The University of Idaho Argonaut

1. Florida (8-0)- I’m starting to wonder if there should just be some sort of template where the Gators are always at No. 1. It looks like Urban Meyer’s Gators won’t lose a game this season, so they better start putting up some serious points to stay ahead of Alabama and Texas.

2. Texas (8-0)- The Longhorns jumped Alabama this week and they absolutely deserve to. Mack Brown and his squad picked apart ranked Oklahoma State 41-14 and I wouldn’t even be nervous to bet $20 the Longhorns will end 12-0.

3. Alabama (8-0)- Last week I almost jumped the Crimson Tide to the No. 1 spot. Needless to say, after the Texas win and the ‘Bama struggle two weeks ago against a hot and cold Tennessee team, I’m happy I didn’t. One of the most intriguing games of tomorrow is LSU coming to Tuscaloosa.

4. Iowa (9-0)- What baffles me is how Ricky Stanzi can throw five interceptions in one game and still manage to lead his team to a 18-point win. The Hawkeyes are alone in the nation at 9-0 and loving every minute of it.

5. LSU (7-1)- I still see the Tigers as the strongest one-loss team. Unfortunately for Les Miles they are heading north to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama. That could be a long 350 miles back home.  

6. Georgia Tech (8-1)- The Yellow Jackets performed to their status quo putting up 56 points over Vanderbilt. Not much more to say other than if they play complete football they will win out.

7. Penn State (8-1)- Joe Paterno has his Nittany Lions cooking through their Big Ten competition with ease and this week they are returning home after two road games to face Ohio State. This game will have Big Ten title implications even with Iowa at the top of the conference.

8. Oregon (7-1)- Well, BSU fans are happy. Oregon punished USC last week 47-20. I know Oregon lost early in the season, but their schedule has seen four ranked opponents and will likely see more — they can’t afford another loss.

9. TCU (8-0)- ESPN analyst Mark May talks about, “A teams’ body of work over the whole season.” Well, TCU has a very impressive body of work thus far and last weekend they were done with UNLV before the Rebels stepped on the field winning 41-0.

10. Cincinnati (8-0)- Not much has changed for the Bearcats. A walk in the park against losing Syracuse was to be expected, but I’m still waiting for the WVU and Pitt games to see the real strength of Cincinnati.

11. USC (6-2)- If the Trojans didn’t have to go to Eugene ever again they would be happy. USC is on the road against Arizona State this weekend and should come out with a win.

12. Pittsburgh (7-1)- The Panthers will likely come off their bye week, laugh in the faces of Syracuse and improve 7-2.  
13. Ohio State (7-2)- As expected, Ohio State rolled past WAC bottom feeder New Mexico State 45-0. I guess a person might call that an extra day of practice for this week’s matchup against Penn State.

14. Miami (6-2)- The Hurricanes should not have struggled against losing Wake Forest — they won in the last minutes by one point. Miami should bounce back against Virginia tomorrow.

15. Arizona (5-2)- The Wildcats have Washington State in town this weekend. Poor WSU. However, this might be the last, or second to last win of the Wildcat season judging by the strength of their remaining schedule.

16. California (6-2)- The Golden Bears didn’t put up as many points as they would have liked over the Sun Devils, but a win is a win. And a win over Dennis Erickson is a solid one in my book.

17. BSU (8-0)- Once again the Broncos threw a slew of points on the scoreboard against San Jose State. Guess who else beat SJSU, every FBS team they played. Solid win, Broncos.

18. Notre Dame (6-2)- The only reason Notre Dame jumped a spot on my list is because other teams below them lost. I understand they won, but it was over the “Pullman Pillow Fighters” otherwise known as WSU.

19. Utah (7-1)- Utah is looking good with their only loss coming by way of the Oregon Ducks. If they can win out, including beating TCU, they will likely jump the Horned Frogs busting BCS’ aspirations for TCU.

20. Houston (7-1)- Houston is a lot like Utah, except the difference being Houston’s loss is quite an embarrassment. One of UTEP’s three wins came over Houston and I’m close to dropping Houston out of the Top 25 for good. They need style points.

21. Oklahoma State (6-2)- Even though it was a bad loss to Texas, it was still the perennial powerhouse Longhorns. OK State is teetering in the Top 25 and might stay in for a few more weeks with their schedule.

22. Virginia Tech (6-3)- To be completely honest, I am shocked Frank Beamer and the Hoakies dropped two straight. The Hoakies bounced back last night against ECU, winning 16-3 and head on the road again next week. One more loss will undoubtedly end the party in Blacksburg.

23. Oklahoma (5-3)- The Battle of the Big Reds tomorrow will help me determine if the Sooners will stay in the Top 25 for the next few weeks and possibly the rest of the season. I have Oklahoma winning in a close contest.

24. South Florida (6-2)- The Bulls have played four games against ranked opponents and split them 2-2. If they can put up some more wins, they can solidify a higher position in the Top 25.

25. Wisconsin (6-2)- The Badgers have performed well against unranked competition and good thing for them, their two losses came to ranked opponents. I’m not convinced the Badgers completely deserve Top 25, but for now they fit well at the last spot.

There are some great matchups this weekend and as always a few pillow fights to balance it out. Of course, the one I’m most excited for is the mighty Vandals against the Fresno State Bulldogs. If the Vandals improve to 8-2 and the crowd is so excited you feel the need to join Akey and his army on the field as the clock runs out, do it. Enjoy this miracle in Moscow, Vandals.