My B/R Top 25 (Oct. 12)

1. Texas (previous: 3) 6-0

The “Red River Shootout” lived up to its traditional nomenclature—forget the weak substitute “Rivalry.” The game had something for everyone—even questionable officiating.

The Longhorns demonstrated what “English football” (that’s “soccer” for the Yanks) manager Iain Dowie called “Bouncebackability”: the ability to come back from adversity or a losing position to succeed. Texas’ task is not yet done—half a season remains, and the ‘Horns host No. 14 Missouri next weekend.

2. Alabama (previous: 4) 6-0

A bye will get you nothing in my poll. Actually, that’s not quite true—I’ve moved the Tide up two places (the same as Texas) as a result of Oklahoma and LSU losing.

Based on performance so far, there is little to separate the top two right now. That’s what the next six (and likely seven) games will do: provide a thorough test for both teams.

If they both ace the rest of their tests, a showdown in the title game looms. If they read too many clippings—um, bloggings—then a stumble is not only possible, but likely. The SEC is not a forgiving environment (unless you’re “undefeated in regulation time”).

Next week at home to Ole Miss and even Oct. 25 @ Tennessee should be easy enough; it's the Nov. 1 game vs. Arkansas State that's giving me the heebie-jeebies. ;-)

3. Penn State (previous: 5) 7-0

Poor Nittany Lions. Stuck in a lousy conference, they’re not likely to get much respect unless those ahead of them stumble. They can go a long way toward earning the necessary respect by running the table. Beating No. 9 Ohio State on the road on Oct. 25 is key.

4. Utah (previous: 6) 7-0

Poor Utes. Stuck in a lousy conference, they’re not likely to get much respect unless those ahead of them stumble. They can go a long way toward earning the necessary respect by running the table. Beating No. 5 BYU on Nov. 22 is key.

(All similarities to Penn State depicted in this article are INTENTIONAL and meant to resemble actual people, living, dead, or otherwise).

5. BYU (previous: 7) 6-0

Poor Cougars. Stuck in a lousy conference... (see No. 3 and No. 4)

6. Oklahoma (previous: 1) 5-1

The Sooners demonstrated fight and tenacity against the Longhorns—it’s just that the ‘Horns had a little bit extra (what our friends at LSU might call “lagniappe”). Nevertheless, the Sooners will still be a factor as the season progresses, and a BCS bowl is definitely still within their reach.

QB Sam Bradford is still young, and perhaps he was outplayed by Colt McCoy on the day. But there’s nothing to be ashamed of with the Sooners’ performance in the Shootout—well, perhaps the ballet stylings of punter Mike Knall. Highest-ranked team with a loss.

7. Florida (previous: 9) 5-1

Ouch! Mon dieu! Now that was a SPANKING the Gators applied to Bayou Bengal backsides in the Swamp on Saturday. My bad for having LSU ranked so high (at No. 2). That’s been corrected (see No. 12).

The “Cocktail Party” is looking better and better. Next week is a bye, however, so I might be dropping the Gators a spot. Second-highest ranked team with a loss.

8. USC (previous: 10) 4-1

Poor Trojans. Stuck in a lousy conference...etc.

Even when the Trojans stink, they still can put away the opposition—unless the opposition is in orange and black and from Corvallis. Mark Sanchez seems to be recovering well from his injury, and the Trojans are on a course to meet No. 15 California for Pac-10 honors, unless one of them stumbles. Third-highest ranked team with a loss.

9. Ohio State (previous: 11) 6-1

The Bucks are still taking care of business, getting Pryor his much-needed game experience while allowing Wells and the running game to establish a groove. More importantly, the defense seems to be maturing, and not a moment too soon.

The next two weeks—on the road vs. No. 17 Michigan State and at home vs. No. 3 Penn State—will set the course for Ohio State’s season, whether it ends in the Rose Bowl (or better) or in one of the numerous nameless (i.e. corporate-named) bowls.

Fourth-highest ranked team with a loss (NOTE: I won’t mention the teams outside of the Top 10 with a loss; there are 12 of them!).

10. Texas Tech (previous: 12) 6-0

Inertia is a powerful force. Just try moving a 500-pound boulder from a still, motionless position. Likewise, just try moving Texas Tech down in the rankings after a home OT victory against Nebraska in which the Red Raiders were more lucky than good.

However, luck could prove to be just as important. Ask LSU and Ohio State about last year and how they made it to the title game—it wasn’t all down to skill.

Mike Leach’s gang won’t face the really tough tests until November: home vs. No. 1 Texas on Nov. 1, and @ No. 6 Oklahoma on Nov. 22.

11. Georgia (previous: 13) 5-1

The ‘Dawgs are over their loss to Alabama and girding themselves for the Cocktail Party on Nov. 1. The Tennessee “Cheesy Poofs” provided little resistance, and next week a suddenly human Vanderbilt (see No. 21) comes to Athens. UGA could still stumble on Oct. 25 @ No. 12 LSU if they’re looking ahead to the Cocktail Party, though.

12. LSU (previous: 2) 4-1

Is dropping them from No. 2 to No. 12 far enough? The Tigers defense was caught with its pants down and looked overmatched against a Florida team that isn’t exactly flawless itself. That said, a blowout loss is still just one loss, and next week @ South Carolina might be a chance for LSU to put it behind them.

Two tough games loom, against No. 11 Georgia and No. 2 Alabama, but luckily both are in “Death Valley” and presumably at night.

13. Oklahoma State (previous: 19) 6-0

The “giant-killing” of Missouri wasn’t inevitable, and some might even question whether Missouri qualifies as a giant—I had Mizzou at No. 8 last week. The Cowboys deserve the credit for coming away from Columbia with a road win, though, and their defense was key, snaring three interceptions.

Whether or not the ‘Pokes can remain undefeated is another question. They have an easy game next week vs. Baylor at home, but then they travel to Austin on Oct. 25 to face No. 1 Texas.

14. Missouri (previous: 8) 5-1

The bigger they are, the harder they fall? Actually, I had the OTHER Tigers—the ones from Baton Rouge—falling more precipitously (from two to 12) than THESE Tigers. Still, a home loss to a team that’s not considered one of the conference powers has to hurt.

The silver lining in Mizzou’s cloud is this: They reside in the Big 12 North, and right now the only real competitor is their hated rival, No. 24 Kansas. I doubt the Tigers will have much trouble getting worked up for the “Border War” on Nov. 29.

In the meantime, they face a challenge @ No. 1 Texas next week, and two conference losses will be tough. The consolation is that Mizzou doesn’t have Oklahoma on their schedule this year, while Kansas has to face both Oklahoma and Texas.

15. Boise State (previous: 16) 5-0

Poor Broncos. Stuck in a lousy conference...(see Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 8).

The Broncos won on the road @ Southern Miss and move up one place. The next game is on the “Smurf Turf” against Hawaii on “Messin’ with Sasquatch” Friday, Oct. 17.

Even if BSU runs the table, they’re not likely to land a BCS spot. They really should start lobbying for a 16-team playoff, because otherwise it’s not gonna happen for them.

16. California (previous: 15) 4-1

A bye week means the Golden Bears drop one place, getting leapfrogged by Oklahoma State and Boise State. Next week @ Arizona should be manageable. The tougher games come in November, on Nov. 1 at home vs. Oregon and Nov. 8 @ No. 8 USC. The Bears are still the main rivals to USC for the Pac-10, as their one loss was out of conference.

17. Michigan State (previous: 18) 6-1

The Spartans are looking better each week, not by dazzling anyone, but through steady effort, primarily the effort of workhorse Javon Ringer. Hopefully the poor guy still has some oomph left in his engine when No. 9 Ohio State comes to East Lansing next weekend, because the Bucks will be bringin’ the D.

The Spartans finish their season @ No. 3 Penn State, so 9-3 would be a reasonable aim.

18. Virginia Tech (previous: 17) 5-1

Ladies and gents, I present to you: the best of the ACC (faint cheering, followed by crickets chirping). The Hokies drop a spot because they failed to put up any points against B.Y.E., while Michigan State and Oklahoma State both won.

Two key road games, next week @ Boston College and Oct. 25 @ Florida State, will provide sufficient measure for the level of Tech’s game. If they come away from those with wins, they’ll no doubt move up several places.

19. Ball State (previous: 20) 7-0

I think it’s time to team up the MAC and the ACC team-to-team (leave Temple out, I suppose) and see how the chips fall. ;-) Is Ball State as good as No. 18 Virginia Tech? We probably won’t find out, but in the meantime, I have them right behind the Hokies in the rankings.

Granted, Western Kentucky is chopped liver, but then again, Virginia Tech also played Western Kentucky. THE WEEK BEFORE.

20. North Carolina (previous: 21) 5-1

The Tar Heels are catching up to No. 18 Virginia Tech. They had a tougher-than-normal non-conference game against then-No. 24 Notre Dame but escaped with the win. UNC’s one loss has come to VT, though, so until the win-loss record of the two is different, I’ll keep the Hokies ahead of the ‘Heels.

21. Vanderbilt (previous: 14) 5-1

So the Commodores had a not-so-easy, like, Sunday morning, after being smacked down by the WOOF WOOF Missy State Bulldogs. Just as with formerly No. 8 Missouri, perhaps it was time for a comedown—a reality check.

In the long term, things still look good for the Fightin’ Lionel Richies. Next week @ No. 11 Georgia is going to be tough, as will be Nov. 8 at home vs. No. 7 Florida. But Vandy still has an excellent shot at a bowl game, perhaps even one of the good ones that occurs in the vicinity of Florida and/or New Year’s Day.

22. Minnesota (previous: NR) 6-1

The Golden Gophers (pictured above, in throwback unis) are the Big “11” equivalent to the Golden Bears in the Pac-10. They’ve quietly gone about their business, gobbling up the pasty products as expected, and coming away with a significant win to bolster their conference standing.

The one loss came to No. 9 Ohio State, but the Gophers luck out by not having to play No. 3 Penn State this year. Keep an eye on them: If they run the table (a distinct possibility), they have a shot at a New Year’s Day bowl and a long shot at the Rose Bowl (which requires that Ohio State lose twice in conference).

23. South Florida (previous: 22) 5-1

Currently the best team in the Big East. A bye week means the Bulls drop a place, and they’ll have to do some work to win the conference, as their one loss is in conference, while West Virginia’s two losses came out of conference.

Assuming the Bulls keep winning, the showdown @ West Virginia on Dec. 6 might be for the BCS berth. It’s just too bad that there might be several worthy teams ahead of them by then who deserve the berth more.

24. Kansas (previous: NR) 5-1

Am I too hard on the Jayhawks? I don’t think so. Their one game against a ranked opponent this year, @ South Florida (presently No. 23), resulted in a loss. An impressive win against Colorado gets the Jayhawks back into my Top 25 for the first time since that loss.

However, the odds are not good for KU staying ranked; next weekend’s game @ No. 6 Oklahoma is going to be extremely difficult. The Sooners will be looking to bounce back from the loss to No. 1 Texas, and it could get very ugly.

25. Wake Forest (previous: 25) 4-1

Have the Demon Deacons been practicing with Auburn lately? The win last Thursday vs. Clemson wasn’t too pretty. Nevertheless, a win is a win. The Deacons get the edge over Tulsa, by the slimmest of margins, primarily because Tulsa’s win last weekend @ SMU was similarly unimpressive. It’s that ol’ inertia business again (see No. 10 Texas Tech).

Dropped out: No. 23 Northwestern (5-1), No. 24 Notre Dame (4-2).