Bleacher Report's College Football Top25: Week 11

will schmidleyNov 7, 2007

Greetings, Bleacher Report Nation, I've got one message for you:

It just doesn't get any better than this.

It's the heart of the college football season, and we've got wide open Heisman and National Championship races.

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LSU or Oregon for the No. 2 spot?

How about Kansas?

McFadden or Dennis Dixon for the Heisman?

What about Tim Tebow? Wait, his team has three losses...but who cares?! He's a stat machine and arguably the most entertaining player in the game today.

So many questions.

So few answers (at least for now).

But, boy oh boy, so much speculation...isn't it grand?

Without further ado, here is this week's Top 25 Poll Results.

1. Ohio State (9-0)

Previous: 1

Strength of Schedule: 46

Last Week: Beat Wisconsin 38-17

This Week: Illinois (+15)

Amidst all the turmoil that has permeated the "upper echelon" of college football this season, Ohio State continues to hold fast.

After three quarters of questionable play vs. a pedestrian Wisconsin squad, there was cause for concern in Buckeye Nation, with the game knotted at 17.

Chris Wells and Co. quickly allayed said concerns, exploding for 21 points in the fourth quarter and changing the contest from heated to drastically lopsided.

There remains one intimidating obstacle standing between the Buckeyes and a repeat trip to the promised land: Michigan.

Deja vu, anyone?

Though this year's go-round against the Maize and Blue won't be the most hyped regular-season game of the new millennium, as last year's was, the contest won't be wanting for suspense or excitement.

Rest assured, Buckeyes fans: The Big House will be rocking, and the resurgent Wolverines are going to be out for some blood.

Lastly, an open memo to Buckeyes star corner Malcolm Jenkins: Mario Manningham is fast, and he's been on fire the last few weeks. Give him a little cushion, lest you get burned...

2. LSU (8-1)

Previous: 3

Strength of Schedule: 9

Last Week: Beat Alabama 41-34

This Week: Louisiana Tech (+36)

Controversy, anyone?

While the race for the top spot is devoid of such, the battle for No. 2 is rife with it.

Pac-10 or SEC? SEC or Pac-10? How does one decide?

Bleacher Report Nation hath spoken, though, and the nod goes to LSU and the big, bad, possibly at times overhyped (cheers, fellow BR writer Ben Johnson) SEC.

The Tigers have long been hailed as the most athletic team in the country, and they've done an admirable job against a tough slate heretofore.

LSU's defense has shown itself to be a vulnerable, though still strong, unit over the past weeks. The offense, particularly with a healthy Early Doucet back in the mix, is primed for continued success through the rest of the season.

Icon Sports Media 3. Oregon (8-1)

Previous: 4

Strength of Schedule: 2

Last Week: Beat Arizona State 35-23

This Week: Off

Is it just me, or would the Ducks probably give just about anything to run back the Cal game?

Oregon's loss to Cal is particularly painful now, in light of two things:

1. How far the Golden Bears have fallen since, and 2. The fact that the Ducks just handily beat an ASU team that Cal lost to 31-20.

Oregon's remaining schedule leaves something to be desired as far as a "challenge" goes. The Ducks are inactive this weekend, and round out their season with games against Arizona, UCLA, and Oregon State.

It's going to take three very, very impressive wins for the boys from Eugene to get voters to consider moving them ahead of a one-loss LSU squad.

In order for those "impressive" wins to happen, Dennis Dixon and Co. will have to be highly productive.

To sum it up, Dennis Dixon's Heisman campaign and the Ducks' title hopes are more or less one and the same.

No pressure, Double D...

4. Kansas (9-0)

Previous: 8

Strength of Schedule: 72

Last Week: Beat Nebraska 76-39

This Week: At Oklahoma State (+5.5)

Kansas is 9-0.

Let me reiterate: KANSAS is 9-0.

This year has been a magical one for the Jayhawks—and they continue to win, albeit against a schedule that's softer than Jessica Alba's skin.

Despite the uninspiring schedule, though, Jayhawk Nation will no doubt continue to clamor about how their team deserves a shot in light of its undefeated record.

Their case is becoming stronger as the season rolls on, and was buttressed heavily this past Saturday after they threw up 76 on the Cornhuskers.

Nonetheless, KU's hopes for a title appearance still appear slim. Provided LSU and Oregon don't both lose, there's virtually no chance the Jayhawks will be in the big game at season's end.

A BCS at-large bid should more than suffice as a consolation prize, which is a guarantee for Kansas so long as they win out.

Icon Sports Media 5. Oklahoma (8-1)

Previous: 6

Strength of Schedule: 55

Last Week: Beat Texas A&M 42-14

This Week: Baylor (+37.5)

Ever since the Sooners suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Colorado, they've quietly built their way back up, winning their last four and beating two quality foes (Texas and Mizzou) in the process.

It's a real shame the Sooners don't have KU on their remaining schedule, since that would afford them a chance to further their case for a title appearance...and also give us fans a better idea of just how good Kansas is.

Alas, such a matchup will not happen this season.

Playoff system, anyone?

Anyway, I digress. All signs point to an 11-1 Sooner finish, though their November 17th matchup against an always dangerous Texas Tech squad certainly qualifies as an "upset watch" game, especially since it will be played in Lubbock.

6. West Virginia (8-1)

Previous: 7

Strength of Schedule: 75

Last Week: Off

This Week: Louisville (+15)

The Mountaineers have been impressive since their embarrassing loss to USF, winning their last three games by an average of 35 points.

They're still a game behind a surprising UConn squad in the Big East race, but lucky for West Virginia, they play the Huskies on November 24th.

It sure is nice to have your team controlling their own destiny despite soiling a midseason game vs. a highly overrated opponent, huh Mountaineer fans?

At first glance, UConn may appear to be the most intimidating opponent remaining on WVU's schedule.

Perhaps that's the case. However, tomorrow's game vs. Louisville poses arguably an equal challenge.

The Cards may be down and out, but they're still a dangerous offensive team that, given the preseason expectations, has literally nothing to lose. Something to bear in mind, gamblers...

7. Missouri

Previous: 9

Strength of Schedule: 39

Last Week: Beat Colorado 55-10

This Week: Texas A&M (+18.5)

Mizzou and Chase Daniel have quietly been putting together one of the most successful seasons in school history.

The Tigers win over Nebraska doesn't look as impressive as it did at the time, but to their credit, Mizzou played a dangerous OU squad and is fresh off a 41-10 drubbing of Texas Tech.

As of now, the Tigers are a game behind KU in the Big 12 North Race. Mizzou and the Jayhawks square off in the last week of the season.

Talk about a matchup with a myriad of consequences, for both teams...

Icon Sports Media 8. Arizona State

Previous:5

Strength of Schedule:39

Last Week: Lost to Oregon 35-23

This Week: At UCLA (+6)

A week after an emotional comeback win over Cal at home, the Sun Devils were brought back to earth by Oregon, losing 35-23.

Though one cannot justifiably say that the Sun Devils were "exposed" last weekend, it can be said with confidence now that they simply aren't a national championship caliber team.

ASU is a program on the rise, though, and there's still plenty left to play for.

A win vs. USC on November 17th would certainly help their quest to return to national prominence, something that Arizona State hasn't had the privilege of enjoying since "Jake the Snake" was under center.

Yeah, that long ago.

9. Boston College

Previous: 2

Strength of Schedule: 34

Last Week: Lost to FSU 27-17

This Week: At Maryland (+5.5)

The Eagles were on top of the world entering a seemingly benign home game against a very mediocre FSU squad—ranked No. 2 in the country, with the leading Heisman candidate directing their offense.

Oh, how quickly a team's fortunes can turn.

Matt Ryan is fast becoming an afterthought in the Heisman discussion, and BC's title hopes have all but faded into obscurity.

All is not lost for BC, though, as they're still in the driver's seat of the ACC Atlantic Division race.

A game against a dangerous albeit bipolar Clemson team lurks two weekends from now. If "manic" Clemson decides to show up, it's going to take a very well played game on BC's part to emerge victorious.

Matt Ryan, it's gut-check time my friend—BC's fortunes, and your potential status as a top-10 draft pick, rest squarely on your shoulders.

10. Georgia

Previous: Same

Strength of Schedule: 11

Last Week: Beat Troy 44-34

This Week: Auburn (even)

Over their last four games, the Dawgs' have lost to Tennessee by 21, beaten Vandy by three, beaten Florida by 12, and bested lowly Troy by a mere 10.

Clearly, this isn't a consistent football team. Nonetheless, Georgia sits pretty atop the SEC East.

With games against Auburn and Kentucky upcoming, though, the Dawgs had better play some crisp football over the next couple weeks if they're to have any hope of maintaining their grip on the East.

Icon 11. Michigan