Alabama almost lost again. That Number Two spot is looking shaky, but most of the Top 25 are solid, and remained in place. It was one of the most stable weeks I've ever seen.
Top 25 [Last week's position]
1. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (6-0) [1]
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0) [2]
3. Georgia Bulldogs (6-0) [3]
4. Michigan Wolverines (6-0) [4]
5. Tennessee Volunteers (5-0) [5]
6. USC Trojans (6-0) [6]
7. Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0) [7]
8. Clemson Tigers (6-0) [8]
9. Ole Miss Rebels (6-0) [9]
10. Syracuse Orange (5-0) [10]
11. UCLA Bruins (6-0) [11]
12. TCU Horned Frogs (6-0) [12]
13. Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-0) [13] : They had a tough time, but they survived
14. Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-1) [14]
15. Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-1) [15]
16. Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1) [16]
17. Texas Longhorns (4-2) [20] : They shut out Oklahoma in the most one-sided Red River Rivalry game ever!
18. Utah Utes (4-2) [17]
19. Kansas Jayhawks (5-1) [19] : They almost beat TCU with a backup quarterback! This team is for real.
20. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-1) [26]
21. Cincinnati Bearcats (5-1) [23]
22. Oregon Ducks (5-1) [NR]
23. Kansas State Wildcats (5-1) [25]
24. Washington Huskies (4-2) [18]
25. NC State Wolfpack (5-1) [29]
On the Cusp: Florida State Seminoles (4-2), UCF Golden Knights (4-1), Tulane Green Wave (5-1), North Carolina Tar Heels (5-1), San Jose State Spartans (4-1)
Dropped off: Maryland Terrapins [#21], Duke Blue Devils [#22], Kentucky Wildcats [#24]
Upsets and Surprises
Half of our upsets struck Top 25 teams. All of them were lower in rank, but it was still a shock to the team and their fans. Perhaps the biggest was the shock administered to Washington by Arizaon State, who led early and never fell behind. South Carolina beat Kentucky in a similar fashion. Georgia Tech required overtime to beat Duke.
There were other upsets. Colorado State broke a losing streak against Nevada, Navy found firm ground and strategized a win, UConn had a strong win, and Texas State overturned the Appalachian State Mountaineers.
Big Ten Report
The biggest shocks here were inter-divisional games, where West division teams beat East division teams. Both Rutgers and Maryland fell to weaker teams from the other division. The other games progressed as expected, although Illinois had a tougher time than I expected and Wisconsin had an easier time. Illinois had to deal with injuries to two key offensive players, while Wisconsin simply looked like they used to.
The West division is getting a bit more clear, although the easy early schedule puts Nebraska higher than they will end up. Three teams have 2-1 conference records, and Illinois leads those with the best overall record. Purdue and Nebraska follow, although both are yet to face their toughest competition. Illinois' only remaining challenges are Minnesota and Michigan. The Illini could win this division (especially if they beat Minnesota) and vie for a New Years Day bowl.
MAC Attack
Buffalo has taken a two-game lead in the East, and looking very strong. Ball State won again, and are chasing Toledo in the West. It definitely looks like Northern Illinois is dead this season, and Central Michigan is starting well behind.
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