Top 25: Week 11

1. Oklahoma (9-1) – Easy wins like last week's over Baylor should be repeated until the Sooners play for the Big 12 Championship

2. Oregon (8-1) – After a well deserved bye, the Ducks will look to avoid an upset over the next two weeks

3. Kansas (10-0) – Another convincing win at Oklahoma State keeps the Jayhawks undefeated. At this point it looks like the Big 12 is almost assured of a spot in the NC game.

4. West Virginia (8-1) – Pat White’s heroics led the Mountaineers past Louisville on Saturday. Playing at Cincy and returning home for UConn will test West Virginia’s mettle, and prove whether or not they belong in the top four.

5. LSU (9-1) – No style points for thrashing LA Teach. The Tigers should have no trouble with Old Miss next week, but they haven’t shown that they can separate from the rest of the SEC, making their final games against Arkansas, and either Georgia or Tennessee in the SEC championship potential upsets.

6. Missouri (9-1) – I’m already looking to see when tickets for NEXT year’s Mizzou – Kansas game go on sale! I have to see Chase Daniels and Todd Reesing myself. The Tigers must be careful though; this week’s game at K-State has “trap game” written all over it if they look ahead to Kansas.

7. Ohio State (10-1) – The Buckeyes losing wasn’t really a surprise, only because they hadn’t been very battle tested this season. The loser of this week’s game in Ann Arbor will likely be shut out of the BCS.

8. Arizona St (9-1) – The Sun Devils were able to rebound against UCLA, but must prove themselves when they host USC on Saturday to remain in the top 10.

9. Hawaii (9-0) – The Warriors remain undefeated, but at this point it looks like the voters are determined to keep them out of the BCS. No two-loss team deserves to be ranked over the Warriors. Don’t punish Hawaii when these other teams can’t handle their business, it isn’t fair.

10. Georgia (8-2) – Georgia has steadily climbed the rankings the past few weeks after four straight convincing wins (hear that LSU- convincing wins) over their last four SEC opponents. The Bulldogs are the best team in their conference right now, and will finish up their SEC schedule against Kentucky this week with a conference title appearance on the line.

11. Boise State (9-1) – Boise has been getting jumped a bit in most polls for not distinguishing themselves. They didn’t do much in that regard in their 52-0 spanking of Utah State over the weekend, but they should be fired up for Idaho this week before a chance to flex some muscle at Hawaii the week after.

12. V Tech (8-2) – Two strong wins heading into Miami (Fl) should keep the Hokies rolling. This is another trap scenario with the Virginia game two weeks away, and V Tech’s propensity to crap themselves against The Huricanes.

13. Virginia (9-2) – The Cavaliers get two weeks to get ready for the biggest game to hit Charlottesville’s Scott Stadium in years when the rival Hokies come to town. Virginia has been one of the biggest surprises in the country this year, and will look to continue their improbable run at an ACC championship in two weeks.

14. Florida (7-3) – Florida wrapped up their SEC schedule by smacking down the Ol’ Ball Coach on the road. It won’t be enough to keep them in the SEC picture, but a 10-win season is still in reach for Urban Meyer and the Gators.

15. Tennessee (7-3) – Tennessee will need some help to stay alive for the SEC title, but the high-flying Volls can do their part by beating Vandy this week.

16. Clemson (8-2) – The Tigers continue to roll, winning their forth straight by clobbering Wake Forrest. This week’s mach-up against BC is virtually an ACC semifinal.

17. USC (8-2) – The Trojans came away with a wet and sloppy road win at Cal, but will have to beat Arizona State to prove that they are still in the top three in the Pac-10.

18. Texas (9-2) – The Longhorn’s narrow victory over Texas Tech showed their vulnerability for the second week in a row. Their slim chance at a possible Big 12 title shot will be on the line as they travel to Kyle Field this week.

19. Michigan (8-3) – It’s hard to be too critical of the Wolverines for losing at Camp Randall without their starting QB or Mike Hart. Ohio State losing was huge for Michigan as well, because the Big 10 doesn’t have tie breakers, meaning that even if the Buckeyes and Wolverines both finished with the same record, Ohio St. still would likely have gone to the Rose Bowl even if they lost to Michigan. Luckily, that scenario has been avoided.

20. UConn (8-2) – The Huskies had a setback this week after being stifled by Cincy’s outstanding defense. The Big East emerged early this year as the best defensive conference in the nation (Rutgers, USF, & Cincy are all top 10 D’s) making it unrealistic to go undefeated in conference play, but UConn has a chance to show they belong when they finish the year @ UWV.

21. Illinois (8-3) – After upending Ohio State’s national title hopes, the Illini are definitely set in the right direction. QB Juice Williams and RB Rashard Mendanhall will be popular pre-season Heisman candidates in '08.

22. Wisconsin (8-3) – The Badgers held serve against Michigan last week and will likely finish the season with 10 wins.

23. Boston College (8-2) – BC’s season continues to unravel with consecutive losses to unranked teams. A trip to Clemson will either turn around a disappointing finish, or complete a total collapse.

24. BYU (7-2) – The Cougars remain at 24 after a hard fought win over TCU. A trap game awaits the Coug’s this week in Laramie, as they must avoid looking ahead to Utah against a Wyoming team that got embarrassed last week.

25. Penn St (8-3) – The Nittany Lion’s win over temple wont raise them in the rankings. Say what you will about the strength of the Big 10 conference, but they will place 10 teams in bowl games this year. That’s a solid accomplishment that the conference should be proud of.

Conference Breakdown: Pac 10 – 3 teams, Big 12 – 4 teams, Big 10 – 5 teams, Big East – 2 teams, ACC – 4 teams, SEC – 4 teams, Non-BCS – 3.

Top 25: Week 10

1. Oklahoma (8-1) – Against A & M, The Sooners scored over 40 points for the sixth time in nine games this season. Oklahoma is the best team top to bottom in the country, and even with a loss, their ranking should reflect that.

2. Oregon (8-1) – Oregon comes off a convincing win against one of the top teams in the country to jump to #2. The Ducks are riding the Heisman talents of Denis Dixon and “The Daily Show” Jonathan Stewart all the way to the Sugar Bowl.

3. Ohio State (10-0) – I like Ohio State, I really do. QB Todd Boeckman and WR Brian Robiskie have been outstanding this year, and their defense is one of the best in the land. But I just can’t see the Buckeyes holding up against either of the top two. Not at a neutral site. If the title were decided by a playoff, I would leave the Buckeyes at #1, and let them show me otherwise on the field, but as that is not the case, I simply don’t think they’re the best team.

4. Kansas (9-0) – I hope Bill Callahan has his resume ready. The Jayhawks went out to make a statement against Nebraska on Saturday, and did so by hanging 76 on the defense formerly known as the Black Shirts. As surprising as that was, it was the actually the fifth time this year that the Kansas offense has scored more than 50 points. They have also obliterated all standards of decorum when it comes to dropping teams after wins or byes. I can’t wait for their 11/24 match-up against Mizzou. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

5. West Virginia (7-1) – The Mountaineers are the victims of a bye week as Kansas jumps them. They probably wont lose again, but that may not be enough to climb back into the NC picture. That’s too bad, ‘cause they are as good as anyone else in the country.

6. LSU (8-1) – The Tigers continue to prove that they are beatable for every other team in the SEC. They deserve credit for winning close games (and yes, being ranked sixth is plenty of credit), but they don’t dominate anyone and still make a lot of mistakes.

7. Missouri (8-1) – The problems at A & M are about to get a whole lot worse when the Chase Daniels show roles through College Station this Saturday. The Big 12 has risen to prominence with three teams in the top seven.

8. Boston College (8-1) – The glass slipper finally shattered for BC against Florida State. Matt Ryan couldn’t will the Eagles to victory, and in the current flawed system, it will cost them an opportunity to play for a title.

9. Arizona St (8-1) – Another undefeated to go down last week, Arizona state now must hope for help to win the Pac 10. The next chance to prove themselves will be in two weeks against USC.

10. Hawaii (8-0) – The Warriors won’t drop until they lose. That could happen in two weeks at Nevada, or later when they host Boise.

11. Michigan (8-2) – The Wolverines narrowly avoided a major setback in their quest for the Big 10 title. If they can stay unbeaten going into Ohio St, they may save Lloyd Carr’s job.

12. UConn (8-1) – The Huskies are rolling through the Big East, with a tough game at Cincy this week. A season ending meeting with West Virginia may be the only thing standing between UConn and a BCS appearance.

13. Boise State (8-1) – The Broncos continue to win and continue to look forward to their season ender at Hawaii

14. V Tech (7-2) – A convincing road win against Georgia Tech keeps the Hokies in the divers seat in the ACC

15. Georgia (8-2) – Georgia did nothing to impress while giving up 34 points to Troy. A brutal two week home stand against Auburn and Kentucky will severely test the Bulldogs.

16. Virginia (8-2) – A narrow victory over Wake Forrest keeps the Cavaliers even with rival Virginia Tech down the stretch in the ACC

17. Alabama (6-3) – The Crimson Tide almost pulled the upset against LSU. This is higher than a three-loss team should normally be ranked, but once again, no one is stepping up to take the spot.

18. USC (7-2) – The Trojans Looked better with John Davis Booty back under center. Their next two games at Cal and at Arizona State will determine whether or not this team is Las Vegas Bowl bound.

19. Texas (8-2) – It’s not often that a team should feel embarrassed after a win, but the Longhorns should feel embarrassed after that win. What are they doing trailing that much to OSU? Come on Texas, you’re the fourth best team in the Big 12. Show me something.

20. Florida (6-3) – The Gators gave it to Vanderbilt on Saturday, but that should be expected. The Old Ball Coach will be waiting up in South Carolina to avenge last year’s loss in Gainesville.

21. Tennessee (6-3) – UT handled LA Laffayette in what was apparently the SEC’s non-conference week off. With Georgia’s tough schedule to finish the season, Tennessee may have a shot to play their way into the SEC championship.

22. Clemson (7-2) – Give credit to Clemson for not folding after back-to-back mid-season losses. We usually expect the Tigers to struggle in the second half, but they have run off three in a row, with their next two at home.

23. Wake Forrest (6-3) – The Demon Deacon’s loss a heartbreaker by a point at Virginia, and must now travel to Clemson. Repeating as ACC champs may be unrealistic at this point.

24. BYU (6-2) – Another convincing win against Colorado State set’s the stage for a tough MWC run against TCU, at Wyoming, and home against rival Utah. The young Cougar offense will be in for a test when the Horned Frogs come to Provo.

T- 25. Wisconsin (7-3)/Penn St (7-3) – PSU has lost at Illinois, at Michigan, and to Ohio St. UW has lost at Illinois, at Penn St, and at Ohio St. Not a great deal separates these two teams, not until the Badgers host Michigan this week.

Conference Breakdown: Pac 10 – 3 teams, Big 12 – 4 teams, Big 10 – 4 teams, Big East – 2 teams, ACC – 5 teams, SEC – 5 teams, Non-BCS – 3.