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SportsRant’s Weekly Top 25
The Super Six….can I say that? Another top unbeaten falls for the fourth week in a row. First Florida, then Cal, Florida State and Penn State on the same weekend, and then, last week, Texas Tech gets bombed by the Longhorns.
There are two really good games this weekend with National Championship implications. One of these games will result in an upset. Boston College at Virginia Tech, Georgia and Florida in Jacksonville, the traditional neutral site for this yearly grudge match.
Now, here’s the reason why the Rant Poll really is the best in the land. In the “other” polls, you have two teams ranked with three losses. Granted, all of their respective losses are to ranked teams. But, the goal is to win. Being the best three loss team in the country means nothing to the Rant. Minimizing your losses do, and that’s why the teams you’ll see below are ranked. Remember, the teams are ranked based on number of losses first, whether or not they’ve beaten a team with the same amount of losses second, and, finally, whether or not the Rant feels a team can beat another team with the same amount of losses.
Ya just gotta win!
1. USC 7-0 The Trojans decided to go ahead and get the game over early for a change. They go looking for the Great Northwest sweep when they host Washington. Uh, game over by the first quarter this time.
2. Texas 7-0 Some may think the Longhorns have passed the Trojans. As long as Southern Cal remains the defending champs, remain undefeated, and Texas plays in the Big XII, expect the orange faithful to stay frustrated.
3. Virginia Tech 7-0 Is there such thing as the ACC two-step? Well, the Hokies get to figure out if there is or not. The first step will be their toughest step of the season with Boston College. As much as I’d like to call this upset, there’s no way it’ll happen against that Virginia Tech defense.
4. Georgia 7-0 A bit of a scare for the Bulldogs in terms of the score. A huge sigh of relief for the Bulldogs in terms of QB DJ Shockley’s knee. He’ll only miss one game, but that game is Florida. Here’s your next unbeaten to fall. Florida will be drinking the victory cup at the World’s Largest Cocktail Party.
5. Alabama 7-0 What happened to the offense? Thirteen and six points in their last two games, respectively. Good thing the defense is one of the best in the country. The guess here is that they’ll find it against Utah State.
6. UCLA 7-0 Maybe there is something to the rumor that the Bruins are modeling themselves after their crosstown rivals. UCLA also started fast and finished strong for a change. Looking better and better for that showdown at the end of the year.
7. Florida State 6-1 Yup, poor Duke. Next up, poor Maryland. The Terps couldn’t score in double figures against Virginia Tech, and they won’t score in double figures against the Seminoles.
8. Miami 5-1 Only a natural hurricane could slow a Miami Hurricane. North Carolina beat Virginia who beat Florida State who beat Miami. Ya think it could happen? Not a mobile home’s chance in a Category Five.
9. LSU 5-1 Geaux kicking game! I said last week that a night game in Baton Rouge is too tough for the opponent to overcome. ESPN hasn’t called me yet, but ya gotta listen to me!
10. Boston College 6-1 I know exactly where I’ll be next Thursday for the BC/VT game….in class. A great game in Blacksburg, but unless the Eagles get better play from either of their QB’s, this game will be over by halftime.
11. Penn State 7-1 Nice bounce back game for JoePa. His next challenge is not letting the Nittany Lions look past Purdue towards the showdown with Wisconsin.
12. Oregon 7-1 I said last week that the Arizona game could be a stumbling block. I was thinking of losing the game, not the QB. Kellen Clemens is out for the season, and so are the Ducks chances of a great season.
13. Wisconsin 7-1 Barry Alvarez has the same task as Joe Paterno…don’t look past this weeks game.
14. Texas Tech 6-1 Red Raiders can’t wait to play next week. The offense is used to putting up 17 points in a quarter, not a a whole game. I had a soft spot for Baylor this year, but this game could get real ugly.
15. Texas Christian 7-1 The same three letters will haunt the Horned Frogs the rest of the year. And I’ll keep reminding them of those three letters. S……..M………..U.
16. West Virginia 6-1 The Mountaineers will get almost three weeks of rest because of the South Florida postponment. Will that be a good thing?
17. Notre Dame 5-2 No letdown for the Irish in crushing BYU. As a reward, they get another week off. Gotta love Notre Dame’s schedule. Very tough, but with strategically placed off weeks.
18. Ohio State 5-2 I’m thinking the Buckeyes would prefer to have this next game at the Horseshoe instead of at Minnesota. But, AJ Hawk will stuff the Gophers RB Laurence Maroney for another Buckeye win.
19. Florida 5-2 Gators glad for the off week and going in to the Georgia game healthy. Gator defense glad to hear that Bulldog QB Shockley is not.
20. Auburn 5-2 Tigers lose a game they should have won last week at LSU. Mississippi will be the tonic they need to heal their wounds as the Bulldogs have no offense.
21. Colorado 5-2 They’re in, they’re out. They’re back in again. The Buffs only losses have been to Miami and Texas. Starting with last weeks game, they’re looking forward to the rematch with the Longhorns.
22. Minnesota 5-2 Another team in and out of the poll. And another team whose only losses came to two top teams, Penn State and Wisconsin. Gophers get a big chance to gain respect this week against Ohio State. Looks like they’ll be back out again.
23. Northwestern 5-2 And here you thought the Rant was crazy for ranking them last week! We told you they’d beat Michigan State, and now we’re telling you they’ll beat Michigan. QB Bret Basanez is sneaking up on defenses and frosh RB Tyrell Sutton has 14 TDs. The Wolverine defense has given up some yards this year and are not looking forward to the Wildcats offense.
24. California 5-2 The Bears are licking their chops waiting to go to Oregon in two weeks now that the Ducks lost their starting QB.
25. Missouri 5-2 The Tigers beat Nebraska and also took their place in the Rant Poll.
Dropped out: Virginia, Tennessee
Others considered: Nebraska, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Southern Mississippi, Fresno State, Stanford, Texas A&M, Rutgers
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