Grading on what they've done, not who they are or what we think they can do.
No Denny Green Index, this week, as nobody knows much about who anyone is anymore.
1. South Florida (last week = #3)
Now in just about everybody's BCS driver's seat. The "biggest surprise of the season" to some, I have had them ranked in the top 5 since week #2. No losses, and wins over Auburn and West Virginia. Who can beat that?
2. Ohio State (lw = #5)
Why behind USF? Their notable wins have been against Washington and Purdue. That doesn't compare well with beating Auburn and West Virginia. There's also Ohio State's phobia over the word "Florida"
3. Boston College (lw = #6)
Wake Forest and Georgia Tech. That's really better than Ohio State's signature wins thus far. This was a close call. Ohio State's defense is making up my mind.
4. LSU (lw = #1)
Defeated Va Tech, South Carolina and Florida. Lost a tough one on the road against Kentucky. This still might be the best team in the nation.
5. South Carolina (lw = #7)
Defeated Georgia and Kentucky. Lost only to LSU. Seemingly getting better every week, this is not a happy team to see on your schedule.
6. Kentucky (lw = #19)
Beat LSU and Louisville. Lost to South Carolina. Ranked least of the LSU/SCar/KY round-robin tournament, mainly because their other win isn't as good.
7. Cal (lw = #2)
I have this feeling that they aren't going to lose again.
8. Oregon (lw = #20)
The blowout win at Michigan looking better every week. The loss at Cal is hardly a shame.
9. Arizona State (lw = #11)
Unbeaten, but no significant wins. Thus begins the parking spots for the unbeaten, untested...
10. Kansas (lw = same)
Same as above...
11. Hawaii (lw = #13)
Same as above...
12. Virginia Tech (lw = #15)
Lost to LSU. Beat Clemson. Mere social promotion at work here because of the collapse of others.
13. Cincinnati (lw = #8)
Defeating Rutgers notwithstanding, it was tempting to blow them out of the poll entirely because they couldn't tear up the Louisville defense.
14. Oklahoma (lw = same)
Defeated Miami and Texas. But lost to Colorado - it's going to take a while to forget about that.
15. Missouri (lw = #4)
The Big 12 North is starting to look like the "MAC-Plains Division" once again.
16. West Virginia (lw = same)
Lost to South Florida. Otherwise, a thus far unimpressive string of wins. Yawn.
17. Virginia (lw = NR)
Defeated Georgia Tech. Lost to Wyoming. Which team is the real Virginia? Both?
18. Texas Tech (lw = NR)
Texas A&M the only decent win. Oklahoma State a somewhat mediocre loss. Basically, we're running out of one-loss teams and TWO one- loss teams might be in the BCS title game. With Oklahoma and Texas already beatable, it's time to pay attention to these guys.
19. Southern Cal (lw = NR)
I ditched them completely after last week and their weak win over Arizona didn't give any reason to change my mind. They have beaten nobody, but they still have just one loss. So, for the moment, they belong somewhere here.
20. UConn (lw = #12)
No worthwhile wins. Only loss is to Virginia, who isn't looking too shabby.
NOTES:
1. Who's missing? Everybody with two losses or more. We're not yet 2/3 through the season, and everybody who matters has already gone through the cream-puff part of their schedule. To come out with 2 defeats already is a big strike against you and probably evidence that you are going to lose more.
2. Boise State: The only team with one loss not in my top 20. As I write this, they are tied with Nevada -- at home -- in the 4th quarter. If they win, they stay with just one loss, but have yet to beat anyone. Very much looking forward to their Nov. 23 game against Hawaii.
3. Dropped out: Illinois (lw = #9), Wisconsin (lw = #18), Florida State (lw = #17)
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