(CU Independent illustration/Kelly Kaoudis & Josh Shettler)
1. LSU (10-0): beat Western Kentucky, 42-9
The AP’s first unanimous No. 1 since Texas in 2008 look to be the next SEC team in line to hoist a national championship trophy. LSU, who only led the Hilltoppers by 7 at the half, cruised to an easy victory after last week’s monumental win over Alabama. Les Miles and company have a tune-up against Ole Miss before hosting No. 6 Arkansas for the season finale. The Tigers aren’t a sure thing for the BCS National Championship game yet, but the road is clearing up. (Next: @ Ole Miss)
2. Oklahoma St.: (10-0): beat Texas Tech, 66-6
A 60-point win wasn’t even as close as the scoreboard would indicate. The Cowboys were up 49-0 at halftime against the Red Raiders in a game that was as close as the Roosevelt – Landon election. Quarterback Brandon Weeden threw for 423 yards and five touchdowns as he continues to move up Heisman voters’ lists. The No. 2 BCS ranking is the highest in school history for Okie State, who holds its own destiny in reaching the national championship. (Next: @ Iowa State)
3. Alabama (9-1): beat Mississippi St., 24-7
Nick Saban’s defense only allowed 59 yards of total offense in the first half, muzzling the Bulldogs offense to average a ridiculously low .4 yards per rushing attempt. The nation’s top defense has never allowed more than 14 points, and that was to Arkansas – the SEC’s best offense. A rematch with No. 1 LSU is very realistic at this point. One thing is for sure: the BCS is about to get messy. (Next: vs. Georgia Southern)
4. Oregon (9-1): beat Stanford, 53-30
Tailback LaMichael James had 146 yards with three touchdowns and quarterback Darron Thomas threw for three more scores without an interception. Oregon’s offense strikes in a sudden, leaving opponents to look for their cleats. James and his cohorts made Stanford miss a ton of tackles. The Cardinal secondary seemed like a group of guys who Coach David Shaw had just picked up off the street, as seen from this run and catch by Ducks receiver Josh Huff. (Next: vs. USC)
5. Oklahoma (9-1): Idle
Even after that disappointing home loss to Texas Tech in October, the Sooners’ national title aspirations are still alive. But as Tech continues to get romped (see: the 60-point loss), that defeat looks more discouraging to the voters. They have two more conference games before the all important showdown in the Bedlam Series against their state rival. The Sooners’ offense still must recover from the loss of record-setting wideout Ryan Broyles. (Next @ Baylor)
6. Arkansas (9-1): beat Tennessee, 49-7
After all this talk about LSU and Alabama, what if Arkansas won the SEC? Now bare with me, because obviously it’s a long shot. The Razorbacks would have to beat top-ranked LSU in Baton Rouge and need Alabama to lose to Auburn, which would be a bigger upset considering how the defending national champs have looked this season. But hey, it could happen. At the very least, the Razorbacks could sneak another at-large BCS bid with a good showing against the No. 1 Tigers in two weeks. They certainly have the playmakers on offense to compete. (Next: @ Mississippi State)
7. Clemson (9-1): beat Wake Forest, 31-28
Clemson nearly lost in Death Valley to the Deamon Deacons, who missed a 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Instead, the Tigers won by a last second field goal from 43 yards out. Tahj Boyd threw for another 300 yard game, while getting some help from his running game. Coach Dabo Swinney’s team clinched a berth in the ACC Championship game, where a rematch with Virginia Tech seems likely. (Next: @ North Carolina State)
8. Stanford (9-1): lost to No. 4 Oregon, 30-53
Andrew Luck’s Heisman run may be over. A shot at a big-time, signature victory went fumbled away as the Oregon defense swarmed him all night. His offensive line that features two All-Americans looked pedestrian in facing a quicker defensive front. Luck and company won’t win the inaugural Pac-12 title, but a Boise State loss opens up room for an at-large spot in a BCS game. (Next: vs. Cal)
9. Houston (10-0): beat Tulane, 73-17
Houston scores 70 like its playing a video game. The Cougars lead the nation at 54.7 points per game. And no, they really haven’t played anyone, as their best win remains the 38-34 victory over inconsistent UCLA. Quarterback Case Keenum has already set all the major records for his position, now he is looking for a shot under the national spotlight in the postseason. (Next: vs. SMU)
10. Virginia Tech (9-1): beat Georgia Tech, 37-26
Quarterback Logan Thomas keeps improving, as shown by his five touchdown performance on the road against the Yellow Jackets. And as he goes, so do the Hokies, who have been on fire since an Oct. 1 loss to No. 7 Clemson. Frank Beamer’s squad has won five straight and have to battle Virginia for a chance at Clemson again in the conference championship. Recent history says they will, as the Hokies have appeared in four of the six ACC Championship games. (Next: vs. North Carolina)
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Michael Krumholtz at Michael.krumholtz@colorado.edu.
