Top 25 - Week Thirteen

1. Alabama Crimson Tide (2)
Record: 11-0 (7-0)
Coaches Poll: 1
Associated Press: 1
Last Week: BYE
The Crimson Tide are the lone undefeated team coming out of the big six conferences, yet despite their No. 1 ranking across the board, Alabama is not getting a whole lot of love from the public.
Up Next: 11/29: vs. Auburn; 12/6: vs. Florida


2. Oklahoma Sooners (5)
Record: 10-1 (6-1)
Coaches Poll: 2
Associated Press: 3
Last Week: Won vs. Texas Tech 65-21
It appears Oklahoma has fixed the deficiencies in their pass defense. Offensively, a healthy DeMarco Murray brings a special burst and another dynamic threat with the football.
Up Next: 11/29: @ Oklahoma St.


3. Texas Longhorns (3)
Record: 10-1 (6-1)
Coaches Poll: 4
Associated Press: 4
Last Week: Won @ Kansas 35-7
The ‘Horns were in a no-win situation. They need Oklahoma to win, but did the Sooners have to be so damn impressive? Texas has every right to feel the Big 12 system has not served them.
Up Next: 11/22: BYE; 11/27: vs. Texas A & M

4. Florida Gators (4)
Record: 10-1 (7-1)
Coaches Poll: 3
Associated Press: 2
Last Week: Won vs. Citadel 70-19
While 70 points may be 70 points – the Citadel is the Citadel – so no style points for the Gators. Chris Rainey (142 yards) averaged an ungodly 20.3 yards per rush on his seven carries.
Up Next: 11/29: @ Florida St.; 12/6: vs. Alabama

5. Southern Cal Trojans (6)
Record: 9-1 (7-1)
Coaches Poll: 5
Associated Press: 5
Last Week: BYE
The Men of Troy are somewhat helpless – paralyzed by their loss to Oregon St. suffered way back in September – as an 11-win season may not be enough to smell the roses.
Up Next: 11/29: vs. Notre Dame; 12/6: @ UCLA

6. Texas Tech (1)
Record: 10-1 (6-1)
Coaches Poll: 8
Associated Press: 7
Last Week: Won @ Oklahoma 65-21
The Red Raiders were absolutely blitzed in Norman – were they exposed? No – impressive wins over Texas and Oklahoma St. should not be forgotten. They can still win the Big 12 South.
Up Next: 11/29: vs. Baylor

7. Penn St. Nittany Lions (7)
Record: 11-1 (7-1)
Coaches Poll: 6
Associated Press: 6
Last Week: Won vs. Michigan St. 49-18
Neither rain, nor snow nor sleet was going to keep the Nittany Lions from clinching the Big Ten Title. One player who was hot despite the weather was quarterback Darryl Clark – he threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns.
Up Next: Regular Season Complete

8. Utah Utes (8)
Record: 12-0 (8-0)
Coaches Poll: 7
Associated Press: 8
Last Week: Won vs. BYU 48-24
Brian Johnson proved to be a money player once again, completing an unconscious 30-of-36 passes for 306 yards and four scores on senior day.
Up Next: Regular Season Complete

9. Oklahoma St. Cowboys (9)
Record: 9-2 (5-2)
Coaches Poll: 12
Associated Press: 11
Last Week: BYE
It would have been fun to be a fly on the wall watching the Sooners’ onslaught of Texas Tech with Coach Mike Gundy and company.
Up Next: 11/29: vs. Oklahoma (Final Game)

10. Georgia Bulldogs (10)
Record: 9-2 (6-2)
Coaches Poll: 13
Associated Press: 13
Last Week: BYE
How grueling is the SEC season? Even energetic Knowshon Moreno was looking forward to a day off to rest up – hard to believe coming from a back who pops up no matter how hard the hit.
Up Next: 11/29: vs. Georgia Tech (Final Game)

11. Ohio St. Buckeyes (11)
Record: 9-2 (6-1)
Coaches Poll: 10
Associated Press: 10
Last Week: Won vs. Michigan 42-7
The big play Buckeyes – 59-yard touchdown run by Chris “Beanie” Wells, 53-yard scoring grab by Brian Hartline and a 49-yard touchdown run Daniel “Boom” Herron – overcame a slow start against Michigan.
Up Next: Regular Season Complete

12. Missouri Tigers (12)
Record: 9-2 (5-2)
Coaches Poll: 12
Associated Press: 12
Last Week: BYE
Despite the bye, the Tigers had themselves a busy week…unrelated to receiving the Big 12 North Trophy (who knew?), which was delivered to Mizzou by Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe. Headman Gary Pinkel was signed to an extension, ending speculation of his departure.
Up Next: 11/29: vs. KU; 12/6: vs. Big 12 South

13. Boise St. Broncos (13)
Record: 11-0 (7-0)
Coaches Poll: 9
Associated Press: 9
Last Week: Won @ Nevada 41-34
Kellen Moore threw for a career-high 414 yards (three touchdowns), but also saw two of his three interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Next: 11/28: Fresno St. (Final Game)

14. TCU Horned Frogs (15)
Record: 10-2 (7-1)
Coaches Poll: 14
Associated Press: 14
Last Week: Won vs. Air Force 44-10
The Horned Frogs turned in a dominating performance against Air Force, putting up 30 first downs and 504 yards while holding the Falcons’ triple-option to seven first downs and 161 yards.
Next: Regular Season Complete

15. Ball St. Cardinals (17)
Record: 11-0 (7-0)
Coaches Poll: 15
Associated Press: 15
Last Week: Won @ UCM 31-24
Nate Davis was out-gunned by Dan LeFevour, 345 yards to 175, but the Cardinals’ quarterback found the end zone four times.
Up Next: 11/25: Western Michigan

16. Oregon St. Beavers (19)
Record: 8-3 (7-1)
Coaches Poll: 17
Associated Press: 17
Last Week: Won @ Arizona 19-17
Sean Canfield stepped in nicely for Lyle Moevao completing 20-of-32 passes for 224 yards and a score, while James Rogers helped them overcome an injury to Jacquizz with 102 rushing yards.
Up Next: 11/29: vs. Oregon (Final Game)

17. Cincinnati Bearcats (20)
Record: 9-2 (5-1)
Coaches Poll: 16
Associated Press: 16
Last Week: Won vs. Pittsburgh 28-21
Pittsburgh made the ‘Cats one-dimensional and Tony Pike was up to the challenge, airing it out for 309 and three scores in the best performance of his career. Brian Kelly is now one win away from a BCS bid.
Up Next: 11/29: vs. Syracuse; 12/6: @ Hawaii

18. Michigan St. Spartans (14)
Record: 9-3 (6-2)
Coaches Poll: 21
Associated Press: 22
Last Week: Lost @ Penn St. 49-18
Overmatched by the Nittany Lions, Michigan St. isn’t happy with their final act, but as a whole it was a very fine season for Head Coach Mark Dantonio in his second year.
Up Next: Regular Season Complete

19. Brigham Young Cougars (16)
Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Coaches Poll: 19
Associated Press: 20 (Tied)
Last Week: Lost @ Utah 48-24
Max Hall was intercepted five times by the Utes in Saturday’s “Holy War” loss – making the junior quarterback 43-of-83 with no touchdowns and seven interceptions in the Cougars’ two biggest games of the season (loss at TCU).
Up Next: Regular Season Complete

20. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (24)
Record: 8-3 (5-3)
Coaches Poll: 23
Associated Press: 18
Last Week: Won vs. Miami 41-23
Tech manhandled the ‘Canes to the tune of 472 yards rushing – no that is not a typo – the highest rushing total in 20 years allowed by Miami.
Up Next: 11/29: @ Georgia (Final Game)

21. Boston College Eagles (NR)
Record: 7-3 (3-3)
Coaches Poll: 22
Associated Press: 20 (Tied)
Last Week: Won @ Wake Forest 24-21
The Eagles made it harder on themselves than it had to be courtesy of the two fumbles Wake Forest returned for touchdowns. BC overcame their own gaffes and an injury to Chris Crane.
Up Next: 11/22: NC State; 11/29: @ Duke

22. Pittsburgh Panthers (21)
Record: 7-3 (3-2)
Coaches Poll: NR
Associated Press: NR
Last Week: Lost @ Cincinnati 28-21
Their goal of winning the Big East became a long shot in Cincinnati as they allowed the Bearcats to roll off 28 straight points. Pitt scored 14 points in the final stanza, but it was too little, too late.
Up Next: 11/28: vs. WVU; 12/6 @ UConn

23. West Virginia Mountaineers (NR)
Record: 7-3 (4-1)
Coaches Poll: 25
Associated Press: NR
Last Week: Won @ Louisville 35-21
Pat White is officially the top running quarterback in college football history.
Up Next: 11/28: @ Pittsburgh; 12/6: vs. USF

24. Oregon Ducks (22)
Record: 8-3 (6-2)
Coaches Poll: 18
Associated Press: 19
Last Week: BYE
Would it surprise you if Oregon was rooting for Oregon State last week, so they could be the ones to ruin their rivals’ Rose Bowl chances?
Up Next: 11/29: @ Oregon St. (Final Game)

25. Northwestern Wildcats (NR)
Record: 9-3 (5-3)
Coaches Poll: 20
Associated Press: 24
Last Week: Won vs. Illinois 27-10
The Wildcats take home the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk, a trophy given out since 1947.
Up Next: Regular Season Complete

Dropped Out: LSU (18), North Carolina (23), Maryland (25)

Five to Watch: California, Florida St., Iowa Mississippi, South Carolina

Photo Credit: OU Athletics Department