Postgame Tailgating: Week 6 Top 25

Les Miles was crazy—but it worked.

USC was bad—and it showed.

And Missouri was [insert synonym for "spectacular" here].

After another week of great games, the college football photograph only got fuzzier—complete with red eyes and all.

There were 14 undefeated teams coming into the weekend. Three fell, bringing the total to 11. 

We also still have 17 one-loss teams after Week Six.

So there are 28 teams who have won at least 80 percent (or more) of their games thus far. 

If you know anything about me, you know I like to reward teams that do what they're supposed to do: win.

But how am I supposed to choose 25 teams out of 28—especially considering that some teams who have lost two games are as deserving as any (e.g. Florida)?

Somehow, I managed to complete my top 25 for this week.  It took a while, but I survived. 

Beside each school's name, you'll see their overall record, their movement (based on my poll last week), and their game score from this weekend.

Remember, I'm not a historian or a psychic (at least not professionally), so the Top 25 is strictly based upon recent performance to this point in the season—as all polls should be. 

Leave tradition and what happened in 1948 where it belongs—in 1948. And I don't care if you thought Kansas got lucky against Kansas State—they're undefeated.

If you were to ask Kansas head coach Mark Mangino (no relation to NY Jets head coach Eric Mangini) what his goals were after Week Six, being undefeated would be atop the list. 

Passing percentages, turnover differential, time of possession, yards per game, and any of the other stats don't matter as long as the number after that little dash is a zero.

Week Six Top 25

1. LSU (6-0) (n/a) W v. Florida, 28-24

The Tigers have been impressive all along.

Even if you don't like Les Miles' attitude, you have to respect his guts. The Bayou Bengals were 5-5 on fourth down conversions against Florida.

LSU has fans talking about destiny. Remember, the National Championship Game will be played in New Orleans—in essence a home game for the Tigers, if they can get there.     

2. Cal (5-0) (+1) Bye

Cal's wins over Tennessee and Oregon are looking better and better, especially after the Vols opened up a 28-0 lead over 12th-ranked Georgia (AP Poll).

The Bears have perhaps the best speed in the country. I heard one college football fan put it best when he observed that anyone wearing Nos. 1-9 can score from anywhere on the field.

That said, the unsung hero of this team has been Justin Forsett. No. 20 has already rushed for nine touchdowns in five games.

3. Ohio State (6-0) (+1) W @ Purdue, 23-7

I doubted the Buckeyes from the beginning—until they beat up on a very solid Washington team in Seattle.

At half the score was 7-3, Huskies. The Buckeyes showed heart and came back to win 33-14.

This week, OSU converted some more believers by beating undefeated Purdue in West Lafayette, 23-7. Purdue's only score came with 10 seconds left in the game. 

We all know that offense wins games and defense wins championships. It's looking like LSU isn't the only team who can shut people down.

4. Boston College (6-0) (+1) W v. Bowling Green, 55-24

Matt Ryan=Good.

Scratch that—Matt Ryan=Really good.

The senior QB turned in a four-TD performance against Bowling Green. As long as Ryan is leading this team, the Eagles have a shot. They'll need his leadership and poise when they travel to South Bend this weekend and Blacksburg three weeks after that.

BC has surely played their easiest competition in the early part of this year. They'll need to pick up their game as they dig into the meat of their ACC schedule.

That said, the ACC has seemed a little flat so far this year—almost like that nasty Dr. Pepper that's been sitting in the fridge for two weeks.   

5. South Florida (6-0) (+4) W @ Florida Atlantic, 35-23

"Oh, the Bulls squeaked out a win against FAU."

That's all I've been hearing after USF's win on Saturday. 

Okay—but so what if the Bulls didn't exactly blow out the Owls? It was on the road, and FAU is still coached by Howard Schnellenberger—a living legend who led Miami (FL) to a national title back in the day.

If "squeaking out" a 12-point win on the road is the worst USF sees by the end of the year, they should be grateful.

The Louisville game isn't looking to be as big as it might have been, but now USF must be wary of Cincinnati and Connecticut in the Big East, not to mention Rutgers. 

6. Oklahoma (5-1) (+4) W v. Texas, 28-21 (neutral site)

What? Oklahoma at No. 6?

Yes.

The Sooners have played solid ball. Although they lost to Colorado on the road, they bounced back to beat rival Texas in Dallas.

"Yeah, but Texas was overrated."

They may have been, but the bottom line is that OU is 5-1, with a last-second field goal loss on the road.

Remember, this is the same Oklahoma team whose average margin of victory in its first four games was an astonishing 49.8 points.

I can't wait to see what happens when Missouri heads to Norman this weekend.

7. South Carolina (5-1) (+5) W v. Kentucky, 38-23

The Gamecocks played LSU well in Death Valley. They also just beat eighth-ranked Kentucky by 15.

Sure, 14 of USC's points were off two Eric Norwood fumble recoveries for touchdowns, but isn't defense part of the game?

Here's the deal—South Carolina has performed well so far. Let's see what happens when the Gators come to Columbia on November 10th. 

8. Hawaii (6-0) (+3) W v. Utah State, 52-37

"Hawaii at No. 8?!"

The Rainbow Warriors are undefeated, and have Colt Brennan at QB.

That said, I'll continue to be skeptical until they play Boise State—and Washington sits on Hawaii's schedule as their last opponent.

Remember, Washington is the only team that's beaten BSU this season. 

I really don't like Hawaii's defense, but with an offense like that, no defense is going to come off as impressive. Plus, no team is safe even with a three-score lead over the Warriors.     

9. Oregon (4-1) (+4) Bye

Oregon very well may be the best one-loss team in the country—but they haven't really proven themselves with a big win.

Yeah, Michigan is looking to be a decent team once again, but a win over the Wolverines isn't enough to burnish the Ducks' resume. Get back to me after USC and Arizona State come to Eugene in consecutive weeks—then we'll talk about Oregon being in the hunt for a national title.

That said, I still love Dennis Dixon and Jonathan Stewart.  Speed kills in today's game, and Oregon surely has plenty of it. 

10. West Virginia (5-1) (+4) W @ Syracuse, 55-14

You wanna talk about speed? 

WVU has plenty of it as well.

Even if QB Pat White is banged up, the Mountaineers still have Steve Slaton, Noel Devine, Darius Reynaud, and Jock Sanders. Throw in Jarrett Brown as White's backup and you have yourself a slough of athleticism.

I'm still not completely sold on the WVU defense—but they have gotten better; I will say that.

Better enough to hold off Rutgers, Cincy, and Louisville? 

We'll see. 

11. USC (4-1) (-9) L v. Stanford, 23-24

12. Florida (4-2) (-3) L @ LSU, 24-28

13. Missouri (5-0) (+7) W v. Nebraska, 41-6

14. Virginia Tech (5-1) (+2) W @ Clemson, 41-23

15. Kentucky (5-1) (-8) L @ South Carolina, 23-28

16. Arizona State (6-0) (+2) W vs. Washington State, 23-20

17. Cincinnati (6-0) (+4) W @ Rutgers, 28-23

18. Illinois (5-1) (+8) W v. Wisconsin, 31-26

19. Wisconsin (5-1) (-13) L @ Illinois, 26-31

20. Kansas (5-0) (+7) W @ Kansas State, 30-24

21. Purdue (5-1) (-4) L v. Ohio State, 7-23

22. Florida State (4-1) (+11) W v. NC State, 27-10

23. Connecticut (5-0) (+6) Bye

24. Boise State (4-1) (+11) W v. New Mexico State, 58-0

25. Texas A&M (5-1) (+7) W v. Oklahoma State, 24-23

My Next 10: Texas Tech, Mississippi State, Auburn, Rutgers, Tennessee, Indiana, Kansas State, Wyoming, Georgia, Texas