College Football Rankings: October 20th

Moving on up....Pittsburgh, Utah, TCU, Tulsa, Ohio State, USF and Oklahoma State.

On the outs....LSU, Kansas, Missouri, BYU, Michigan State and Virginia Tech.

1. Alabama (7-0 4-0) LW:1

Bama survived yet again. Much like Memphis free throw issues, you just know that their inability to score in the second half is going to come back to haunt them at some point. I like em to beat Tennessee by more than most people. Crimson Tide 31-13.

2. Texas (7-0 3-0) LW:2

Yeah, Texas beat another top 10 opponent. But they aren't exactly playing defensive specialists. Alabama is that...therefore they get the nod. They get OK State this week. They'll make it three for three against the top 10. Longhorns 42-27.

3. Oklahoma (6-1 2-1) LW:3

They handily beat Kansas, and re-established themselves as the top one-loss team in the country. With an offense like this, I don't see them losing again. Sadly, that might not be enough to get them into their own conference championship game, much less the BCS championship game. They get K-State, which they should handle easily. Sooners 54-22.

4.Florida (6-1 4-1) LW:5

You can't beat LSU by 30 and stay in the same spot...even if USC does hang 69 on Wazzu. This is what the Gators offense should look like ALL the time. They have so many weapons. They have me jonesing for a Texas-UF championship game. They play Kentucky this week after a bye. Expect them to look good. Gators 49-13.

5. USC (5-1 2-1) LW:4

Yeah they won by 69 and hung a load of yards on Wazzu...but it was Wazzu and not LSU. They appear to be getting back on track though, which is good...but bad, for Pac-10 teams. Going to Arizona looks like a trap game, but USC won't let that happen twice. USC 52-16.

6. Penn State (8-0 4-0) LW:6

They really exploded in the 2nd half. I mean REALLY! This week's game should be the best shot they have to prove how good they really are. Given that OSU is starting a freshman who hasn't played a BIG time game yet, I think if they could ever get it done, this would be the year. Playing AT Ohio State should be tough though. Expect a close one. PSU 24-22.

7. Georgia (6-1 3-1) LW:7

Georgia did what they had to. I just wished they looked better. Hands down, Georgia is the most BORING team to watch in college football. Yes, they have one of the most exciting running backs and quite possibly the #1 pick in the draft. Still boring. Come on Georgia, thrill me. A great showing against LSU would thrill me. Bulldogs 31-17.

8. Texas Tech (7-0 3-0) LW:10

Tech inherits the spot held by BYU. Ouch. Poor Cougars. Again, I'm feeling me some Texas Tech. I like Mike Leach's risky play-calling and the intensity of Graham Harrell. The boy just looks so amped, I find it hard to believe he'll let them lose...to anybody. They get another chance to look strong this week against Kansas. They will. Red Raiders 44-30.

9. Ohio State (7-1 4-0) LW:12

I'll have to admit, the Buckeyes looked good vs Michigan State. Much better than I thought anyways. Pryor looked good, Beanie looked like Beanie, and the defense was intense. They should put up a real fight against Penn State. If they get an early lead, watch out. PSU 24-22.

10. Utah (8-0 4-0) LW:14

Utah inherits the top-10 non-BCS conference status from BYU. Let's hope they wear it better. They get an off week before New Mexico, and then only five days rest before they take on TCU. If they can find a way to score on the Horned Frogs offense, look out BCS!

11. Oklahoma State (7-0 3-0) LW:15

Mike Gundy at 41 is clearly better than Mike Gundy at 40! I guess I have them this low based on how I think they'll finish the season. I'm pretty sure this is as high as they'll get. Texas 42-27.

12. South Florida (6-1 1-1) LW:17

Hook 'em Bulls! I'm also high on South Florida. That loss to Pittsburgh is looking better and better too. I know they shouldn't be ranked as high as Pitt, but they beat Kansas, and Pitt lost to Bowling Green. Somehow it all makes sense. They take on Louisville and they should take it to the Cardinals. USF 39-20.

13. Boise State (6-0 2-0) LW:16

They got their revenge on Hawaii, and now they look hungry to beat San Jose State, in what essentially looks like the WAC Championship game. Kellen Moore just keeps impressing and that defense is just fantastic...and suffocating. They'll be amped for San Jose and should beat them pretty good. Broncos 40-21.

14. Pittsburgh (5-1 2-0) LW:NR

I think it's safe to say that if they played Bowling Green again, they would probably kill them by at least 20. Sometimes that's all it takes to wake a team up, and Pitt looks woken up. Their game in two weeks versus Notre Dame is shaping up to be a good one. This week they face Rutgers. Pitt 30-7.

15. Florida State (5-1 2-1) LW:NR

Christian Ponder appears to be the QB the Noles needed, but getting back to the ground game is what got the Noles back into the rankings. They didn't show up for their last big game (vs Wake) so this game should be a good gauge for how good they really are. Noles 22-16.

16. LSU (5-1 3-1) LW:11

This too might be a ranking that is prematurely affected by what I think is going to happen this weekend. Say what you will about Georgia, but I think they'll come to play against the Tigers. LSU finds a way to win games though, kudos to Les Miles. I don't think they'll get this one. Georgia 31-17.

17. TCU (7-1 4-0) LW:NR

Does any one-loss team have a better loss? Texas possibly, maybe Georgia, that's all. The Horned Frogs came to play against BYU and dominated from the get go, stifling Heisman candidate Max Hall. With this defense they should and probably will run the table, finishing with a shot at the BCS. This week's win will come against Wyoming. TCU 28-0.

18. Tulsa (7-0 4-0) LW:NR

Good Lord they have a HECK of an offense. Hanging 77 on UTEP? Goodness gracious. David Johnson is putting up video game numbers and is on pace for a measly 53 touchdowns. Nobody on their schedule can hang with them offensively, but they get possibly their only test against Arkansas next week. This week they'll manhandle UCF. Golden Hurricane 58-24.

19. Ball State (7-0 3-0) LW:20

The Cardinals keep on rolling. They save their toughest games for the end of the year versus the directional Michigans. This week they get Eastern Michigan, which should be no test at all. Cardinals 34-12.

20. Georgia Tech (6-1 3-1) LW:NR

Georgia Tech very well may be the best team in the ACC. And all this with their second leading receiver only catching FIVE passes. Oh well, they keep finding ways to win and are holding their last four opponents to less than ten points per game. They should tame Virginia this weekend. Yellow Jackets 27-13.