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Published October 3, 2007

The Real Top 25

After all of the upsets that took place this past weekend, there was a major mix-up in the polls. However, it should have been more drastic.

A team that loses at home by 20 to a team with an equal record (Texas to Kansas State) should not be ranked above them. Also, people say that those who begin high in the polls get the breaks and stay highly ranked. This may be somewhat true, but it is more about the big name. A struggling Wisconsin team is having a hard time of staying ahead of one loss "big name teams."

My poll is coming out now because conference season is starting, and there are enough games to decide who the top teams are.

1. LSU (5-0): The Tigers have dominated the early season, including two good wins over South Carolina and Virginia Tech, both of who mwere in or near the top 10.

2. California (5-0): Cal has had two great wins over Tennessee and at Oregon, which is more than USC can say right now. However, the Bears have struggled with Colorado State and Arizona, proving that they can beat anyone, but should always be on upset alert.

3. USC (4-0): Southern Cal has not been overly impressive this year, although it looked great against Nebraska. A big struggle against Washington puts it down here for now.

4. South Florida (5-0): Where do you start with the Bulls? The win at Auburn once again looks as impressive as its win versus West Virginia. I have not been high on Big East teams the last couple of years, but these guys look for real so far.

5. Kentucky (5-0): Two solid wins over Louisville and at Arkansas is better than the rest of the undefeated teams can say, which is why the Wildcats are up here. It won't last long though with the gauntlet coming up (@ SC, vs. LSU, vs. Florida).

6. OSU (5-0): It looked better at U-Dub than USC did, but that was mostly because of the momentum from the block. Other than that it has been cupcake city for the Buckeyes, but they have looked very good recently.

7. Wisconsin (5-0): Just win baby is the motto for the Badgers. Looked pretty bad at UNLV and at home against Iowa, MSU and The Citidel, but as long as they keep winning, it is hard to drop any farther.

8. Boston College (5-0): Lets not think of the game against UMASS over the weekend. The Eagles have looked great in the less than stellar ACC, but the win over Georgia Tech is looking a bit better now. Their true test will be at VT in a couple weeks.

9. Florida (4-1): It is hard to penalize a team for an SEC loss, even if it was at home. Say what you want about Auburn, but it always comes up with a win that makes you scratch your head and wonder where that was earlier. The huge win over UT keeps the Gators up here, for now.

10. Oregon (4-1): I am not going out of control like Kirk Herbstreit is with the quackers. They lost at home, which they could not afford to do. But it was against a great team, and they were in it until the end, so they deserve to be up here. Win over Michigan gets big props right now, but I see trouble down the road.

11. Missouri (4-0): The Tigers were in the best position on upset Saturday: on their couch. Their win over Illinois is looking better and better, and a win at Mississippi proved to be harder than advertised after Florida's struggles. With perhaps the best offense in the country, just a little bit of D could lead them a long way.

12. Purdue (5-0): I really like this team, but it is hard to move the Boilers higher because of a lack of competition. Another great offensive attack, but its D will have to step up to beat OSU. A win and the top 10 awaits.

13. South Carolina (4-1): There is no shame in losing at LSU, especially much more respectable than Virginia Tech. The freshman QB Smelley looks better than Blake Mitchell, who stunk up Death Valley. The win at Georgia proves its mettle. UK game should be lots of fun.

14. West Virginia (4-1): A loss at South Florida is understandable, but the way it did it is not. Too many mistakes for an offense who can only be stopped by itself. Defense can't play much better than they did, either.

15. Arizona State (5-0): Dennis Erickson is doing it again, which doesn't surprise me. However, the way the Sun Devils dumped Stanford last week opened my eyes as they look like the real deal.

16. Georgia (4-1): The Bulldogs have looked great, except for the loss to Carolina. If the offense can continue to provide support for a very good defense, this team just may win the SEC East. A loss to UT though will put them in a tough spot.

17. Oklahoma (4-1): I had the Sooners as No. 3 before last week, but a loss at a team who was 2-10 last year drops them far. The polls have not punished them nearly enough for such a pathetic loss. If Colorado somehow wins the Big 12 North, then Oklahoma may become a National Championship contender again.

18. Virginia Tech (4-1): Boy have the Hokies looked bad this year. A blowout loss to LSU and struggling to a 17-10 win over a bad UNC team at home. The defense can't carry them forever.

19. Cincinnati (5-0): I guess that win over Oregon State wasn't a fluke for either team. The Bearcats look impressive, and a win over Rutgers can give this team serious respect.

20. Kansas State (4-1): Remember, this team's lone loss was at Auburn, in a game it could have won. That is a good loss, and a dominating win at Texas is deserving of a ranking.

21. Texas (4-1): See, Texas is lower than KSU because they have the same record and lost to them at home. The Longhorns have struggled all year with the exception of the Rice game, and it could get ugly against Oklahoma. A very overrated football team.

22. Clemson (4-1): The kicking game haunted the Tigers once again against Georgia Tech, but the win over FSU is looking better. Running backs need to perform to win, especially in a battle with VT this week.

23. Auburn (3-2): How did it lose at home to Mississippi State? That will keep people scratching their heads, but this Auburn team finally showed its talent at Florida. Loss to South Florida doesn't look bad at all anymore, but Brandon Cox needs to perform well for the Tigers to keep winning.

24. Florida State (4-1): The Seminoles get big props in my book for beating Alabama. Xavier Lee should have started since the beginning of the year, but it isn't too late for their ACC title hopes in the pathetic conference.

25. Kansas (4-0): I know the Jayhawks haven't played anyone, but the beat the teams they should have by a much larger margin than expected. The cross-state rivalry with KState this week may show which team belongs.

Best of the rest: Hawaii, Nebraska, UCLA, Tennessee, Texas Tech, Michigan State, Rutgers

Tags: college football,

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