College Football Rankings 2011: Breaking Down the AP and Coaches Poll Top 25

The AP and USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll have both been released as has Bleacher Report’s own official Top 25 which you can view here.

As always, there are certain teams that get over and underrated. There are also some placements that beg the question: “What were you thinking?”

Here is a breakdown of every spot in the Top 25.

25)

AP Poll – TCU

Wait, what? How is TCU still ranked? At least Baylor is ranked ahead of them.

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – TCU

How is Baylor not ranked above them? Come on, coaches.

Bleacher Report Poll – South Florida 

24)

AP Poll – Texas

It took a little while for the Longhorns to get going, but they eventually beat Rice 34-9.

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – West Virginia

The Mountaineers beat Marshall 34-13.

Bleacher Report Poll – Penn State 

23)

AP Poll – Penn State

The Nittany Lions put a beat down on Indiana State 41-7. A game next week against Alabama will be a much tougher test.

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Arizona State

The Sun Devils had a plethora of injuries, but it didn't stop them from beating UC Davis 48-14. I'm not sure how this team didn't get ranked by the AP.

Bleacher Report Poll – Southern Cal 

22)

AP Poll – South Florida

The Bulls finally get some credit for knocking off Notre Dame on the road. They went unranked by the coaches.

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Auburn

Surely you're joking, coaches. Only dropping three spots?

Bleacher Report Poll – Arizona State 

21)

AP Poll – Missouri

The Tigers remain at 21 after an unimpressive win against Miami of Ohio.

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Texas

Bleacher Report Poll – Baylor

20)

AP Poll – Baylor

The Bears finally seeing some credit for beating TCU 50-48.

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Penn State

Bleacher Report Poll – Missouri

19)

AP Poll – West Virginia

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Missouri

Bleacher Report Poll – West Virginia 

18)

AP Poll – Florida

The Gators beat Florida Atlantic 41-3. Will Muschamp seems to be on the right track with the program.

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Florida

Bleacher Report Poll – Florida

17)

AP Poll – Michigan State

The Spartans failed to wow against Youngstown State and stay at the same spot from last week.

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Mississippi State

The Bulldogs move up three spots after putting on a clinic at Memphis with DT Fletcher Cox.

Bleacher Report Poll – Michigan State

16)

AP Poll – Mississippi State

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Michigan State

Bleacher Report Poll – Ohio State

15)

AP Poll – Ohio State

The Buckeyes seriously impressed against Akron, holding the Zips to a shutout and allowing only 90 yards.

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Ohio State

Bleacher Report Poll – Mississippi State 

14)

AP Poll – Arkansas

It's surprising that the Hogs didn't move up more than one, considering TCU's loss. They dismantled Missouri State 51-7.

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Oregon

The Ducks falls all the way to 14 after getting solidly beaten by Oregon on Saturday.

Bleacher Report Poll – Oregon 

13)

AP Poll – Oregon

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Arkansas

Bleacher Report Poll – South Carolina

12)

AP Poll – South Carolina

The Gamecocks looked in trouble early against East Carolina, but came back to win 56-37.

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – South Carolina

Bleacher Report Poll – Arkansas

11)

AP Poll – Virginia Tech

David Wilson led the Hokies to a dominating victory over FCS powerhouse Appalachian State 66-13.

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Virginia Tech

Bleacher Report Poll – Virginia Tech

10)

AP Poll – Nebraska

The Cornhuskers cruised to a 40-7 win over Chattanooga. Taylor Martinez looked as sharp as he did early last season. 

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Nebraska 

Bleacher Report Poll – Nebraska

9th

AP Poll – Oklahoma State

The Pokes' offense looked as potent as ever against Louisiana-Lafayette, racking up 666 yards and 61 points. 

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Wisconsin

Wisconsin absolutely demolished UNLV on Thursday night 51-17. Montee Ball and James White are the real deal at running back.  

Bleacher Report Poll – Oklahoma State

8th

AP Poll – Wisconsin  

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Texas A&M

The Aggies started off slow against SMU but once they figured them out, it got out of hand quickly. 

Bleacher Report Poll – Wisconsin

7th

AP Poll – Texas A&M 

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Oklahoma State 

Bleacher Report Poll – Texas A&M

6th

AP Poll – Stanford

Andrew Luck led the Cardinal to an impressive 57-3 victory over San Jose State. 

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Stanford  

Bleacher Report Poll – Stanford

5th

AP Poll – Florida State

The Seminoles' offense didn't wow, but the defense was good enough to preserve a shut-out and a top 5 ranking.  

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Boise State

It's surprising that the coaches only put Boise at five, considering they were one of only a couple teams to beat a ranked team this weekend.  

Bleacher Report Poll – Florida State

4th

AP Poll – Boise State 

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Florida State  

Bleacher Report Poll – Boise State

3rd

AP Poll – Alabama

The defense was as good as advertised against Kent State, but their five turnovers dropped the Tide down to third. 

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – LSU

The Tigers played a complete game against Oregon and won 40-27 

Bleacher Report Poll – Alabama

2nd

AP Poll – LSU 

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Alabama 

Bleacher Report Poll – LSU

1st

AP Poll – Oklahoma

The Sooners stay at the top spot after handily beating Tulsa 47-14. Dominique Whaley was the surprise performer of the game, as the walk-on ran for 131 yards on 18 carries. 

USA Today/ESPN  Poll – Oklahoma 

Bleacher Report Poll – Oklahoma