College Football: Top 25 Teams Right Now and How They Finish
There are so many polls out there right now.
You have the Associated Press, the Coaches Poll, the ESPN poll, etc.
With the log jam at the top, its hard to determine just who deserves that No. 1 ranking.
Although everyone has their opinion on who and why their team is the best, I just thought I might as well chime in what I think the top five teams should be.
No. 25 West Virginia Mountaineers
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(NR in AP poll)
The Mountaineers are a hard team to figure out.
They have a great offensive team, yet are ranked No. 77 in the country in scoring offense at 25 points per game.
With one of the best running backs in Noel Devine, and a great all purpose player in Jock Sanders, the Mountaineers should be scoring a lot more points.
Why the ranking?
They only lost one game, against No. 15 LSU, in Louisiana.
How they finish?
I believe they can win the Big East with a 10-2 record.
No. 24 Air Force Falcons
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(No. 25 in the AP poll)
The Falcons are currently the No. 1-ranked rushing team in the country at 374 yards per game.They played a great game at Oklahoma only losing by 3 points in Norman.
Why the ranking?
The only thing that keeps the Falcons this low in the list is their schedule and the fact they are so one dimensional (ranked 117 in passing).
How they finish.
I believe they finish the season at 9-3, losing only to upcoming games against TCU and Utah.
No. 23 Florida State Seminoles
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(No. 22 in the AP poll)
Although FSU is 4-1 with their only loss coming to No. 7 Oklahoma in Norman, they are very hard team to understand.
Their defense is starting to pick it up though and making things a little clearer.
The will have a lot to prove as they head into the heart of their ACC schedule, including the next game against No. 13 Miami.
Why the ranking?
Why do I have them at 24? They only played one real team all year and lost 47-17.
How they finish?
I believe they finish strong though and only lose the game against the Hurricanes.
I think they beat Florida and finish the season at 10-2.
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No. 22 Nevada Wolf Pack
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(No. 21 in AP Poll)
The Wolf Pack have proven to be a solid team so far in the season, even ousting a Pac-10 team, California, 52-31.
They currently are fifth in the country at rushing with 304 yards per game and fourth in the country in scoring offense, averaging 45 points per game.
Why the ranking?
I ranked them this high because they beat a decent Cal team (recently lost to No. 14 Arizona by only one point), but they are ranked this low because they haven't played anyone else.
How they finish?
They finish the season at 10-2.
No. 21 Oklahoma State Cowboys
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(No. 22 in AP poll)
There is only one person I really need to list here, the best wide receiver in college football, Justin Blackmon.
Blackmon to me is a heisman candidate, yes, he is that good.
He is ranked third in the country in receiving yards, seventh in receptions, and tied for No. 1 with nine touchdowns.
Why the ranking?
Although they have a tremendous offense (second in scoring offense). Their defense has been getting pounded all year long, giving up 29 points per game, 91st in the country in scoring defense.
How they finish?
Havind Nebraska and Oklahoma on the schedule never makes things easy, but having them at home helps. If the defense improves they can have a very good year, my guess is it doesnt and they end up losing three games and finish the season at 9-3.
No. 20 Wisconsin Badgers
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(No. 20 in AP poll)
I have not bought into the Badgers at all this year. Although they have an outstanding rushing attack, their defense is giving up too many points (18 points per game)
They may not seem like a lot of points, but it is considering their competition of UNLV, San Jose State, Arizona State, Michigan St.and Austin Peay.
Why the ranking?
They are one dimensional and they haven't looked good against two bad opponents.
How they finish?
I believe the Badgers defense will come around, with a schedule of Michigan, Ohio State, and Iowa coming up, they end up 8-4.
No. 19 Florida Gators
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(No. 14 in AP poll)
Sorry Gator nation but you have shown me nothing on the field, besides the drubbing of a pathetic Kentucky team.
Don't get me wrong, the team has a bright future, the problem lies with the offensive play calling from Urban Meyer and Steve Addazio.
They have to realize they do not have Tim Tebow anymore, thus they need to change the play calling and get out of the Tebow package if they want to succeed.
Why the ranking?
Ranked 84rd in passing offense and 65th in rushing offense will not get it done in the SEC.
How they finish?
Here lies some hope. The Gators have a pretty easy schedule coming up. The only hard game I see is at home against South Carolina and at Tallahassee against the Seminoles, either way, UF finishes 10-2.
No. 18 South Carolina Gamecocks
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(No. 19 in AP poll)
The Gamecocks are another team that has had their moments.
They barely beat a horrible Georgia team, but did well against one of the best teams in the SEC in Auburn.
Now, I know a lot of people are going to wonder why I have the Gamecocks ahead of the Gators, even though I predicted UF to beat South Carolina, it comes to the game being played at the Swamp.
In a nuetral site, the Gamecocks beat the Gators.
Why the ranking?
They have a very good team proved it against Auburn.
How they finish?
South Carolina has a very tough schedule including a meeting with the Gators in Gainesville and against a very good Arkansas team. They still finish 9-3.
No. 17 Michigan State Spartans
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(No. 18 in AP poll)
Although they looked bad against Notre Dame, who I believe is horible, they beat the No. 11 team in the country, Wisconsin.
What has impressed me about the Spartans is their offensive balance.
Why the ranking?
They beat a good Wisconsin team.
How they finish?
They finish with three losses, end up 9-3. Upcoming schedule at Michigan and at Iowa will be too much.
No. 16 Michigan Wolverines
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(No. 18 in AP poll)
Another one name associated team, heisman candidate, Denard Robinson.
This kid is special and in my books, its the best player in college football. Have I bought into the hype?
You can say that, but I have watched the Wolverines play four times this year and the offense is great and they have much more then Robinson on the offensive side.
Why the ranking?
The 73rd-ranked scoring defense in the country makes this team just a good team, instead of a great team.
How they finish?
Michigan has four ranked Big Ten left on their schedule, three of them at home.
I say it wins two and lose two and finish the season at 10-2.
No. 15 Iowa Hawkeyes
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(No. 15 in AP poll)
Iowa has the No. 2 scoring defense in the country giving up only 10 points per game.
Although they had a mental breakdown against No. 24 Arizona, they demolished No. 22 Penn State 24-3.
Why the ranking?
See above.
How they finish?
Iowa is a very scary team to face with the great defense they have, the problem is the next three games are against ranked Big Ten schools, so we will see how good they really are.
Oh ya, they also have a date with Ohio State at home in November, which they win and finish the season at 9-3.
No. 14 Stanford Cardinal
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(No. 16 in AP poll)
The Cardinal are the real deal this year. They have a potent offense, number four in the country in scoring offense), but a mediocre defense (giving up 21 points per game).
Quarterback Andrew Luck is one of the best quarterbacks in the country which will help offset the defense in the Pac-10.
Why the ranking?
Their offense is great, their defense is mediocre at best. With Luck at quarterback, they will be in every game, its just too bad they had to face a great Oregon Ducks squad this early in the season.
How they finish?
I believe with Luck's arm they finish the year without another loss and go 11-1.
No. 13 Miami Hurricanes
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(No. 13 in AP Poll)
Ok, this is my team. i should have great praise for a team that has played good opponents and are sitting with a 3-1 record.
Unfortunately the offense is so stagnant with the errors of the receivers and quarterback, Jacory Harris, that I can give them the praise they should have.
Either way, the defense is great and it is what has kept them in the games thus far.
Why the ranking?
With a smarter Harris and better routes by the recievers, they may be a top-five team, but the way the offense is sputtering, this is the best I can do for my Canes.
How they finish?
Miami has a great chance to win the rest of their games, as long as they can limit the penalties and errors on offense. I say they do and go 11-1.
No. 12 LSU Tigers
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(No. 12 in AP poll)
This one is another tough one.
They are ranked a lot higher then I really think they should be, but they are undefeated and beat a couple good teams already.
Once again, they are so one dimensional as they are ranked 112th in the country in passing offense. The only thing that has kept the Tigers undefeated is the fifth ranked defense.
Why the ranking?
They are undefeated and beat West Virginia and North Carolina.
How they finish?
Being one dimensional in the SEC is pretty much a death wish. I see them losing four games and finish the season at 8-4.
No. 11 Utah Utes
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(No. 10 in AP poll)
Utah is a suprising choice and in a surpising spot.
They came into the season unranked and beat Pittsburgh right off the start.
They boast the number six scoring offense, along with the number seven scoring defense, but besides Pittsburgh, haven't played anyone else.
Why the ranking?
They are undefeated and beat a decent Pittsburgh squad.
How they finish?
They face Air Force and TCU still, in which they will beat Air Force and finish at 11-1.
No. 10 Arizona Wildcats
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(No. 9 in AP poll)
Arizona Wildcats are a very good team.
For being a Pac-10 school, their defense is also good, ranking third in the country in scoring defense.
This may sound like a broken record, but Arizona is just to one dimensional behind the good arm of Nick Foles.
The good thing with being a one dimensional passing game though, is the fact that you can stay in tight games because throwing the ball will help get you into position to score, as opposed to a run only team, which eats to much clock.
Why the ranking?
They beat a great Iowa team.
How they finish?
I believe Arizona is a very good team and finishes the season at 10-2.
No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners
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(No. 6 in AP poll)
I almost wanted to give the Sooners a ranking of about 12 or 13, but they did pound a good Florida State team and beat in state rival Texas, so I will give them the benefit of the doubt.
My thing with Oklahoma is their inconstancy. Although they beat two good teams, they struggled against Utah State, Air Force, and Cincinnati.
With all the question marks surrounding the Sooners, they have one constant and that is Landry Jones. He is a terrific quarterback with a great future.
Why the ranking?
See above.
How they finish?
I believe Oklahoma loses two and finishes 10-2.
No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks
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(No. 11 in AP poll)
Lead by Heisman Trophy candidate, Ryan Mallett, Arkansas gave No. 1 Alabama a run for its money.
Although Arkansas is one dimensional as well, it's the right kind of one-dimensional team: the passing kind.
Arkanasas' defense is also really good as it is ranked 12th in scoring defense, but once again hasn't reached the heart of its schedule.
Yes it already played Alabama, but games against Auburn and South Carolina await.
Why the ranking?
It has a Heisman candidate and should have beat Alabama, what more do you need?
How will they finish?
I believe the Razorbacks lose one more and finish 10-2.
No. 7 TCU Horned Frogs
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(No. 5 in AP poll)
The Horned Frogs are a legitimate contender, it doesn't matter who they have played.
Ed Wesley is having a monster season at running back, rushing for 500 yards and six touchdowns; he is definitely the cornerstone for quick-hitting Horned Frogs.
TCU beat a good Oregon State team early in the season to show that it belongs.
Why the ranking?
The Horned Frogs are a good team and Ed Wesley might be one of the best running backs in the country.
How they finish?
I believe TCU wins the conference, undefeated.
No. 6 Nebraska Cornhuskers
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(#7 in AP pol)
Although the Cornhuskers haven't played a decent team yet, they have the defensive skills to carry them along way in the Big Ten.
Quarterback Taylor Martinez looks like a heisman trophy candidate with his 532 yards passing and 496 yards rushing.
Why the ranking?
Although they are 11th in the country in scoring offense and 4th in the country in scoring defense, Nebraska has yet to play a good football team.
How they finish.
I believe Nebraska has the balanced attack on offense and a stubborn defense to go 11-1 in the season, only losing to Oklahoma State.
No.5 Boise State Broncos
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(No. 4 in AP poll)
Yes, No. 4. Sorry Boise, but I have yet to jump on the bandwagon, although I will give you credit for beating Oregon State, the victory against Virginia Tech just wasn't what it seemed.
Lately the Hokies have looked good, but when the Broncos got them, they were totally lost as a football team.
Kellen Moore is definitely a good quarterback, but with the lack of competition on their schedule its hard to say exactly how good he or Boise State really is.
Why the ranking?
The Broncos so far have deserved at least the No. 5 ranking by beating two ranked teams.
How they finish?
This one is hard. I believe they win all their remaining games, just because there isn't anyone left, unless you include a decent Nevada team to be a threat.
I believe they go 12-0, but miss out again due to two other undefeated teams.
No. 4 Auburn Tigers
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(No. 8 in AP poll)
This is my biggest difference from the AP poll and the reason is I believe the Tigers, especially with standout quarterback Cam Newton, are the second-best team in the SEC.
They beat a very good Clemson and South Carolina team already.
Why the ranking?
I believe Auburn can beat any team in listed below.
How do they finish?
They lose a close one to Alabama, but win the rest and go 11-1.
No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes
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(No. 2 in AP poll)
The Buckeyes are a great team, first and foremost. I gave them a hard time about Terrelle Pryor earlier in the year, but he has shut me up.
They beat a good Miami team once already and struggled against Illiniois, although Pryor missed a few snaps, i'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
Why the ranking?
They are a good team, both offensively and defensively and beat a good Hurricanes squad convincingly.
How will they finish?
I believe the Buckeyes will lose one game, somewhere on the schedule, maybe to Michigan? They go 11-1.
No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide
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(No. 1 on AP poll)
I know you Bama fans and SEC fans are going to hate me for this but understand where I am coming from, or at least try.
Alabama has certainly beaten three good teams so far, including the comeback victory over a very good Razorback team at Arkansas.
They have a two-headed monster in the backfield with Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram, one of the best receivers in the country with Julio Jones, and a quarterback that has never lost since middle school in Greg McElroy, so how can they be No. 2?!
They haven't played an explosive offense yet.
Why ranked here?
They have beaten three good teams and have a loaded offense.
How will they finish?
There is one team in the country that can beat Alabama and that is on the next slide. I believe they go 12-0, but lose in the national championship game against...
No. 1 Oregon Ducks
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(No. 3 in AP poll)
I know what you are saying, besides those in Eugene, I am nuts.
Maybe, but remember this, Oregon is the most balanced team in college football, hands down.
It has beaten a very good Stanford team, at Tennessee, and a hard team to beat at home, Arizona State.
Granted the Ducks started off the last two games slow, 28-24 at the half against Arizona State and losing 31-24 at halftime against the Cardinals, but they are a second half team and completely shut out both teams after halftime.
Oregon has the number one scoring offense and No. 15 scoring defense in the country. They are surrounded by speed and have the best running , not named Denard Robinson, in the country in LaMichael James.
Why ranked here?
They are the best team in college football.
How do they finish?
Beating Alabama in the National Championship Game. Alabama will keep it close for a half, but with all the playmakers Oregon has, it ends up pulling it out at the end.
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