NCAA Football Rankings 9-18-6

THIS WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN SEPTEMBER 18, 2006

1. OHIO STATE (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Cincinnati 37-7
Next Game: 9-23 vs Penn State
Got off to s low start again in state rival, but got their act together to win with ease. Their first Big Ten opponent comes this week in the form of Joe Paternos’ Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State always seems to play the Buckeyes tough in State College, but this one is in Columbus. Look for the Buckeyes to seek a little revenge for their loss last season, and win this one with relative ease.

2. AUBURN (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs LSU 7-3
Next Game: 9-23 vs Buffalo
A close, great defensive battle is what you come to expect when LSU and Auburn square off. Those may just be the best two teams in football, and they gave us a classic to watch last Saturday. This Saturday won’t be anything like it last week. Expect to see the 2nd and 3rd string in early against Buffalo.

3. SOUTHERN CAL (2-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Nebraska 28-10
Next Game: 9-23 @ Arizona
Maybe they don’t need Leinert, Bush and White, they seemed to do just fine without them for a second straight game, this time against a pretty tough defense. Nebraska is not a walk over, but the Trojans sure made it seem that way. And now on to the easy portion of their schedule, Pac-10 play.

4. WEST VIRIGINA (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Maryland 45-24
Next Game: 9-23 @ East Carolina
45-24 last week and it wasn’t that close. West Virginia has one of the most impressive rushing attacks in the country and the scary part is that both player are just sophomores. QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton could single handily carry the Mountaineers to the national championship game, to bad that their soft schedule might be the tough opponent.

5. LSU (2-1)-
Last Week: Lost @ Auburn 7-3
Next Game: 9-23 vs Tulane
How can I drop a team that played like they did last week? They could have won the game, and some will argue that they should of, but a questionable pass interference no-call prevented the win. As I said before, this I one of the top teams in the country and they will continue to show it week in and week out in the SEC.

6. FLORIDA (3-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Tennessee 21-20
Next Game: 9-23 vs Kentucky
The Gators didn’t really play the way I expected them to, but still managed to pull out the victory. The Vols pretty much had their way with the Gators for most of the game, but the Chris Leak led offense seemed to come through at all the right times. Hey, anytime you can win at Neyland Stadium under the lights it is an accomplishment.

7. MICHIGAN (3-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Notre Dame 47-21
Next Game: 9-23 vs Wisconsin
WOW!!! That is the first thing I have to say about that game, didn’t see that one coming one bit. I knew the Michigan line was good and Michael Hart was a tough runner, but I didn’t think the defense could do what they did to Brady Quinn and the Irish. After the first 10 minutes, Notre Dame didn’t stand a chance and Michigan never let up. Huge victory for Michigan, it makes that Ohio State showdown that much more interesting the last week in November.

8. GEORGIA (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs UAB 34-0
Next Game: 9-23 vs Colorado
Another win, but we still know nothing about this team. Colorado is terrible so next week will be the same thing all over again. Should be interesting once they get into the heart of the SEC schedule.

9. TEXAS (2-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Rice 52-7
Next Game: 9-23 vs Iowa State
Talk about a bounce back win, and making the other team pay for it, OUCH. At one point in the 3rd quarter Texas had more points (45) the Rice had yards (26). It won’t get much tougher this week as the Cyclones can expect to get blown out too!

10. LOUISVILLE (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Miami 34-7
Next Game: 9-23 @ Kansas State
Now that was a statement game. How many other top 25 teams could lose their Heisman candidate running back and All-American quarter back in the first 3 games and still not miss a beat on offense? This makes what Pete Carroll is doing at USC look easy. Brian Brohm should be back in time for the West Virginia game, but if he isn’t it may not matter the way this high-powered offense runs.

11. TENNESSEE (2-1)-
Last Week: Lost vs Florida 21-20
Next Game: 9-23 vs Marshall
All the Vols needed to do was finish the game and they would still be undefeated with a leg up in the SEC race, but now they have to play catch up. Look for Phil Fulmer and the Vols to take out their frustration on the Thundering Herd when they come to visit this week.

12. IOWA (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Iowa State 27-17
Next Game: 9-23 @ Illinois
The Hawkeyes struggled in a game that they should have won easily which puts a little concern into this ranking considering the Syracuse game the week before. Illinois is a team that no D-1 team should struggle with; it is a good chance for Iowa to finally get things going before the real games begin (read: formidable Big Ten teams)

13. OREGON (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Oklahoma 34-33
Next Game: 9-30 vs Arizona State
Hey a win is a win, no matter what calls go in your favor. They came through in the clutch and scored twice in the last 60-some odd seconds AND made a big defensive stand to keep the lead. Put all that together and it is impressive, no matter what controversy continues to surround the game.

14. NOTRE DAME (2-1)-
Last Week: Lost vs Michigan 47-21
Next Game: 9-23 @ Michigan State
Well, we now know that the Notre Dame defense didn’t suddenly become the Steel Curtain like everyone had believed, maybe it was just the first two teams they played had a less the stellar offensive attack to put forth. This week will be another test as they travel north to East Lansing to play team that give the Irish fits. Michigan State has oddly enough had Notre Dame’s number the past couple of year, but Notre Dame is looking for revenge after the Spartans planted their flag on the 50-yard line after winning last season in South Bend.

15. VIRGINIA TECH (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Duke 36-0
Next Game: 9-23 vs Cincinnati
It is amazing to me that Virginia Tech can dominate every week the first 2 months of the season yet look like a high school team come November, so far this team is right on pace. They have been ball hawks on defense and special teams again this year, and have taken advantage of an easy early schedule; lucky for Frank Beamer and Co. it might not get much tougher with how down the ACC is this year.

16. ARIZONA STATE (3-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Colorado 21-3
Next Game: 9-23 @ California
This team once again looks impressive, but really how good are they? We will find out shortly when they take on Cal. They have not won a game in the state of California in their last 10 tries, is this lucky 11?

17. OKLAHOMA (2-1)-
Last Week: Lost @ Oregon 34-33
Next Game: 9-23 vs Middle Tennessee
Hey Bob Stoops, I have an idea, rather then complain they you got jobbed on an on-sides kick play, PLAY SOME DEFENSE!!!! The on-sides kick recovery didn’t win the game for Oregon the lack of defense that your Sooners decided to play (or not play) in the final minutes is what cost you. Don’t blame the refs, look around at your next coaches meeting; those are the guys that need to take the blame!!!

18. NEBRASKA (2-1)-
Last Week: Lost @ Southern Cal 28-10
Next Game: 9-23 vs Troy
Could have been a lot worse in California, the Corn huskers proved to me that they are legit and should be taken serious in the Big XII this season. But they better not sleep on the next groups of Trojans in line, Troy almost pulled of a miracle by upsetting Florida Sate 2 weeks ago, don’t think it couldn’t happen in Lincoln this week,

19. TCU (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Texas Tech 12-3
Next Game: 9-28 vs BYU
Last week was all based on potential, and they passed that test. While scoring just 12 points is anything but impressive, to hold a Texas Tech offense to just 3 might be the most impressive thing we see from any team all season.

20. BOISE STATE (3-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Wyoming 17-10
Next Game: 9-23 vs Hawaii
Not impressive but a road victory is what it is. As I said last week, now all they have to do is win the simple games left on the schedule, because there aren’t any tough ones, they do that and they may sneak into the BCS as one of those mid-major conference teams the BCS dreads so much.

21. RUTGERS (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs Ohio 24-7
Next Game: 9-23 vs Howard
Hey, this team just keeps winning. They are the #4 rushing offense in the NCAA and in the top 10 for overall defense, those two things combined together usually leads to a lot of wins. The only thing that would scare me now if I am a Rutgers fan is Larry Coker, if he gets fired you can bet “The U” would come to NJ to have their former defensive coordinator Greg Schiano take the reins in Miami.

22. BOSTON COLLEGE (3-0)-
Last Week: Won vs BYU 30-23 (2OT)
Next Game: 9-23 @ NC State
It was another double overtime thriller that the Eagles were able to pull out last week. They should have no problem with the struggling Wolfpack this week and could become a favorite in the ACC simply by beating the teams they should beat, which seems to be a problem recently for ACC teams.

23. CLEMSON (2-1)-
Last Week: Won @ Florida State 27-20
Next Game: 9-23 vs North Carolina
After the upset win last week, the Tigers have got to be kicking themselves (no pun intended) for not being able to hold off Boston College two weeks ago. Younger Bowden Tommy has seemed to own dad in the recent match-ups and has no maybe claimed conference bragging rights in the family.

24. MICHIGAN STATE (3-0)-
Last Week: Won @ Pitt 38-23
Next Game: 9-23 vs Notre Dame
They looked real impressive against Pitt last week as their massive offensive line just manhandled the Panthers younger defense. I expect much of the same this week when Notre Dame comes to town; the key to victory will be stopping Brady Quinn. This game could end up being a shootout; if that is the case I like the Spartans.

25. CALIFORNIA (2-1)
Last Week: Won vs Portland State
Next Game: 9-23 vs Arizona State
I don’t like moving a team up that played a 1-AA team, as you all know how I feel about scheduling them in the first place, but Cal is legit. Take away the first half of the season opener and they are playing some of the best football in the country. This week will be a test, a test I expect them to pass with flying colors.

NEXT 5:
26. Penn State (2-1)- Beating Youngstown State was nice, but now beat the real Ohio school.
27. Florida State (2-1)- Has anyone seen the offense in Tallahassee, not pretty.
28. Miami (FL) (1-2)- How hot is that seat Larry Coker is sitting on?
29. Alabama (3-0)- Just keep ignoring them, they are coming up strong though.
30. Texas Tech (2-1)- 3 points??? 3 points is all you can score against TCU?!