The Top Ten - Week 9

 The Top Ten based on how they've done this year, not in the past or based on their reputation.

1. LSU - No one has a better resume than the Tigers with wins over Oregon, West Virginia and Auburn.  The win over Mississippi State at the star of the year has lost some of it's luster as the Bulldogs haven't been quite up to their pre-season ranking (and why I hate them).  No one has gotten closer than 13 points and the defense has been absolutely destructive, holding six opponents to 11 points or less.
2. Alabama - I'm a bit surprised how well the Crimson Tide has played this year...not on defense, but on offense.  Seven games with 34 or more points.  And the defense is doing even better than LSU's, holding seven opponents to 11 points or less, with Arkansas having the high mark at 14.  The showdown with LSU on November 5th should be a beast of a defensive battle...which of course means it will end up in a 37-35 shootout.
3. Oklahoma State - The Cowboys have been as good on offense as the top two have been on defense.  Oklahoma State is in the control of that second BCS spot; win out and you're in.
4. Boise State - The Broncos just keep doing what they do...win.  Kellen Moore is a surgeon on the field, regardless of who the receivers are and defense doesn't get nearly the credit they deserve.
   
5. Clemson - This has to be the surprise of the year.  The Tigers sitting at 8-0 with wins over Virginia Tech, Florida State and defending National Champ Auburn, a freshman in Sammy Watkins who's absolutely electric on the field and quarterback Tajh Boyd's emergence has been a pleasant surprise.  But I keep waiting for Clemson to pull a Clemson and blow a game they have no business losing.  It doesn't look like they should lose a game the rest of the way, but it's Clemson and I'm wary.
6. Stanford - The only reason they're 6th and not 3rd is because they've really played no one.  But everyone they've played, they have absolutely destroyed.  Andrew Luck has command of the offense like no other quarterback in the country and wins over USC, Oregon and Notre Dame will keep them moving up the rankings.
   
   
7. Oregon - If LSU is number 1, the Ducks might be number 2.  They made a number of mistakes in their opening loss to the Tigers, but they continue to run their system and blow people out, even with the loss of their star running back and quarterback.  Their showdown with Stanford in a few weeks will be the one that determines if they're back in a BCS game.
8. Michigan State - The win over Wisconsin was big and if they can win at Nebraska this weekend, that will solidify the ranking.  But the Big Ten is terrible.  Wisconsin had played nobody, and it showed against Michigan State.  It will be hard to move up much more with the erratic and awful play of the conference.
9. Arkansas - I'm conflicted on this one.  I don't think they've really played anyone other than Alabama, and the Tide completely stomped them.  When you get past LSU and 'Bama, the SEC isn't very good this year (like most of the conferences).  The Razorbacks shouldn't really be challenged until the season finale for the Golden Boot against LSU, but I'm not convinced that they could beat the top team in any other conference.
10. Kansas State - Another one I have some doubts about, but undefeated is undefeated. They also haven't really played anyone, but they've beat them all.  Their schedule picks up starting this weekend with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.  Win those three, and the Wildcats might be in the top 4 and looking at a BCS Championship berth.  Who would have thought that at the start of the season.  Unfortunately, they aren't going to beat the Sooners or the Cowboys and the Aggies probably take them behind the woodshed as well.