College Football Rankings 2011: Updating the Undefeated Teams

After six weeks of college football, we are are down to 13 unbeaten teams out of a possible 120 FBS schools.

12 of the remaining 13 were ranked heading into Week 6, but the 13th school should enter the Top 25 this week.

To that end, here is an update of all the remaining schools left fighting for a chance at perfection.

Clemson Tigers: 6-0, ACC

Last Week: 36-14 over Boston College

This Week: at Maryland (2-3)

Arguably the biggest surprise this season, but nonetheless, much deserving of their Top 10 ranking.

The 6-0 Clemson Tigers are playing with more confidence each week, and it all began in the midst of a quick stretch where they defeated three-straight ranked opponents.

With Georgia Tech and South Carolina being the only ranked opponents left on the schedule, the Tigers could very well finish undefeated.

And, the Oct. 29 game against the Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium may be a prequel to the 2011 ACC championship game.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: 6-0, ACC

Last Week: 21-16 over Maryland

This Week: at Virginia (3-2)

Definitely also a surprise along with fellow ACC school Clemson, but nonetheless, just more reasons why college football is so great.

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have climbed up the ranks very quickly, and although they haven't completely dominated any of their ACC opponents, the Yellow Jackets are finding ways to win which is all that matters.

Plus, it helps having the nation's No. 1 ranked rushing offense (378.2 ypg), as well as a Top-10 scoring offense (ranked No. 6, 46.5 ppg).

Everyone will be watching their Oct. 29 game against Clemson at Bobby Dodd Stadium, so let's hope for the sake of college football drama that both schools are undefeated heading into their Week 9 matchup.

Kansas State Wildcats: 5-0, Big 12

Last Week: 24-17 over Missouri

This Week: at Texas Tech (4-1)

One of three Big 12 school's left undefeated, the Kansas State Wildcats have won three consecutive big games (at Miami, Baylor and Missouri) to get to 5-0.

Winning over the Hurricanes was a huge confidence booster. Then upsetting then-ranked No. 15 Baylor was clutch. And this past week the Wildcats avoided a hangover loss from the Missouri Tigers.

Week 7 will be another big test as Texas Tech just barely lost to Texas A&M.

However, as long as coach Bill Snyder's team keeps winning soundly, there's a very good chance we could see the Wildcats put a 7-0 record on the line against the Oklahoma Sooners at home in late October.

Oklahoma Sooners: 5-0, Big 12

Last Week: 55-17 over Texas

This Week: at Kansas (2-3)

After completely smashing the Texas Longhorns in The Red River Rivalry, the Oklahoma Sooners won't lose to anyone if they play that way each week, no matter who's opposite of them.

And the scariest part about Oklahoma is that they still have a lot of improving to do, as evidenced by not only the slow start against Texas, but the special teams as well (gave up a kickoff return for a TD).

That being said, four ranked teams still remain on the schedule (Kansas State, Texas A&M, Baylor and Oklahoma State), all of which are capable of defeating the Sooners.

However, as we all know, until coach Bob Stoops and Co. are actually knocked off, the Big 12 runs through Norman, OK. Period.

Oklahoma State Cowboys: 5-0, Big 12

Last Week: 70-28 over Kansas

This Week: at Texas (4-1)

Sure it may be Kansas, but putting up 35 first-quarter points and 56 total first-half points against anyone in the FBS-BCS level is pretty impressive.

It's also clear that the Oklahoma State Cowboys are beginning to play full games because in the Texas A&M game, they were down 20-3 at halftime.

Now coming back to win was big, but can you imagine how that game would have gone if the Cowboys played a full 60 minutes?

In any event, Oklahoma State is becoming a more complete team with each game, and playing at Texas this week will be another solid test.

But, if Oklahoma State plays every game like the second half against the Aggies and the first half against the Jayhawks (sat starters in second half), they could contend for a national title.

Illinois Fighting Illinni: 6-0, Big Ten

Last Week: 41-20 over Indiana

This Week: vs Ohio State (3-3)

The 17-14 home win over then-ranked No. 22 Arizona State proves that the Illini can win big games against good teams.

This week is another test as Ohio State visit Champaign, IL. And don't be fooled by the Buckeyes record as they've been gradually improving each week.

That said, the Illini are arguably the most surprising undefeated school, but having a rather favorable schedule does help.

Regardless, 6-0 is 6-0, and with Michigan and Wisconsin as the only ranked schools left on the schedule, coach Ron Zook could have his team 9-0 before that important two-game stretch at home in mid-November.

Michigan Wolverines: 6-0, Big Ten

Last Week: 42-24 over Northwestern

This Week: at Michigan State (4-1)

This 18-point win over Northwestern on the road was an enormous confidence booster because the Wolverines had yet to play away from the Big House in 2011.

In spite of that, however, in-state rival Michigan State is this week and you can bet the resident of East Lansing, MI will be prepared for the Wolverines.

It's arguably the biggest game of Week 7 and could very well determine which school becomes the immediate front-runner in the race for the Big Ten Legends Division championship.

If first-year head coach Brady Hoke and Big Blue win this game, finishing the regular season 12-0 becomes that much more of a reality.

Wisconsin Badgers: 5-0, Big Ten

Last Week: Bye, 48-17 over Nebraska in Week 5

This Week: vs Indiana (1-5)

Right now the Wisconsin Badgers are the team to beat in the Big Ten, and are also fighting for a national championship bid.

QB Russell Wilson is arguably a top-five Heisman candidate, and the defense has only allowed an average of 10 points per game.

The Fighting Illini are the only ranked school remaining on the schedule, but that game is in Champaign, IL. So that game at the moment looks to be the one that will determine who represents the Leaders Division in the inaugural Big Ten championship game.

However, as long as the Badgers play like the did against Nebraska, they can defeat anyone in the nation, regardless of the site.

Houston Cougars: 6-0, Conference USA

Last Week: 56-3 over East Carolina

This Week: Bye, vs Marshall (2-4) in Week 8

Alas, we come to the only undefeated team that was not ranked heading into Week 6—the Houston Cougars.

But, now that the Cougars are 6-0, they will be ranked heading into Week 7 and could possibly move up despite having a bye this week, provided they get some help.

What's hurting Houston, though, is there very weak schedule as they don't play one ranked school, and their biggest opponent was a 38-34 win over UCLA in Week 1.

Luckily, the Cougars should have no problem winning the Conference USA then, which should earn them a solid bowl game to say the least.

In turn, for the sake of Houston fans, going 14-0 this season should vehemently build for 2012 and earn the Cougars more preseason respect.

Boise State Broncos: 5-0, Mountain West

Last Week: 57-7 over Fresno State

This Week: at Colorado State (3-2)

What's currently hurting the Boise State Broncos—much like the Houston Cougars—is their weak schedule.

Only thing is, we know the Broncos can compete with virtually anyone in the country based on their solid win over then-ranked No. 19 Georgia in Week 1.

Also, with QB Kellen Moore as a Heisman candidate, and Mountain West play beginning this week, it will be interesting to see how Boise plays against better competition than the WAC on a week-to-week basis.

There's no doubt that the Broncos can earn a BCS bid, but the closer they inch to that No. 2 ranking will add more controversy to the BCS, which will hopefully get us fans a playoff system sooner than later.

Stanford Cardinal: 5-0, Pac-12

Last Week: 48-7 over Colorado

This Week: at Washington State (3-2)

It's somewhat hard to believe after six weeks of college football, but the Stanford Cardinal has yet to play a ranked opponent. And the only one on the schedule are the Oregon Ducks who, by the way, are very capable of stealing the Pac-12 North Division from them.

The Duke Blue Devils (3-2, can you believe it?) are the sole team with a winning record that Stanford has defeated, so how good are the Cardinal compared to the rest of their Top 10 brethren.

Well, they have at least dominated each game so there's no denying that Stanford was vastly superior. However, it will get interesting once they start playing solid Pac-12 schools such as Washington, Washington State and USC these next three weeks.

Alabama Crimson Tide: 6-0, SEC

Last Week: 34-0 over Vanderbilt

This Week: at Ole Miss (2-3)

Definitely has a case to be the current No.1 team in the land, but nonetheless, it's no secret the Crimson Tide are national title contenders.

To that end, the entire country is waiting for them to host the LSU Tigers on Nov. 5, which will arguably be 2011's real national championship.

The Tide have dominated every opponent this season, and their defense has only allowed an average of 8.4 ppg.

Alabama also hasn't allowed more than 14 (Arkansas), so be very surprised if anyone else (even LSU) puts up 20 on Nick Saban's defense.

LSU Tigers: 6-0, SEC

Last Week: 41-11 over Florida

This Week: at Tennessee (3-2)

If there's any school that has a case to be No. 1 over Oklahoma and Alabama, it's the LSU Tigers.

Through six games the Tigers are an obvious 6-0, but four of those wins have come against ranked opponents. And three of those wins over ranked opponents were away from Baton Rouge, LA.

This team could very well turn out to be the best LSU team in school history, and quite possibly one of the best single-season teams ever, especially the way the Bayou Bengals are winning against their ridiculously tough schedule.

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