Every Monday during the college football season the CUI sports staff will share it’s own Top-10 national rankings. Here’s a look at the first weeks poll.
1. Oklahoma – Won 47-14 over Tulsa
Clearly the best offense in college football was not going to slow down for little brother Tulsa. We’ll see how they do against a deeply talented Florida State defense after having a bye week to prepare.
~Next week: Idle
2. LSU – Won 40-27 over Oregon
(CU Independent illustration/Kelly Kaoudis)
The Tigers impressive handling of last years national championship runner-up proves that Les Miles and company are ready to reign supreme again in the SEC.
~Next week: vs. Northwestern State
3. Alabama – Won 48-7 over Kent State
The defense, especially the secondary, has all the talent in the world. Now they just need to figure out if A.J. McCarron is the right quarterback for the job. All they will ask him to do is handoff to Heisman candidate Trent Richardson. Oh yeah, don’t lose the game.
~Next week: at Penn State
4. Boise State – Won 35-21 over Georgia
Good ole’ Boise came to play again, this time getting the program’s first ever victory over an SEC foe. The only tough opponent left on the schedule seems to be a TCU team that just lost. It’s not a fall season without the Boise State in the championship game debate.
~Next week: at Toledo
5. Stanford – Won 57-3 over San Jose St.
Stanford is the head of the Pac-12, which may not say much considering how the conference as a whole fared on opening week. Andrew Luck is not going to let his team lose to just anyone.
~Next week: at Duke
6. Florida State – Won 34-0 over Louisiana-Monroe
An elite defense can take the ‘Noles far. Quarterback EJ Manuel looked sharp in his opening day start, which is encouraging no matter who the opponent is. That showdown with Oklahoma looms two weeks from now and should answer the question on many peoples’ minds: Is FSU finally a legit national championship contender?
~Next week: vs. Charleston Southern
7. Texas A&M – Won 46-14 over SMU
The Aggies offense should be spectacular and they get most of their games with ranked opponents at home. But is the defense finally there for coach Mike Sherman to reach a Big-12 title?
~Next week: vs. Idaho
8. Oregon – Lost 27-40 to LSU
A letdown against one of the best teams in college football doesn’t necessarily kill the Ducks’ title hopes. Their schedule sets up for an easy ride until end-of-the-year meetings with Stanford and USC.
~Next week: vs. Nevada
9. Oklahoma State – Won 61-34 over Louisiana-Lafayette
That soaring offense didn’t lose a step following the departure of offensive-coordinator Dana Holgerson. But giving up 34 points to LA-Lafayette? That kind of defense won’t fly in the Big-12.
~Next week: vs. Arizona
10. Virginia Tech – Won 66-13 over Appalachian State
I like the Hokies to challenge FSU for the ACC title. They will probably be there, considering they don’t have a ranked opponent on their schedule.
~Next week: at East Carolina
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Michael Krumholtz at Michael.krumholtz@colorado.edu
