College Football Top 25

By Matt Smith

I’m not even sure how to explain what is going on.

1. LSU (10-1): Nothing is a certainty this year, but it appears that LSU is going to end up where everyone thought it would.

2. West Virginia (9-1): The Mountaineers are probably in the best shape of any team not called LSU. They have two winnable games and just need Missouri or Kansas to lose in the Big 12 championship game. Both of those things are probable.

3. Kansas (11-0): The Jayhawks keep winning, and are now in complete control to play for the national title.

4. Ohio State (11-1): The Buckeyes are at least going to the Rose Bowl. Must be nice knowing that’s the worst case scenario.

5. Missouri (10-1): If they beat Kansas, they will not only move up a couple of spots in this poll, but could be playing for a national title.

6. Georgia (9-2): Even if Tennessee wins the SEC East, the Bulldogs are still looking pretty to reach a BCS game as long as they beat Georgia Tech (which they will) and the Vols lose to LSU (which they will).

7. Oregon (8-2): Do you think Dennis Dixon means much to this team? Gotta feel bad for such a competitive and hardworking kid. They can still win out and reach the Rose Bowl, but I got a feeling they are going to lose one of their last two with Leaf at the helm.

8. Arizona State (9-1): The Sun Devils are sitting in good shape again, but they have two tough games coming up.

9. USC (8-2): Thanksgiving game against Arizona State could be a game to decide who goes to the Rose Bowl or at least which of the two will get a BCS berth.

10. Oklahoma (9-2): If they can get by Oklahoma State, they should still get a BCS berth.

11. Florida (8-3): Tim Tebow’s nickname is runthrow. It’s gonna be weird not seeing Florida in a BCS game.

12. Hawaii (10-0): Survive and advance…just another week in the chase for a BCS game.

13. Texas (9-2): They had a bye, so I’ve got nothing for them.

14. Virginia Tech (9-2): If they get by West Virginia, a rematch with BC for a BCS game could be a fun game to watch.

15. Boston College (9-2): Never, ever, ever bet against Matt Ryan when the Eagles are within striking distance in the fourth quarter.

16. Illinois (9-3): The Juice just scores touchdowns and now the Illini are heading to a New Year’s day bowl.

17. Virginia (9-2): The rivalry game with VT actually means something this year, and that something is a trip to the ACC title game.

18. Tennessee (8-3): One more win and the Vols turn what could have been a horrible season into a pretty good one.

19. Boise State (10-1): Is a second straight BCS game in order? We’ll see if they can beat Hawaii this weekend.

20. Connecticut (9-2): The Huskies still have BCS hopes if they can take down West Virginia this weekend..

21. Clemson (8-3): Why does Tommy Bowden keep getting blue chip recruits and being expected to be a BCS contender every year? Don’t get me wrong, they are good, but certainly haven’t taken that next step.

22. Cincinnati (8-3): So they are out of the Big East picture, but expect them to get to nine wins and to play in a solid bowl game.

23. Wisconsin (9-3): The Badgers might benefit bowl-wise from Michigan’s loss.

24. South Florida (8-3): Creeping back into the rankings after demolishing Louisville.

25. Texas Tech (8-4): The Red Raiders finally got that landmark win that has been avoiding them the last few years.