College Football Top 20 Rankings: Oct. 28

Moving on up...Florida State, Maryland, TCU, Tulsa, Minnesota (yeah...Minnesota)

On the outs...Ohio State, LSU, Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech

1. Texas (8-0, 4-0) LW:2

This was probably a long time coming, but I just needed to see if Texas could make it through their brutal stretch unscathed. They have so far, Colt McCoy is the probable Heisman winner, and Texas appears headed to the National Championship game.

NOT SO FAST! I've been saying ALL season how much I like me some Texas Tech. This game could turn out to be one of the best of the season. After finally reaching the top spot, THIS is the game I see Texas losing.

Red Raiders, 41-34

2. Alabama (8-0, 5-0) LW:1

Bama handled Tennessee, something I expected them to do quite handily, so no surprise for me there. But following that game up with...Arkansas State? Come on.

Bama looks ready to run the gauntlet and make it a Texas-Bama championship game. BUT they have to get by the rest of the SEC first, including the league championship game.

Crimson Tide, 52-3

3. Penn State (9-0, 5-0) LW:6

Penn State beat Ohio State playing like Ohio State. While I would have preferred to see more points, it was nice to see that the Nittany Lions could win a game that they didn't dominate. Games like this make or break national title contenders.

They get a well-deserved bye this week before a match with Iowa that could be a closer game than many expect.

4. Oklahoma (7-1, 3-1) LW:3

Oklahoma didn't do anything wrong by hanging 58 on Kansas State. Sam Bradford had another stellar game, and the running game showed up big time. They get a Nebraska team which is capable of scoring some points, but Oklahoma has given up 66 points in its last two games and still won both. They win this one too.

Sooners, 49-28

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

I have no doubt that if Florida wins out and takes the SEC Championship, they will play Texas if they go undefeated or Penn State for the BCS Championship. They have just continued to look dominant like they should have all season. Percy Harvin is on his game, and the running back committee looks like a legitimate threat to score every time they touch the ball.

Florida takes on Georgia this weekend in the World's Largest Cocktail Party, but I suspect the Gators are going to be the only ones celebrating come Sunday.

Gators, 43-32

6. USC (6-1, 4-1) LW:5

USC showed grit against Arizona, and it appears more and more evident that if they are able to snatch a spot in the BCS Championship game, it will be because of their defense. Mark Sanchez finally getting to 100 percent will be the key to them finishing the season with only one loss.

They play Washington this week, and it should resemble the Washington State game.

Trojans, 56-7

7. Texas Tech (8-0, 4-0) LW:8

Tech continues to roll and to look like they might be a serious threat this year after numerous years of pretending. No one can stop Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree, and while their defense does give up almost as many points as their offense scores, they force teams into making mistakes because they're always playing from behind.

I actually expect them to show up to play Texas in Lubbock this weekend and to pull the upset.

Red Raiders, 41-34

8. Georgia (7-1, 4-1) LW:7

Beating LSU just ain't what it used to be. Normally I would give the Bulldogs big props for beating LSU the way they did, but LSU just doesn't have the QB play to hang with the big boys...make that SCORE with the big boys.

Georgia has a big time game with Florida this weekend to see who will most likely be the rep from the East in the SEC Championship game, and they definitely look good heading to Jacksonville. Expect a good game, but a Gators victory.

Gators, 43-32

9. Utah (8-0, 4-0) LW:10

Utah and Boise State move up one spot each due to attrition: Texas beat Oklahoma State, Georgia beat LSU, Penn State beat Ohio State. Both appear in a prime spot to snag a BCS bid. The question is, will there only be one spot for the two teams? Utah still has to face TCU, but they take on New Mexico first. They should handle the Lobos.

Utes, 49-10

10. Boise State (7-0, 3-0) LW:11

Boise State easily handled San Jose State in what was thought to be a possible stumbling block. Again, this defense just refused to yield, while uber-frosh Kellen Moore continued to play mistake-free ball, tossing three more scores. He very well should end up as a freshman All-American.

Boise gets New Mexico State this weekend, who should be still struggling to figure out how they lost to Idaho last week. Expect a blowout AND a shutout.

Broncos, 54-0

11. Florida State (6-1, 4-1) LW:15

Has FSU finally made it back? Are they once again the big time program we all wish them to be? Last week's game against Va. Tech makes me say yes. What makes it hard to confirm that is the fact that the Hokies were down to their third string QB in the game.

Regardless, the Noles look like the team to beat in the ACC right now, which says more about the conference than this team. I have faith in them though. They take on Georgia Tech in yet another test for this young team.

Seminoles, 35-21

12. TCU (8-1, 5-0) LW:17

People thought the Horned Frogs might struggle after their upset of BYU. Boy, did they prove those folks wrong. TCU manhandled Wyoming and this week gets another softie against UNLV, although the Rebs gave BYU some trouble.

The real prize though, lies five days after the game against UNLV, when the Frogs take on Utah in a Thursday night special.

Horned Frogs, 41-3

13. Minnesota (7-1, 3-1) LW:NR

Minnesota just keeps beating people, making it hard not to rank them. Adam Weber simply refuses to let this team lose and is quite possibly the best QB nobody seems to know about.

Tim Brewster's squad is playing tough-nosed football, and he appears to be a likely candidate to bring home coach of the year awards if the Gophers continue their run. Call me an optimist this weekend as they take on Northwestern.

Golden Gophers, 34-24

14. Tulsa (8-0, 5-0) LW:18

This offense might be the most devastating since mid-'90s Nebraska. David Johnson is playing out of his mind, and it doesn't seem to matter who you throw at them—they steamroll everybody.

They face their toughest test of the year this weekend against Arkansas, who will be sure to try to keep the ball away from the Hurricane, milking Michael Smith all they can. I expect a lower point total, but a win regardless for Tulsa.

Golden Hurricane, 33-16

15. Oklahoma State (7-1, 4-1) LW:11

While it was disappointing, last week's loss to Texas doesn't end the Cowboys' season. They can still run the table the rest of the way if they play like they have. They should get a confidence booster this weekend against Iowa State.

Cowboys, 52-17

16. Ball State (8-0, 5-0) LW:19

The Cardinals hold a special place in my heart. My grandfather went there and we both share the same name, Ball.

They continue to roll along undefeated, but the toughest part of their schedule starts this weekend with Northern Illinois. If they can get by in this one, they get a cakewalk against Miami-Ohio and then finish the season with quality games against Central and Western Michigan.

Cardinals, 28-14

17. Michigan State (7-2, 4-1) LW:NR

Yeah, they only beat Michigan, which doesn't seem all that impressive these days, but I've been high on the Spartans all season long. I like Mark Dantonio's no-nonsense style of play, and Javon Ringer is arguably the best running back in the nation. If the QB play remains steady, they can run the table the rest of the way.

They host Wisconsin this week and should score a win.

Spartans, 27-11

18. Maryland (6-2, 3-1) LW:NR

Maryland is harder to figure out than the Friday Sudoku in USA Today, but they have strung together two strong victories, and I'm high on them headed into the Virginia Tech game, especially with Tech's QB situation a mess. After Tech they face North Carolina and FSU, which should unmuddle the ACC championship race.

Terrapins, 32-14

19. BYU (7-1, 3-1) LW:NR

BYU still has some firepower and can still do lots of damage. If Utah is able to take down TCU next Thursday, BYU could play spoiler much like TCU did to them. First, though, they have to beat Colorado State this week, which they'll do, and then take down San Diego State and Air Force. The latter should be a good game.

Cougars, 57-20

20. Ohio State (7-2, 4-1) LW:9

Ohio State played tough against Penn State, but their inexperience at QB cost them. Nothing against Terrelle Pryor. He looks like the next Vince Young, but no one can expect him to come in and lead the Bucks to the promised land right away. Even Tim Tebow had Chris Leak. OSU gets the week off before a matchup with Northwestern. 

Last week's picks: 13-3

Combined weeks' picks: 13-3