College Football Rankings 2012: Undefeated Top 25 Teams' Toughest Test

A zero in the loss column is a target.

In the latest 2012 college football rankings, 12 teams in the AP Top 25 are still undefeated. Here are those teams and each one's most talented remaining opponent aiming to knock them off.

No. 1 Alabama (6-0)

Toughest Test: Saturday, November 3 at No. 6 LSU (6-1)

Alabama has annihilated every single one of its opponents, but it’ll difficult to embarrass its SEC rival. LSU’s offense isn’t outstanding, but its defense is stiff enough to give the Crimson Tide more than a scare.

No. 2 Oregon (6-0)

Toughest Test: Saturday, November 3 at No. 11 USC (5-1)

USC is much more talented than its No. 11 AP ranking would suggest. The Trojans haven’t dominated teams like they were expected to this season, but in the Coliseum, Oregon must play its best football to walk out alive.

No. 3 Kansas State (6-0)

Toughest Test: Saturday, October 20 at No. 17 West Virginia (5-1)

Luckily for the Wildcats, Texas Tech proved Geno Smith is human. And while the K-State rushing attack should effectively keep the ball out of Smith’s hands more than he’s used to, it better be ready to put up plenty of points, because WVU will come out with guns blazing to avoid two straight losses.

No. 4 Florida (6-0)

Toughest Test: Saturday, October 20 vs. No. 9 South Carolina (6-1)

Florida defeated LSU and the Tigers took out South Carolina. This week’s showdown isn’t nearly that simple, though, as the Gamecocks looked like one of the few teams capable of competing with Alabama before their two-point loss on Saturday.

No. 5 Notre Dame (6-0)

Toughest Test: Saturday, November 24 at No. 11 USC (5-1)

No. 10 Oklahoma will be a difficult matchup too, but Notre Dame’s bitter rivalry with USC makes the Trojans its greatest hurdle. USC has won nine of the last 10 meetings.

No. 7 Ohio State (7-0)

Toughest Test: Saturday, November 24 at No. 23 Michigan (4-2)

Michigan isn’t the title contender analysts pegged it to be this season, but it’s at least lived up to the hype in Big Ten play. As Ohio State’s greatest rival, Denard Robinson and the Wolverines would regard a shot to ruin a perfect Buckeyes campaign as a way to salvage their season.

No. 8 Oregon State (5-0)

Toughest Test: Saturday, November 24 vs. No. 2 Oregon (6-0)

Something has to give. At least one team will leave the Civil War with a tally in the loss column as the always-classic rivalry game could have national-championship ramifications.

 

No. 15 Mississippi State (6-0)

Toughest Test: Saturday, October 27 at No. 1 Alabama (6-0)

Mississippi State shouldn’t be labeled a legitimate contender because it has yet to compete against a ranked opponent. In a couple weeks, though, it will have a chance to prove itself against the best team in the nation.

 

No. 16 Louisville (6-0)

Toughest Test: Thursday, November 29 at No. 19 Rutgers (6-0)

Louisville won’t face a ranked non-conference opponent this season. It’s also the first team on the list to be its own toughest test’s toughest test.

No. 19 Rutgers (6-0)

Toughest Test: Thursday, November 29 vs. No. 16 Louisville (6-0)

Louisville and Rutgers could easily be undefeated when they face off in late November. But even if both aren’t, at least one of the teams should still have a shot at the Big East title.

No. 21 Cincinnati (5-0)

Toughest Test: Friday, October 26 at No. 16 Louisville (6-0)

Cincinnati would take over as the Big East favorite with a win over the Cardinals. With three teams still undefeated, it’s this year’s most up-for-grab BCS conference.

No. 25 Ohio (7-0)

Toughest Test: Friday, November 23 at Kent State (5-1)

Ohio is currently tied with Kent State at the top of the MAC standings. The conference title will be on the line, as well as the Bobcats’ chance to finish in the Top 25.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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