A wild week in College Football makes for plenty of changes in the power rankings. Al Dannity breaks down the movers and shakers.
1. LSU (5-0, 2-0 SEC, 3-2 ATS) A comfortable win over Kentucky was enough for LSU to remain atop these rankings. Victory over Florida would cement them further. Last week: W 35-7. Next game: Saturday vs. Florida.
2. Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC, 4-1 ATS) Trent Richardson’s Heisman campaign got a big boost on the road at the weekend. That dominant win over the Gators bumps the Tide up to right behind the Tigers. Last week: W 38-10 at Florida. Next game: Saturday vs. Vanderbilt.
3. Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0 Big 12, 3-1 ATS) Beating David Letterman’s old school did nothing to convince College Football betting fans that the defense is fixed. We’ll learn a lot on Saturday. Last week: W 62-6 vs. Ball State. Next game: Saturday vs. Texas (at the Cotton Bowl).
4. Wisconsin (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten, 4-1 ATS) The Badgers passed a big test on Saturday night. They still face an uphill battle to the BCS title game due to the dearth of talent in the Big Ten. Last week: W 48-17 vs. Nebraska. Next game: October 15 vs. Indiana.
5. Clemson (5-0, 2-0 ACC, 4-1 ATS) Clemson fans, you may now set the hype machine to overdrive. Three straight wins over ranked opponents have shot the Tigers up from unranked into our top five. Last week: W 23-3 at Virginia Tech. Next game: Saturday vs. Boston College.
6. Oklahoma State (4-0, 1-0 Big 12, 3-1 ATS) The Cowboys had a week off and arguably have another bye this weekend against the visiting Jayhawks. Last week: Idle. Next game: Saturday vs. Kansas.
7. Boise State (4-0, 2-2 ATS) The Broncos will have to be patient while all the unbeaten teams above them knock each other off. They may yet drop another spot before the charge really begins. Last week: W 30-10 vs. Nevada. Next game: Saturday at Fresno State.
8. Stanford (4-0, 2-0 Pac-12, 4-0 ATS) Andrew Luck did the mandatory “look I can play another position too” manoeuvre required by all Heisman candidates in a rout of the Bruins. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyKTGukfHJg&feature=player_embedded[/youtube] Last week: W 45-19 vs. UCLA. Next game: Saturday vs. Colorado.
9. Georgia Tech (5-0, 2-0 ACC, 4-0-1 ATS) The defense gives up a lot of points but the offense scores a lot more. Last week: W 45-35 at NC State. Next game: Saturday vs. Maryland.
10. Oregon (3-1, 1-0 Pac-12, 2-2 ATS) I said something about inching forward last week. Then a bunch of teams lost while the Ducks were on a week off. Last week: Idle. Next game: Thursday vs. California.
11. Illinois (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten, 2-3 ATS) The Illini fail to cover more often than not but they remain unbeaten. The lack of competition in the Big Ten this year means a BCS bid may not be all that far-fetched. Last week: W 38-35 vs. Northwestern. Next game: Saturday at Indiana.
12. Michigan (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten, 4-1 ATS) Brady Hoke can ensure a bowl game in his debut season with a win this weekend. The Wolverines had best not overlook this weekend’s opponent; the Wildcats are prone to causing at least one big shock annually. Last week: W 58-0 vs. Minnesota. Next game: Saturday at Northwestern.
13. Texas (4-0, 1-0 Big 12, 3-1 ATS) I never thought a road win in Ames could propel the Longhorns this high up the rankings. That’s what happens with one week of carnage. A win on Saturday would have a similarly seismic impact. Last week: W 37-14 at Iowa State. Next game: Saturday vs. Oklahoma (at the Cotton Bowl).
14. Kansas State (4-0, 1-0 Big 12, 3-1 ATS) The reward for proving Robert Griffin III is somewhat mortal? An improvement of 10 places in these rankings. Last week: W 36-35 vs. Baylor. Next game: Saturday vs. Missouri.
15. Auburn (4-1, 2-0 SEC, 2-3 ATS) Not only did the Tigers record a big road win in the SEC but they benefited from their sole loss (to Clemson) looking a lot more acceptable. Last week: W 16-13 at South Carolina. Next game: Saturday at Arkansas.
16. Arkansas (4-1, 0-1 SEC, 3-2 ATS) This is why it’s important to note that if you do lose, be sure to lose early. The Hogs took this to heart on the double as having lost the whole game to Alabama last week, they decided to try out losing half of it to the Aggies on Saturday. Arkansas then decided they’d have enough of losing and graciously accepted another A&M collapse. Last week: W 42-38 vs. Texas A&M Next game: Saturday vs. Auburn.
17. South Carolina (4-1, 2-1 SEC, 2-3 ATS) That was a bad day at the office but one the Gamecocks can come back from. They need to regroup fast. Last week: L 16-13 vs. Auburn. Next game: Saturday vs. Kentucky.
18. Florida (4-1, 2-1 SEC, 3-1-1 ATS) That was quite the rude awakening. The Gators may yet see the Tide in Atlanta but the road is just that little bit longer now. Last week: L 38-10 vs. Alabama. Next game: Saturday at LSU.
19. Arizona State (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12, 1-4 ATS) The Sun Devils had an easy win at home on Saturday but will have a tough time in two weeks against the Ducks. Last week: W 35-20 vs. Oregon State. Next game: Saturday at Utah.
20. Houston (5-0,1-0 Conf. USA, 3-2 ATS) Barely escaping a road game at UTEP does not merit a big jump. The Cougars will be on upset alert for every game left on their slate if they don’t improve their defense soon. Last week: W 49-42 at UTP. Next game: Saturday vs. East Carolina.
21. West Virginia (4-1, 2-3 ATS) The Mountaineers finally unleashed their running game with a dominant performance against the Falcons. If they can balance things out in Big East play, they have a great shot at winning the conference. Last week: W 55-10 vs. Bowling Green. Next game: Saturday vs. Connecticut.
22. Michigan State (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten, 3-2 ATS) The Spartans recorded a big road win against the ailing Buckeyes. They have a week off before a home date with the Wolverines. Last week: W 10-7 at Ohio State. Next game: October 15 vs. Michigan.
23. Nebraska (4-1, 0-1 Big Ten, 1-4 ATS) After an ugly loss in Camp Randall, the Huskers take on an Ohio State team that will be boosted by the return of its suspended stars. Last week: L 48-17 at Wisconsin. Next game: Saturday vs. Ohio State.
24. Texas Tech (4-0, 1-0 Big 12, 3-1 ATS) The Red Raiders needed a second half comeback to beat Kansas. This weekend’s opponents are prone to second half calamities. This could get interesting. Last week: W 45-34 at Kansas. Next game: Saturday vs. Texas A&M.
25. Baylor (3-1, 0-1 Big 12, 3-1 ATS) RGIII may finally have more incompletions than touchdowns but the Bears remain a test for anyone. Last week: L 36-35 at Kansas State. Next game: Saturday vs. Iowa State.
Last five out: Georgia, North Carolina, USC, Virginia Tech, Washington.
