College Football: Week 8 Top 25 Power Rankings (VIDEO)
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Al Dannity
Boom! Two huge upsets caused an explosion in the Power Rankings this week. Al Dannity examines the carnage and provides some hard answers.
1. LSU (8-0, 5-0 SEC, 6-2 ATS)
No change here, bring on the big date in Tuscaloosa please.
Last week: W 45-10 vs. Auburn.
Next game: November 5 at Alabama.
2. Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC, 6-2 ATS)
When you beat a conference foe by 31 points and people are unimpressed, does it mean you set the bar too high or that your opponent stinks?
Last week: W 37-6 vs. Tennessee
Next game: November 5 vs. LSU.
3. Oklahoma State (7-0, 4-0 Big 12, 6-1 ATS)
The Cowboys moved into pole position in the Big 12 thanks to their in-state rivals losing at home to Texas Tech.
Last week: W 45-24 at Missouri.
Next game: Saturday vs. Baylor.
4. Stanford (7-0, 5-0 Pac-12, 7-0 ATS)
It’s not just that Stanford hold a perfect record against the spread; it’s the sheer ease with which they cover that impresses College Football betting fans.
Last week: W 65-21 vs. Washington.
Next game: Saturday at USC.
5. Clemson (8-0, 5-0 ACC, 7-1 ATS)
You know I actually thought North Carolina might test the Tigers. I guess I was wrong on that one.
Last week: W 59-38 vs. North Carolina.
Next game: Saturday at Georgia Tech.
6. Boise State (7-0, 2-0 MWC, 4-3 ATS)
Air Force made the Broncos work for their win but they still moved up a spot.
Last week: W 37-26 vs. Air Force.
Next game: November 5 at UNLV.
7. Kansas State (7-0, 4-0 Big 12, 6-1 ATS)
While it’s not difficult to look good against Kansas, the Wildcats still deserve a boost following that performance.
Last week: W 59-21 at Kansas.
Next game: Saturday vs. Oklahoma.
8. Oregon (6-1, 4-0 Pac-12, 4-3 ATS)
The Ducks led 29-0 after a quarter against the Buffs. Pencil in their game against Stanford as a Rose Bowl decider.
Last week: W 45-2 at Colorado.
Next game: Saturday vs. Washington State.
9. Michigan State (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten, 5-2 ATS)
I am making a call right now. Even if they lose at Nebraska this weekend, the Spartans will get an at-large BCS bid. That’s how much this play means to the program:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek3yw6zADls[/youtube]
Last week: W 37-31 vs. Michigan.
Next game: Saturday at Nebraska.
10. Oklahoma (6-1, 3-1 Big 12, 4-3 ATS)
The score makes it look closer than it really was. Texas Tech, a team I’ve slated all year long, went out and owned the Sooners in Norman. It was tempting to drop them a few spots lower.
Last week: L 41-38 vs. Texas Tech.
Next game: Saturday at Kansas State.
11. Wisconsin (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten, 5-2 ATS)
Road games at night in the Big Ten are rarely easy but this loss will be tough for the Badgers to swallow.
Last week: L 37-31 at Michigan State.
Next game: Saturday at Ohio State.
12. Arkansas (6-1, 2-1 SEC, 4-3 ATS)
Yes I actually dropped the Hogs despite winning. That’s what happens when you nearly lose to the Right Reverend in 2011.
Last week: W 29-24 at Mississippi.
Next game: Saturday at Vanderbilt.
13. South Carolina (6-1, 4-1 SEC, 3-4 ATS)
No change for the Gamecocks in a week filled with upheaval. They need to impress at Tennessee on Saturday.
Last week: Idle.
Next game: Saturday at Tennessee.
14. Houston (7-0, 3-0 Conf. USA, 5-2 ATS)
That was an exceptional display against the Thundering Herd but there are some big tests ahead.
Last week: W 62-28 vs. Marshall.
Next game: Saturday vs. Rice.
15. Penn State (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten, 2-6 ATS)
Stop the presses, the Nittany Lions actually covered! In all seriousness, you have to be impressed by this defense.
Last week: W 34-24 at Northwestern.
Next game: Saturday vs. Illinois.
16. Nebraska (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten, 2-5 ATS)
Two wins in three weeks did plenty to raise spirits amongst the Cornhuskers but beware the Spartans.
Last week: W 41-14 at Minnesota.
Next game: Saturday vs. Michigan State.
17. Virginia Tech (7-1, 3-1 ACC, 2-6 ATS)
The road to the ACC title game is clearing up for the Hokies. Next up, a trip to take on the Blue Devils.
Last week: W 30-14 vs. Boston College.
Next game: Saturday at Duke.
18. Michigan (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten, 5-2 ATS)
The Wolverines jump two places thanks to the string of losses suffered by teams in the lower half of the rankings.
Last week: L 28-14 at Michigan State.
Next game: October 29 vs. Purdue.
19. USC (6-1, 4-1 Pac-12, 4-3 ATS)
I’m really sorry I got things so wrong last week. This week I won’t, Stanford to cover.
Last week: W 31-17 at Notre Dame.
Next game: Saturday vs. Stanford.
20. Texas A&M (5-2, 3-1 Big 12, 2-5 ATS)
The Aggies are the first of six straight new entries into the Power Rankings. They may need to cover this Saturday to ensure an extended stay.
Last week: W 33-17 at Iowa State.
Next game: Saturday vs. Missouri.
21. Georgia (5-2, 4-1 SEC, 4-3 ATS)
The Dawgs re-enter the rankings just in time for the Cocktail Party.
Last week: Idle.
Next game: Saturday vs. Florida (at Jacksonville, Fla).
22. Texas Tech (5-2, 2-2 Big 12, 5-2 ATS)
The Red Raiders finally delivered against a big opponent. That earns them a spot here.
Last week: W 41-38 at Oklahoma.
Next game: Saturday vs. Iowa Sate.
23. Syracuse (5-2, 1-1 Big East, 3-4 ATS)
We’ll give the Orange a moment in the sun as reward for that beat down of West Virginia in primetime.
Last week: 49-23 vs. West Virginia.
Next game: Saturday at Louisville.
24. Southern Mississippi (6-1, 2-1 Conf. USA, 5-2 ATS)
That was a big win over SMU, leaving Brett Favre’s alma mater squarely in the hunt for the conference title.
Last week: W 27-3 vs. SMU.
Next game: Saturday at UTEP.
25. BYU (6-2, 4-4 ATS)
The Cougars round off the Power Rankings but are in a precarious position. A primetime date with the Horned Frogs could see them drop out within a week.
Last week: W 56-3 vs. Idaho State.
Next game: Friday at TCU.
Last five out: Arkansas State, Cincinnati, Iowa, TCU, Wake Forest.