Week 7 Top 25

Here's the top 25 on time this week.  Obviously, there was a big shakeup at the top.  What hasn't been noted here due to their probation is the performance of Braxton Miller.  He's transformed from a rushing specialist last year to a big time playmaker.  If Miller keeps it up, he will be in New York for the Heisman ceremony, and Ohio State will be a preseason favorite next year.  Urban is still working the kinks out, but Miller is a perfect fit at QB.  He clearly ain't come to play school.

Week 7
1. SEC	The safest place to be for a top five team on Saturday was sitting in front of the TV watching everyone else lose.  The Tide got a week off before presumably resuming their dominance against Mizzou this week.  Looks like poor Mizzou will go to 0-4 in conference.
2. Oregon	Oregon won in another yawner.  I wonder if Oregon fans ever get bored of winning 50-something to 20-something every week.  Maybe Arizona State will be tougher this week, though it's doubtful.
3. SEC	Despite pooping around in the second quarter, the Gamecocks still dominated the dogs 35-7.  The display put on by Clowney and the defensive line was nothing short of spectacular.  If they come to play like that every week, we may be talking about a second title for Spurrier (of course this means they probably lose in Baton Rouge this week).
4. West Virginia	Well, it wasn't 70 points, but 45 is still a lot against Texas, and the defense made some big stops when they needed to.  That said, the Mountaineers won't be able to play with fire every week and expect to play for the national championship, but it can get them close.
5. Collin Klein	Collin Klein continued to do what he does in a 56-16 win over Kansas.  Iowa State provides a tougher test this week coming off an upset over TCU, but it's nothing Klein can't handle.
6. Notre Dame	Notre Dame has now one three straight over Michigan, Michigan State, and Miami and has done so in dominating fashion.  The defense is giving up a touchdown per game so far.  With Stanford up next, the Irish have the chance to take down another ranked opponent.  If the defense keeps it up, it won't matter who is playing QB.  Of course, I'm sure Everett Golson learned his lesson from being suspended for pregame warmups.
7. SEC	The Gayta are making their way back.  Pretty soon, we'll be seeing Percy Harvey back in Blue and Orange.  LeSU has had major trouble on offense all year, so we won't be crowning them just yet, but it looks like there is another team squarely in the mix to win the East now.
8. Texas	What's that?  The Longhorns moved up a spot after a loss?  Yes, that's correct.  They lost by 3 points to the fourth ranked team.  That's a better loss than any of the other one-loss teams, which puts Texas at #8.  Oklahoma is up next in Dallas, so Texas needs to come out firing and ready to prove they do belong at the top.
9. SEC	The Tigahz are still les than impressive on offense.  In face, it's getting really bad.  The natives may be getting restless soon and Muttonburger looks like the goat.  It doesn't get any easier when the Gamecocks come to town this week with what looks like the best D-line in the country.
10. Oklahoma	The Sooners finally woke up against Texas Tech and delivered an appropriate beatdown.  They may be heating up just in time to head to the Cotton Bowl and make a run to the top.  If the Sooners can run the table, they may sneak in as a one-loss team.  That's a lot of big games though for Big Game Bob.
11. Florida State	Here we go again.  It's been evident this year even more than the last few that FSU has the talent.  It was made evident again on Saturday that they don't have the mental makeup to win a title.  The Noles had every opportunity to win but wouldn't allow themselves to close the deal against NCSU.  EJ Manuel burned 2 timeouts then took a sack, knocking them out of field goal range in the 4th quarter.  Jimbo Fisher wasted the third by challenging a clearly correct call on the field.  FSU basically took a knee three times instead of playing for a first down to end the game.  NCSU then blocked the ensuing punt before scoring the winning touchdown.  Just for good measure, FSU delivered a late hit on the game winning score.  Yet again, the talent is there, but the brains are not.
12. Clemson	Tahj Boyd set a personal record for passing yards against Georgia Tech, and DeAndre Hopkins was the primary benefactor.  Lost in all the Sammy Watkins hype is that Hopkins has emerged as one of the country's most dominant receivers (if not the most).  The defense still isn't any good but should be enough for them to roll into the South Carolina game with just one loss.
13. USC	It looked like Utah was going to blow the Trojans away, but the Utes got a little too excited a little too early and the Trojans came exploding back to retake the lead by half time.  Once USC got up, Utah couldn't find an answer.  Matt Barkely rounded back into form which should relieve many concerns.
14. SEC	Andy Murray's forray into American football didn't go too well.  The dogs were completely dominated on both sides of the ball by the Gamecocks, leaving Spurrier in a familiar position of having won three straight over the dogs.  The shaky line and freshmen RBs were bound to catch up to Mark Richt, but the defense is a bigger cause for concern.  Even with Ogletree and Rambo back, Todd Grantham's vaunted D is giving up points in bunches.
15. Oregon State	They just keep winning, and defense has become a constant.  Maintaining the high level of performance on defense will be important against BYU this week.  BYU's defense has been nothing short of dominant, so Oregon State better not plan on scoring much.
16. SEC	It's time to start taking notice of Dan Mullen's Bulldogs.  They don't have a signature win yet, but all of their wins have been solid and decisive, if not dominant.  The defense is one of the best in the country, and Tyler Russell is finally living up to the hype.  They probably can't really challenge Bama, but it may get interesting.
17. Rutgers	Rutgers just keeps winning with dominant defense.  This will take them a long way towards a BCS bid.  By nature of playing the Big East, a national championship shot probably isn't realistic, but they have a shot to run the table.
18. Louisville	Louisville had a week off before travelling to Pitt on Saturday.  This is a game Louisville should win, but you never know with Pitt being very up and downt his year.
19. Cincinnati	Munchie Legeaux made sure that both Miami's received a thorough beating on Saturday with a 52-14 win over the rival Redhawks.  They've got a really tough test against Fordham this week.  Raise your hand if you are surprised by the fact Fordham has a football team.
20. Stanford	Stanford responded to the UW loss with a good comeback win over Arizona in overtime.  What's important is that Josh Nunes finally had a good game, albeit against a subpar defense.  Maybe this gives him confidence to play well going forward.  I'm still not overly confidenct though.
21. Iowa State	Iowa State pretty much dominated TCU.  The Cyclones have sneakily been building a good program under Paul Rhodes and the fruits are starting to show.  Of course, they are a long way from competing for the Big 12, but they are also a long way from Gene Chizik.
22. TCU	Iowa State pretty much dominated TCU.  The Horned Frogs defense collapsed, and the offense couldn't respond.  A lot of that probably has to do with QB Casey Pachall, who is in trouble yet again, this time for a DUI.  Pachall was suspended before the game and probably won't play for TCU again.
23. SEC	Contrary to the former Big 12 counterpart, A&M has had a pretty good run to start SEC play.  Having to come from behind late to beat Mississippi isn't very good, but a 4-1 record is.  That one loss was a close one to the Gayta, who have made their way into the top ten.
24. Arizona State	Mizzou may not be able to win any conference games, but they were able to beat Arizona State.  In fact, they've been the only team to beat ASU.  Outside of that loss, the Sun Devils have been near dominant, including blowouts over Utah and Illinois.  We get to take a good look at Todd Graham's work now with consecutive Thursday night games against Colorado and Oregon coming up.
25. Duke	Don't laugh.  Okay, fine, laugh.  Duke has jumped out to a 5-1 record, and even though it has been against weak competition, Duke is still 5-1.  Barring a collapse, they are going to a bowl game and may be a legitimate contender in the Coastal division.  In the grand scheme of things, though, winning the Coastal this year won't count for much.  But, hey, it's Duke.