Top 25

With the bowls to be officially released in a few minutes, here’s my final regular-season poll.

1. Alabama (3) – Crimson Tide were impressive in flogging Florida. Easy No. 1 pick.
2. Texas (2) – Extremely lucky to have survived Nebraska, but they are probably the best pick for this spot.
3. TCU (4) – Horned Frogs have good wins over BYU and TCU, but Texas’ schedule is a bit tougher overall.
4. Cincinnati (6) – Bearcats cap off undefeated season with comeback win at Pittsburgh. Might have a better resume than Texas or TCU but not nearly as good of a defense.
5. Florida (1) – Bid for repeat killed by Alabama.
6. Boise State (5) – Oregon win was great, but Boise was killed by playing in the terrible WAC.
7. Oregon (7) – Going to Rose Bowl for the first time since 1994.
8. Ohio State (8) – Going to Rose Bowl for the first time since 1996.
9. Penn State (9) – Nits stay in top 10.
10. Georgia Tech (11) – Yellow Jackets wrap up ACC by beating Clemson in a thriller.
11. BYU (10) – Got jumped by Ga. Tech.
12. Virginia Tech (12) – Another solid season for the Hokies.
13. Iowa (13) – Hawkeyes could still crash BCS, as the computers seem to love them.
14. LSU (15) – Tigers should play Penn State in Capital One Bowl.
15. Miami (Fla) (16) – Hurricanes are almost back it seems.
16. Oklahoma State (19) – Moved up due to the losses of others.
17. Pittsburgh (14) – Panthers lose heartbreaker to Cincy.
18. Oregon State (18) – Tough loss at Oregon keeps Beavers in same position.
19. Stanford (23) – Great year by Stanford and Norco graduate Toby Gerhart.
20. West Virginia (25) – Win at Rutgers shoots Mountaineers up rankings.
21. Wisconsin (NR) – Killed Hawaii to move back in rankings.
22. Central Michigan (NR) – MAC champs finally break into rankings.
23. Nebraska (22) – Heartbreaking loss to Texas in Big 12 title game.
24. Arizona (NR) – Wildcats get big win at USC
25. USC (17) – I might be dumb for continuing to rank the Trojans.

Receiving consideration: Utah, Houston, Northwestern
Dropped out: No. 20 Houston, No. 21 California, No. 24 Clemson

Share this

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email