My B/R Top 25 (Nov. 9)

1. Alabama (previous: 1) 10-0; beat No. 16 LSU 27-21 (OT)

A very workmanlike performance by the 'Tide; without the gift-wrapped presents from LSU's Jarrett Lee (including a "peek seeks"), they would've been in trouble in Death Valley. Throw in a missed field goal by 'Bama kicker Leigh Tiffin at the end of regulation, and the Fightin' Sabans have a lot to work on before next week's game vs. Mississippi State.
 
2. Texas Tech (previous: 2) 10-0; beat No. 9 Oklahoma State 56-20

A stark contrast to their fellow table-toppers, the Red Raiders are coach Mike Leach's own personal aerial assault force. There's something about this team that makes me nervous about them finishing undefeated; it's as if it's been too smooth (except against Texas) and with the breaks falling their way. But all credit to them for being here at this point. Next week is a bye, followed by a sterner test than Texas (!): @ No. 4 Oklahoma on Nov. 22.

3. Texas (previous: 4) 9-1; beat Baylor 45-21

The goal of the Longhorns is to win out: @ Kansas this week, and vs. Texas A&M on Nov. 27. Unfortunately, they also have to hope that No. 2 Texas Tech stumbles against No. 4 Oklahoma, but not so badly that Oklahoma (or anyone else) leaps over the 'Horns into the choice No. 2 spot (Nov. 22 is a bye for the 'Horns). Even if they don't make it to the Big XII title game, Texas still is on course for a BCS at-large spot.

4. Oklahoma (previous: 5) 9-1; beat Texas A&M 66-28

Oklahoma is demonstrating in points what it can't necessarily demonstrate in words: "Hey, we're as good as the competition!" The loss against No. 3 Texas still counts against them as long as both teams keep winning, but the Sooners also have a tougher road to the end of the season: after a bye this week, they host No. 2 Texas Tech on Nov. 22, and travel to No. 13 Oklahoma State on Nov. 29.

5. Florida (previous: 6) 8-1; beat Vanderbilt 42-14

Another one-loss team that is seeking to establish "poll cred" by thrashing opponents on the field, the Gators left little doubt that they are the class of the SEC East. The date with Alabama in the SEC title game is now set, but there are still *three* regular season games left to play: this week vs. No. 24 South Carolina, Nov. 22 vs. The Citadel (!), and Nov. 29 @ non-conference rival No. 22 Florida State.

6. USC (previous: 7) 8-1; beat No. 25 California 17-3

It's not that the Trojans are that bad; it's that the teams ahead of them are that good. Pete Carroll seems to realize that running up the score against the teams from the Evergreen state didn't count for much, and perhaps the team was retooling ahead of the Cal game, getting new "looks" ready for the crunch games ahead. Either that, or Cal's defense is pretty impressive. Heh.

7. Utah (previous: 8) 10-0; beat No. 12 TCU 13-10

It was a tough call whether to put Penn State at No. 7, but I decided instead to give Utah credit for holding off a TCU team that has already shown it has a fierce defense. This is the second 13-10 win for the Utes, so to impress the finicky pollsters they will try to pile the points on this week @ San Diego St., before facing "Holy War" rival No. 16 BYU on Nov. 22.

8. Penn State (previous: 3) 9-1; lost to Iowa 23-24

As the Beavers are to the Trojans, and the Missy State Bulldogs are to the Gators, so the Hawkeyes are to the Nittany Lions. *Dangerous*. The loss, though slim, is a potentially fatal blow to PSU's title hopes, unless there is mass carnage in the last three weeks of the regular season. A lot of things would have to go Joe Pa's way for him to end up in Miami instead of Pasadena. And depending on the result vs. No. 17 Michigan State, even Pasadena isn't a given.

9. Boise State (previous: 10) 9-0; beat Utah State 49-14

With four non-title BCS bowl games, Boise State has a good shot at landing a BCS berth should it win out, regardless of what happens with Utah. I picture the logjam of teams below them gritting their teeth with each successive WAC win. Well, perhaps those teams shouldn't schedule Youngstown State, Georgia Southern, SE Missouri State, or (formerly known as SW) Missouri State. Just sayin'...

10. Ohio State (previous: 11) 8-2; beat No. 19 Northwestern 45-10

The Buckeyes are now within a Terrell Pryor hip-fake of the Nittany Lions, but they most likely need Michigan State to help them out in a couple weeks to have a shot at the Rose Bowl. The two remaining games (this week @ Illinois and Nov. 22 vs. Michigan) are quite winnable, and a 10-2 finish *should* be enough for a BCS bowl game. In most years, that is; Boise State might spoil the Bucks' postseason party.

11. Georgia (previous: 13) 8-2; beat Kentucky 42-38

Another "NIT" team (in an eight-team playoff scenario), the 'Dawgs cut it too close against Kentucky, but it always helps to have Knowshon Moreno in the backfield. The remaining games are this week @ Auburn, and Nov. 29 vs. rival Georgia Tech. Much like Ohio State, Georgia has a good chance of finishing 10-2, but missing out on a BCS berth.

12. Missouri (previous: 15) 8-2; beat Kansas State 41-24

With Kansas' loss to Nebraska, Missouri is even more a favorite to win the Big XII North (and to be demolished by whomever wins the Big XII South). The two remaining games are this week @ Iowa State, and Nov. 29 vs. Kansas at neutral Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. I consider the Tigers to have the best shot of "throwing a spanner into the works" of the BCS title game, if they can upset the Big XII South winner. That would be the reverse of last year's Oklahoma win knocking Mizzou out of the title game picture.

13. Oklahoma State (previous: 9) 8-2; lost to No. 2 Texas Tech 20-56

The margin of the loss is what leads me to place the Cowboys below No. 12 Missouri, despite having beaten the Tigers earlier in the season. Granted, they've only lost to teams that were No. 1 and No. 2 when they played them. In the pecking order of the Big XII South, though, the Cowboys are now fourth, and compared to Missouri, have much less of a shot at the Big XII title game or a BCS bowl.

14. Ball State (previous: 14) 9-0; beat Northern Illinois 45-14

Ball State could beat the rest of their regular season opponents and I'd still have them at No. 14... ok, well I *might* move them up to No. 13 if the teams ahead of them end up doing *really* badly. With Utah and Boise State within range of going to BCS bowls, though, Ball State should (a) move to the Big East and try to snag the automatic berth, or (b) schedule non-conference games against SEC teams instead of Big "11" teams.

15. TCU (previous: 12) 9-2; lost to No. 8 Utah 10-13

TCU was unlucky against Utah, but it's better to be unlucky than bad. The Utes benefitted from a sellout crowd, and their "blackout" uniforms worked better than Georgia's did. The "Horny Toads" can still hold their heads high, and finish out their season with a flourish vs. 8-2 Air Force on Nov. 22. In the meantime, work on the kicking game, OK?

16. BYU (previous: 17) 9-1; beat San Diego State 41-12

The Cougars are back in their groove on offense. Two games remain, both on the road: this week @ Air Force, and the "Holy War" @ No. 7 Utah on Nov. 22.

17. Michigan State (previous: 18) 9-2; beat Purdue 21-7

Sparty keeps plugging away, adding to the win column. Two more rushing TDs from the "Human Timex", Javon Ringer. The Spartans have an outside shot at the Rose Bowl, but they will have to win @ No. 8 Penn State for their Pasadena dreams to come true.

18. North Carolina (previous: 20) 7-2; beat No. 22 Georgia Tech 28-7

The Tar Heels look more like the class of the ACC with each passing week. The win over Georgia Tech in what looked like Tennessee Titans (or Toronto Argonauts) uniforms was comfortable. The remaining schedule is favorable: this week @ Maryland, Nov. 22 vs. N.C. State, and Nov. 29 @ rival Duke. Just don't wear that dark blue too much, OK guys? It looks too close to that blue down the road in Durham...

19. LSU (previous: 16) 6-3; lost to No. 1 Alabama 21-27 (OT)

The Tigers lost a heartbreaker to he-who-must-not-be-named and SEC West rival Alabama. It was heartbreaking because the game was definitely winnable. But then, poor Tiger QB Jarrett Lee threw his fourth pick... in overtime. Next up: Troy. WTF?!? Half the Top 25 seems to play Troy each year! *shaking head*

20. Cincinnati (previous: NR) 7-2; beat No. 23 West Virginia 26-23 (OT)

The Big East and the ACC are like mortgage-backed securities... no one wants control of them right now. Right now, there is a three-way tie between Cincinnati, West Virginia, and Pittsburgh. The win on the road @ West Virginia should alert the nation to Brian Kelly's Bearcats. He has them working hard, especially on special teams, such as the 100-yard opening kickoff by Marshwan Gilyard (pictured).

The Bearcats did let their lead slip and went to overtime, but pulled out the win. They're peaking at the right time... at the END of the season. And in a weak conference such as the Big East, that might just get them an automatic BCS berth. You can direct your letters of complaint to the president of your favorite college or university...

21. Pittsburgh (previous: NR) 7-2; beat Louisville 41-7

Um, well, Pitt is in the driver's seat in the Big East. ;-) They just have to beat No. 20 Cincinnati on the road this week, beat West Virginia in the "Backyard Brawl" in Pittsburgh on Nov. 28, and for good measure win the game Dec. 6 @ Connecticut. There, that's not so hard, is it?

22. Florida State (previous: NR) 7-2; beat Clemson 41-27

Florida State could win the ACC Atlantic and finish 10-2...OK, 9-3... the game vs. No. 5 Florida on Nov. 29 is gonna be tough. Or the 'Noles could flail and finish 7-5. This week's game vs. Boston College and the game Nov. 22 game @ Maryland are not sure things. Even if they win the Atlantic Division, the likely matchup with No. 18 North Carolina in the ACC title game will not be easy.

23. Oregon State (previous: NR) 6-3; beat UCLA 34-6

And here we have the rotating "Pac-10 honorable mention" award. This week, it's the Beavers from Oregon State. Perhaps you've heard of them, they caused a "power" program a big heap o' trouble a couple months ago. At 5-1 in conference, *this* OSU (the third in the Top 25) is waiting to grab the Roses if a certain "power" program (a) stumbles again or (b) ends up in the BCS title game.

24. South Carolina (previous: NR) 7-3; beat Arkansas 34-21

Well whaddya know, the Ol' Ball Coach still has a thing or two to prove. Or he can coach a team to a bowl game in his sleep, while dreaming of playing the back nine at Augusta or Pebble Beach... this week @ No. 5 Florida should be an interesting game regardless of the result. Then a week off (golf?), followed by the traditional rivalry game Nov. 29 @ Clemson.

25. Northwestern (previous: 19) 7-3; lost to No. 11 Ohio State 10-45

Yes, the Wildcats were flattened by the Buckeyes. No, they don't have a chance of nabbing the conference title now. They were missing RB Omar Conteh, and the Bucks' defense zeroed in on QB (and cool name nominee) Mike Kafka. It came down to Northwestern or Minnesota for this place, and the Wildcats edge it on head-to-head. Remaining games are this week @ Michigan, and Nov. 22 vs. Illinois.

Dropped out: No. 21 Minnesota (7-3), No. 22 Georgia Tech (7-3), No. 23 West Virginia (6-3), No. 24 Maryland (6-3), No. 25 California (6-3).