College Football Rankings and Team MVPs at the Halfway Point

So, here we are. At the halfway point of the 2008 college football season a few things have been made clear. Texas is for real. So is Alabama. Texas Tech finally might be. And God only knows what Ohio State is. Here is my top 20, complete with team MVPs for each team in the top 20. 

1. Alabama (6-0, 3-0)

Nick Saban really has these boys believing that they're the class of the SEC. Only LSU stands between Bama and a undefeated regular season, and the Tigers didn't look too good last week against the Gators.

First Half MVP: RB Glen Coffee. He has been this year's Felix Jones, averaging more than seven yards per carry and scoring five of the Tide's 14 rushing TDs. 

2. Texas (6-0, 2-0)

Texas really showed me something against Oklahoma, but they didn't dominate the Sooners the way Bama rolled Georgia. Colt McCoy threw his hat in as the front-runner of the Heisman race, and even the ground game showed some life.

Texas has to run the gauntlet in their remaining games: vs. No. 11 Missouri, No. 8 Oklahoma State and at No. 7 Texas Tech and No. 16 Kansas.

First Half MVP: QB Colt McCoy. He has 17 TDs to only three picks, PLUS he is the Longhorns' leading rusher, with four more scores coming on the ground.

3. Oklahoma (5-1, 1-1)

SURPRISE!! Yeah, I know they lost to Texas, but I think that was a one-game thing, not so much an aberration, but one team playing a slightly better game than the other.

The Sooners can score on anybody. They have a slightly more manageable schedule than the Longhorns in the second half, and I still like them more than Texas in the long run.

First Half MVP: QB Sam Bradford. Throwing for 23 TDs in six games is impressive, even more so if you're not QB at Hawaii. He had his best game of the year against Texas, and is still a front-runner for the Heisman.

4. USC (4-1, 2-1)

The Trojans are regaining form after their upset loss to Oregon State. I don't see them losing another game, and with their star power, it will be tough to keep them away from Miami and the BCS Championship Game.

First Half MVP: QB Mark Sanchez. For a first-year starter, he sure looked good against Ohio State, and pretty much everyone else so far. 14 TD passes in five games is pretty good, and I'm sure he'll get to 30 before the season is through.

5. Florida (5-1, 3-1)

Chomp chomp! The Gators are slowly but surely marching their way back up the standings. Tebow has his boys fired up and Urban Meyer's new play-calling has the Gators primed and ready for a run at the SEC Championship Game.

The game with Georgia in three weeks will decide who will represent the East in Atlanta.

First Half MVP: QB Tim Tebow. While the Heisman winner hasn't been as prolific a scorer as in 2007, he has been an excellent passer and given the team a much needed spark of fire.

6. Penn State (7-0, 3-0)

Yeah, I know. I'm not really a believer in PSU that much. Yeah, I believe they can beat lots of teams from the less than stellar Big 10, but their non-conference schedule left much to be desired: Coastal Carolina, Oregon State, Syracuse and Temple.

Even if they beat Ohio State, I would have a hard time thinking they could stack up with Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, USC, or Florida.

First Half MVP: QB Daryll Clark. Clark has stood up and led the Nittany Lions to a great start, tossing 10 TDs to only two picks. He's been pretty good running the ball, too, with six TDs.

7. Georgia (5-1, 2-1)

Georgia is so good, and so unsexy. They're basically the Spurs of college football. Their conventional run-the-ball approach doesn't always inspire, but it gets the job done.

Their next three games (Vandy, Florida, and LSU) should teach us more about how good this team REALLY is.

First Half MVP: RB Knowshon Moreno. Everyone has seen the highlights, the leaping ability and the big play ability. If he keeps up his pace (1,100 yards, 20 TDs) he should warrant an invite to NYC.

8. BYU (6-0, 2-0)

Forget a BCS game, Bronco Mendenhall has these boys playing for a berth in the National Championship game.

I'm amped about their game tonight, but the truth is their offensive output has diminished for three weeks in a row, and TCU plays excellent defense. Watch out for a possible upset tonight.

First Half MVP: QB Max Hall. Seven TD passes in one game is nothing to sneeze at. A 70 percent completion percentage and 20 TD passes mean he's the real deal.

9. Missouri (5-1, 1-1)

Blame it on Chase Daniel. I know he was honoring a friend, but wearing a number in the 20's jinxed the Tigers against OK State. I look for Mizzou to play inspired ball against Texas, possibly even pulling off another "No. 1 going down" upset.

First Half MVP: RB Derrick Washington. For all those critics who bemoan the Tigers lack of a running game, it takes at least a "decent" running back to punch in 11 TDs.

10. Texas Tech (6-0, 2-0)

Graham Harrell showed me all I needed to see to believe Texas Tech is a contender on the sidelines after Tech went ahead in OT last week. This isn't the usual version of Tech.

Yeah, their offense has been fiery, but their defense has made big plays against K-State and Nebraska.

First Half MVP: QB Graham Harrell. Not only does he have 20 TDs to his three picks, but he has the look of a real leader.

11. LSU (4-1, 2-1)

I firmly believe their indecision, and better yet, lack of a true QB, cost them the Florida game. It will probably cost them at least one more game too.

This is the kind of team that needs a Matt Flynn-type player to lead and bring together a group of young kids.

First Half MVP: RB Charles Scott. Scott has had a heck of a season this year, rushing for almost 600 yards and six scores. 

12. Ohio State (6-1, 3-0)

Terrelle Pryor, Terrelle Pryor, Terrelle Pryor. Blah blah blah. I heard enough about him this offseason. Let's just say this...he's no Tim Tebow, and he's not leading the Buckeyes to the Championship Game.

The win over Wisconsin doesn't really impress me, and neither does playing in the Big 10. Let's see how they fare against Michigan State and Penn State.

First Half MVP: RB Beanie Wells. He's averaging over 100 yards per game and hasn't been involved in a Buckeye loss this year.

13. Kansas (5-1, 2-0)

I like the Jayhawks...even though they might, and probably will, get annihilated by OU this weekend. Their game against South Florida showed me they have heart.

I think they'll win two of four from Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Texas, and Missouri.

First Half MVP: QB Todd Reesing. I dig me some Todd Reesing. 15 passing scores and lots of passing yards make him a favorite to go off on at least one of their ranked opponents.

14. Utah (7-0, 3-0)

Nothing stands between the Utes and a undefeated season except for a near-Thanksgiving date with BYU. Maybe TCU.

Much like with Penn State, I'm not really impressed with their schedule. In the past, Utah has taken on some big-time opponents in non-conference. Not this year: see Utah State, Weber State, and Oregon State.

First Half MVP: QB Brian Johnson. He doesn't have the stats you'd look for, but he's provided leadership to a team thinking BCS.

15. Oklahoma State (6-0, 2-0)

Yeah, the win over Missouri was impressive, but they're still Oklahoma State, and they'll still lose to Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma...maybe even Colorado too.

I know they've looked good, but aside from Missouri, they haven't really beaten, or even played anyone.

First Half MVP: RB Kendall Hunter. Yeah, Zac Robinson has been the catalyst for the Cowboy machine, but Hunter has been the heart of the offense, scoring nine times.

16. Boise State (5-0, 1-0)

Go Big Blue! They're here for two reasons: the win over Oregon, and because they've proven they can take down the big boys.

More impressive than the win AT Oregon has been the play of freshman QB Kellen Moore, who ranks in the top 10 in passer rating, as a FRESHMAN! Only a date with Fresno State in their season finale stands between Boise and their second run at the BCS.

First Half MVP: QB Kellen Moore. His play has enabled the Broncos to think pass first, taking some of the wear and tear off of RB Ian Johnson, who clearly isn't what he used to be. 

17. South Florida (5-1, 0-1)

Yeah, they haven't even won a conference game, but they still look like the favorite to win the conference.

Only a possible trap game with Louisville and the season finale against West Virginia stand in the Bulls way of a Big East title.

First Half MVP: QB Matt Grothe. He has played very efficient football, much more so than last season. He can lead this team to a BCS game if he keeps it up.

18. Michigan State (6-1, 3-0)

Nobody seems able to stop Javon Ringer. He's averaged well over 100 yards per game with two, almost three, 200-yard games. He has also scored two TDs per game.

They should move up a little with a win over OSU and the season finale at Penn State should decide the Big Ten Champion.

First Half MVP: RB Javon Ringer. Not much more can be said. Possibly a Heisman trophy nominee.

19. Virginia Tech (5-1, 2-0)

The Hokies have bounced back after letting Tyrod Taylor take over for Sean Glennon. He hasn't been a wonder throwing the ball, but his versatile presence has allowed the Hokies to take the reign of the ACC Coastal Division.

They've beaten both of the other two-loss teams in their division, UNC and Georgia Tech. and appear to be a lock to play in the ACC Championship Game.

First Half MVP: QB Tyrod Taylor. The truth is, he hasn't played much better than Glennon, but he has given the Hokies a burst of fresh energy.

20. Ball State (7-0, 4-0)

Three of their next five games are against the Michigans, and that should help weed out who is and isn't for real in the MAC, but as of right now the Cardinals look like the cream of the crop.

With an efficient passer and a talented running back, the Cards might have an outside shot at a BCS game, provided BYU, Boise, and Utah all tumble.

First Half MVP: QB Nate Davis. The junior had an exceptional year in '07 and looks poised to make a run for the next MAC QB to make it to the pros.