The REAL Coaches' Poll: The Top 25 College Football Coaches Rankings (Week Six)

This edition of the REAL Coaches' poll will have a different look.

For the first time this season, a record five coaches have fallen from the ranks, the top 10 has been shuffled around a bit, two coaches took a major tumble, and one coach went from being "on the fence" to No. 11!

By now, most of you know what the poll is all about.  But for those of you who are new to the REAL Coaches' Poll "experience," this is how it works.

Much like the other college football polls, the coaches are ranked according to their performance for the current season.  No consideration is given to previous seasons. 

A coach moves up the poll by beating other ranked coaches or ranked opponents and the strength of the win is considered.  A coach moves down in the poll by losing, more consideration is given to a loss to another ranked coach or a ranked opponent.

Every week the reader comments left from the previous poll are also considered.  So tell me if you agree or disagree.  I listen!

So there you have it.  Enjoy the new and improved REAL Coaches' Poll (Week Six).

 

1.   Nick Saban, Alabama: beat Kentucky 17-14 (last week: 1)

The Crimson Tide looked mortal against the Wildcats, but great teams will find a way to win.  Bama is looking like a great team and Nick Saban's coaching is a major reason why this team is still cranking out wins.

2.   Bob Stoops, Oklahoma: beat Baylor 49-17 (last week: 2)

The Sooners just keep rolling and have yet to face an opponent that has even been in the same stratosphere.  Bob Stoops has his team focused every week and has not allowed them to become complacent.

3.   Pete Carroll, USC: beat No. 23 Oregon 44-10 (last week: 5)

The Men of Troy faced major adversity last week in a loss to Oregon State and dealt with an injury to their top defensive player Rey Maualuga.  The Trojans got back on track with a decisive victory over No. 23 Oregon.

4.   Jim Tressel, Ohio State: beat No. 18 Wisconsin 20-17 (last week: 6)

The Buckeyes may not always win pretty, but when it comes to big games in the Big Ten, Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes seem to always come up with the plays to win.  Tressel's decision to start freshman Terrelle Pryor over sixth-year senior Todd Boeckman may have drawn some criticism, but it seems as though he was right.

5.   Mack Brown, Texas: beat Colorado 38-14 (last week: 4)

The Longhorns have quietly become one of the most dangerous teams in the country this season.  Mack Brown has his team playing with fire, passion, and for the first time in a long time, toughness.  This team has been gaining in momentum each week and it will all come to a head when Texas meets Oklahoma this week at the State Fair.

6.   Gary Pinkel, Missouri: beat Nebraska 52-17 (last week: 7)

Gary Pinkel's team is clicking on all cylinders.  The Tigers boast the best offense in the country, the best quarterback in the country, and playmakers all around.  If Pinkel could ever get his defense to play as well as the offense, he would be much higher on this list.

7.   Les Miles, LSU: BYE (last week: 3)

The Tigers are humming along after losing a ton of playmakers on both sides of the ball, but Les Miles has proven that the cupboard is far from bare.  The defense is as ferocious as ever and the offense is steady.  Miles will need to get better play out of the quarterback position this week as his team heads to the Swamp.

8.   Joe Paterno, Penn State: beat Purdue 20-6 (last week: 8)

Who said Joe Pa is out of touch?  His Nittany Lions are running one of the most explosive offenses in the country and his team is rolling through the competition.  This week's test will be the biggest to date at Wisconsin.

9.   Bronco Mendenhall, BYU: beat Utah State 34-14 (last week: 9)

Bronco Mendenhall's Cougars are putting up impressive numbers both offensively and defensively.  Mendenhall has to keep his team playing at this unbelievable level because one slip, and the Cougars are done.

10.  Mike Leach, Texas Tech: beat Kansas State 58-28 (last week: 14)

Mike Leach is the dink-and-dunk master, and his offensive team is one of the best in the country.  The improvement of the Red Raider defense could lead to big things this season.

11.  Bobby Johnson, Vanderbilt: beat No. 13 Auburn 14-13  (last week: unranked)

The Commodores have consistently been the "red-headed stepchild" of the SEC.  Not this season.  Bobby Johnson's team may not be overly impressive, but they sure know how to win games, and they sure are tough.  Those two things are needed to navigate the SEC.

12.  Urban Meyer, Florida: beat Arkansas 38-7 (last week: 13)

Urban Meyer's team rebounded from a loss against Ole Miss and a bad first half against Arkansas to turn in a fantastic fourth quarter in the Arkansas game.  Meyer needs to keep the momentum going into next week's match-up with LSU.

13.  Mark Richt, Georgia: BYE (last week: 12)

14.  Chris Petersen, Boise State: beat Louisiana Tech 38-3 (last week: 16)

15.  Brady Hoke, Ball State: beat Toledo 31-0 (last week: 24)

16.  Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech: beat Western Kentucky 27-13 (last week: 18)

17.  Mark Dantonio, Michigan State: beat Iowa 16-13 (last week: 21)

18.  Jim Grobe, Wake Forest: BYE (last week: 17)

19.  Kyle Whittingham, Utah: beat Oregon State 31-28 (last week: unranked)

20.  Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern:  BYE (last week: unranked)

21.  Jeff Tedford, Cal:  beat Arizona State (last week: unranked)

22.  Jim Leavitt, South Florida: lost to Pitt 26-21 (last week: 10)

23.  Tommy Tuberville, Auburn: lost to Vanderbilt 14-13 (last week: 11)

24.  Mike Bellotti, Oregon: lost to No. 9 USC 44-10 (last week: 15)

25.  Todd Graham, Tulsa: beat Rice 63-28 (last week: unranked)

On the fence:  Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State; Rich Brooks, Kentucky; Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech; David Cutcliffe, Duke; Butch Davis, North Carolina 

Dropped out: Randy Edsall, Connecticut;  Rich Brooks, Kentucky;  Bret Bielema, Wisconsin;  Dennis Erickson, Arizona State;  Pat Hill, Fresno State