College Football Power Rankings Week 11

A lot has happened since my last power rankings. Alabama continues to fall, Utah is barely on the list, and a huge story on Cam Newton is being reported on

1. Oregon (10–0) Up Next – BYE WEEK

Oregon hadn’t scored less than 42 points in a game all year and had scored as much as 72 in another. Then they went to Cal. They continued winning, but they only scored 15.

Seriously? They had played teams like Stanford and USC, yet Cal was the team to stop the Ducks offense. The Bears even held the nations rushing leader to only 91 yards rushing.

Despite the 15 point game, the Ducks still lead the nation in scoring at 50.7 points per game.

They don’t play again until Nov. 26, when they play Arizona at home. There is no chance they get jumped in the rankings since Auburn also doesn’t play this week.

2. Auburn (11–0) Up Next – BYE WEEK

I have said it before, but I will say it again, Cam Newton is a monster on the field. He has over 2,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing.

He is also thought to be the Heisman trophy favorite. He is numbers are: 183.58 quarterback rating, 2038 passing yards, 21 touchdowns to go along with 1297 rushing yards and 17 rushing TDs.

Sad thing, it might all come to an end. In fact, it might actually be wiped from the record books if the speculation is true about Newton. It is being reported that Cam’s father, Cecil Newton, asked for money Cam to go play at Mississippi State. There is no proof of the allegations, but there are former players saying Cam backed out of going to Mississippi State because, “the money was too good.”

There is now a NCAA investigation looking into the reports, and even an FBI inquiry into the case due to reports of extortion.

There are more reports, but due to the speculation and questionable sources, it I'm uncomfortable talking about them.

Hopefully for the Newton family and Auburn, these are false allegations. If not, the season could be wiped from the books and might have some serious penalties handed down by the NCAA.

3. Boise State (9–0) Up Next – Fresno State (6–3)

I have a hard time putting TCU ahead of Boise State. Many people might not have that big of a problem with it, but Boise has won 23 straight games and 34 straight regular season games. Both are longest in the nation.

You can talk about their schedule compared to teams in the Southeastern Conference or TCU, but all the Broncos do is win.

Can we get some trophy talk for QB Kellen Moore? He is far and away college football’s most efficient QB with a touchdown to interception ratio of 24 to 3. He also completes 71.9 percent of his passes. He deserves some hype.

They continue to beat teams by an average of 35 points a game and have three games left against Fresno State, Nevada and their season finale against Utah State. If they can beat those three by a margin of 35 or more, they might have a chance at the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) title game.

That is if Auburn or Oregon loses.

4. TCU (11–0) Up Next – BYE WEEK

The Horned Frogs actually got a scare this week against San Diego State University. In fact with the 40-35 score, it was the closest game TCU played all year.

SDSU started the game with a quick two TD lead against TCU. Then the Horned Frogs offense took over, scoring 37 unanswered points.

Their Nov. 27 game against New Mexico is their next and last regular season game for TCU.

They will most assuredly get selected to play in a BCS game, probably a rematch against Boise state. Their third straight bowl game against each other. Hopefully this year will be more exciting than the last two games.

5. Stanford (9–1) Up Next – Cal (5–5)

Wonder kid, QB Andrew Luck, threw for almost 300 yards yet didn’t have a TD against the Arizona State Sun Devils. He did have a pick though.

The probable No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 National Football League draft, Luck lead the Cardinal on a 10 play, 85 yards drive to score with a little over five minutes left. That was all they needed.

Stanford’s 9–1 record is their best 10 game record since 1951. It is also their highest ranking since 1970.

Even with their remarkable play, they still need a lot of help getting to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

6. Wisconsin (9–1) Up Next – Michigan (7–3)

83 points. The Badgers scored 83 points on the Indiana Hoosiers. That’s almost three touchdowns a quarter. It is the most point scored this season in a single game and the most for the Badgers since the early 1900’s.

They did that without their starting running back, John Clay.

Say what?

Now against a lower tier team such as a Division III college it wouldn’t be anything too incredible. But Wisconsin did this to a Division I school. Granted, the Hoosiers aren’t exactly a power house, but they are still a D–I school.

Incredible.

I can’t wait to see how many points the Badgers put up on the Wolverines.

7. Nebraska (9–1) Up Next – (17) Texas A&M (7–3)

Ok say they gave up more than 25 points twice in a game, but they are still 9–1. And one of those games, star freshman QB Taylor Martinez didn’t play in due to injury.

Had he been in the game against Iowa State, the Cornhuskers would have been able to hold onto the ball longer. Thus leading to fewer scoring opportunities for the Cyclones.

Martinez has cooled off in the running game, but the freshman is still averaging 7.8 yards per carry.

It would be nice if he could pass the ball a little better, but he is a freshman and you don’t want to put even more pressure on him.

8. LSU (9–1) Up Next – Ole Miss (4–6)

I can’t have them higher than eighth; no way, no how. They have a stout defense and a decent running game but when your quarterbacks are this pathetic, I can’t do it.

Jordan Jefferson combined, let me make this clear, COMBINED, to go 8–22 for only 95 passing yards. In college you cannot expect to win the big game with that poor of a passing game. And this wasn’t even a big game! It was against Louisiana–Monroe!

Let me put this into perspective for you, three QBs (T.J. Yates – UNC, Dayne Crist – Notre Dame, and Brian Anderson – Marshall) have a passing single passing play of 95+ yards. Single, as in one play. Not in a game, just one play.

Now you tell me that you have faith in those pair of QBs in Baton Rouge.

9. Ohio State (9–1) Up Next – Iowa (7–3)

You would have thought by now that the Buckeyes would have jumped a few spots since their loss to Wisconsin. Well when everyone else is playing better competition than you, it’s hard to go up.

Terrelle Pryor continues to grow as a QB, but he hasn’t put up the insane numbers and plays that fellow QB, Cam Newton has.

Looks like the Buckeyes can kiss a BCS game goodbye, unless someone loses. And for Pryor, maybe next year you can get the Heisman. That is if Cam Newton isn’t back.

10. Michigan State (9–1) Up Next – Purdue (4–6)

I thought they were on their way to a BCS game. After they beat Wisconsin over a month ago, their schedule looked like a breeze.

Then they played Iowa. More like they showed up to the game. They were routed 37–6. Embarrassing.

They still have had a very good season and might get into a high paying bowl game, but the Hawkeye game really hurts.

11. Alabama (8–2) Up Next – Georgia State (6–4)

They were that team lurking in the shadows. Everyone was looking behind them, just to make sure the Crimson Tide weren’t hot on their heels.

Then the Tide pulls a dud against LSU and their crappy pair of QBs.

For Alabama, the rest of the season doesn’t matter. They aren’t going to the national championship game so they might as well go home.

There will be talks about how, “they are playing for pride” and “we will be back next year,” but it doesn’t matter. They failed in their attempt to repeat as champs.

All season, the offense hasn’t looked as explosive as last year. The defense definitely hasn’t been as dominating as 2009’s squad.

Next year, head coach Nick Saban will probably have the best recruiting class ever. Hopefully they don’t lose half their team to the NFL.

12. Arkansas (8–2) Up Next – (24) Mississippi State (7–3)

Their defense has faltered as of late, but their offense hasn’t scored less than 38 points since their lose to Auburn.

Ryan Mallett continues to torch defenses left and right, but the nice surprise has been running back Knile Davis.

Davis has rushed for 550 yards and nine touchdowns in the last four games. In the Razorbacks last game, against UTEP, Davis rushed for 182 yards and a TD on 11 carries.

Funny, Davis more than doubled the production of LSU’s quarterbacks on half as many attempts.

Mississippi State shouldn’t be much of a problem this week, but next week they play the aforementioned LSU.

13. Oklahoma State (9–1) Up Next – Kansas (3–7)

Oklahoma State finally ended their 12 year slide to the Texas Longhorns this past weekend with a final score of 33–16.

They are good, but they lost to the one true contender they played against, Nebraska.

I won’t be able to take this shootout team seriously until they play Oklahoma and win.

On a side note, wide receiver Justin Blackmon has made the Cowboys’ fans forget all about Dez Bryant. Good thing for Oklahoma State, Blackmon is only a sophomore.

14. Virginia Tech (8–2) Up Next – (22) Miami (Fl.) (7–3)

What did I tell you? They lost their first two games of the year, including a laugher against James Madison.

Now?

They have won eight games in a row and could be considered one of the hottest teams in the nation, if not the hottest.

Head coach Frank Beamer has the Hokies has them back to their normal post, the top of the Atlantic Coastal Conference.

They haven’t played the steepest competition, sure, but no they play the rival Hurricanes. The Hokies have already wrapped up the division already, but now they get to prove themselves against another ranked team.

15. Oklahoma (8–2) Up Next – Baylor (7–4)

They are a constantly overrated team. Think I'm crazy? Remember when the Sooners were the NO. 1 team according to the BCS standings? They lost two games and now aren’t even in the top 10, and barely in the top 15.

QB Landry Jones stepped in for Sam Bradford and the Sooners haven’t missed a beat this year; yet another system QB. Bradford might have been a special case, but I was right regardless.

And didn’t Kirk Herbstreit have RB DeMarco Murray winning the Heisman? So much for that prediction Kirk.

16. Missouri (8–2) Up Next – Iowa State (5–6)

They too were ranked very high but have fallen. You know why? They are a fake team.

Don’t get me wrong, they have a good defense, 10th best in the nation in points against (17.5), but I don’t think their defense could handle a team like Auburn, Oregon or Boise State.

They have beaten one good team, the overrated Oklahoma. They lost to Nebraska 31–17 the following week. People said it was because they were emotionally exhausted from beating Oklahoma.

Right… That’s why they lost to Texas Tech the next week right? Pretenders, not contenders.

17. Texas A&M (7–3) Up Next – (8) Nebraska (9–1)

I thought this was too high for the Aggies, but then I looked at the three teams they lost too, Oklahoma State, Arkansas and Missouri. All three in a row and all three ahead of the Aggies.

Ryan Tannenhill took over for senior Jerrod Johnson at QB when Johnson didn’t meet expectations. Since taking over mid way through the Kansas game four weeks ago, Tannenhill has been one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and hasn’t lost.

For the Aggies sake, Tannenhill better have a huge game this week.

18. South Carolina(7–3) Up Next – Troy (5–4)

They steamrolled Florida, but was it really that impressive? Florida has been in and out of the top 25 all season, while being a mediocre team in every aspect.

Now you can throw South Carolina in that mix. They have a better record, but the Gamecocks only advantage is RB Marcus Lattimore.

Speaking of Lattimore, he has only had three really good games. Those three were against SEC rivals, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida. All of three games Lattimore had over 180 yards rushing and multiple touchdowns.

Lattimore is a touchdown machine, be he hasn’t been the most efficient. In the other six games he has played in, he hasn’t eclipsed the 100 yard mark.

19. Iowa (7–3) Up Next – (9) Ohio State (9–1)

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz only has a losing record to two teams in the Big Ten. One is Ohio State, which isn’t much of a surprise considering their conference dominance the past decade or so.

The second? Northwestern. They are 1–5 in their last six meetings against the Wildcats.

What is their deal? They could have been a top 10 team had they not lost to Northwestern again.

There defense has slipped ever so slightly, but their offense isn’t anywhere near what I expected this year.

They have the talent to have been a top five team, but apparently they just weren’t up to it.

20. USC (7–3) Up Next – Oregon State (4–5)

Whoa there. How are the Trojans here? They weren’t supposed to be here after recruits and players left after NCAA sanctions were handed down.

But they still have QB Matt Barkley. He might not be there for much longer, but he has saved their season in my opinion.

There has also been the emergence of RB Marc Tyler. The Antelope Valley product is the Trojans leading rusher, and has taken some of the weight off of Barkley’s shoulders.

Their defense needs to either step it up, or get some big time recruits. Defense used to be the staple of the Trojans, now they give up 27.7 points a game (72nd in the nation).

Even though they are having a nice season, it doesn’t matter. With a two year postseason ban, they can’t go to a bowl game. After this season, hopefully head coach Lane Kiffin can persuade some recruits to come to USC with just one more year left on the ban.

21. Nevada (9–1) Up Next – New Mexico State (2–8)

They have the best record but are the lowest seeded team. Why? They have an incredibly weak schedule.

Their one lose was to Hawaii, who has lost to USC, Colorado and Boise State. That Colorado kills Nevada. Yea they didn’t lose to them, but in power rankings, it hurts their strength of schedule.

They do have two really good players in QB Colin Kaepernick and RB and RB Vai Taua. Vaua has over 1,100 yards rushing and 14 TDs even with missing a game this year. Karpernick has thrown for over 2,100 yards and rushed for 900 with a TD total of 32.

They probably will end the season with an 11–2 record, with the second loss to Boise State.

22. Miami (Fl.) (7–3) Up Next – (14) Virginia Tech (8–2)

Could there now be a QB controversy for the Hurricanes? Junior Jacory Harris is a Brett Favre type “gunslinger.” He has such a good arm that it gets him into trouble.

Well Harris went down in the loss to Virginia. In his place stepped in true freshman Stephen Morris. While starting, Morris has put up some nice numbers and has won two in a row.

Luckily for Morris and the Hurricanes, WR Leonard Hankerson decided to step his game up this year. He had three catches for 132 yards and a TD in the win against Georgia Tech. Hankerson has had a touchdown catch in five straight games.

Head coach Randy Shannon does need to step up his player development though. A couple years ago he had one of the best recruiting classes in the nation, yet the players haven’t developed as they should have.

23. Arizona (7–3) Up Next – BYE WEEK

They nearly rallied back to beat USC this weekend, but fell just short.

QB Nick Foles continues to put up huge numbers, 353 yards passing and three TDs against USC, but they have a none existent running game.

The Wildcats defense did contain QB Matt Barkley, but they couldn’t stop the running game. Marc Tyler ran for 160 yards and a TD on 31 carries.

Next up is the (1) Oregon Ducks in two weeks. I don’t have much hope for the defense to hold the Ducks rushing game. But maybe due to their bye week, they can keep it close enough for Foles to do some damage late.

24. Mississippi State (7–3) Up Next – (12) Arkansas (8–2)

Ahhh, the center of the Cam Newton controversy. Well I can see why they are upset Newton didn’t come to the Bulldogs. Their QBs are terrible.

The rushing game is quite good at 211.7 yards a game (18th in the nation), but their passing game is incredibly inept.

Their gameplan is to have their defense hide their offensive inefficiencies. Their defense is good, but it isn’t that good.

Mississippi State is having by far a better year than I expected, but I think they are a couple good recruiting classes away from challenging the SEC powerhouses.

25. Utah (8–2) Up Next – San Diego State University (7–3)

Another team I was right about. Their weak schedule fooled everyone into believing they were a contender.

Then they played TCU. Actually, unlike when Michigan State lost to Iowa, I don’t know if the Utes even showed up against the Horned Frogs.

Final score, 47–7. So much for a BCS contender. Funny to think back when friends said Utah was for real and I was crazy for not having them higher than 10.

Then this weekend they played Notre Dame. One of the most overrated teams in the nation despite their .500 record.

Utah should have manhandled the fighting Irish. Think again. Notre Dame beat the Utes 28–3.

It feels good being right so much, especially when teams are overrated due to a bogus record.