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Ya just gotta win! That’s the way it is as far as the NCAA National Championship game goes, and that’s good enough for the Rant. If you’re undefeated to this point, you’re considered for ranking. If you’re not, than you’re not. Quit crying Miami and Ohio State and Clemson and Michigan and Tennessee. You should have won your games. But, there’s still a chance to get in to the Rant poll at a later date. Not every team listed in this initial poll will remain undefeated, at which point we’ll rank based on losses. A team that is undefeated will always be ranked above a team with a loss, and so on. Also, if two teams have the same amount of losses but one has beaten the other, the team that won will be ranked above the team they beat.
We’ve ranked what we feel to be the top 25 undefeated teams in the land. This is our first installment following the third week of the season. We wait until the third game for two reasons:
1) The out of conference schedule is generally complete and the conference schedule begins.
2) We can get a feel of what a team has and doesn’t have after three weeks.
Our rankings will also be based on which team will beat those below them.
1. USC 2-0 This team could score on the 49ers, Vikings, Rams and Cardinals.
2. Texas 3-0 Win at Ohio St. loosened the Big Game Monkey off Mack Brown’s back.
3. Florida State 3-0 Young QB a concern, but defense is outstanding. Clearing the Miami hurdle sets up Noles for a big run.
4. Florida 3-0 Most people expected Urban Meyer’s offense to shine right away with QB Chris Leak.
5. Georgia 3-0 Some may think this is a little high, but their offense is electric and they crushed BCS wannabe Boise State.
6. Georgia Tech 3-0 Ask Auburn if this team is for real. Getting QB Reggie Ball back in time for Virginia Tech is huge.
7. Virgina Tech 3-0 Beating the Yellowjackets would make the Rant look foolish for ranking the Hokies a notch below.
8. Louisiana State 1-0 Down here simply due to lack of playing, even if it’s wasn’t there fault. Most assuredly would have been 2-0.
9. Louisville 2-0 No defense in the country could shut this team down. They’ll score at least 21 on anyone. Has a legitimate chance to run the table.
10. Michigan State 3-0 Beating a confident (overconfident?) Notre Dame on the road legitimizes this ranking.
11. UCLA 3-0 Crushed each opponent faced, including Oklahoma. Offense will score on anyone.
12. Wisconsin 3-0 Always fields a great running attack and good defense. Faces biggest test yet this week versus Michigan.
13. Alabama 3-0 Even though one of their wins is against a 1-AA team, the defense is stout and the offense improving.
14. Oregon 3-0 Another typical Pac10 team – all offense and no defense.
15. Iowa State 2-0 Huge, huge win against an excellent Iowa team. You can never underestimate your fierce rival.
16. Purdue 2-0 Not yet completely sold on the new QB Brandon Kirsch. Next three games will show the country just what they really have.
17. California 3-0 Would be ranked higher but starting QB is out for the year and backup Joe Ayoob has been inconsistent.
18. Minnesota 3-0 Gophers are trying so hard to prove legitimacy and gain respect. Play a tougher OOC schedule and win some big conference games and they’ll get it.
19. West Virginia 3-0 Win against Wofford (who?) loses them points, but road victories at Syracuse and Maryland balance it out.
20. Virgina 2-0 Al Groh will always have a good defense.
21. Vanderbilt 3-0 No joke here. 46th ranked schedule strength to this point better than a couple in the top ten!
22. Indiana 3-0 Well, the options for undefeated teams is starting to look bleak. But, Head Coach Terry Hoeppner can create some offense.
23. Nebraska 3-0 Ranked simply due to defense, offensive potential (they better hurry up, though!).
24. Penn State 3-0 Not a bad looking offense to this point. Cupcake schedule, but good offenses take advantage and they have so far.
25. New Mexico 3-0 Go ahead and laugh. Undefeated team with a better schedule strength to this point than Nebby and Nittany Lions.
Undefeateds on the outside looking in: Texas Tech, Kansas State, Kansas, Washington State, Toledo.
One loss teams being watched: Miami, Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee, Auburn, Arizona State, Boston College, Iowa Notre Dame
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