NCAA GridIron Gab

1. (1) LSU Tigers (6-0), (3-0) @ Kentucky - If you missed last Saturday Nite’s SEC nail biter, down to the wire finish in Baton Rouge, you missed the College Football game of the year. LSU was down and out and couldn’t figure out Tebow and the Gators, trailing 24-14 going into the 4th quarter, then comes the defense with some crucial, forced turnovers to swing the momentum, then insert the power RB Jacob Hester to help cap the comeback, coming through with a big fourth down conversion along with the game-winning score following after, and all the national title implications are at steak with a loud, full-capacity crowd at Death Valley, adding more to the intrigue, folks, you had it all in this once in a lifetime, exciting game that gave you the thrills and the chills, depending on which team you were rooting for. The senior from Shreveport was a bull and put forth a tremendous effort that will go down in history, as the LSU Tigers showed lots of guts, perseverance, heart, and resilience in a time of adversity when their season was on the line. As I was watching the game live I could not sit down, because of the fact Coach Miles and LSU kept going for it on fourth down (5 for 5), converting all of the vital plays, while one mistake could’ve cost them their season (playcalling was all-go or no-go), canceling any reservations or plans for the Louisiana Superdome in January for the BCS Championship. The game did not disappoint and it made me want to see a rematch, Round 2 in the SEC Title game in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome! Hopefully, from now until then, LSU’s coaching staff will know and understand what I have already seen - Ryan Perrilloux is the best QB on their roster. The former #1 Rated, Top 5-star, blue-chip Recruit should be their main Starter under center taking the majority of the snaps, as he gives them more talent at the spot, a better, and more accurate deep arm, and more speed/playmaking ability to become that versatile threat in the option department that need to go to more often with all those big-time athletes, now let’s see this change happen before the switching in and out (too much) at the QB postion hurts them. Now with being the first unanimous #1 ranked team since Ohio State last December, LSU heads to the bluegrass state to face off against the Wildcats in an SEC match-up that will light up the scoreboard, what more can you ask for from the best team in the nation. In all of College Football, I cannot think of a team with a better resume than LSU, beating both South Carolina and Florida, while playing impressive on both sides of the ball. Now, they have to go on to the road to beat the #17th ranked team in the land, going head to head with standout QB Andre’ Woodson, in what should be a showdown, with LSU coming out on top by two scores. If you want to watch a team that has it all, look no further than the Louisiana State Bayou Bengals!

2. (3) Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0), (3-0) vs. Kent State - Arguably with the best defense in the nation, OSU’s squad dominated Purdue in West Lafayette, while they left no hope, doubt, nor controversy in this contest, for a close game against the Boilermakers, making sure there would not be any threat or chance of an upset (early on in the 1st quarter, 14-0). The Buckeyes showed a consistent running game, precise passing, and a swarming defense that attacked Purdue all nite long. This team looks more balanced with each week passing by and has all the attributes of a winner to become a National Champion. With the defense giving the opposition fits, the offense is getting more comfortable in its sets, making more and more plays, as the special teams makes for a complete team; while these Buckeyes become closer to the finished product, having their eyes set on the prize. Last year was offense, this year is defense, as this Ohio State squad has the ability to run the table and convincingly be a force to be reckoned with. Robiskie, Wells, Hartline, Small, Beockman, along with a rock-solid o-line, have answered the critics on the offensive side of the ball, while you have the defense sounding off with their actions and play on the field, week in and week out. A letdown is not likely and prolonging injuries to RB Chris Wells may be the only thing to stop this team other than a Wolverines unit, November 17th in Ann Arbor, but don’t about forget the Fighting Illini the week before. Ohio State controls their own destiny and they have the makings of another run for the trophy when it’s all said and done. If they continue to play the way they’re playing, taking it one week at a time, expect this team to meet with LSU for the #1 ranking in the land.

3. (4) Cal Golden Bears (5-0), (2-0) vs. Oregon State - I don’t see many teams keeping off with this offense in the Pac-10, but if there’s a team to knock ‘em off, it may be the defensive-minded UCLA Bruins next week on the road in Pasadena, in the Rose Bowl, a site they may re-visit if they can keep up this rapid pace. UCLA may’ve lost their QB and a lot more in a loss last week at home to an awful Notre Dame, but don’t count out an upset here. Cal should be able to take care of USC at home though (similiar team that plays into their strengths), as they have to much firepower for a USC squad that has lost their touch and mystique, while it will be a tough game, along with a road date with the undefeated Arizona State Sun Devils, I honestly expect UCLA, like they did versus USC at home last season, to possibly give Cal a tougher time than expected. The Golden Bears have shown me a lot this year with two ranked wins (not many can say that) over Tennessee at home and Oregon on the road, and I look for them to be in the hunt ’till the end if they can stay focused and win on the road, with 4 games away from Berkeley, out of the 7 remaining on the schedule for Coach Tedford’s high-powered attack.

4. (5) South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1), (3-1) @ North Carolina - What else can you say about that victory at home Thursday Nite against previously unbeaten Kentucky, other than, impressive and eye-opening, for a team that looked to lost a step after losing star defender and leader Jasper Brinkley, along with a thumping at the hands of LSU. They beat Mississippi State and then walloped an offensive powerhouse in the Wildcats, forcing Mr. Woodson, a top 10 NFL Draft projected pick, into his worst game of the season, picking him off in the end zone and recovering two of his fumbles, resulting into 14 points (DE Eric Norwood). They took over the game completely and had Woodson off his “a-game”, out of his passing rhythm throughout the contest. South Carolina has the shutdown defense, offensive talent, speed, and plays, to go along with the coaching, to eventually have their name’s considered among the elite, sooner, rather than later, this season. Potential Roadblocks: @Tennessee, @Arkansas, vs. Florida, all in consectutive weeks, in what will prove to be a mighty, stiff test, for a team that has high hopes and aspirations.

5. (6) Oregon Ducks (4-1), (1-1) vs. Washington State - I’m not jumping off this bandwagon just yet, and you better not yet either, as you cannot forget about the best offense in the nation. Oregon’s week off last week, one that they rested from, went over gamefilm, along with gameplans, and recovered from a tough loss, will help them get into full swing in Eugene against the Cougars. I expect them to be within striking distance of the Top 3 throughout the whole College Football season and I really like their chances of making it the Rose Bowl over Cal. As for now, look for them to roll by the next two weeks and so the world who they really are, October 27th versus USC. Oregon has been my darkhorse, outside shot title contender for weeks now, and I’m not giving up on them because of the Cal loss, so count on them to rebound because of their spread offense that is the most dynamic in all the land.

6. (Outside) Oklahoma Sooners (5-1), (1-1) vs. Mizzou - The Red River Rivalry was a close, 28-21 victory for the team in red, led by Bob Stoops’ club. The Sooners rebounded in a way I expected them to and beat the rival Longhorns. This week the explosive offensive show of Bradford, Kelly, and Patrick host the red-hot, Chase Daniel-led, undefeated Missouri Tigers in Norman. I have to go with OU here, and if they win this by two scores or more, in which I think they are very capable of, they will shoot up the rankings and reach the Top 3. Oklahoma has too much talent to lose at home and I think their loss @ Colorado two weeks ago was a big-time wake up call, one that got this team more than ready for their sights set ahead to running the table after they beat Missouri, making their way back to the Big 12 Title game once again, and rolling their way back into title contention, this team is a definite Contender, and watch out for them Big 12 foes. I feel that OU is ready to make a run for the gold and they will go as far as their defense allows them to, as the offense is set in place.

7. (8) Boston College Eagles (6-0), (3-0) @ Notre Dame - B.C. has a Heisman Trophy Candidate and a future Top 10 NFL Draft pick in QB Matt Ryan, so you have to consider them as a top team for now… But as I look ahead, reviewing the remaining oppenents on their schedule, you have to wonder if they have what it takes to beat two hot defensive-ridden teams in Virginia Tech (road) and Florida State in back-to-back weeks? Also, they have ACC rivals Maryland and Clemson in consectutive weeks away from the friendly confines at home, so I don’t think this team is a legitimate title contender just yet, and I’ll stay away from putting them up in my Top 5, as I expect them lose at least two games in the next 5 upcoming match-ups, with four of ‘em on the road. The schedule has been very nice to them so far, as they’ve only had to play once away from home, so you have to wonder about them if they are a contender, or a pretender? I’ll take the latter part…

8. (9) West Virginia Mountaineers (5-1), (3-1) vs. Mississippi State (Oct.20) - Ahead of South Florida for the second week in a row, and only 8th behind B.C. because of Pat White’s continued injury problems, this team has what it takes to run the table and win a big Bowl game this year. In a 55-14 rout over ‘Cuse, this team rebounded in great fashion, and they are on my list of teams that are underappreciated. The Mountaineers stil feature the best backfield combo in the nation and they have an improving passing game. WVU will be a team that will have their shot at the National Title if QB Pat White stays healthy and if they beat the undefeated Bearcats on the road November 15th in Cincinnati. They should beat Rutgers and be able to take care of Cincy because of their ultra-speed weapons on offense, along with an excellent coach in Rich Rodriguez.

9. (Unranked) Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1), (3-0) @ Iowa - This team can not be any hotter than it is right now! They are like butter, they are on a roll, and I called the upset against Wisconsin, if you call it one then call it, if you don’t, then don’t. At home against the 5th ranked team in the nation (I can already hear the “overrated” chant all the way from Champagne), the Fighting Illini used a heavy dose of RB Rashard Mendenhall (3 TD’s, 160 rush yards) and QB Juice Williams to “badger” the Wisconsin defense, using options to success, running all over their Big Ten rival at home. They dominated early on with a 17-0 lead and were impressive in all facets of the game, as they strolled by the Badgers on offense with an efficient attack through the air and via the ground game, en route to its biggest victory in years. The campus cannot be any more excited than it is right now and the sky’s the limit for Ron Zook’s lean, mean, fightin’ machine, that has everyone buzzing all round’ the nation. The Illini face a couple of tall tasks ahead, having Michigan at home (Oct. 20), and Ohio State on the road (Nov. 10) later in the year. Would be undefeated if not for a close 40-34 shootout, in a loss to Mizzou opening week. I expect them to go into the “Shoe” and play the Buckeyes with the Big 10 title on the line down in Columbus, and I have this feeling that they are for real, being a Contender to be dealt with seriously, it’s not just a Basketball school anymore, not is it…?

10. (Unranked) Virginia Tech Hokies (5-1), (2-0) - Lots to choose from here for the final spot in my Top 10 Power Rankings in Week 7, as I considered Stanford (oh, yes, what an UPSET over USC, 39-POINT Underdogs!!!), Florida (valiant effort on the road), South Florida (despite only beating Fl. Atl. by 12), Tennessee (smoked a #12 ranked Georgia Bulldog squad 35-14), Cincinnati (beat a tough Rutgers team on the road, 28-23) and Missouri (mightily impressive against Nebraska at home, winning 41-6!). I have to go with the Hokie birds because of their big-time road victory against the Clemson Tigers, 41-23. They were excellent on Special Teams like always, while starting Fr. QB Tyrod Taylor is getting better by the second. Taylor is a mulit-threat QB and is a extremely good talent, and it’s remarkable to see him bring back the Hokies and lead them as a first-year player in the ACC, that is something rare. Coach Beamer’s squad is playing some lights out defense and they are overcoming the tragedy the school went through this last summer. Watch out for this team to run the table and become a scary threat that no one will want to play come November and December, as they will dismantle B.C. and show the Nation what they’re made of!

On The Outside Looking In:

1. Tennessee Volunteers (3-2), (1-1) @ Miss. State - @ ‘Bama and at home vs. S.C. in back-to-back weeks after this week. Closes out Kentucky on the road November 24th.

2. Michigan Wolverines (4-2), (2-0) vs. Purdue - Tough games coming up: @ Illini next week, @ Wisconsin (Nov. 10) and at home vs. Ohio State (Nov. 17).

3. South Florida Bulls (5-0), (1-0) vs. UCF - @ Rutgers and UConn in back-to-back weeks and at home vs. Cincinnati the following week for a tough three-game stretch that will decide their season and determine if they are a Pretender or a Contender.

4. Missouri Tigers (5-0), (1-0) @ OU - Brutal road games to close out the year @ Kansas State and Kansas, with the in-state rivals providing tough tests. OU game will be the measuring stick, so to say, for this up and coming squad who has already beaten Illinois (road) in Week 1.

5. (Tie) Florida (@ UK - Oct 20), USC (vs. Arizona), Kentucky (vs. LSU) - All teams that had their chances to win big games on the road to boost their rankings and knock off rivals en route to a Top 5 ranking. Oops… Sorry, I forgot USC is not supposed to be in this bunch, wrong category….! The Trojans took a small(?) step back, in a hard one to swallow, as they lost to the MIGHTY Stanford Cardinal, led by Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, it was a tough game and a 24-23 loss at Home in the L.A. Coliseum, a place where they previously had not lost a game in 35 tries… and oh, yeah, they were 39-POINT FAVORITES on TOP of that!!! This is why College Football is the best sport in all of America, better than the NFL! UPSET City every week and Showdown Central gets better as the weeks go on, and we’re only in the Middle of October!

Others not included that are undefeated (Pretenders): Cincinnati, Hawaii, Arizona State, and Kansas.