Please keep in mind that this top 25 in the nation is strictly my opinion. I do not consider myself an expert analyzer of college football. I do however, conduct research to support my rankings. I also reference the AP Poll and the Coaches poll but these polls are only a reference and do not always match my personal rankings. With that said here are my top 25 in nation:
1. Alabama - These guys had a great test at Arkansas. They face off against Florida this week. Yes, there is always a possibility that Florida could upset them, but not just because its Florida, but because it is the SEC. Alabama should be able to handle Florida due to the fact that Florida's offense is not good enough to keep up with Alabama's, and of course they will be playing in front of the Crimson Tide fan base.
2. Ohio State - Okay, you guys finally get into Big Ten play! You should handle up on Illinois, but this will be your biggest test since playing Miami in the second week of the season. Ohio State has outscored their opponents in the first 4 weeks of play 197-58. I look for Ohio State to win a close one, due to the fact that they are opening up their BIG TEN play on the road and will probably underestimate the Illinois defense.
3. Oregon - These guys can put some points on the board. They have scored 231 points in the first 4 weeks. I fully expect Stanford to compete and provide Oregon with their biggest test of the season.
4. Boise State - Again your strength of schedule is hurting you and that is why I have dropped you from 3rd to 4th. However, you did impress a little to maintain your top 5 ranking against Oregon State last week.
5. Oklahoma - I have moved these guys up in my rankings, even though they just barely escaped in Cincinnati last week. Cincinnati has a great offense and believe that they are better than a UCLA team, yeah you know where I am going with that. Oklahoma goes up against Texas this weekend, Texas and Mack Brown will give Oklahoma all they can handle even though they lost last week against UCLA. Texas will be out to redeem themselves in a big way, Oklahoma should be on upset alert!
6. TCU - These guys continue to find a way to win, the problem is they are not winning convincingly, and against sub-par teams such as the University of North Texas.
7. Nebraska - Has the week off. I am concerned that they did not blow out a weak South Dakota State team. They will open up the Big 12 schedule with Kansas State. I hope that they got their wake-up call against South Dakota State, if they play like that against Kansas State they will be looking at their first loss of the season.
8. Florida - Going up against top ranked Alabama this weekend. I like the fact that your offense is coming together, however, I am still not sold on it. You should be looking at your first loss of the season after this weekend.
9. Wisconsin - These guys have found a way to win every week so far this season. Their lack of dominance in their games however, will shed some light on how the rest of their season goes. I look for them to finish behind Iowa in the Big Ten, which means I do not see them holding on to their top 10 ranking very long. I have a ranked them at #9 due to the fact that they seem to be getting it together on offense as of late. However, there is still much to learn about this team and whether or not they will be able to "weather the storm" of the Big Ten as they open up the Big Ten schedule going into Michigan State, who also seems to be improving and who has motivation provided by their coach's illness.
10. Stanford - They will face off against Oregon this weekend. Oregon needs to be on upset alert with Andrew Luck going against them. I have been saying this all season long, Stanford is for real, and they have a good chance of winning the PAC-10 depending on how things go with Oregon.
11. Auburn - Will and should win convincly this week over a sub-par opponent.
12. LSU - Plays the Tennessee Volunteers this week. LSU will more than likely come out on top in this game, especially since they are playing at home and over half of the Volunteers have not played an away game before. However, LSU needs to be ready for anything, the Vols will have Gerald Jones back at receiver and if Matt Simms can get into a rhythm then the Vols will be setting the stage for a great upset.
13. Arkansas - I felt that the AP Poll and Coaches poll ranked you too low, with your only loss coming at the hands of the #1 team in the nation and the defending national champions. I believe that you will be able to finish 2nd in the SEC West as long as you do not allow this loss to affect your play throughout the rest of the season.
14. Texas - They will have their hands full with Oklahoma, their win against Okla. will depend on how much Mack Brown can motivate them to overcome their loss to UCLA.
15. Arizona - You guys are the one team that has taken me by surprise this season. You are much better than I thought you were going to be. I am still uncertain as to what to think of your team, but you have got my attention.
16. Utah - Strenth of schedule does not provide you with a higher ranking, but I like your offensive line strength.
17. Miami - Should be able to handle Virgina this week. I have Miami picked to win the ACC this season.
1. Alabama - These guys had a great test at Arkansas. They face off against Florida this week. Yes, there is always a possibility that Florida could upset them, but not just because its Florida, but because it is the SEC. Alabama should be able to handle Florida due to the fact that Florida's offense is not good enough to keep up with Alabama's, and of course they will be playing in front of the Crimson Tide fan base.
2. Ohio State - Okay, you guys finally get into Big Ten play! You should handle up on Illinois, but this will be your biggest test since playing Miami in the second week of the season. Ohio State has outscored their opponents in the first 4 weeks of play 197-58. I look for Ohio State to win a close one, due to the fact that they are opening up their BIG TEN play on the road and will probably underestimate the Illinois defense.
3. Oregon - These guys can put some points on the board. They have scored 231 points in the first 4 weeks. I fully expect Stanford to compete and provide Oregon with their biggest test of the season.
4. Boise State - Again your strength of schedule is hurting you and that is why I have dropped you from 3rd to 4th. However, you did impress a little to maintain your top 5 ranking against Oregon State last week.
5. Oklahoma - I have moved these guys up in my rankings, even though they just barely escaped in Cincinnati last week. Cincinnati has a great offense and believe that they are better than a UCLA team, yeah you know where I am going with that. Oklahoma goes up against Texas this weekend, Texas and Mack Brown will give Oklahoma all they can handle even though they lost last week against UCLA. Texas will be out to redeem themselves in a big way, Oklahoma should be on upset alert!
6. TCU - These guys continue to find a way to win, the problem is they are not winning convincingly, and against sub-par teams such as the University of North Texas.
7. Nebraska - Has the week off. I am concerned that they did not blow out a weak South Dakota State team. They will open up the Big 12 schedule with Kansas State. I hope that they got their wake-up call against South Dakota State, if they play like that against Kansas State they will be looking at their first loss of the season.
8. Florida - Going up against top ranked Alabama this weekend. I like the fact that your offense is coming together, however, I am still not sold on it. You should be looking at your first loss of the season after this weekend.
9. Wisconsin - These guys have found a way to win every week so far this season. Their lack of dominance in their games however, will shed some light on how the rest of their season goes. I look for them to finish behind Iowa in the Big Ten, which means I do not see them holding on to their top 10 ranking very long. I have a ranked them at #9 due to the fact that they seem to be getting it together on offense as of late. However, there is still much to learn about this team and whether or not they will be able to "weather the storm" of the Big Ten as they open up the Big Ten schedule going into Michigan State, who also seems to be improving and who has motivation provided by their coach's illness.
10. Stanford - They will face off against Oregon this weekend. Oregon needs to be on upset alert with Andrew Luck going against them. I have been saying this all season long, Stanford is for real, and they have a good chance of winning the PAC-10 depending on how things go with Oregon.
11. Auburn - Will and should win convincly this week over a sub-par opponent.
12. LSU - Plays the Tennessee Volunteers this week. LSU will more than likely come out on top in this game, especially since they are playing at home and over half of the Volunteers have not played an away game before. However, LSU needs to be ready for anything, the Vols will have Gerald Jones back at receiver and if Matt Simms can get into a rhythm then the Vols will be setting the stage for a great upset.
13. Arkansas - I felt that the AP Poll and Coaches poll ranked you too low, with your only loss coming at the hands of the #1 team in the nation and the defending national champions. I believe that you will be able to finish 2nd in the SEC West as long as you do not allow this loss to affect your play throughout the rest of the season.
14. Texas - They will have their hands full with Oklahoma, their win against Okla. will depend on how much Mack Brown can motivate them to overcome their loss to UCLA.
15. Arizona - You guys are the one team that has taken me by surprise this season. You are much better than I thought you were going to be. I am still uncertain as to what to think of your team, but you have got my attention.
16. Utah - Strenth of schedule does not provide you with a higher ranking, but I like your offensive line strength.
17. Miami - Should be able to handle Virgina this week. I have Miami picked to win the ACC this season.
18. Michigan - will have their hands full with Indiana, no one seems to realize that Indiana is also undefeated. Michigan's defense has some major issues as well. I wouldn't be surprised if Indiana upsets them this week.
19. Penn State - Not encourage by your offense this season. I do not believe that you will be able to survive against Iowa.
20. Missouri - Has the week off.
21. Michigan State - Has a unique motivation to win, which they could upset Wisconsin this weekend.
22. South Carolina - Should finish 2nd in the SEC East this season behind Florida.
23. Oklahoma State - Should win a shoot-out tonight against Texas A&M.
24. Kansas State -Has the week off. It may be worth mentioning to those who do not know, but Kansas State is also undefeated and currently at the top of the Big 12 North. Their biggest test of the season will come next week when they face-off against Nebraska.
25. NC State - These guys are much better than the nation thinks that they are, I believe that with Virgina Tech's problems they will be in direct contention with Miami for the ACC championship.
19. Penn State - Not encourage by your offense this season. I do not believe that you will be able to survive against Iowa.
20. Missouri - Has the week off.
21. Michigan State - Has a unique motivation to win, which they could upset Wisconsin this weekend.
22. South Carolina - Should finish 2nd in the SEC East this season behind Florida.
23. Oklahoma State - Should win a shoot-out tonight against Texas A&M.
24. Kansas State -Has the week off. It may be worth mentioning to those who do not know, but Kansas State is also undefeated and currently at the top of the Big 12 North. Their biggest test of the season will come next week when they face-off against Nebraska.
25. NC State - These guys are much better than the nation thinks that they are, I believe that with Virgina Tech's problems they will be in direct contention with Miami for the ACC championship.
