18. Kansas
Kansas has won the games they needed to win. They were impressive in the second half against Colorado. They have a hungry Oklahoma team this week followed by a date with Texas Tech...these are the regular season tests Kansas seemingly avoided last season and will tell us a lot.
19. Cincinnati
In six games, four different quarterbacks have seen the field. The Bearcats have continued to take care of business. This is the most talented team I can remember at UC, and they have continued to battle through adversity. The Bearcats get to the bye and now have an extra week to get healthy before heading to UConn.
Tony Pike should be back to lead the Cats into battle. The Bearcats still have the best receivers in the conference, they have a solid offensive line, and the running game has started to get going. The Bearcat defense has started to really put pressure on opposing teams, and UC certainly has no shortage of playmakers in the secondary.
All that combined with special teams units that are second to none, and this Bearcat team is more likely to move up than go down.
20. Boise State
Their BCS fate likely hinges on Utah and BYU both losing, but the Broncos are once again having a special season.
21. Utah
We are getting closer and closer to an undefeated battle between Utah and BYU with a conference title and BCS bid on the line. Either will be a well deserved representative from the Mountain West Conference, which has certainly looked like a BCS caliber league this season.
22. Wake Forest
I may be judging Wake Forest too harshly for their loss to Navy. Their other wins are certainly noteworthy. They have already beaten the preseason conference favorite and seem to have the upper hand in the ACC Atlantic.
23. Pittsburgh
I do not trust Pittsburgh, but if they play to their talent level they are definitely a top 25 team. They still have yet to demonstrate the consistency I think will be necessary for winning the Big East.
24. California
They have a really bad loss to Maryland and a really good win over Michigan State. I think they are the clear number two in the Pac-10 at this point, but at this point I am not sure how impressive being number two in the Pac-10 is.
25. Ball State
I will give the class of the MAC some love. They have looked impressive, and I do not particularly like my other options for this spot.
Best of the Rest (in no order): Tulsa, Florida State, Boston College, Notre Dame, Oregon, Vanderbilt
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