College Football Top 15 heading into Week 11

College Football Top 15 heading into Week 11 games

+ / - spot shows move team made since rankings heading into Wk6 games

1. LSU [9-0, same]: well I suppose you could say the big showdown in T-town lived up to the hype on some levels – it was a very close game, with some great defense – but wow, where were the offenses?  For a few moments I felt like it was 1948 there.  But a win is a win, and it comes of no surprise to me having LSU ranked #1 over Alabama before the game, and also giving out a winning play on the Tigers.  Three regular season games stand between LSU and a SEC Championship game appearance – but do not sleep in either Ole Miss or Arkansas as the pressure will keep mounting on this team, especially with a below average offense that will keep most teams in the game if even the slightest thing is off on any given Saturday.
2. Stanford [9-0, +2 spots]: the Cardinal continue their climb up the polls after a pair of nice road wins over USC and Oregon State.  What a game in LA a few weeks ago, Luck and Barkley going back and forth, very exciting ending – one of the better games all season so far.  Stanford all year has been pointing to the rematch with Oregon this week after blowing an early lead in last season’s matchup – and who knows, if Stanford hangs on to that lead maybe they go to the National Title game and win the Championship.  This year’s game will be perhaps the biggest in Palo Alto history as a birth in the Pac 12 Title Game, and potentially a National Title Game appearance will be on the line.  I look for the balance of Stanford and their physical punishing run game to attempt to keep the explosive Oregon offense off the field.  This right here is Luck’s moment to shine – let’s see how big he steps up.
3. Alabama [8-1, -1 spot]: tough decision here at #3, keeping in mind I rank the teams how good I believe they are for the most part, not where I feel they deserve to be ranked.  I just have a hard time seeing undefeated Oklahoma State matching up well with some of the other top ranked teams this season if it came down to that – so the Tide, for now, will remain in the Top 3.  Saban has typically had his teams ready to go after losses and I expect this week to be no different – the rest of their opponents better watch out as the Tide will be focused, especially considering they believe they are still alive for a National Title game birth – beat downs will be administered whenever possible to impress voters – make no mistake about that.
4. Oregon [8-1, +3 spots]: the Ducks reach their highest point in the rankings this week coming off a relatively impressive win at Washington Saturday night.  Their offense continues demolishing any and everyone averaging 46ppg, while only allowing 21ppg.  With their only loss coming opening game in Dallas vs. LSU, I am not so quick to write-off the Ducks appearing in a second straight National Title game – but a win at Stanford, and running the rest of the table including the inaugural Pac 12 Title game are all musts.  Oregon better be prepared if they win this week facing a very dangerous USC team next week in Autzen.
5. Oklahoma [8-1, +5 spots]: what, OU over OSU in these rankings?  Yes, unfortunately for Cowboy fans the Sooners are still the more talented team, especially defensively which will be the difference when these two teams hook up in a couple weeks in Stillwater.  OU certainly isn’t a juggernaut this season, but since the last edition of these rankings they won @ Kansas State 58-17 (yes, the same K-State club that almost upended Ok St in Stillwater last week), and used a 3^rd quarter surge to knock-out Texas A&M 41-25.  Even with the loss of WR Ryan Broyles and RB Dominique Whaley this is Oklahoma – there are plenty of other great players just waiting for their number to be called – and they will still score a lot of points, and have talented personnel on defense – especially when compared to the Cowboys.  If this team deserves this spot in the rankings they should have little trouble dispatching Baylor this week in Waco.
6. Oklahoma State [9-0, -1 spot]: the Cowboys are one of three BCS conference teams undefeated, but still have 3 other teams with one loss ranked ahead of them – why you ask?  There are many reasons why, going team by team: #3 Alabama lost to #1 LSU, #4 Oregon lost to #1 LSU, #5 Oklahoma flat out has more talent and is a better team even if they didn’t show up vs. Texas Tech a few weeks ago.  My biggest gripe with OSU is their defense – I know their numbers will be skewed some because of their powerful offense that is scoring a ridiculous 50ppg (ranked #2 in nation) – but that defense is yielding 29ppg on their own, and have allowed UL-Lafayette to score 34, Tulsa to score 33, Kansas to score 28 – oh yeah, and what I mentioned above – they beat Kansas State at home by 7 – OU won at Kansas State by a lot more than that.  Don’t get me wrong, in the rankings that matter they deserve to be #2 because they have not lost a game yet, and have played a tougher schedule than Stanford – but if we lined up the top 6 in my rankings Vegas would have Oklahoma State as the least likely to walk away with the title.  Go ahead OSU, prove me wrong, and beat the Sooners in three weeks!
7. Clemson [8-1, -4 spots]: well, it was fun while it lasted for Tiger faithful, that’s for sure.  And there are still many great things that can be achieved by this Clemson team – but the National Title dreams have been officially dashed for this season.  In what was almost a sign of things to come when we saw Clemson need a frantic 2^nd half rally to overcome Maryland in College Park three weeks ago, the road caught up with the young Tigers as they were overpowered by the Georgia Tech triple option in their last outing.  The Tigers could see the Jackets again in a few weeks for the ACC title, but until then, Clemson has to handle an upstart Wake Forest team this week, and a trip to South Carolina to close the season.  That last game will have no impact on many of Clemson’s goals as a BCS birth will be on the line in the ACC Title game, and an at-large berth would be unlikely in the even t of a loss in that game.  Make no mistake, this team has a lot of young talent, and with that QB they will be a factor nationally for the next couple years. ©The SportsBoss 2011
8. Virginia Tech [8-1 +4 spots]
9. USC [7-2, +4 spots]
10. Wisconsin [7-2, -1 spot]
11. Arkansas [8-1, +4 spots]
12. Boise State [8-0 +3 spots]
13. Georgia [7-2, +5 spots]
14.  Nebraska [7-2, +6 spots]
15. Kansas State [7-2, -9 spots]

On the outside looking in:

16. Texas [6-2]
17. Michigan State [7-2]
18. Michigan [7-2]
19. Houston [9-0]
20. Penn State [8-1]