels couldn’t quite help the offense cash in. Six drives totaling 241 yards produced 0 points. A couple extra days to recover should help them prepare for an equally important trip to Pittsburgh. (28, 27, 24, NR, W, 32)

#18 (25) West Virginia (5-1): This is probably too high for the Mountaineers, but they are still very dangerous in the Big East. Winning against Marshall is no big deal unless you take into account playing a green quarterback and still dousing a previously 4-2 team convincingly 24-7. This week is a huge turning point against Connecticut because the Huskies will be fighting on for a lost teammate and Brown might not be ready at quarterback. (22, 22, 23, 23, W, 22)

#19 (9) Virginia Tech (5-2): When I did my predictions last week I was surprised to see almost everyone picking the Hokies at Georgia Tech. I not only picked the Yellow Jackets, I nearly got the score dead on (24-23 pick, 28-23 actual). No one is going to run the table in the wild ACC right? I also got chided by a reader for saying it was “par for the course” whipping Boston College which I meant to reflect Virginia Tech’s overall performance inside the conference, not specifically against the Eagles. At any rate, this week’s loss makes the Coastal race very, very interesting. (15, 15, 15, 14, 13, 13)

#20 (34) Texas Tech (5-2): Upon further review, maybe the Red Raiders are legit. Their defense shut down Nebraska and the offense was efficient if nothing else. It’s tough to score 31 points while falling short of 300 yards. Is it unreasonable to expect them to at least compete with visiting Oklahoma in their weakened state later this season? How about winning at currently vulnerable Oklahoma State? I’m just saying it’s possible for this team to bear down and wind up 9-3 or 10-2. (21, 24, 22, NR, 17, 19)