Blogalicious College Football Top Ten

1. Ohio State (def. Texas 24-7). Well, I guess that settles that. Expect the Buckeyes to roll into their annual tilt against Michigan undefeated. Next opponent: Cincinnati.

2. Notre Dame (def. Penn State 41-17). You expect Notre Dame to win at home, but this was a little beyond expectations. Even so, they looked a litle sluggish in the first half. Still not fully sold on them, but they're one of the few teams that didn't open up against at least one cream puff. Next opponent: Michigan.

3. Texas (lost to Ohio State, 7-24). I think the Longhorns did a second half gut check and got a little freaked out when they found butterflies. They'll mature. I still figure they're a good shot to win the Big XII, and who knows? We may see them get another shot at Ohio State in January. Next opponent: at Rice.

4. Auburn (def. Mississippi State 34-0). I suppose it was a good tune-up for next week, though the defense might have enjoyed more of a challenge. The Bulldogs haven't scored a point this season. Auburn won't have that luxury next week. Next opponent: LSU.

5. West Virginia (def. Eastern Washington 52-3). You know, I think I'm just going to keep the Mountaineers here until they either lose or beat Louisville. No one they play until then would merit a promotion. Interesting note: in beating Marshall last week, West Virginia apparently won the Friends of Coal Bowl. I believe that Maine and UMass get to play in the Acid Rain Bowl thanks to them. Next opponent: Maryland (September 14).

6. USC (idle). You snooze, you lose. That's my philosophy. Next opponent: Nebraska.

7. LSU (def. Arizona 45-3). Last week I noted that I hadn't seen LSU or Florida play, and were giving them both rankings based on rep. This week, both posted 42 points wins at home. I give LSU the nod for no particularly good reason. Next opponent: at Auburn.

7. Florida (def. Central Florida 42-0). But I could also give Florida the nod for pitching the shutout, and for Urban Meyer preserving his perfect record against teams from Florida. So what the hey, the first tie ranking in poll history! Can I vote in the BCS now? Next opponent: at Tennessee.

9. Michigan (def. Central Michigan 41-17). Both the Wolverines and Tennessee were home against teams where you'd expect a big win. Michigan delivered, Tennessee did not. Advantage, maize and blue. Next opponent: at Notre Dame.

10. New Hampshire (def. Northwestern 34-17). It was not a good off-season for Northwestern, as their coach, Randy Walker, died of a heart attack, and was replaced by the inexperienced Pat Fitzgerald. Then, after what had to be an emotional tribute to Walker, the Wildcats get schooled by the Wildcats (when did The Simpsons start scheduling football games?). Said Northwestern defensive end Kevin Mims, "I don't think we overlooked them. I feel they outplayed us." Ouch. To be fair, New Hampshire is ranked second in the 1-AA poll. Next opponent: Stony Brook.

This is the second week in a row where a team that had Gary Barnett as its head coach was upset. And as they're going in reverse chronological order, I'd suggest that Fort Lewis College better watch their backs. Thought I don't know if losing to Nebraska-Kearney would be an upset (probably not, given that they went 9-3 last year, but their nickname is the Lopers, which doesn't exactly strike fear in one's heart).

Out of poll:

Florida State. I think that when they saw Troy on the schedule, the Seminoles thought it meant the Men of Troy and prepared for USC. You think they'd still beat the actual Troy by more than a touchdown in Tallahassee. Troy turned the ball over twice in the last five minutes, and thus missed out on the biggest win in school history.

Montana State. Losing to a lower division team, for shame. Don Beebe must be proud, though. If this were club soccer, I think this would mean that Chadron State would be in the Big XII next year, while Colorado would toil in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. They'd then get to play Fort Lewis College and close the cirle on Gary Barnett.

Sadly, Chadron doesn't play a division III school next week. I was really hoping for a transitive chain that would have had an eight-man team from Wyoming beating Colorado.