College Football Rankings: The Best 10 Teams No One Is Talking About

After one of the most exciting college football weekends of the year, the nation's Top 25 list has been shaken up considerably.

While it's the top-ranked programs that are getting all of the hype, there are still several dangerous teams nationwide that aren't getting nearly enough attention.

Here are the best 10 college football teams no one is talking about.

1. Cincinnati Bearcats

Current Record: 6-1 (2-0 Big East)

Notable Victories: N.C. State, USF

Call me a homer, but the Bearcats are for real. Cincinnati's explosive offense, led by running back Isaiah Pead, is averaging 41 points per game, while its fast-flying defense is giving up just 19. 

The Bearcats' only loss this season came against Tennessee in Week 2, and since then they have done nothing but dominate, beating the likes of Akron, North Carolina State, Miami (OH), Louisville and South Florida.

Cincinnati finally got some respect in the polls this week, earning the No. 24 spot in the AP rankings, and it should continue to climb higher and higher if it can keep things rolling.

2. Syracuse Orange

Current Record: 5-2 (1-1 Big East)

Notable Victories: Wake Forest, West Virginia

Syracuse is just a basketball school, right? Not so fast.

The Orange are off to a 5-2 start this season and are coming off a huge 26-point victory over No. 11 West Virginia. While they do have two losses, both came against respectable competition in USC and Rutgers.

The Big East looks to be wide open this season, and should it keep up the good work, Syracuse could realistically capture at least a share of the conference title.

3. Temple Owls

Current Record: 5-3 (3-2 MAC-East)

Notable Victories: Maryland

A 5-3 record in the MAC-East isn't necessarily anything to brag about, but having the No. 9 rushing attack in the nation certainly is.

Temple is averaging a ridiculous 252.1 yards per game on the ground this season, and its defense isn't half-bad either. The Owls are second in the nation in points allowed, giving up just around 10 points per contest.

They did suffer two tough losses at the hands of Bowling Green and Toledo, but a 38-7 win over Maryland and a close 14-10 loss to No. 21 Penn State have to be respected. If Temple can knock off 5-3 Ohio next week it could inch awfully close to a spot in the Top 25.

4. Miami Hurricanes

Current Record: 4-3

Notable Victories: Ohio State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina

Miami may never get back to their glory days of the early 2000s, but it still poses a formidable threat to anyone in the nation. Senior quarterback Jacory Harris and his Hurricanes have lost three games by a total of just 18 points, and they're a much stronger team than their record suggests.

The past two weeks have been huge for the Hurricanes, as they have won two straight against North Carolina and Georgia Tech heading into a tough matchup with 4-3 Virginia on Thursday night.

Look for Miami to end the season on a big run and possibly break back into the Top 25 before it's all said and done.

5. BYU Cougars

Current Record: 6-2

Notable Victories: Mississippi, UCF

Since dropping back-to-back games to Texas and Utah early in the season, Brigham Young has won five straight in impressive fashion.

The Cougars are improving week after week, as evidenced by their 56-3 massacre of Idaho State last week, and should they continue to improve they could crack the Top 25 in no time. 

Next up for BYU is a prime-time, Friday night showdown at TCU.

6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Current Record: 5-2 (2-1 Big East)

Notable Victories: Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Ohio

Rutgers' hopes of a big-time bowl berth looked a lot better before losing to Louisville last week, but it's still one of the most dangerous teams in the Big East Conference and should be respected as such.

The Knights have notched victories over Syracuse, Pittsburgh and a talented Ohio University team, and they'll have a chance to prove themselves once again next week as they play host to No. 25 West Virginia.

7. Southern Methodist Mustangs

Current Record: 5-2 (3-1 Conference USA)

Notable Victories: TCU, UCF

They got knocked off by Southern Miss last week, but don't let that one hiccup fool you. SMU is having a seriously impressive 2011 campaign.

With wins over TCU and Central Florida already under their belt, the Mustangs are poised to compete not only for a Conference USA title, but for a big-time bowl berth as well.

Keep an eye out for SMU as they inch closer and closer toward a BCS ranking.

8. Ohio State Buckeyes

Current Record: 4-3 (1-2 Big Ten)

Notable Victories: Illinois

Columbus, Ohio is up in arms about its precious Buckeyes' rough start, but Ohio State is still Ohio State—it's going to be OK.

The Buckeyes are coming off of much-needed 17-7 victory over previously undefeated Illinois, and they have a chance to make a huge statement this week against a Wisconsin team that is fresh off a heartbreaking loss.

Ohio State could still have a respectable season if it can pick up a few late-season victories.

9. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

Current Record: 6-1 (2-1 Conference USA)

Notable Victories: Virginia, Southern Methodist

Southern Mississippi is just a little school from the Conference USA, but it certainly isn't playing like it.

The Golden Eagles have won six of their first seven, including upsets over Virginia and Southern Methodist, and are ranked in the Top 25 in rushing yards per game, points per game and points allowed per game. They still have games against Central Florida and East Carolina left to play, and should they win those, the nation won't be sleeping on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles much longer.

10. Iowa Hawkeyes

Current Record: 5-2 (2-1 Big Ten)

Notable Victories: Pittsburgh, Northwestern

Iowa has been overshadowed in the Big Ten by Wisconsin, Michigan State and the rest of the conference's powerhouse programs, but don't count the Hawkeyes out just yet.

Their lone Big Ten loss came at the hands of No. 21 Penn State, and Iowa has looked impressive in consecutive wins over Northwestern and Indiana. While it probably doesn't have much of a shot at the Big Ten title, Iowa should not be overlooked in the big picture.