By Anthony Voelpel
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. In what was supposed to be “the best team in history of college football” just lost, I repeat, lost to a Stanford team that was a forty point underdog. The same Stanford team that started a quarterback who never started a game. The same Stanford team that has only won two games the past two seasons, prior to their shocker against USC.
Now, I know what everyone is thinking, and no, it wasn’t a bigger loss than Michigan’s against App State. This was a Pac-10 conference game and despite what the spread was on the game, it wasn’t a team in a lower division that beat them. However, Pete Carroll just replaced Lloyd Carr in terms of “Bonehead coaching job of the year.”
Anyway, on to the power rankings:
1. LSU (6-0)- We knew the Tigers had talent, but people were still questioning their heart. We found out they had that too during their comeback against the Gators on Saturday. Next week’s trip to No. 17 Kentucky will provide another tough test for sledgehammer RB Jacob Hester and company.
2. Ohio State (6-0)- The Buckeyes find themselves near the top of the rankings for yet another year. Led by their patented brick wall defense, the Bucks are not only road tested, but have dominating in doing so. We’ll see if they can get through the gauntlet that is their last 5 games.
3. California (5-0) – I’m sure the Bears were watching the USC game during their bye week. But don’t think for a second that the outcome of that game effected their perception of the Trojans. They meet in a few weeks.
4. South Florida(5-0)- QB Matt Groethe has the Bulls running full steam ahead. A tough win at FAU put question marks in some Big East heads, but who doesn’t go through a tough game against a mediocre opponent (please see entire preseason top 10).
5. Boston College (6-0)- As painful as it is to admit, the Eagles are good. Already with 3 ACC wins, BC heads to South Bend then to Blacksburg for a battle with the Hokies.
6. South Carolina (5-1)- With wins at Georgia and Kentucky, Spurrier and the Gamecocks are back in the top 10. But in the life of the SEC, winning never gets easier.
7. Oklahoma (5-1)- What better way to come back from a loss, than to beat arch-rival Texas. QB Sam Bradford is the best freshman quarterback in the country.
8. Oregon (5-1)- The Ducks only loss came in a barn burner against Cal and they are still very much alive in the title hunt. I would not want to be Washington State next week.
9. West Virginia (5-1)- After a dismantling of Syracuse, the Mountaineers get a much needed bye week to rest some injuries (especially Pat White). Trips to Rutgers and No. 15 Cincy loom in the next 4 weeks.
10. Missouri (5-0)- So far, so good for QB Chase Daniel and the Tigers. Winning at Illinois and then winning at home against an over rated Nebraska team were good, but with the Sooners up next week, we’ll see if this offense is for real.
11. USC (4-1)- The Trojans looked sloppy in 3 of their first 4 games this season. It finally came to haunt them in their embarrasing loss at home to Stanford. Luckily they have a week to regroup before scary trips to Oregon and Cal.
12. Cincinatti (6-0)- Ben Mauk has been one of the pleasant surprises this year in college football. He and first year head coach Brain Kelly have the Bearcats off to their best start in program history.
13. Florida (4-2)- Tim Tebow is human after all. And even if you’re not a Gator fan, you have to feel for them. After a tough loss at LSU, three of their next four games are on the road against ranked opponents.
14. Illinois (5-1)- Can Ron Zook finally get some respect? Not only are the Illini first in rushing yards per game in the Big Ten, but they’re also right behind Ohio State in overall defense.
15. Virginia Tech (5-1)- Beamerball was in full affect in Clemson Saturday night. Hopefully Tyrod Taylor can get the offense going because their defense just lost one of their best linebackers in Vince Hall.
16. Arizona State (6-0) Although the Devils haven’t beaten anybody noteworthy, their still undefeated. On the contrary, Rudy Carpenter is still their quarterback.
Must see games this week:
No. 1 LSU at No. 17 Kentucky- Trap game, hah. A true road test for LSU.
No. 11 Mizzou at No. 6 Oklahoma- Don’t blink, this is the biggest Big 12 game of the year.
No. 4 Boston College at Notre Dame- Notre Dame will shock the world and beat BC…Hey, I’m just going by the theme of the season.
Matt Ryan and the Boston College Eagles have incredibly topped the nation’s top-five. (athlonsports.com)