NCAA Top Five | timdwyer's Blog

1. LSU Tigers - Like Mandel says this week in his Power Rankings, 4-1 against top 25 teams is better than Ohio State's 0-0. I know they nearly lost to Auburn this week, but thanks to the iron-clad testicles of coach Les Miles, it's a win--and in the end, that's what matters. 2. Ohio State Buckeyes - For now at least. Do I think they'll lose this week at Penn State? No. But the meat of their schedule is finally coming up, and they'll drop one of these last four at least, and a split is definitely possible. 3. Oklahoma Sooners - They've looked vulnerable against their last few opponents, and if they continue to struggle it may catch up to them. But I don't think they will. This is another case of a team with a couple quality wins and an okay loss getting a nod over a team with neither. 4. Boston College Eagles - If they get through Blacksburg unscathed, I may have to jump them all the way to the top (especially if the season continues as it has and the others fall). But that's a HUGE if. VaTech is one of the toughest places to play in the nation, and you can be sure Hokie Nation will be out in full force for this one. 5. Oregon Ducks - Bonus points for having the best mascot in the top 25. Those got taken away for having, based on the day, the worst unis. These Ducks are for real, though, and Jonathan Stewart is about as underhyped a back as there is. He had an absolute field day last week. Past here it gets pretty hazy. West Virginia is ranked sixth, but how are they so much higher than a South Florida team that beat them? Arizona State is seventh, but what's the difference between them and a Kansas team ranked five spots below them? VaTech is eighth, but for me it's hard to erase the memory of a 48-7 embarassment, even though it was to LSU. USC and Florida tied for ninth round out the top ten, and I'm sure their rankings aren't hurt by the fact that they are USC and Florida. Why USC, who has gone 6-1 against patsies, over 6-1 Missouri, who has gone 2-1 in their last three games, all against ranked opponents? Honestly, there's no explanation. This season, as it has been written before, the polls have been as useful as a screen door on a submarine. So I'll stop complaining. For more, visit ForeverRivals.com.

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October 24, 2007 09:13 AM ET

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If people would respect other posts = instead of going from
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October 24, 2007 09:30 AM ET

You should credit Stewart Mandel for your opening line......

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October 24, 2007 09:33 AM ET

Sorry typed that wrong, didnt mean "should credit", meant good credit of Mandel. That was a good power ranking by him. I agree with you, but I think OSU gets it done te rest of the year.

October 24, 2007 11:24 AM ET

With regards to BC and their remaining schedule, I think this week against VT is the most probable loss for them. I don't consider FSU or Miami significant challenges for them. Though FSU has a decent defense, their offense is schitzophrenic at best while Miami seems to be treading water and Clemson is struggling in the second half of the season again.