My Top Ten Teams

Who will hoist the crystal trophy?

1. Auburn-Heading into a big game (Iron Bowl) against Alabama, the allegations and news surrounding QB Cam Newton has quieted and this is much needed for the Tigers. Newton is the most valuable player this season and a win here would surely lock up the Heisman.

2. Oregon Ducks-A very high-powered offense that goes full throttle all the time. They are No.2 in total offense (542.20) in the nation. This offense can be slowed down, and Tennessee did it for one half and Cal did it all game long. If the Ducks and the Tigers win out, look for a very enjoyable BCS title game, where defense will be optional.

3. Boise State-What can be said about this feisty team that is constantly fighting to be recognized. They continue to get it done on the field on both sides of the ball; even though, I feel that they are lacking in quality opponents on their schedule, they deserve a shot at the national title. Give them a chance; let’s see what they prove to the nation. And then hopefully in the next two years we will get a plus-one format that will seed the top four teams, and hopefully this will quiet the critics of the BCS, but is anyone ever satisfied??

4. TCU-Who would have guessed this season that TCU would be the best team out of the state of Texas. Yeah you read that right, no Longhorn sighting this season as Mack Brown’s team continues to sink to the bottom of the ocean. The Horned Frogs are the No. 1 team on defense and No. 9 on offense: they are balanced team that has put up a lot of points and shutdown opponents as well. It’s a heated, neck-and-neck race between them and Boise for who gets in the national title game if Auburn or Oregon falls. Both teams won’t sniff a BCS game but one will end up in the Rose Bowl as a consolation prize, which isn’t so bad.

5. LSU-Probably the best one-loss team in the nation. I know people will argue the fact, but you cannot find fault with a team that has only one loss in the SEC. Yes, people will mention the fluky wins over Tennessee and Florida but the win against Alabama is a darn good one. Couple that with the maturity of QB Jordan Jefferson, who looks like a new quarterback, and is showing confidence in his throws and designed runs. If Jefferson keeps this up, they will beat Arkansas this upcoming week. However, they cannot get to the national title this year with Boise and TCU undefeated, and the other one-loss teams in the rear view mirror and the fact they did not win their conference, so the voters will not let them into the national title game.

6. Stanford-You cannot deny this Pac-10 team some recognition, whose only loss came to the No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks, a game where they had a good lead but could not hold on for the win. They have good coaching and probably the best pure passer (Andrew Luck) in the league that will make a big splash when he decides to head for the NFL. Coach Harbaugh has instilled a never-die attitude in these scholars of Palo Alto. I thought there would be a major setback with running back Toby Gerhart gone for greener pastures, and the league having more tape on Luck to figure out his weaknesses but this was not the case. No longer can you think of the Cardinal bunch as a group of geeks; they are winning now and looking very good at it.

7. Wisconsin-Good quarterback play that is set up by a solid running game. This team has lived up to its expectations finally. I have been waiting for this team to step up since ’07 and now it seems they have everything figured out. Much kudos to Coach Brett Bielema for a good season.

8. Oklahoma State-The Bedlam showdown with the Oklahoma Sooners, Saturday, will determine who represents the South in Big 12 Championship game. First year starter Brandon Weeden has thrown for an amazing 3,780 with 30 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. His main target is wide receiver Justin Blackmon (Biletnikoff finalist and likely winner) who has 1,560 and 17 touchdowns; this kid is amazing: his speed and physicality and good hands have made him a wet dream for NFL scouts. The Cowboys has the most explosive offense besides Oregon and Auburn. The Sooners better have that defense ready.

9. Alabama-the defending National Champs will not get a chance to repeat with two losses on the season. However, if they knock off their heated rival No. 2 ranked Auburn in the Iron Bowl that could go a long way for this squad for next season. The Crimson Tide’s running game has all but disappeared due to inconsistent play on the offensive line, and Greg McEleroy has played OK this season but not great. I think the offense needs to reinvent itself; you have to find ways to move the ball and put up six points on the board, field goals won’t do.

10. Ohio State-Terrelle Pryor’s comeback win against Iowa last week was a big win. Coach Tressel let Pryor loose a bit and it showed with him running with conviction and making the necessary throws for his team to win. If only we could get a full, consistent game from Pryor then we can give him the kudos he deserves and he can finally live up to the hype surrounding him coming to Columbus. I don’t see Wisconsin losing this weekend, so the Buckeyes will get their share of the Big Ten Title but the Badgers will go on to play in the Rose Bowl.