College Football: Pretenders or Contenders?

Time to take another look at the top teams in the country and label them their true status of pretender or contender...

Oklahoma: Contender. Sure, they played Baylor, but so what? They put on another dominating performance.

Alabama: Contender. While they struggled mightily against a Kentucky team that always seems to show up in big games, can we assume the Tide was just a little hung over from their win against Georgia?

LSU: On the fence. The Tigers were on a bye, but I'm still not impressed with their QB play. This is the one area that may do them in next week against Florida. I have them dropping in the rankings this week. Byes can be a killer when Mizzou is playing lights out.

Mizzou: Contender. Heck, the Tigers look just as strong as the Sooners, and actually have played stronger teams than the Sooners. They should move up.

Texas: Contender. Finally, Colt McCoy has officially recovered from his sophomore slump, and the Red River Rivalry all of a sudden looks to be the new "game of the century."

Penn State: Contender. The Nits look better than LSU, and I don't understand why they are ranked below the Tigers. Big Ten backlash?

Texas Tech: Pretender. The Red Raiders have a prolific offense, but the D will not be able to hide anymore when the Red Raiders play Texas on Nov. 1. Until that date, they will probably be undefeated.

BYU: Contender. Yeah, OK, big deal, they beat Utah State 34-14, and next week they play New Mexico. The soft part of the schedule comes up, and they may actually get dropped down a few notches if they don't start dominating these cupcakes more.

USC: Contender. Was the Oregon State game a hiccup? Or was the Oregon game a hiccup for the Ducks? Hard to tell. If the Trojans play ASU like they did the Ducks, then it's the former, not latter. The fact that the Trojans bounced back big after the Beavers loss means they are mad.

South Florida: Pretender. Grothe simply hasn't lived up to the potential he showed in his freshman year.

Georgia: Pretender. They were exposed in the 'Bama game, and really, the signs were there before that game. This week they get the Vols, and if the Dawgs don't beat them by 18+, they may actually drop in the rankings, even if they win.

Florida: Hesitant Contender. The Gators' O just isn't jelling, but they are winning, aren't they? This week they host LSU, and even though it's not a divisional game, the magnitude of its importance is not overlooked; the pretender will get exposed.

Auburn: Pretender. The spread isn't working, and Auburn fans have to be pretty ticked at the OC right now. Even though the Tigers have only one divisional loss (to LSU) they struggled against Missy State and Tennessee before finally getting exposed at Vanderbilt.

Ohio State: On the fence. The Bucks lost big to USC but bounced back to beat Wisconsin, who struggled to beat Fresno State. Beanie and Pryor are giving the team more punch, but for some reason, the projected excitement factor hasn't impressed me yet. It's more of a slap than a punch.

Utah: Pretender. They beat Oregon State on a last-second field goal, but the Beavers game is the only real competition they have faced. In fact, the Utes don't face any competition until Nov. 22nd, against BYU. With a No. 99-ranked schedule, I'm just not sold on them.

Kansas: Pretender. When you barely beat lowa State, you have serious problems ahead of you. Next seven games for the 'Hawks are: Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Nebraska, Texas, and Mizzou. I see only two or three wins in there.

Boise State: Contender. They beat Louisiana Tech soundly, and all of a sudden, the Broncos look for real.

Wisconsin: Pretender. Looks like another Capitol One Bowl for the Badgers.

Vanderbilt: Contender. Beating a mediocre Auburn team is still impressive. Vandy has finally gotten over their loser mentality, which is good because their No. 4 SOS is a killer: they still have Georgia, Florida, Tennessee (rivalry games are never gimmees), and Wake Forest to contend with.

Va. Tech: Pretender. They may be 5-1, but beating Western Kentucky 27-13 impresses no one, not in October, anyway. They could win outright and win the ACC, but I don't see them being serious competition in the Orange Bowl.

Oklahoma State: Pretender. Next week they get Mizzou, and any lingering questions about the Cowboys will be answered.

Fresno State: Pretender. Losing to a Brennan-less Hawai'i does not bode well for the Dawgs. After already losing to Wisky, this second loss puts them in the doghouse.

Oregon: Pretender. It's not their fault that almost every QB who has put a Ducks uni on since last November has been hurt. They have seen at least six quarterbacks take the snap from center; it's hard to keep your focus with all the changes.

UConn: On the fence: The Huskies lost to a good Tar Heel team. If they lose to Rutgers next week, then their status will change to pretender.

Wake Forest: Pretender. They were on a bye and play Clemson next week; the Tigers may have some surprises for them.

Some other notable teams worth mentioning....

Notre Dame: On the fence. They are 4-1, but they really have only played one very good team, Michigan State, and they lost. This Irish team feels like Hawai'i from last year in that their record may be indicative of a soft schedule. Next week, they travel to North Carolina, and that game is the litmus test for the Irish. Beat 'em, and their status will change.

Ball State: Contender. Quite possibly the most underrated team in the country, and they are doing it without Dante Love. Why aren't they ranked?

Cal: Contender. They aren't receiving any love from the pollsters...yet. But they will. The Bears had that one hiccup at Maryland, but after that, they have looked solid.

North Carolina: Contender. They lost to Va Tech a few weeks ago, and it could be that they just don't have that winner mentality yet. But the Heels look good and will be a problem for ND this week.

Michigan State: Contender. Sparty is the second best team in the Big Ten- behind Penn State. You heard it here a few weeks ago, and I'm sticking to it.