College Football Week 6 Power Rankings - Vito's View - Comcast.net Sports

Although the top 10 of this installment of the power rankings remain mostly unchanged for the second straight week, don’t expect the trend to continue much longer.

The TV networks can easily throw out catchphrases such as “Throwdown Thursday” and “Showdown Saturday” to hype up this week’s huge clashes with conference and national championship implications.

The slate features:

• Cincinnati vs. South Florida in a virtual Big East championship game;
• Oklahoma vs. Texas in the annual shootout in Dallas that will go a long way toward determining whether Texas is a true national title contender and if Oklahoma is a legit Big 12 championship threat;
• Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech in an ACC Coastal Division clash that could ultimately determine who advances to the conference championship game;
• South Carolina vs. Alabama in an SEC matchup that will prove whether Spurrier’s boys can hang with the big dogs; and
• USC vs. Notre Dame in a match that is … uh, more hype than anything else (but that’s the name of the game!).

Before the mayhem begins, see where your team stands in the weekly power rankings:

1. Florida (5-0)
Previous Rank: 1
Last Week: W, at LSU, 13-3
All eyes were on QB Tim Tebow, who returned from a concussion to throw for 134 yards, a score and an INT, but it was the Gators’ defense that paved the way to Florida’s 15th straight win. The Gators picked off a pass, notched six sacks (with LB Brandon Spikes getting 2.5 of them) and held LSU to just 162 yards of offense. “Those guys have a pretty good defense,” LSU WR Brandon LaFell said. Ya think?

2. Texas (5-0)
Previous Rank: 2
Last Week: W, Colorado, 38-14
The faithful should be nervous about another slow start against an inferior opponent. The ’Horns once again turned it on when they woke up, but will they be able to do that against the better teams in the Big 12 – such as Oklahoma this week?

3. Alabama (6-0)
Previous Rank: 3
Last Week: W, at Mississippi, 22-3
RB Mark Ingram rushed for 172 yards and a score, the defense picked off four passes and the special teams blocked a punt as ’Bama beat a ranked team for the second time this season. “This was the most complete win we’ve had all year,” coach Nick Saban said. “It’s like climbing a mountain. The higher you go the more treacherous it gets.”

4. Virginia Tech (5-1)
Previous Rank: 5
Last Week: W, Boston College, 48-14
Now that was a beating. By halftime, the Hokies led 34-0, rolled up 293 yards of offense and allowed BC just three yards. Yes, three yards ... in the entire half. Remember, Tech’s lone loss was a 34-24 setback to Alabama in the season opener. This is a solid team and a very serious national title contender.

5. Boise State (5-0)
Previous Rank: 4
Last Week: Idle
The Broncos take on former WAC rival Tulsa in front of a national audience – albeit on a Wednesday – trying to prove they’re worthy of a top ranking and a BCS berth. “We’re definitely using this as a spotlight, statement game,” CB Kyle Wilson said. “We really want to get out there and just prove a point.”

6. Cincinnati (5-0)
Previous Rank: 7
Last Week: Idle
QB Tony Pike and the Bearcats make their case for a top-five ranking Thursday when they battle unbeaten South Florida in the de facto Big East championship game. The showdown pits Cincinnati’s high-powered offense, which is ranked third in the nation with 42 ppg, against a stingy Bulls D that is yielding only 9.4 ppg, good for fifth in the country.

7. USC (4-1)
Previous Rank: 8
Last Week: Idle
The Trojans head to South Bend on the heels of an off week and their best performance of the season, a 30-3 trouncing of Cal. “We’re very solid right now,” said coach Pete Carroll, whose teams have beaten Notre Dame seven straight times.

8. Ohio State (5-1)
Previous Rank: 9
Last Week: W, Wisconsin, 31-13
The Buckeyes were outgained by almost 200 yards and managed just eight first downs to the Badgers’ 22. But they prevailed on the strength of two pick-sixes and a kick return for a TD. The defense and special teams helped to masked another miserable showing from Terrelle Pryor. The sophomore QB was 5-for-13 for 87 yards, a score and a pick, providing critics with more evidence that he can’t shine on the big stage.

9. Miami (4-1)
Previous Rank: 11
Last Week: W, Florida A&M, 48-16
After playing four straight against ranked teams, the ’Canes got a chance to act like a true top-flight program and beat up on a cupcake. But unlike all the others, the Miami earned the virtual off week. “You need a game like this,” coach Randy Shannon said. “We came out focused and started the game fast.”

10. TCU (5-0)
Previous Rank: 10
Last Week: W, at Air Force, 20-17
If anything, the Horned Frogs have proven that they can survive in any conditions. After winning their last two games in heavy rain, TCU overcame snow and ice to force three turnovers, outlast Air Force and keep hopes of a perfect season and a BCS berth alive. “The only way to get to be 12-0 is to get to 5-0,” coach Gary Patterson said. Thanks, coach. Very insightful.

11. Oregon (5-1)
Previous Rank: 12
Last Week: W, at UCLA, 24-10
With QB Jeremiah Masoli out with a knee injury, the Ducks relied on their defense and special teams to key a third-quarter binge in which they scored 21 points in less than four minutes. Oregon gets a week off to prep for a tricky and difficult portion of the schedule that pits it against Washington, USC and Stanford in consecutive weeks.

12. Iowa (6-0)
Previous Rank: 14
Last Week: W, Michigan, 30-28
Outside of their 10-point win over Arizona, the Hawkeyes have won three home games by a total of six points. The latest two-point win over Michigan makes them 6-0 for the first time since 1985 and 10-0 since losing at Illinois last Nov. 1. “In our conference, the way we’re built, we’re probably going to be involved in a lot of these games,” coach Kirk Ferentz said. “We’ll probably be involved in more two-pointers than 20-pointers.”

13. LSU (5-1)
Previous Rank: 6
Last Week: L, Florida, 13-3
The largest crowd in Tiger Stadium history saw LSU’s defense come up with a strong effort against the Gators, but was left waiting all night for the offense to show up. The Tigers mustered just 162 yards as LSU watched its 32-game winning streak in Saturday night home games fall by the wayside. “Three points on offense,” coach Les Miles said. “We just got to play better.”

14. Oklahoma State (4-1)
Previous Rank: 13
Last Week: W, at Texas A&M, 36-31
A week after star WR Dez Bryant was declared ineligible for making false statements to the NCAA about his relationship with former NFL star Deion Sanders (for fear that Bryant also could have been associating with an agent), Oklahoma State is praying for his reinstatement. Bryant is expected to meet with the NCAA this week to review his indefinite suspension.

15. Penn State (5-1)
Previous Rank: 17
Last Week: W, Eastern Illinois, 52-3
Once again, Penn State looks stellar against an inferior opponent. Since the Nittany Lions failed their only real test of the season (against Iowa), it’ll be interesting to see how they fare over the next few weeks against they face Minnesota, Michigan and Ohio State.

16. Oklahoma (3-2)
Previous Rank: 18
Last Week: W, Baylor, 33-7
Their Heisman winner is back and more reinforcements could be on the way for this week’s shootout with rival Texas. QB Sam Bradford returned from a shoulder injury to throw for 389 yards and a TD against Baylor, and WR Ryan Broyles could come back from a shoulder injury of his own for Saturday’s showdown with the Longhorns. Perhaps the return of the Sooners’ leading receiver will keep coach Bob Stoops from complaining about all the passes the receiving corps dropped against the Bears.

17. Nebraska (4-1)
Previous Rank: 20
Last Week: W, at Missouri, 27-12
Nebraska was playing some uninspired football … and then the fourth quarter started. QB Zac Lee threw three TDs passes as the ’Huskers rallied for 27 fourth-quarter points as Nebraska beat a ranked team for the first time under Bo Pelini. The ’Huskers also held Missouri to 225 total yards, picked off two passes and forced a fumble – which raises a huge question: Are the Blackshirts back?

18. Georgia Tech (5-1)
Previous Rank: 19
Last Week: W, at Florida State, 49-44
QB Josh Nesbitt ran for 140 yards and three TDs and threw for another 131 yards and a score as the Yellow Jackets’ triple option continued the misery for Florida State and coach Bobby Bowden. But the 44 points allowed should concern every Tech fan –that’s not going to get it done in this week’s Coastal Division clash against Virginia Tech.

19. South Florida (5-0)
Previous Rank: 22
Last Week: Idle
South Florida’s showdown with Cincinnati on Thursday presents a huge opportunity for the Bulls to make a big jump in the rankings … and gain the inside track on the Big East title (I wonder which one is more important to them). The battle should be a good one. It matches up the Cincinnati’s third-ranked offense (42 ppg) against USF’s fifth-ranked defense (9.4 ppg).

20. Kansas (5-0)
Previous Rank: 23
Last Week: W, Iowa State, 41-36
Todd Reesing threw for a career-high 442 yards and four touchdowns and his WRs put up Madden-like numbers. Kerry Meier had a school-record 16 catches for 142 yards and two TDs, and Dezmon Briscoe had 12 receptions for 186 yards and two more scores. “I don't think you can find a duo who’s better than them,” Reesing said. “If you do, I’ll challenge and say that they’re not.”

21. BYU (5-1)
Previous Rank: NR
Last Week: W, at UNLV, 59-21
The Cougars jump back into the rankings after winning three straight – by a combined score of 136-61 – since the 54-28 beatdown they absorbed from Florida State. That blemish is still an ugly one, especially since it game at home. But how long can I hold that over their heads?

22. South Carolina (5-1)
Previous Rank: 24
Last Week: W, Kentucky, 28-26
QB Stephen Garcia had one of his best games of the year, completing 16 of 23 passes for 233 yards and three TDs and running for another. The sophomore looks to be getting more comfortable with each game, but he still must take better care of the football. He fumbled once and threw a pick against the Wildcats. He can’t afford to make those kinds of mistakes this week against Alabama.

23. Houston (4-1)
Previous Rank: NR
Last Week: W, at Mississippi State, 31-24
Despite the loss two weeks ago to UTEP, it’s tough to keep a non-BCS team out of the top 25 when they go 3-0 against the Big 12 and SEC. QB Case Keenum threw for 434 yards and four TDs as the Cougars got back on track with a solid win in Starkville. “That’s a sign that we can handle things, particularly coming off last week,” coach Kevin Sumlin said.

24. Utah (4-1)
Previous Rank: NR
Last Week: W, at Colorado State, 24-17
The Utes are doing everything in their power to remind people that the Mountain West is not just a race between TCU and BYU. QB Terrance Cain threw for 248 yards and two TDs and ran for 71 yards, while new RB Eddie Wide rushed for 102 yards in a good road win in frigid weather. And that one-TD loss to Oregon is looking better and better every week.

25. Auburn (5-1)
Previous Rank: 16
Last Week: L, at Arkansas, 44-23
What was that? The Tigers entered the game averaging 41.4 ppg and 521.3 ypg, going up against a team that surrendered 52 points to Georgia just a few weeks back. And they got hammered. “You can't play like we did and win in the SEC,” coach Gene Chizik said. You can’t play like that again and stay in my rankings either.

Dropped Out:
Ole Miss (3-2)
Previous Rank: 15
Last Week: W, Alabama, 22-3
QB Jevan Snead continues to show he just can’t play with the big boys, getting picked off four times in the Rebels’ loss to Alabama.

Missouri (4-1)
Previous Rank: 21
Last Week: L, Nebraska, 27-12
I’m not dropping the Tigers from the rankings just because they lost to Nebraska – even though it was at home. I’m booting them because they stopped playing once things got tough. That’s not the kind of character you look for in a good football team.

Michigan (4-2)
Previous Rank: 25
Last Week: L, at Iowa, 38-20
Coach Rich Rodriquez was able to keep his critics quiet with the 4-0 start. But back-to-back losses and a potential QB controversy could reignite the firestorm.

On the radar:
Notre Dame (4-1)
The Irish have been living dangerously, needing late-game heroics to beat Michigan State, Purdue and Washington. One more against USC this week will be good enough for a spot in the rankings.

West Virginia (4-1)
The lone loss to Auburn still looks OK despite the Tigers’ mishap at Arkansas. Behind QB Jarrett Brown and RB Noel Devine, the offense is averaging 33.4 ppg and 449.2 ypg.

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Email me at vitosview@comcast.net; follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/vjforlenza.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.


Message Edited by Vito_Forlenza on 10-14-2009 09:07 AM