1. Oklahoma (6-0): beat Kansas 47-17
The Sooners remain at the top spot, despite a No. 3 ranking in the BCS, which was unveiled Sunday. A 13-catch, 217 yard performance gave receiver Ryan Broyles sole possession of the all-time NCAA record for most career receptions. Him and quarterback Landry Jones have synced in for nine touchdowns already this season to lead an offense that averages over 45 points per game. (Next week: Texas Tech)
2. LSU (7-0): beat Tennessee 38-7
Les Miles and his ball club have won three SEC games by an average margin of 30 points. They’ll look to keep that pace rolling in a scrap with last year’s national champions. LSU ran for 260 yards against the Volunteers with backup quarterback Jordan Jefferson contributing 73 and a touchdown. This is bad news for Auburn, who has one of the most porous run defenses in the country. (Next: vs. Auburn)
3. Alabama (7-0): beat Ole Miss 52-7
Really these three teams could all be ranked No. 1. But what’s the fun of that? Alabama’s defense has some beyond ridiculous stats; none more so than the 1.4 yards per carry opposing teams are averaging per rushing attempt against the Tide. On the other side of the ball, their running game is doing pretty well. Bama’s run attack ranks 12th nationally and is led by Heisman candidate Trent Richardson. This run by Richardson is one of the best of the season. (Next: vs. Tennessee)
4. Wisconsin (6-0): beat Indiana 59-7
No team in America is winning with as much comfort as the Badgers. They own the nation’s top-ranked scoring offense, putting up over 50 per game, and also boast the third-ranked scoring defense in the FBS. Granted, their only challenge thus far has come from Nebraska. That will change next week as they take on 5-1 Michigan State. (Next: @ Michigan St.)
5. Stanford (7-0): beat Washington St. 44-14
The Cardinal started off slow against WSU and managed only a 10-7 lead at halftime. Then quarterback Andrew Luck threw four second-half touchdowns to put the game out of reach. The numbers for the leading Heisman candidate look like this: 1,719 yards, 79% completion rate, 18 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. (Next: vs. Washington)
6. Oklahoma State (6-0): beat Texas 38-26
28-year-old quarterback Brandon Weeden is showing the maturity necessary to lead his team toward a Big 12 title. He is completing passes at a career high rate of 73% and now has two wins over ranked conference opponents to show for it. As the leader of the nation’s second-ranked passing offense, Weeden is spreading the ball to more than just Biletnikoff award winner Justin Blackmon. Five other Cowboy receivers are in the double digits in receptions. (Next: @ Missouri)
7. Boise State (7-0): beat Colorado St. 63-13
The Broncos came to Ft. Collins and treated the Rams to an old-fashioned whooping in their Mountain West Conference debut. Quarterback Kellen Moore threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns against a downtrodden CSU squad. The remainder of their schedule includes Wyoming, UNLV, and New Mexico, with the only real challenge to an undefeated season coming in the form of a 4-2 TCU team. (Next: vs. Air Force)
8. Clemson (7-0): beat Maryland 56-45
The Tigers jump the Ducks thanks in part to their flashy, speed-oriented offense. Also, undefeated Clemson has topped three ranked opponents, compared to Oregon’s lone win against a ranked team. The MVP for head coach Dabo Swinney’s young group has easily been a freshman receiver from Florida. Sammy Watkins single-handedly willed his team to a come from behind win on the road. (Next: vs. North Carolina)
9. Oregon (5-1): beat Arizona St. 41-27
Both starting tailback LaMichael James and quarterback Darron Thomas are nursing injuries. Their status remains in question for the conference match against the Buffs. But Oregon really might not need their starting backfield in tact after an impressive showing by backup quarterback Bryan Bennett, who engineered four scoring drives in the Ducks victory over ASU. (Next: @ Colorado)
10. Arkansas (5-1): Idle
Bobby Petrino’s Razorbacks will need a miracle to win the SEC West, by far the most loaded division in the country. They’ll need Alabama to lose twice and have to beat LSU themselves in the season finale. Still, Arkansas harbors one of the nation’s top passing attacks with quarterback Tyler Wilson and will rely on him to get a BCS bowl birth. (Next: @ Ole Miss)
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Michael Kurmholtz at Michael.krumholtz@colorado.edu.
