1. Oklahoma (2-0): Won 23-13 over Florida St.
When the up-tempoed offense stalled against the ‘Noles, the defense broke through in a huge way. They allowed FSU to gain only 27 yards on 26 rushing attempts and knocked out the ‘Noles starting quarterback early in the second half. Quarterback Landry Jones’ offense won’t be challenged too often this season, but when it is, the Sooners know they can rely on a menacing defense.
(CU Independent illustration/Kelly Kaoudis & Josh Shettler)
Next: vs. Missouri
2. LSU (3-0): Won 19-6 over Mississippi St.
This just in: the Tigers defense is pretty darn good. A defensive line that goes deeper than an anvil sinking in the bayou anchors a unit that stopped the Bulldogs from getting 200 yards of offense. Before their date with the Tigers, MSU averaged 513 total yards in their first two games. Head coach Les Miles and company are eating more than just grass, they’re swallowing everything between them and a national championship.
Next: @ No. 16 West Virginia
3. Alabama (3-0): Won 41-0 over North Texas
It’s fair to say that the Alabama defense has not faced a legitimate challenge all season. After three games, opposing offenses have netted a total of 18 points against the Crimson Tide’s talented unit. Now, Arkansas comes to town with the eighth ranked passing attack in the country, averaging nearly 350 yards through the air. Bama’s offense, with unproven quarterback A.J. McCarron, will be asked to step up.
Next: vs. No. 14 Arkansas
4. Stanford (3-0): Won 37-10 over Arizona
Quarterback Andrew Luck threw for 325 yards and a couple of touchdowns in his first Pac-12 game. The Cardinal, who won’t play a team currently ranked in the top-25 until October 29, ranks in the top-10 nationally in both points scored (46 per game) and points given up (9 per game).
Next: Idle
5. Boise State (2-0): Won 40-15 over Toledo
The Broncos had an impressive road thumping, albeit over a MAC opponent, after their bye week. Signal-caller Kellen Moore is hearing his name mentioned more and more in the Heisman talk, as he is 60-for-76 with 716 yards and eight touchdowns on the young season.
Next vs. Tulsa
6. Texas A&M (2-0): Won 37-7 over Idaho
Finally, the showdown with No. 7 Oklahoma St. is upon College Station. The offense continues to roll from the end of last season after two warm-up matches. A backfield with quarterback Ryan Tannehill and a pair of pounders in halfbacks Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael has enough ammunition to ride the Cowboys defense into a shootout.
Next: vs. No. 7 Oklahoma St.
7. Oklahoma St. (3-0)
Quarterback Brandon Weeden leads the nation’s top-ranked passing game into Kyle Field in a game where the scoreboard could very well total 100 points. Last year’s Biletnikoff winner Justin Blackmon already has 27 catches for 329 yards in three games. This offense was made for these types of high-scoring affairs. So naturally, it all comes down to who’s defense makes one more stop than the opponent’s.
Next: @ No. 6 Texas A&M
8. Wisconsin (3-0): Won 49-7 over N. Illinois
The Badgers jump Oregon in this listing because, despite that they haven’t faced a bonafide opponent, their offense looks more fluid and rhyhtmic than ever before. Quarterback Russell Wilson, a transfer from North Carolina St., brings a needed experience and composure to compliment the always great running game in Madison. So far, they have looked dominant over three inferior opponents. They get their fourth, as FCS South Dakota comes to Camp Randall. After that tune-up it’s time to square off with the big boys, as Wisconsin has a date with a top-10 opponent and conference foe Nebraska. Better pad those stats while you still can.
Next: vs. South Dakota
9. Oregon (2-1): Won 56-7 over Missouri St.
Coach Chip Kelly’s Ducks go on the road for the first time since their season-opening loss in Dallas. They’re flying back south to play an Arizona team that is already 1-2 and in great need of a season-saving home win. Darron Thomas and LaMichael James may get a closer-than-expected challenge, but they’re still too fast for the Wildcats.
Next: @ Arizona
10. Nebraska (3-0): Won 51-38 over Washington
The Cornhuskers barely edge out FSU in our latest poll after Nebraska’s defense allowed 420 yards to the Huskies. Quarterback Taylor Martinez is leading a rushing attack that is averaging over 250 yards per game, but through the air Martinez isn’t even throwing at a 50% rate. That one-dimension offense won’t hurt them this week, but the road trip to Wisconsin looms afterward.
Next: @ Wyoming
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Michael Krumholtz at Michael.krumholtz@colorado.edu.
