College Power Rankings Week 7

OK so the BCS rankings came out this week. They are… how do I put this lightly? Terrible. Oklahoma is good but the No. 1 team in the nation? Please, no way. Oh, and I was finally able to get Michigan off of this list.

There was a sad injury though that I feel must be touched upon. Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand was paralyzed from the neck down after a tackle on special teams against Army. There have been players that have been able to battle back and walk, but it is still scary and sad. Hope the best for him.

1. Oregon (6–0) Up Next – UCLA (3–3)

So you mean to tell me that this isn’t the No. 1 team in the nation? You have got to be kidding me. They score 543.3 points a game, best in the nation, and only give up 16.3 points a game, good enough for 16th in the nation. Running Back LeMichael James is still No. 5 in the nation in rushing yards. and that was after a BYE week. ESPN’s Brad Edwards says that the Ducks might be better off at No. 2 in the nation. I say he is a fool. Oklahoma isn’t the choking Ohio State or Oklahoma. They will be fine here and should run their way to a national title game opportunity.

2. Boise State (6–0) Up Next – BYE WEEK

They have another bye week? Are you kidding me? Does anyone want to play them? There was a story about the Broncos about a year ago saying how difficult it is for Boise State’s Athletic Director to get teams to come to Idaho outside of the division. Remember the opening game of the season between Boise State and Virginia Tech (21). The game was at FedEx Field in Landover, MD. It was said to be a home game, but it was virtually a Virginia Tech home game. Anyways, the dominoes have fallen for Boise State, and they just might get a shot at the national championship game.

3. Oklahoma (6–0) Up Next – (20) Missouri (6–0)

How are they No. 1 in the BCS rankings? They only score 36 points a game, 17th in the nation, and give up 19 points a game, 28th in the nation. Those don’t sound bad, but just look up at Oregon again. It also doesn’t help that Oklahoma only beat Utah State by 7, while San Diego State University beat them by 34. Then Oklahoma only beat formerly-ranked Air Force by 3, SDSU beat Air Force by 2. And finally, Oklahoma only beat Cincinnati by 2, while Fresno State beat Cincy by 14. Now I'm not saying Fresno State or SDSU is better, but Oklahoma just isn’t the No. 1 team in the nation.

4. TCU (7–0) Up Next – Air Force (5–2)

TCU now has the best scoring defense in the nation, only allowing 9.3 points per game. To go along with the defense, they have the 7th best scoring offense in the nation at 40.1 points per game per game. They haven’t had the steepest competition, but they could beat any team in the nation on any given day. Yes that is an overused phrase, but TCU is ranked here at No. 4 for a reason. And that would be because they are exceptionally good.

5. Auburn (7–0) Up Next – (7) LSU (7–0)

QB Cam Newton is a beast. He didn’t have a huge day in the air against Arkansas, but he just finds a way to win. After reading my comments about Auburn, I'm always talking about the guy. Newton is big (6–6, 250 lbs.), fast, and extremely talented. He was going to be the heir apparent to Tim Tebow at Florida, but he transferred to Auburn. You think Urban Meyer wishes he could have him back? I guarantee it. Because of Newton, Auburn has the No. 6 scoring offense in the nation. That 24.4 points per game allowed is scary though.

6. Alabama (6–1) Up Next – Tennessee (2–4)

I’d like to have the Crimson Tide higher on the list, but they just did not impress me with their win over Ole Miss. They only beat the rebels by 13. To boost Alabama’s stock, they needed to win by at least 25. Nick Saban needs to do something to light a fire underneath his team. Yes they are 6–1, but they want to go to the title game right? Isn’t that where this team is at? National title or bust?

7. LSU (7–0) Up Next – (5) Auburn (7–0)

They have a crazy coach, a nice running back and a great defense. But can they continue to win with such poor quarterback play? Their backup QB (Jarrett Lee) has almost as many passing yards as the starter (Jordan Jefferson), with eight less attempts (50) than the starter’s completions (58) and the same amount of touchdown passes (2). Lee also has a completion percentage of 72 percent, while Jefferson is completing only 53.2 percent. Maybe head coach Les Miles should make a switch.

8. Ohio State (6–1) Up Next – Purdue (4–2)

Let’s just put it this way, I am not a fan of the Buckeyes. When I was getting updates about how Ohio State was losing and eventually upset, I was extremely happy. Then again, it was not surprising at all. Whenever the Buckeyes have been No. 1 in the nation recently, they have promptly lost. They lost in the national title game a few years ago when they were ranked No.1, they lost to Wisconsin on Saturday and it has happened on at least one other occasion. After their lost though do I believe their national title hopes are over? No. Do I hope they are? You betcha.

9. Michigan State (7–0) Up Next – Northwestern (5–1)

Looking at their numbers, they aren’t overly impressive. They rank in the No. 17 in the nation in defense scoring though. That is the key, their defense. They dismantled Michigan, and man handled the Wisconsin Badgers (15). They have one tough game left against Iowa Oct. 30, but other than that, their schedule isn’t very difficult. They could easily be in a BCS bowl game this year.

10. Utah (6–0) Up Next – Colorado State (2–5)

Most people have Ohio State (9) and Utah flip-flopped here. I just can’t put Utah any higher than 10. I don’t even want them here but the rest of the field isn’t helping themselves. Yes they are scoring a lot and not giving up much on defense, but their opponents are pathetic. The best team they have played so far is Pittsburgh and they are only 3–3. I know I have said that power rankings was like a beauty pageant and you have to impress with big numbers, but I just can’t fully buy this team until they face some real competition.

11. Nebraska (5–1) Up Next – (19) Oklahoma State (6–0)

How did they lose to Texas? Well the Longhorns were the first team to stop Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez. He only had 63 passing yards and 21 rushing yards, after averaging in the previous five games, 132 yards passing and 147.4 yards rushing. That is a huge drop off. His Heisman chances took a big hit here. I am happy to say that their defense still hasn’t allowed more than 21 points in a game this year. If you don’t remember, I predicted that the Cornhuskers wouldn’t give up more than 25 points in a single game. As of now, I'm looking pretty good. Oklahoma State (19) might have something to say about that though.

12. Stanford (5–1) Up Next – Washington State (1–6)

They are coming off a bye so expect a huge win this week. Washington State probably would have been beaten by at least 25 points but now since Stanford is coming off a bye, a 40 point victory isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Stanford should just be able to stroll through in a couple weeks against Arizona (16).

13. Iowa (5–1) Up Next – (16) Wisconsin (6–1)

This looks like the second best game of the week. Two tough conference rivals. But like I said a couple weeks ago, Iowa beat Michigan and with relative ease. Michigan QB Denard Robinson had a good rushing day, but backup QB Tate Forcier had the majority of the throws. For Iowa, QB Ricky Stanzi had 248 passing yards and three passing TDs, and RB Adam Robinson had 143 rushing yards and two TDs. Their scoring defense fell a few slots, but they are still No. 6 in the nation by only allowing 13.2 points per game.

14. Florida State (5–1) Up Next – BYE WEEK

They have a top 15 defense and QB Christian Ponder. I was wondering why Ponder hadn’t thrown for more yards this season until I watched Florida State vs. Boston College this weekend. His receivers just aren’t that great. If Ponder had a true weapon like Alabama WR Julio Jones or Georgia WR AJ Green, he would be having a ridiculous season. From here on out, their schedule doesn’t look overly difficult. They could win out and jump into the top 10 by the end of the year. That is if they don’t pull a Florida State and mess it all up.

15. Wisconsin (6–1) Up Next – (13) Iowa (5–1)

They were my favorite team if the week. RB John Clay had 104 yards rushing on 21 carries and 2 TDs. Not great numbers, but good enough. The best thing that Wisconsin did was stop Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor. He was on a fast pace to a possible Heisman trophy until Ohio State ran into Wisconsin. Hopefully, Wisconsin showed everyone how to handle the Ohio State QB.

16. Arizona (5–1) Up Next – Washington (3–3)

I'm still surprised at how good their defense is. They are giving up the 7th fewest point per game in the nation at 13.3 per game. They can also light up the skies with an aerial assault, courtesy of QB Nick Foles. They average a little over 300 yards passing a game. He is definitely a legit QB prospect, but could he be only the 4th best QB in the PAC–10? He gets a chance to prove himself this week against Washington and Jake Locker, in two weeks against Stanford and Andrew Luck and finally three weeks against USC and Matt Barkley.

17. Arkansas (4–2) Up Next – Ole Miss (3–3)

Heisman hopeful QB Ryan Mallett was injured in the second quarter, yet their backup QB, Tyler Wilson, still had over 300 yards passing. Unfortunately for the Razorbacks, Cam Newton and Auburn scored 28 points in the fourth quarter, in the fourth quarter! What did Arkansas have to counter? Eight points and an 18 point loss. Their once vaunted defense took a big hit by allowing 65 points to Auburn. I still have hope for them this season if Ryan Mallett returns OK.

18. Oklahoma State (6–0) Up Next – (11) Nebraska (5–1)

The BCS standing have them at 14, and the USA Today poll has them at 15. How? Is it a love fest for the state of Oklahoma? They score a lot because they pass for a lot of yards. But here’s the kicker, they haven’t played anyone. They might have played the weakest schedule in all of college football. The toughest teams they have played are Texas A&M and Texas Tech, and both of them are 3–3. Seriously? And the only reason they I have them here is because they are undefeated. But that will definitely change this week. Nebraska comes into town, and they are upset I'm sure.

19. Missouri (6–0) Up Next – (3) Oklahoma (6–0)

They have got to be a clone of Oklahoma State. They haven’t played anyone and are undefeated. Only two differences, they don’t pass as well as Oklahoma State, and they have the second best scoring defense in the nation. We will see their true colors against Oklahoma (3) this weekend.

20. Virginia Tech (5–2) Up Next – Duke (1–5)

Finally some recognition for the Hookies. I have had them ranked all season and now all the rankings have them in the Top 25. None of the major rankings have them higher than 23, but as Virginia Tech continues to win they will rise at least into the Top 15. They have won five in a row and probably only have one more difficult game this season and that is against “The U.”

21. South Carolina(4–2) Up Next – Vanderbilt (2–4)

What did I tell you? They are the Michigan of the SEC. A high profile coach, a surprise player (RB Marcus Lattimore) and a good win that gets them highly ranked. Then they blow it. I said they were over ranked and would prove me right. Well they did, losing 31–28 to Kentucky. Don’t have much else to say on this so-so team besides that 11 spot tumble was amazingly satisfying.

22. Texas (4–2) Up Next – Iowa State (3–4)

I didn’t think they would be able to recover after losing back to back games against UCLA and then heated rival Oklahoma. Then they surprise me by beating Nebraska who I had No. 5 in the nation at the time. They still aren’t real impressive in any aspect, but head coach Mack Brown is one of the best and will motivate this team the rest of the way.

23. West Virginia (5–1) Up Next – Syracuse (4–2)

The Mountaineers have a few things going for them: they have Noel Devine, Geno Smith and a stingy defense. The defense is only allowing 12.3 points per game, good enough for 3rd in the nation. They have only lost one game and that was to a very good LSU team. Sad thing? They are the best team in the Big East. So could a team not ranked even in the Top 20 get into a BCS bowl game? I sure hope not. That would just be another knock on the ridiculous system. Can you say, “we need playoffs now!”

24. Miami (Fl.) (4–2) Up Next – UNC (4–2)

Every poll has them ranked except the BCS. Of course they don’t. Because computers are a stupid way of evaluating a team and determining who goes to the title game. Anyways, their two loses were against two very good teams, Ohio State (when they were ranked No. 2 in the nation) and Florida State (currently No. 14 in the nation). It would have been nice if they could have won one of those, but they should still be ranked. They have a weak schedule for rest of the season, but still have a chance to prove themselves with a win over Virginia Tech (20).

25. Mississippi State (5–1) Up Next – UAB (2–4)

They run the ball well and play good defense. At 5–2 they are still only 4th in the SEC West. They will definitely go to a bowl, but No. 25’s in the power rankings are constantly changing so who knows where they will be when it is all said and done.