NCAA GridIron Gab

1. (4) LSU Tigers (7-1), (4-1) @ ’Bama (Nov. 3) - LSU’s strength of schedule, clutch offense, and strong defense makes them the #1 pick for my Power Rankings in Week 9.  LSU won a last-second play at home against their SEC rival Auburn Tigers on a 22-yard TD reception by Demetrius Byrd from the scrutinized, criticized, and often bashed QB Matt Flynn.  Maybe LSU has found their offense with Flynn improving, Early Doucet coming back, and Byrd stepping his play up.  LSU knows how to win the big game and did close out a victory in a great finish without All-American DT Glenn Dorsey.  This looks like a team on a mission and of destiny, they don’t win games as convincgly as some want them to, but can you blame them?  The SEC is the best conference in all of College Football and this is the best team in the SEC, so I’ll go with LSU because they are more balanced then my #2 ranked squad.  LSU @ Alabama will be a primetime, premiere game next week and I hope they involve and implement RB Keiland Williams a little bit more into the offense, along with the combo of Jacob Hester, Richard Murphy and Charles Scott.  LSU is in midst of one exciting season and only has one loss on their resume and they are the most talented team next to Florida,  and what makes them so good is their coaching, and their flare for the dramatic.  LSU just knows how to win, baby! 

2. (3) Oregon Ducks (6-1), (3-1) vs. USC - 55 points on the road against Washington and the ability to score whenever they want makes this team the top team in all the land, right?  Only thing holding Oregon back is its quality of victories and this week can change that, when they play a recovering Trojans unit at Eugene in Autzen Stadium.  USC is ranked #9 in the AP Top 25 polls, and if Oregon, which they will, beats USC and impressively hands them their second loss, I will put this team #1 next week.  Dennis Dixon is the best QB next to Tim Tebow and is a Heisman Candidate and can do it all on the gridiron.  RB Jonathan Stewart is a beast at 255 pounds, and he matched his weight with his rushing yard output against the Huskies, totaling a ton in a career-high performance as the team lost their back-up Jeremiah Johnson to the season.  He stepped up to the challenge as their #1 featured back and Andre Crenshaw, along with Dixon racked up 465 yards on the ground in a historic and record-breaking day for the Ducks.  They have the best running team as they go triple-option in more ways than one and it’s so fun to watch ‘em go up and down the field at a speedy pace.  Oregon has the offense to do some major damage and they will get a victory against USC as their defense will continue to improve, knowing they have to.  I haven’t seen a team like Oregon in awhile and I have this feeling for sure that this is their year to shine and come out of the Pac-10 as the top team and challenge for the title.

3. (8) Florida Gators (5-2), (3-2) @ Georgia - Florida has the best QB in Tim Tebow and a resilient squad that won’t let down because they have two losses.  Percy Harvin and Tebow form the best 1-2 punch along with receiver Cornelius Ingram (6′4”) and RB Kestahn Moore in the best show on grass.  The Gators are “chomping” at the bit to show everyone in the nation why they are a force to be reckoned with and team that derserves as much consideration for a shot at the title then say a, Oklahoma or Ohio State.  The key right now is their defense making plays in critical situations, with the starters maturing and getting enough experience under the belt, UF is only going to get better and the sky is the limit for the most talented team in College Football, led by a do-it-all QB that has all the confidence and toughness you would want in a signal caller that goes under center thinking that every play may be his last, and a gutsy Head Coach named Urban who is a flat-out winner, helping steer and direct a team that has faced its adversity and gotten through the storm in impressive fashion.

4. (1) Ohio State Buckeyes (8-0), (4-0) @ Penn St. - The “Buck” stops here so to say, as OSU will have tough time beating a team that is similiar and has the homefield advantage.  Ohio State’s offense isn’t all that impressive as it continues to cough up the ball and has much to improve on because QB Todd Beockman is in a world of hurt, as he is making bad decisions in the 2nd half of games.  The offensive unit looks out of sync and rhthym and has much to prove, though Chris Wells’ 231-yard game on the ground was a personal best and a tremendous performance.  Robiskie, Hartline, and Small are the weapons Beockman has to throw to, but will he be able to accurately complete it to him with a tough, stingy, and stout Nittany Lion defense in his face all nite long at Happy Valley.  OSU’s defense is the best defense by far and they get better every week, and if they win this week it will be their part in the “W”.  Look for OSU to either put up and shut up (the critics) or get beaten and fall because of a weak Big Ten.  Ohio State has the talent, but the QB play is what seperates them from the Top 3 and they have to be concerned in fixing the the major issue/problem at hand.  Look for OSU to determine their destiny as they are in control of it, having to come out early and successful on offense at Penn State, but will they show if they are for real in tall task ahead?  They will be going up against a solid D and big crowd in a hostile environment, so they have much to show in State College.

5. (10) West Virginia Mountaineers (6-1), (2-1) @ Rutgers - Pat White, Owen Schmitt, and Steve Slaton will run all over a vulnerable and shaky Rutgers run defense, showcasing the talented running offense the Mountaineers live and die with.  They run the ball and run the ball some more, as they have a consistent and steady gameplan and they stick with it.  Reynauld and Devine make the team strong as they are good #3 and #4 options, along with the 6′8” WR Wes Lyons.  This team is a joy to watch and they will make the SportsCenter Top Highlights a lot after they’re done with the Scarlet Knights.  Look for them to establish their point, argument, and dominance as a team that is worthy of a shot at the National Title.  WV will go right at you and they have the speed to run around you too, as this squad is in a defining game in which they show the world they are for real!

6. (7) Virginia Tech Hokies (6-1), (3-1) vs. BC - A win at home in Blacksburg against the Matt-Ryan led undefeated Eagles of Boston College will be the icing on the cake and a great way for analysts and experts around the country to start talking about V.T. as one of the better teams in the land.  Though they don’t score a lot and their offense doesn’t get many yards (D gives up more than O gets), this team is a unit that takes care of the ball and protects their house.  They will not beat themselves and this is a balanced attack that relies heavily on their defensive and special teams units a lot.  The Hokies have no standouts besides super Freshman QB Tyrod Taylor, so they know they have to play together and tough out each and every win. I like them at home this week and I know this team has something extra to show in the national spotlight.  Limelight time is here and you have a hungry pack of Hokie birds led by an excellent coach in Frank Beamer, and his troops will be ready to do nothing but win.

7. (6) Kentucky Wildcats (6-2), (2-2) vs. Miss. St. - UK showed lots of heart, but no defense last week vs. Florida, though they made me a believer out of me in fighting towards the end like they always do, making the game closer than I thought as they clawed back with all that they had against a better team last week in Lexington.  Andre’ Woodson was brilliant with 5 TD’s and 415 yards passing, completing 70 percent in a stunning performance in a defeat.  This team has nowhere to go but up and they continue to impress and surprise me each week.  Kentucky plays like cats on defense but they are champions on offense and they have a chance to get to the SEC Title Game if they keep lighting up the scoreboard.  Look for the ‘Cats to put up 50 + this week and show everyone that will not go down easily because of two losses.

8. (Unranked) Missouri Tigers (6-1), (2-1) vs. Iowa St. - Mizzou beat up on ranked Texas Tech and destroyed the Red Raiders at their game, 41-10 - in a landslide blowout! Chase Daniel is a Heisman Candidate and the defense did it’s thing intercepting the throwing machine Graham Harrell four time!  Last week’s game set up the rest of the schedule and now they have a team that will play for the Big 12 Title barring a major upset.  The Tigers of Mizzou are the Oregon Ducks of the midwest and they have a dynamite offensive attack that has Freshman Jeremy Maclin doing big things.  Maclin can do anything that’s called of him for, as he runs the ball, catches passes, and returns both kicks and punts, making him one of the most explosiveness and elusive playmakers in the nation, in the mold of a DeSean Jackson (Cal), doing everything exceptionally well.  The defense is an impressive unit that showed what its capable of last week, and this team is one to strike at any time, scoring points in bunches.  Mizzou is the best team no one talks about and they have what it takes to make it to a BCS Bowl and make some noise with Daniel and the gang.

9. (outside) Michigan Wolverines (6-2), (3-0) vs. Minnesota -  They won without their best player in RB Mike Hart and they went into Champagne and defeated a strong Illini squad.  The UM Wolverines played really good defense and showed that they can contain the spread offense and a scrambling QB.  They did a nice job in a victory and Manningham and Arrington are the best 1-2 duo at WR.  UM is looking ahead and they know that the only way to get their season back and put a smile on the fans’ faces is to beat OSU on Nov. 17th in Ann Arbor.  This team is steadily gaining ground and moving up the polls, and the offense could not be any better, as they get Mike Hart backthis week and they are putting up solid #’s without the starting backfield of Henne and Hart.  The team is showing its balance and its attack on both sides of the football makes this squad one that can win out and work its way up to the Top 10.  UM has the talent and surely has a chip on its shoulders, while winning a close game on the road will only help.

10. (Outside) Auburn Tigers (5-3), (3-2) vs. Ole Miss - Auburn, despite three losses, is one of the better teams in the nation.  They should’ve beat LSU and they won at Florida, and that tells it all.  They have the run game, a strong-armed QB leader in Brandon Cox, and a defense that is swarming.  Tuberville and his troops are a team that is overlooked and if not for a couple of late blunders, they would be undefeated.  Auburn is a classic run ‘em down your throat type of team that gets tough play and consistency from their 5th-year Senior QB Cox, and the defense is good enough to win a game here and there.  The Tigers made their statement last week and they are here to stay if they continue to show their skill out on the playing field, as they can play with anyone in the SEC and in the NCAA.

On The Outside Looking In:    

1. (Unranked) USC Trojans (6-1), (3-1) @ Oregon - This team has too much talent to be left out and they have a superb coaching staff, though they do not have the elite group of playmakers they once had on defense and the offensive threats to score whenever, with QB problems becoming more of a factor.

2. (Outside) Boston College Eagles (7-0), (3-0) vs. V-Tech - Matt Ryan is making life a little easier for rookie Head Coach Jeff Jagodzinski and this team is still undefeated - so I’ll give ‘em some credit where its due, before they lose to the Hokies away from home, in Blacksburg on Thursday Nite.

3. (Unranked) Penn State Nittany Lions (6-2), (3-2) vs. Ohio State - Survived a scare from a potent offensive-minded team in the Hooisers of Indiana, led by multi-threat QB sensation Kellen Lewis.  This team is rugged and has one of the elite defenses in all the land.  Morelli is improving and the run game looks good, while Derrick Williams is a threat to take it to the house.  Its plain and simple:  They stop the run and run the football extremely well.

4. (Outside) Arizona St. Sun Devils (7-0), (4-0) vs. Cal - Losing their best offensive playmaker, RB Ryan Torain to a foot injury, will hurt this team a whole lot, putting a lot of the pressure and onus on QB Rudy Carpenter.  Arizona St. is a mystery and they better play their heart out against an angered, upset Golden Bears team.

5. (Unranked) Alabama Crimson Tide (6-2), (4-1) vs. LSU (Nov. 3) - ‘Bama whooped Tennessee and threw the football all over ‘em and rolled by easily 41-17.  Wilson is a definite playmaker at QB and I really expect this team to give LSU their best shot.  ‘Bama is one team to keep an eye on and they have things going their way, with a balanced, complete team in Tuscaloosa.