My Week 8 College Football Rankings

While there were no upsets this week, three top 10 teams were forced to sweat it out.  Notre Dame almost fell to a tough BYU team, Ohio State held off Purdue in OT and LSU was able to hold off a good Texas A&M squad.  Also in a Heisman showdown, Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein out dueled WVU quarterback Geno Smith  throwing for 323 yards, 3 touchdowns and only 2 incompletions.  Smith, who has looked like the Heisman favorite, did not look good against a solid Wildcat defense and has had back to back down weeks.  With all that said let’s get into the top 10.

Top 10 College Football Rankings:

1. Alabama – The Tide rolled into Knoxville and smashed the Volunteers.  While Alabama was put on “upset watch” by many members of the National Media, I never had a doubt in my mind.  Alabama is just a complete team.  They have a tenacious defense, an incredible running game, and a quarterback that looks like he may be figuring things out.  The Tide host undefeated SEC foe Mississippi State Bulldogs.  The Bulldogs head into Bryant-Denny Stadium not having played a team with as much talent as ‘Bama.  Coach Saban gets another win in a convincing manner, and the Tide roll. 
2.   Oregon – The Ducks got the college football week started, traveling to Sun Devil Stadium Thursday night.  The Ducks didn’t disappoint looking fresh as always and running off 43 straight points.  ASU scored 49 seconds into the first quarter, but that was it for the first half.  Oregon went off, rushing for 406 combined yards and passing for a mere 48.  The Duck’s defense picked off ASU four times and has made statements the last couple weeks.  Oregon hosts Colorado this week in what should be a route.  Colorado got crushed last week and will again this week.  The highlight from this game will be what unis the Ducks decide to go with.
3. Notre Dame – I am keeping the Irish at number 3.  I thought BYU was a tough team and would play the Irish tough and I was right.  The Notre Dame defense held up when it needed to most.  The Irish take the show on the road this week against the Sooners of Oklahoma.  The Sooners are coming off three consecutive big wins, but have not played a team with half the defense of the Irish.  This is a primetime game and should be a good one.  Play Like a Champion Today….. the Irish Win.
4. Kansas State – I will admit I have been sleeping on the Wildcats.  They have big wins over Oklahoma and West Virginia.  They also have a quarterback that has looked incredible in Collin Klein.  He is making a bid for the Heisman, and has 551 yards rushing to go along with his almost 1400 yards passing.  He has totaled 24 touchdowns and led his team to a 7-0 start.  They host Texas Tech this week, which has a solid passing game and coming off a big overtime win last week against TCU.  However Klein and the Wildcats just have too much and take down the Red Raiders.
5. Florida – The Gators looked impressive, totally dismantling the Gamecocks.  I am just still not sold on them yet.  While they didn’t need a whole lot of offense to beat the Gamecocks, they have a very limited passing game.  The Gators do play a very solid defense and have good special teams, but just lack quarterback play.  Jeff Driskel hasn’t gone over 100 yards passing in his last three games.  Eventually he is going to have to win a game with his arm and too this point; I am not quite sure he can.  The Gators play Georgia this week in Jacksonville, and while Georgia is a tough SEC team they just don’t have enough to keep up with the Gators speed.
6. Oregon State – The Beavers hosted the Utes and were able to get a win and stay undefeated.  Oregon State hasn’t looked great in most of their wins, but they keep getting the job done.  They do get their starting quarterback Sean Mannion back this week after coming off a knee injury just 3 weeks ago.  They take on the Huskies of Washington this week and should be able to keep their undefeated streak alive.
7. LSU – The Tigers are another SEC team that does not have a great passing game, but will find a way to win.  LSU was able to hold off the Aggies last week on the road in a tough game.  LSU still has a very good defense and the capability to run the ball averaging 208 yards a game.  The Tigers have a bye this week before a Battle in the Bayou with Alabama.  LSU will need this week off to try and game plan for an incredible Alabama team.  Enjoy this week off.
8. USC – The Trojans smoked Colorado.  Barkley went off throwing 6 touchdowns and only one incomplete pass.   The defense forced three interceptions and only allowed two field goals.  The Trojans head to Arizona this week to face the Wildcats.  The Trojan defense will be tested against an explosive Wildcat passing game.  USC must remain focused if they want a chance at playing the PAC-12 championship game.  They play Oregon next week, and this game is setup to be a trap for SC, but I see them pulling out the victory.
9. Oklahoma – The Sooners are back in the top 10 after a string of big wins.  The Sooners beat up of Kansas last week and destroyed the Longhorns the week before that.  The Sooners will have a big test this week, as they host ND.   The Irish come in undefeated and have a very nice defense.  The Sooners have not seen a defense this good all season, but have some weapons to test the Irish.  At the end of the day though, I will take a solid defense over Landry Jones and his spread offense.  The Sooners fall in what could be the game of the week.
10. Mississippi State – The Bulldogs are coming off a thrashing of Middle Tennessee (big deal right).  They held the Blue Raiders to only 3 points. The Bulldogs are undefeated but as I looked over their schedule, boy is it weak.  They will be tested in the next three weeks as they travel to Alabama this week, home against the Aggies the following week and travel to the Bayou to take on LSU.  If they come out of these next three games alive, I will then be impressed with the Bulldogs.  This week though they travel to ‘Bama and I just don’t see them winning.  As I said earlier, the Tide roll. 

Another week of some big college football games.  Some big SEC battles, Alabama vs Miss State, Florida vs Georgia and I would say make sure you get to see that Notre Dame vs Oklahoma game.  Florida and the Irish could be upset but honestly I don’t think it happens. That’s it for this week’s top 10, enjoy the games.   

-Brett DeFalco