NCAA Top 25 - Week 3

Sorry about last week. I was on vacation...from most everything.

So here you go...so fresh and so clean.

Top 25

1. Ohio State (3-0) – A complete team in spite of its nine new defensive players. Their balance is frightening, but their schedule could end even more difficult than it began…Watch out for Michigan.

2. West Virginia (3-0) – Their schedule has been light, but Ralph Friegen isn’t. The truth is it will continue to be light until Nov. 2 when they square off against a determined and very legit Louisville squad.

3. Louisville (3-0) – This team mauled Miami, and that still means something when you consider Miami’s defensive speed and talent. Louisville is for real and in a nothing conference who happens to be playing their conference championship on Nov. 2. Losing Brohm is a serious hit, but if their frosh back-up keeps throwing like Peyton Manning, it may end up not being so bad.

4. Auburn (3-0) – Big win in a defensive game—even if they had some help from the referees. The Tigers are gaining momentum, but can they outlast the grueling SEC?

5. USC (3-0) – More workman-like than last year, but still very good. They still could be tested by conference foes California and Oregon, if the defensive secondary continues to make mental mistakes.

6. Florida (3-0) – Great win in a hostile environment against a good opponent. This team is limited to half its offensive potential because Leak won’t run, but still is very solid.

7. Michigan (3-0) – After a dominant win over Notre Dame, in which this team looked balanced and strong in every facet of the game, it is hard not to simply give them the #1 spot, but time will tell if this year is the year the Wolverines let everyone else know that they are back.

8. Iowa (3-0) – This is a great team with Drew Tate and a mediocre team without him. If he stays healthy, they still have a good shot at the big 10 title.

9. Notre Dame (2-1) – A loss is bad enough, but a loss in which you look completely inept is simply inexcusable. Not only is this team mortal, but this team may miss the BCS if they manage to lose to USC and BC.

10. Texas (2-1) – All is not lost…Oklahoma lost out of conference too.

11. Clemson (2-1) – Proctor looked good and FSU looked really predictable. Great win in a tough environment.

12. Oregon (3-0) – Awesome comeback against what was supposed to be a good defense. Oregon is going to be dangerous down the stretch because they are a track meet team—they score in bunches and fast, but can’t stop anyone.

13. Florida State (2-1) – Heartbreaking loss on a bonehead defensive play. They weren’t out-coached, or out-schemed, they were out-hustled at the end. The offense is getting predictable though, and that means the heat will be on Bowden to relieve his son of the play calling, which won’t happen…hard place meet rock, rock meet hard place. I’ll just hang out between you guys…awesome.

14. LSU (2-1) – A tough loss that revealed three things about your team: 1) you have a serious defense. 2) Apparently you can challenge pass interference calls like Auburn did. 3) Jamarcus Russell is not that bright—at least try for the endzone genius.

15. Arkansas (2-1) – Struggling against Vandy is not so impressive, but think about this…Vandy takes Michigan to the third quarter in a tight game, Vandy pushes Alabama to the fourth quarters, Vandy pushes Arkansas to the very end of the game. Maybe Vandy is finally good enough to be tough to beat but not good enough to win close games.

16. Georgia (3-0) – Keeps winning. Keeps climbing.

17. Virginia Tech (3-0) – Beating the crap out of Duke is not that impressive, but it is fun to watch.

18. Tennessee (2-1) – Losses are hard to swallow, but that one must be excruciating. You didn’t play badly, but you didn’t play well enough to put them away.

19. TCU (3-0) – Beating Texas Tech is not impossible. Holding their offense to 3 points is almost unbelievable. This year, the BCS will have to make room for this team—too many wins in a row to continually be ignored.

20. Oklahoma (2-1) – Last second losses always hurt, especially when refs blow a last second call (just ask LSU). Either way, the offense looks great and the defense looks very average. But that’s not how it was supposed to be, right.

21. Boston College (3-0) – This team can play with anyone, which is a nice way of saying they play up or down to the level of their opponent, which is a nice way of saying they have no defense and are inconsistent.

22. Alabama (3-0) – If this team starts playing both halves, they could be dangerous. Look for a statement game against Arkansas this week to be their first real test.

23. Rutgers (3-0) – The birthplace of college football just may be starting to keep some of its NJ talent from running to Florida. Rice has looked phenomenal in an awesome start for the Scarlet Knights.

24. California (2-1) – It looked sloppy, but it’s a win.

25. Penn State (2-1) – Time to grow up. The cupcakes are gone and Ohio State is hosting you this week. Good luck Blue Cats.


Enjoy your day.

God save the Cheese.