Here we go. Down to crunch time to see who will the national title. There are more changes this week, with some favorites having fallen hard this weekend. Here's the new PRS...
1. TCU (10-0, 2331)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #4, Defeated #5 Utah 47-7
Points Gained: 337
This Week: #18 San Diego State
On paper, this week should be a challenge. TCU will not be challenged, however. The Frogs are in complete control and I believe them to be a national championship contender at this point. The offense is incredible, and the defense is as good as one that I have ever seen. The Frogs are the real deal.
I Pick: TCU
2. Oregon (9-0, 2256)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #3, Defeated Washington 53-16
Points Gained: 240
This Week: at California
The Ducks only seem to get angry when someone challenges them early in games. UW did just that, and the Ducks turned into the Hulk Ducks. Cal is reeling, and they are battle damaged, so Oregon should just continue to dominate.
I Pick: Oregon
3. Auburn (10-0, 2189)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #1, Defeated Chattanooga 62-24
Points Gained: 38
This Week: Georgia
At this point of the season, great teams defeat other great teams for conference and national supremecy. The Mocs were not a great team, and were not even an FBS team. That was just cream puff scheduling at it's worst. This week won't be much of a major challenge, but at least the Bulldogs are an FBS opponent.
I Pick: Auburn
4. Boise State (8-0, 2051)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #5, Defeated #24 Hawaii 42-7
Points Gained: 227
This Week: at Idaho (Friday)
Oh boy, the Broncos have to travel to that hive of drunken stupor and overall nastiness known as Moscow. At least that's what the administration in Boise is thinking after members of the Bronco posse referred to Moscow late last season in that manner. Bad blood coming up on Friday night! By the way...The Bronco defense sold me flat out last Saturday in the win over Hawaii.
I Pick: Boise State
5. Utah (8-1, 1828)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #2, Lost to #1 TCU 47-7
Points Lost: -233
This Week: at Notre Dame
If the Utes win in South Bend, will the fires of hell scorge the earth? After Notre Dame lost to Tulsa at home, anything is possible. One Ute assistant told Gary Patterson after last week's loss, "You could have beaten us by a hundred if you'd wanted to." Damn straight. It was that ugly. Big rebound opportunity this week.
I Pick: Utah
6. Ohio State (8-1, 1794)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #6, Idle
Points Gained: 0
This Week: Penn State
Look who's still hanging around....it's those sneaky bastard Buckeyes. They just won't go away. The Buckeyes can definately still win the Big 10, they just need to get Michigan State to lose once more, and the coast is clear. Now that JoePa has won his 400th, he should just step aside and let OSU claim their destiny.
I Pick: Ohio State
7. Oklahoma State (8-1, 1778)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #9
Points Gained: 282
This Week: at Texas
It's a Cowboy comeback! OSU beat Baylor. Saw that coming. OU lost to A&M. Did not see that coming. It's ok in OK. OSU is now in control of the Big 12 North, but they still have to get past Oklahoma right now. The Texas game suddenly has very little meaning, and a whole lot all at the same time.
I Pick: OSU
8. Michigan State (9-1, 1743)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #8, Defeated Minnesota 31-8
Points Gained: 204
This Week: Idle
There are two games left for Sparty to claim the Big 10, but they need someone to take Iowa out at the knees. Where is Tanya Harding when you need her?
9. Stanford (8-1, 1673)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #11, Defeated 42-17
Points Gained: 267
This Week: at Arizona State
The Cardinal really has to be lamenting that loss to Oregon. The only way to win the PAC-10 now is to hope that the Ducks lose twice. Not going to happen. If Oregon wins out, there is still hope that the Cardinal would elevate to the Rose Bowl with Oregon playing in the championship game instead. That seems more realistic. Stanford should cruise this week.
I Pick: Stanford
10. Nevada (8-1, 1598)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #14, Defeated Idaho 63-17
Points Gained: 309
This Week: at #33 Fresno State
This is one of those games that the Wolfpack has to win to stay relevent on the national scene. But the truth is, short of Boise going into a black hole for the next month, Nevada is going to be relegated to a very small time bowl at this point. Winning out is still a must, and this is one of two final tests in the next 4 weeks.
I Pick: Nevada
11. Nebraska (8-1, 1577)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #12, Defeated Iowa State 31-30 (OT)
Points Gained: 232
This Week: Kansas
The Huskers were lucky that the wind turned the last pass for a 2 point conversion turned into a wiffle ball in that stiff wind in Ames. The Huskers picked it off and preserved yet another ugly win. This week had better be a rout.
I Pick: Nebraska
12. Wisconsin (8-1, 1543)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #15, Defeated Purdue 34-13
Points Gained: 255
This Week: Indiana
The Badgers are still hanging on in Big 10 play. This week should bring another easy target as the Hoosiers are crap in Big 10 play. Sorry, but they are.
I Pick: Wisconsin
13. LSU (8-1, 1528)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #13, Defeated #14 Alabama 24-21
Points Gained: 227
This Week: UL-Monroe
Another stellar opponent in the LSU non-conference ring of greatness. Sleep through this game and you won't miss a thing. Great win over Bama though.
I Pick: LSU
14. Alabama (7-2, 1466)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #7, Lost to #13 LSU 24-21
Points Lost: -132
This Week: #27, Mississippi State
Last week put a bullet in the brain of the Tide's BCS shot. That's one more team that won't steal a bid from TCU or Boise State. This week will be no picnic as well, with the Bulldogs playing as well as they have in years.
I Pick: UPSET ALERT!!! Mississippi State
15. Oklahoma (7-2, 1267)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #10, Lost to Texas A&M 33-19
Points Lost: -195
This Week: Texas Tech
Championship goals in the toilet: Check. Big 12 South title in jeopardy: Check. Wasted season...not so fast. The Sooners can still win the Big 12 South. Here is the problem. You have to go 3-0 against Tech, Baylor, and leader and rival Oklahoma State to do so. Good luck with that. I say the start out well enough.
I Pick: OU
16. Arkansas (7-2, 1200)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #25, Defeated #34 South Carolina 41-20
Points Gained: 312
This Week: UTEP
The Razorbacks are just kind of hanging around on the periphery, and by doing so they just may see a very nice bowl bid. You know, the kind that happen on New Years Day that people used to get excited about back in the olden days.
I Pick: Arkansas
17. Temple (8-2, 1142)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #24, Defeated Kent State 28-10
Points Gained: 246
This Week: #30 Ohio
This week's game is a huge test for the Owls. Al Golden will have to have the troops prepared at home to face a surging Bobcat team that is looking to steal a bid in the MAC title game. This will be one of the best games of the week.
I Pick: Temple
18. San Diego State (7-2, 1128)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #21, Defeated Colorado State 24-19
Points Gained: 179
This Week at #1 TCU
You cannot blame the Aztecs for looking ahead to this week's tilt with the Horned Frogs, but it almost bit them squarely in the ass. SDSU has had an amazing season under Brady Hoke, but these next two weeks are BRUTAL. TCU this week and Utah next week. Win those games and the season finale against UNLV, and the Aztecs can pull off the biggest caper of the decade! Too bad it won't get out of the first phase.
I Pick: TCU
19. Iowa (7-2, 1126)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #22, Defeated Indiana 18-13
Points Gained: 223
This Week: Northwestern
A dropped pass by a wide open receiver was all that helped Iowa to a win over stumbling Indiana last week. They will have to be better this week against the Wildcats, who are coming off of a loss to Penn State. The Hawkeyes are the weakest of the 4 teams that still have a shot at the Big 10 title.
I Pick: Iowa
20. Central Florida (7-2, 1103)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #26, Defeated Houston 40-33
Points Gained: 247
This Week: Southern Mississippi
UCF has not won the CUSA East title yet, but they are on their way. This game will be the final test of the season, as both of their final games should be easy winners. Southern Miss will do everything that they can do ruin the experience.
I Pick: UCF
21. Virginia Tech (7-2, 1087)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #23, Defeated Georgia Tech
Points Gained: 185
This Week: North Carolina
Tech has won 7 straight since falling to FCS James Madison. It's been an amazing run, and a win this week guarantees at least a tie for the ACC Coastal Division after an 0-2 start to the season.Frank Beamer has truly done an amazing job until now of recovering what could have been a lost season.
I Pick: Tech
22. Arizona (7-2, 1047)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #16, Lost to #9 Stanford 42-17
Points Lost: -158
This Week: #29 USC
The Wildcats can probably kiss any chance at the Rose Bowl goodbye with this loss. A possible trip to the Holiday Bowl is still on the table with a win over the Trojans this week, and the Trojans are ripe for a beating in front of what should still be a rabid home crowd.
I Pick: Arizona
23. Northern Illinois (7-2, 1011)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #18, Idle
Points Gained: 0
This Week: Toledo
It's showdown time. Both teams are unbeaten in MAC play, and this game will give the winner a one game lead in the west. This is also one of the best games going in the nation this week. It's put up or shut up time in the MAC.
I Pick: NIU
24. Hawaii (7-3, 961)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #17, Lost to #4 Boise State 42-7
Points Lost: -178
This Week: Idle
OK, so we all kind of saw this one coming. The Rainbows were utterly shattered by that pro team up in Boise last week. Here is the good news. Hawaii has already accepted a bowl bid and will play at home in the Hawaii Bowl. They can and probably will also still win 10 games.
25. Baylor (7-3, 927)
Last Week's Ranking/Result: #20, Lost to #7 Oklahoma State 55-28
Points Lost: -149
This Week: Texas A&M
This week was just a little more reality than the Bears could handle against the Cowboys. Let's give some good news. The Bears are bowl eligible. That's something all by itself. Here is the challenge now. Get some quality wins to make sure that your going to a very nice bowl from here out. This week is a huge test against the resurgent Aggies, but the Bears will be at home.
I Pick: Baylor
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR
26. Missouri (7-2, 907)
27. Mississippi State (7-2, 854)
28. Florida (6-3, 838)
29. USC (6-3, 800)
30. Ohio (7-3, 755)
31. Toledo (6-3, 723)
32. Tulsa (6-3, 722)
33. Fresno State (6-2, 697)
34. South Carolina (6-3, 685)
35. Miami (6-3, 689)
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