Gerry's Top 25 and BCS Projections: Week 10
Posted by Gerry Meskill
Things are heating up in college football. Georgia is undefeated no longer, and Texas and UCLA survived scares. Bowl season is fast approaching. Here's how I see the nation's elite after nine weeks:
THE TOP TEN
1. Southern Cal (8-0) - The Trojans have had some subpar halves over the past few games, but they own the nation's longest winning streak and a couple of AP titles for a reason. When the two-time defending champ is undefeated, it's just silly to label anyone else number one.
2. Virginia Tech (8-0) - The Hokies are still a significant step down from the number one squad, but Frank Beamer's crew continues to reel off uninteresting, labor-free victories. That's a compliment.
3. Texas (8-0) - There was a point this year that I thought the Longhorns were as good as the Trojans, but I got over it. It's impossible to predict how they'd fare against Southern Cal if the two face each other in January, but Texas has been too sloppy recently to deserve the number two slot.
4. Alabama (8-0) - I don't expect the Crimson Tide to remain here. Either LSU or Auburn will end their undefeated run. However, it hasn't happened yet, and 'Bama is undefeated right now, so I'll give them their due credit.
5. UCLA (8-0) - Here's another undefeated team that has been unimpressive lately. UCLA has a reputation for playing down to its opponent's level, and this year's version of the Bruins are fitting the bill.
6. LSU (6-1) - The Tigers keep finding ways to win. That's the optimisitc way to look at it. Perhaps the better way to look at it is that they keep finding ways to almost lose. In any case, they're one play from being undefeated, even if they have been very sloppy about it.
7. Notre Dame (5-2) - The Irish keep getting better, and they are the one team in America that has outplayed the champions for 60 minutes. This team is probably better than the three I've ranked directly in front of them, and by season's end will be ranked in the top five.
8. Georgia (7-1) - It's tough to lose your starting quarterback right before a matchup with your fiercest rivals. If Shockley had been able to suit up on Saturday, this team would still be unbeaten.
9. Penn State (8-1) - JoePa's got the inside track to the Big Ten title. If he can lead the Lions to victory against Wisconsin, he'll all but have a BCS invitation.
10. Ohio State (6-2) - The Buckeyes should have beaten Texas and Penn State. This offense needs to be more aggressive. Overall, the Buckeyes are a solid football team.
THE REST
11. Florida State (6-1)
12. Miami-FL (6-1)
13. Wisconsin (8-1)
14. Oregon (7-1)
15. Florida (6-2)
16. Auburn (6-2)
17. West Virginia (6-1)
18. Texas Tech (7-1)
19. TCU (8-1)
20. Boston College (6-2)
21. Fresno State (6-1)
22. Colorado (6-2)
23. California (6-2)
24. Boise State (6-2)
25. Georgia Tech (5-2)
BCS Projections
Rose Bowl: Southern Cal vs. Texas
Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. UCLA
Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Penn State
Sugar Bowl: LSU vs. West Virginia